Vegetarian Okra Soup in Instant Pot

Are you looking for a simple, nutritious and delicious soup to make this week? Look no further than this quick and easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Okra Lentil Soup! It is one of my favorite easy Indian flavor inspired vegan soups. This one-pot soup is made with wholesome ingredients like okra, Indian split pea lentils, tomatoes, garlic and spices.

It’s packed with protein and fiber from the lentils and it comes together in under an hour. Plus, it’s vegan so everyone can enjoy it! So if you’re looking for a comforting meal that won’t break your budget or take too much time to prepare – give this Instant Pot Okra Lentil Vegetarian Soup a try!

What is okra?

Okra, also known as ladies’ fingers, is a green, flowering vegetable native to Africa. It has a mild flavor and when cooked it develops a unique texture which makes it great for soups! Okra is high in vitamins A and C, potassium and antioxidants.

What are the health benefits of Okra?

Okra is high in vitamins A and C, potassium and antioxidants. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which helps promote healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Okra is also rich in folate and magnesium, two essential minerals for heart health. Additionally, okra is low in calories and fats but contains beneficial fatty acids like omega-3s that can help reduce inflammation.

Finally, research has shown that eating okra may help control blood sugar levels, making it an excellent food choice for those with diabetes. The mucilage of okra binds cholesterol and bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the liver. This helps reduce the absorption of bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure. In addition, okra is a great source of dietary fiber which can promote healthy digestion.

Why you will love this instant pot lentil okra soup?

• This recipe is a great way to enjoy the health benefits of okra without compromising on flavor. It is high in vitamins A and C, potassium, antioxidants, dietary fiber and beneficial fatty acids like omega-3s which can help reduce inflammation.
• The Instant Pot speeds up cooking time, making this soup perfect for busy weeknights.
• The combination of okra and lentils makes this soup high in protein, so it is sure to fill you up.
• Okra adds a unique flavour to this vegetarian soup which will keep your taste buds satisfied.
• This Instant Pot Okra Lentil Vegetarian Soup is an easy way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.

Ingredients for making this hearty okra lentil soup

• Sesame oil
• Cumin Seeds
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Tomato
• Okra
• Toor Dal / split yellow pigeon peas
• Water
• Juice of half a lemon

Substitutions:

• You can easily substitute sesame oil with coconut oil or olive oil, depending on your preference. Sesame oil adds a unique nutty flavor to the dish but it is not necessary if you don’t have any on hand. Whichever oil you choose, this quick and easy Instant Pot vegetarian okra lentil soup will sure to be delicious!
• If you don’t have split pigeon pea lentils on hand, you can easily substitute them with split yellow lentils or red lentils. Split yellow and red lentils are both high in protein and a great source of dietary fiber.
• You may also omit garlic, if you do not not like the flavor of it. If you do not have fresh garlic pods in hand, you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or minced garlic that we get in the store.

How to make this Okra Lentil soup?

To make this easy veggie soup, we start by adding cumin seeds to hot oil in the instant pot in saute mode. After the cumin seeds start giving out an aroma, we saute the onions and garlic for a minute.

What to serve with Okra soup?

This okra lentil vegetarian soup pairs perfectly with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad. To make it even heartier, top it off with a dollop of Greek yogurt and some freshly chopped parsley along with lemon juice and dukka. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks when cooking okra?

When buying okra, look for firm pods that have no discoloration or brown spots. Smaller okra are usually tender and more flavorful than the larger varieties.

Many avoid cooking this iconic vegetable as they are put off by the slimy texture of okra when cooking. Hayne Hayes in her article on Southern Living writes elaborately about the tips and tricks to cook okra that is not slimy. When it comes to cooking okra, the trick is to cook it at a high heat for a short amount of time.This will prevent the vegetable from becoming slimy and will also maintain its crunchiness.

Print