Weeknight Cauliflower Curry Recipe (Instant Pot)

This quick and easy cauliflower curry recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight. Made in the instant pot so there will be fewer dishes, and the meal will come together in no time. Using pantry staples means this is a recipe that will make it onto your regular meal rotation in no time.

vegan. gluten-free. dairy-free. freezer friendly.

We just love a quick and easy meal made in the instant pot. Another favorite in the whole food bellies house is this Instant Pot Taco Soup (Vegetarian).

Ingredients

Although it may look like a long list, this cauliflower curry recipe really is very simple.

You will need:

• extra virgin olive oil: or any other cooking oil of choice. I have used coconut oil and avocado oil interchangeably, and they work fine. Please note that using coconut oil may add more of a coconut flavor to the meal;
• onion: I use a brown onion for this recipe;
• garlic: fresh is best, however sub in some garlic powder or prepared garlic if that is what you have;
• ginger: fresh is best, however sub in some ginger powder or prepared ginger if that is what you have;
• head of cauliflower: we use a large head of cauliflower here;
• full fat coconut milk: you can use low-fat if prefered, however it makes the curry less thick and creamy;
• a can of diced tomato: be sure to check the ingredients, we want plain diced tomatoes, not flavored. You can also sub in a similar amount of fresh diced tomatoes; 
• garam masala: this can be found in the spice section of well-stocked grocery stores, alternatively, you should be able to find it in the Indian section of an international grocery store;
• yellow curry powder: can be found in the spice section;
• sriracha sauce: we only add 1 teaspoon for this recipe, which works perfectly as a 'family-friendly' mean. Feel free to add more if you love it spicy;
• turmeric powder: this can also be found in the spice section. Feel free to sub in freshly grated turmeric if you have it on hand;
• lime juice: fresh is best, however sub in prepared lime juice if that is what you have;
• lime zest: don't skip this, it adds a real pop of flavor to the dish;
• salt and black pepper;
• fresh cilantro: technically you can sub in some dried cilantro, but the flavor just won't be there, fresh is best. If you don't like cilantro then go ahead and leave it out, but you will be missing a lot of the flavor of the dish.

You may also want to have some cooked white rice or brown rice, lime wedges, and extra cilantro for serving.

Sliced red chilies go well also if you can handle the heat.

Instructions

This cauliflower curry recipe is super easy to make.

We are going to start by using the sauté function in the instant pot to sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant, and the onion is translucent.

This extra step of a light sauté prior to cooking, adds so much more flavor to this dish, and should not be missed.

Don't skip on sautéeing the ginger, garlic and onion or you will lose a lot of flavor from the dish.

Once this is done, simply add the rest of the ingredients, give everything a good stir, pop the lid on and cook for 5 minutes.

Please note: it will take roughly 20 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure, so factor that into your planning time.

Release pressure immediately once cooking has finished.

Have some cauliflower left and ready to try something new? Try this roasted cauliflower steak next.

Tips Tricks and Substitutions

Have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before starting to cook this cauliflower curry recipe.

This will make the whole process seamless.

More Vegetables

If you want to add more feel free to sub out some of the cauliflower for another veggie that cooks at a similar time in the instant pot.

I am thinking of butternut squash, broccoli, or potatoes.

You could also add a handful of baby spinach once the cooking time has finished and the curry is cooked.

Spice Blend

If you have a favorite Indian spice blend or curry blend that you would prefer to use then go on ahead and replace the garam masala and curry powder with that.

Added Protein

If you would like to add some protein to your cauliflower curry, then I would recommend adding some red lentils and a little bit more liquid so the curry doesn't become too dry.

Add the lentils to the pot at the same time as you add the cauliflower.

Why not use any leftover cauliflower to make this cauliflower cheese.

How To Serve

When it comes to serving, this cauliflower curry recipe is pretty versatile.

I like to serve mine up with some steamed jasmine rice, a sprinkle of cilantro, some lime slices, and a couple of sliced red chilies.

Here are some other ideas for serving:

• with some naan bread;
• with a dollop of yogurt or plant-based yogurt on top;
• with some extra hot sauce, cayenne or sliced chillies to make it extra hot;
• for a low carb option you could serve the curry up in some lettuce leaves;
• add a handful of baby spinach and stir through before serving for some extra greens.

Packs well for lunch the next day too which is always an added bonus.

Storing, Freezing and Meal Prepping

Store cooked cauliflower curry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

This can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Allow thawing overnight before reheating to prevent the cauliflower from becoming soggy.

Meal Prep Freezer Tip: If you have some cauliflower that you need to use up, you can add all of the uncooked ingredients to a freezer-safe bag and freeze. When it comes time to use it, simply add everything to the instant pot, along with a cup of water, and cook for 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need More Instant Pot Meals?

The instant pot is just perfect for bringing together nutritious and delicious meals on a busy weeknight.

Why not try one of these recipes next:

• Super Moist Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken (Instant Pot)
• Instant Pot Turkey and Sweet Potato Chilli (plus stovetop)
• Moroccan Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
• Instant Pot Egg Curry from Easy Indian Cookbook

Happy Eating.

xx

Recipe

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.