Lentils are healthy, but they can also be extremely delicious! This sweet potato lentil side dish is 100% vegan, and so easy to make. You just need a few ingredients, a few minutes, and an Instant Pot.
There’s something about the balance of sweet potatoes with the earthy lentils that makes this a really well-balanced side dish. I’m also a big fan of how healthy this dish is. It’s deceptive–can something so delicious really be good for you?
Spoiler: Yes. The nutrition facts below don’t lie. This side dish is a great source of potassium, vitamin A, and fiber!
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Is it easy to make lentils in an instant pot?
Absolutely! In fact, the instant pot is probably the easiest way to make lentils. You just have to rinse them, put them in the instant pot with the right amount of liquid, throw in your other ingredients, and pressure cook.
In the past, I’ve avoided making lentils because it can be very time consuming on the stovetop. Once I bought an instant pot, though, it opened up a whole new world. I can save money by buying dried beans and lentils, and save my sanity by having a device that lets me cook them without much thought or effort.
What can I pair with these instant pot sweet potato lentils?
This is a really versatile side dish. It has just a touch of sweetness from the sweet potatoes, but it’s savory enough from the contrasting lentils. So, it really goes with anything.
However, my personal favorite way to eat them is to pair them with some vegan cornbread! Just heat up a slice of the golden loaf, slather some vegan butter on it, and top it with these lentils!
You’ll thank me later.
Vegan Instant Pot Sweet Potato Lentils
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry
- 3/4 cup dry green lentils rinsed 3x
- 1 medium sweet potato diced, skin on
- 1 can no salt added diced tomatoes 14.5oz can; strained, not rinsed
Wet
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/3 cup filtered water
Seasonings
- 1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp vegan chicken broth base
Instructions
- First, rinse the lentils under cold water. Ideally, do it three times, to make sure the lentils are properly clean. Put into the instant pot.3/4 cup dry green lentils
- Dice the sweet potato, skin on. Put into the instant pot.1 medium sweet potato
- Open the can of no salt added tomatoes, and strain off the liquid, but don't rinse with water. Put into the instant pot.1 can no salt added diced tomatoes
- Measure all wet ingredients, and add them to the instant pot. Stir.2 tsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 1/3 cup filtered water
- Measure all seasonings, and add them to the instant pot. Stir.1 tsp coarse ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning, 1 tsp vegan chicken broth base
- Put on the instant pot lid, make sure the vents are sealed, and pressure cook in manual mode for 10 minutes.
- Once the instant pot finishes pressure cooking, let the pressure release naturally (i.e. don't vent) for 10 minutes. When that time passes, open the vents, then open the lid.
- Enjoy the delicious side dish!