How To Cook Split Peas In Instant Pot

Cooking Split Peas with Ease Using an Instant Pot

Split peas are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be transformed into delicious soups, stews, and side dishes. If you’re a fan of the Instant Pot, you’ll love how quickly and effortlessly you can cook split peas using this handy kitchen gadget. In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to cook split peas in an Instant Pot, ensuring a flavorful and perfectly cooked result every time.

Why Choose an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot has revolutionized the way we cook, offering a convenient and time-saving method to prepare meals. Its multifunctional capabilities allow you to pressure cook, sauté, steam, and more, all in one pot. When it comes to cooking split peas, the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function can significantly reduce the cooking time, making it an ideal choice for those busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup of split peas
• 3 cups of water or vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse the split peas under cold water and remove any debris or discolored peas.

2. Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables soften.

3. Add the rinsed split peas, bay leaf, and water or vegetable broth to the Instant Pot. Give it a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.

4. Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the vent is set to the sealed position.

5. Select the manual or pressure cook setting on your Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 15 minutes.

6. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before carefully performing a quick release.

7. Open the lid and stir the cooked split peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Serve the delicious split peas as a hearty soup, alongside your favorite protein, or as a side dish to complement your main course.

Tips and Variations

• To add more flavor to your split peas, you can include ingredients such as smoked ham, bacon, or your preferred herbs and spices.
• If you prefer a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partially or completely puree the cooked split peas.
• For a thicker consistency, cook the split peas for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Leftover cooked split peas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for future use.

There you have it—an easy and foolproof method to cook split peas in an Instant Pot. Enjoy the nutritional benefits and hearty flavors of this versatile legume in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re whipping up a comforting split pea soup or incorporating them into your favorite dishes, the Instant Pot will quickly become your go-to kitchen companion for cooking split peas.