I’ve been sick for the past few days, and that’s never any fun. One comfort has been my Instant Pot — it makes simple, nourishing meals with very little effort. When you don’t have the energy to stand at the stove, a one-pot meal like Lentils and Rice with Rutabaga is ideal: it’s warming, filling, uses pantry staples, and cleans up easily.
If you want an even more hands-off approach, skip the sautéing altogether: use onion powder and granulated garlic instead of fresh, and simply combine all ingredients in the pot. Add about 1 teaspoon each of onion powder and granulated garlic, stir, and cook on the pressure setting. That makes this dish perfect for low-energy days, busy weeknights, or whenever you want a hearty, comforting bowl with almost no prep.
The recipe below appears in The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot. If you’ve used it and liked it, leaving a short review where you purchased it can help other home cooks find recipes that make weeknight cooking easier. Even a single sentence helps.
Vegan Instant Pot One-Pot Lentils and Rice
4 servings
Some winter nights make it hard to leave the warmth of the couch to make dinner. This is a recipe to keep in your regular rotation: it’s hearty, satisfying, and relies on pantry staples. Hands-on time is minimal — about 10 minutes — and then the Instant Pot does the rest. Even if it’s not cold where you are, you’ll appreciate how little effort this takes for such a nourishing result. The flavors are simple but well balanced, and adding a few finishing herbs or a squeeze of lemon brightens the dish.
Ingredients
SAUTÉ INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil (or dry sauté, or add a little water/vegetable broth)
- 1/2 cup (80 g) chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
PRESSURE COOKER INGREDIENTS
- 3 1/2 cups (820 ml) water
- 1 1/2 cups (278 g) brown rice
- 1 cup (192 g) brown lentils
- 1 cup (160 g) peeled and diced rutabaga (or turnip or potato)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (about 2″, 5 cm)
- 1 tbsp (2 g) dried marjoram (or thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Use the sauté setting on normal (medium) heat and warm the oil or broth. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. If you prefer a completely hands-off method, skip this step and substitute 1 teaspoon each onion powder and granulated garlic into the pot with the other ingredients.
- To the onion mixture (or directly into the pot if you skipped the sauté), add the water, brown rice, lentils, rutabaga, rosemary, and marjoram. Stir to combine so nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Secure the lid and ensure the vent is sealed. Cook on the manual/high pressure setting for 23 minutes. When the cooking time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for best texture.
- Open the lid, remove the rosemary sprig, and fluff the rice and lentils with a fork. Taste and season with salt and pepper. If desired, adjust the herbs or add a little finishing olive oil or a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving
Calories 484Saturated Fat 1gSodium 911mgCarbohydrates 91gFiber 10gSugar 4gProtein 18g
Did you make this recipe?
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You don’t have to use rutabagas — they’re mildly sweet and a little peppery, and they work wonderfully here, but any root vegetable like turnips or potatoes will do. If you want more texture, try adding diced carrots or parsnips. For added freshness, finish each bowl with chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or a drizzle of good olive oil. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for several days and make a quick lunch or dinner when reheated. If the mixture seems dry after storing, stir in a splash of vegetable broth or water while reheating to loosen the grains.
Get more great Instant Pot recipes — search your cookbook collection or look through trusted recipe sources to find other one-pot meals that save time and deliver comforting results. Simple swaps — different grains, legumes, or seasonal vegetables — will give you many satisfying variations on this basic template. The Instant Pot is an especially useful tool for busy households, anyone recovering from illness, or cooks who want hearty meals with minimal effort.