Instant Pot Cauliflower Curry - A classic Indian dish using Potatoes and Cauliflower and simple spices in the instant pot.This dish is Vegan,gluten Free,Paleo and Whole 30 approved.
This has been on our weekly rotation of years!I always have cauliflower in my refrigerator and i almost always end up making this sabzi.Sabzi is a dry stir fried version of our indian curries.
In fact, you can adapt this recipe for almost any other vegetable- beans, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers.
Why make Cauliflower Curry in Instant Pot
Why make aloo gobi in instant pot instead of say a traditional pressure cooker or stove top?
Here are the reasons
- It's Quicker
- One pot to wash- way easier than washing pressure cooker or a pot.
- Safer
- More Nutritious
If you are still unconvinced, i have written a detailed post on Indian food in instant pot. This will give you all the reasons and details along with the recipes you should start with, if you are new to instant pot.
How to make Instant Pot Cauliflower Curry
Step 1: Prep the Vegetables
Cut the cauliflower into large florets so that it doesn't become mushy while pressure cooking.
Cut the potatoes into thin 1 inch pieces, so that they get cooked along with the cauliflower.
Step 2: Make the Base Sauce
Heat the instant pot in the saute mode.Once it says "Hot", add the oil.Let the oil become hot, add cumin and wait for it to splutter.Add the Onion and ginger garlic paste. Saute till they start turning brown- about 4-5 minutes.
Add the Chopped tomato along with its juices and saute till mushy.Press the tomatoes from the back of the spoon to make it cook faster.Take about 3-4 minutes.
Add all the remaining spices- turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder along with salt.Cancel Saute.
Open the pot, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Step 3: Deglaze and add vegetables
Add ¼ Cup water and deglaze the pot very well.This is the most important step, if not done, the instant pot will show the burn sign.Add the potatoes and cauliflower on top.Mix and Close the lid.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Select PRESSURE COOK, on HIGH pressure , for 2 minutes.Quick Release the pressure.
Open and Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Variations of Instant Pot Cauliflower Curry
Ah..there are a zillion variations to this humble aloo gobi.Here are 2 very famous versions.
Aloo Gobi with peas - Add frozen or fresh peas to this already awesome sabzi to add a twist.
Fried Aloo Gobi- This is where you deep fry the potato and cauliflower before proceeding to make the sabzi.because we already cook the cauliflower and potatoes by deep frying, you should cook the sauce and add the cauliflower and potatoes in the end.
Tips to make the best Cauliflower Curry
- Cut and wash the cauliflower in running water.As an added measure, soak the cauliflower in warm salted water for a few minutes.
- Pre Prepping veggies- Soak the potatoes in water if you are prepping the veggies ahead of cooking them.This will stop them from turning black.
- SPICES - use your favourite Indian curry powder instead of the turmeric, coriander and chilli powder.
Cauliflower Curry Instant Pot
Is Aloo Gobhi Vegan
Yes, it is vegan, if you use oil instead of the ghee.
Is Aloo Gobhi Gluten Free
Absolutely.Aloo Gobhi is naturally gluten free.
To make Aloo Gobhi on Stove top
To make this on stove top, follow the same process till you add the potato and cauliflower.
Cover the pot and let it cook on low-medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
What to serve with Aloo Gobhi
On a busy day, serve this as a main along with some bread like chappathis or plain parathas with some simple dal.
When you are going all out, serve this as a side along with Dal Makhani and Instant pot Palak Paneer .
More Vegan Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Cumin Potatoes
Instant Pot Mushroom Curry
Crispy Okra Fry
Instant Pot Chickpeas and Cauliflower Curry
Here is another of our favourite way to eat cauliflower- Air Fried Curried Cauliflower
Find us on Instagram , Pinterest & Facebook here!
If you liked my recipe, do leave a comment!
It will help others find this amazing recipe too!
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste Store bought or use fresh
- 1 Onion - chopped about 1 cup
- 1 large Potato - cut into 1 inch chunks about 1.5 cups
- 1 head Cauliflower - cut into large florets about 4 cups
- 2 medium Tomatoes- chopped about 1 cup
- ¼ Cup Water
Spices
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Chilli Powder or paprika
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- Heat the instant pot in the saute mode.
- Once it says "Hot", add the oil.
- Let the oil become hot, add cumin and wait for it to splutter.
- Add the Onion and ginger garlic paste. Saute till they start turning brown- about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the Chopped tomato along with its juices and saute till mushy.Press the tomatoes from the back of the spoon to make it cook faster.Take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add all the remaining spices- turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder along with salt.Cancel Saute.
- Add ¼ Cup water and deglaze the pot very well.This is the most important step, if not done, the instant pot will show the burn sign.
- Add the potatoes and cauliflower on top.Close the lid.
- Select PRESSURE COOK, on HIGH pressure , for 2 minutes.Quick Release the pressure.
- Open the pot, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Notes
- Cut the potatoes into 1 inch,thin pieces
- Cut the cauliflower into big florets.
- Replace the Turmeric,Coriander powder & Chilli powder with 1 tablespoon of Curry Powder.
- Make sure you deglaze the pot otherwise the pressure cooker will show BURN message.
Kat Mason says
If you want to add peas, at what point do you add them?
chhavi says
absolutely...You can add them just before you pressure cook if you don't mind slighlty done peas.
Shannon says
Do you use cumin seed or ground cumin?
chhavi says
Hey shannon,
I have used seeds but if you dont have them, you can add ground cumin too.
Sarah says
The recipe says pressure cook for 2 minutes but the written narrative above says 3. Which is correct?
chhavi says
Thankyou for letting me know sarah.
When you pressure cook for 2 minutes, you get a curry that still holds maximum shape.
Though if you like your cauliflower softer 3 minutes is the way to go.
Hope that helps..