There’s honestly nothing like a good soup on a chilly winter’s night to warm you and the family up. But who has the time to babysit a pot on the stove all day? Luckily, with an instant pot (or other electrical pressure cooker) you don’t have to. Here are our top instant pot soups.
ALSO SEE: Top 4 reasons why you need an instant pot
1. Curried butternut squash soup
This vibrant orange soup is packed with flavour and nutrients. The Instant Pot helps soften the squash to perfection, and a touch of curry adds a warm, exotic touch. Bonus points for topping it off with a dollop of Greek yoghurt and a sprinkle of toasted coconut.
- Sauté chopped onions and garlic in your Instant Pot with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add cubed butternut squash, vegetable broth, curry powder, ginger, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Purée the soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with yoghurt and toasted coconut for an extra touch.
2. Chicken noodle soup with a twist
This classic comfort food gets a fun upgrade in the Instant Pot. Ditch the canned veggies and throw in fresh chopped carrots, celery, and peas for a burst of flavour and colour. Feeling adventurous? Add a swirl of pesto or a squeeze of fresh lemon for a delightful surprise.
- Sauté diced chicken breasts in your Instant Pot with olive oil.
- Add chopped carrots, celery, onion, and chicken broth.
- Season with dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks.
- Add cooked noodles (your favourite kind!), shredded chicken, and peas to the pot.
- Heat through for a few minutes and serve with a squeeze of lemon, if desired.
3. Spicy lentil soup
Calling all spice lovers! This lentil soup packs a punch with a kick of chilli flakes and the smokiness of paprika. The Instant Pot cooks the lentils to a perfect tenderness, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that’s kind to your wallet.
- Sauté chopped onions and garlic in your Instant Pot with olive oil.
- Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, chilli flakes, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (if you dare!).
- Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for a pop of colour.
4. Creamy tomato tortellini soup
This one’s for cheese lovers! The Instant Pot quickly simmers the tomatoes into a rich and creamy base. Toss in pillowy tortellini and your favourite shredded cheese for a decadent and comforting soup that will leave you wanting more.
- Sauté chopped onions and garlic in your Instant Pot with olive oil.
- Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional).
- Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add fresh or frozen cheese tortellini and cook on high pressure for 3-4 minutes, or until the tortellini are cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
5. Italian wedding soup with mini meatballs
This delightful soup is all about the tiny, juicy meatballs. The Instant Pot helps them cook quickly and evenly, while the flavourful broth infused with fresh herbs and vegetables creates a symphony of taste in every spoonful.
- Brown pre-made meatballs (or make your own!) in the Instant Pot with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add chicken broth, chopped carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes.
- Season with Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and a bay leaf.
- Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf stir in small pasta (like ditalini or orzo) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
6. Slow cooker creamy chicken wild rice soup (adapted for instant pot)
Craving a taste of the wilderness without leaving your couch? This creamy wild rice soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. The Instant Pot mimics the slow-cooker process, resulting in fall-off-the-bone chicken and perfectly cooked rice in a fraction of the time.
- Sauté diced chicken breasts in your Instant Pot with olive oil.
- Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and chicken broth.
- Stir in rinsed wild rice, dried thyme, and a bay leaf.
- Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes, then release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and stir in heavy cream and frozen peas.
- Heat through for a few minutes until peas are cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
ALSO SEE:
Featured Image: Pexels
* The images used in this article are stock images and do not act as accurate representations of the recipes discussed in this article