Pressure Cooker Veggie Recipes for Quick Healthy Meals

Updated On: October 8, 2025

Pressure cooking is a game-changer when it comes to preparing vegetables quickly, retaining their vibrant flavors, and preserving essential nutrients. Whether you’re a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or simply love experimenting in the kitchen, pressure cooker veggie recipes offer convenience without compromising on taste or nutrition.

Using a pressure cooker dramatically reduces cooking time, making it easier than ever to whip up hearty, wholesome meals packed with colorful veggies and exciting spices.

In this blog post, you’ll find multiple delicious and easy-to-follow pressure cooker veggie recipes that will inspire your next meal. From comforting stews to light salads, these recipes showcase how versatile and satisfying vegetarian cooking can be.

Plus, we’ll share handy tips, variations, and serving ideas to elevate your veggie dishes. Ready to dive into the world of pressure cooker vegetarian delights?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Pressure cooker veggie recipes are perfect for anyone looking to save time in the kitchen without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. The sealed cooking environment locks in moisture and intensifies flavors, resulting in tender, perfectly cooked vegetables every time.

These recipes are also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize ingredients based on your preferences or what’s available in your pantry. Plus, pressure cooking helps preserve the vitamins and minerals in vegetables better than traditional boiling or steaming methods.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, these recipes are budget-friendly, nutrient-dense, and can be easily scaled up or down. If you’re looking to explore more vegetarian dishes, check out our A to Z Vegetarian Recipes for Every Meal and Occasion to complement your meals.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, broccoli)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or basil) for garnish

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker (electric or stovetop)
  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving bowls or plates

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and chop the mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Set your pressure cooker to the sauté mode (or use stovetop heat). Add olive oil, then sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add spices: Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Cook the spices for 1 minute to release their aroma.
  4. Add vegetables and liquids: Add the chopped mixed vegetables and diced tomatoes to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth or water. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Seal and cook: Close the pressure cooker lid securely. Set the cooker to high pressure and cook for 4 minutes. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your vegetable pieces.
  6. Release pressure: Once cooking is complete, carefully perform a quick release of pressure according to your pressure cooker’s instructions.
  7. Check and adjust: Open the lid and stir the vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer on sauté mode for a few more minutes with the lid off.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh herbs over the dish before serving to add brightness and freshness.

Tips & Variations

“Experiment with different vegetable combinations based on seasonal availability or your personal favorites. Adding root vegetables like sweet potatoes or parsnips adds a natural sweetness and heartiness.”

  • Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red chili flakes, or try our Chilli Powder Recipe Vegan: Easy Homemade Spice Blend for a flavorful kick.
  • Protein boost: Add canned chickpeas or lentils before pressure cooking for a more filling meal. You can find great ideas in our Alkaline Vegan Chickpea Recipes for Healthy Meals post.
  • Herbs and greens: Stir in kale, spinach, or swiss chard at the end of cooking for an extra nutrient boost and vibrant color.
  • Use frozen vegetables: Frozen veggies work well too and often save prep time.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Calories 120 kcal
Protein 4 g
Carbohydrates 20 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Fat 5 g
Sodium 350 mg
Vitamin A 80% DV
Vitamin C 70% DV

Serving Suggestions

This pressure cooker veggie dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over fluffy quinoa, brown rice, or your favorite grain for a complete meal.

It also works great as a hearty filling for wraps or pita pockets.

For a light lunch, enjoy it alongside a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. You can also add a dollop of dairy-free yogurt or a spoonful of our Cauliflower Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe for Easy Dips to add creaminess and tang.

Looking for more vegetarian ideas to complement this dish? Check out our Best Vegetarian Recipes No Dairy for Delicious Meals for inspiration.

Delicious Pressure Cooker Veggie Recipes You Must Try

Pressure Cooker Ratatouille

  • Ingredients: Eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, pepper.
  • Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic, add chopped veggies and herbs in the pressure cooker, seal, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
  • Why it’s great: A classic French vegetable medley made quick and easy with deep, layered flavors.

Instant Pot Lentil and Vegetable Stew

  • Ingredients: Green lentils, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, vegetable broth, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika.
  • Instructions: Combine all ingredients in the pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then release pressure naturally.
  • Why it’s great: A protein-packed, hearty stew perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner.

Pressure Cooker Curried Cauliflower and Peas

  • Ingredients: Cauliflower florets, green peas, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, coconut milk, cilantro.
  • Instructions: Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger, add cauliflower, peas, curry powder, and coconut milk, cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
  • Why it’s great: A creamy, fragrant curry that’s ready in minutes and pairs well with rice or flatbreads.

For more creative meal ideas, explore our Batch Cooking Recipes InstantPot Vegetarian Made Easy and Cheap Vegetarian Recipes For Families Everyone Will Love.

Conclusion

Pressure cooker veggie recipes offer a fantastic way to enjoy quick, nutritious, and flavorful meals with minimal fuss. Whether you’re preparing a simple vegetable stew or a more complex curry, the pressure cooker helps you save precious time while locking in vibrant flavors and nutrients.

With endless variations and easy customization, these recipes fit perfectly into any lifestyle—whether you’re a busy weeknight cook or someone exploring new vegetarian dishes. Give these recipes a try, and you’ll soon discover how pressure cooking can elevate your plant-based meals to a whole new level.

Don’t forget to explore related recipes like our Chilli Powder Recipe Vegan: Easy Homemade Spice Blend and A to Z Vegetarian Recipes for Every Meal and Occasion for even more inspiration. Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe Card: Pressure Cooker Veggie Medley

Description: A quick and healthy mix of fresh vegetables cooked to perfection in a pressure cooker. Perfect as a side dish or light main meal.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT10M
Total Time: PT25M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté mode.
  2. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
  3. Add all vegetables to the cooker and stir.
  4. Pour in vegetable broth and season with salt, pepper, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
  5. Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes.
  6. Quick release the pressure and open the lid carefully.
  7. Stir the veggies and serve warm.

Nutrition: Calories: 150 kcal | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 18 g

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Marta K

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