Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (2024)

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Last year, I discovered Alison Roman’s Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric, and I immediately fell in love. Since then, I’ve made a few adjustments of my own, including the use of an Instant Pot. This vegan-friendly stew is perfect for the approaching autumn months, but is also surprisingly tasty even in the summer.

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Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (1)

To make this stew, you start by cooking garlic, onion and ginger in coconut oil until tender. Then, you stir in lots of turmeric, red pepper flakes and chickpeas. The original recipe calls for canned chickpeas. Here, I’m using dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight. Canned chickpeas are such a wonderful convenience item, but I really do love the flavor and texture of soaked chickpeas more. And they cook up just as quickly when you use an Instant Pot!

Once the spices have sizzled a bit in the oil, you add coconut milk and stock, clamp on the lid, and cook under high pressure for just 15 minutes! After pressure releases, you stir in some kale and cook until wilted.

I also deviate from the original recipe when it comes to toppings. I like to ladle up a hot bowl of stew, then top with a spoonful of labneh, cilantro leaves and a sprinkling of toasted coconut and mustard seeds. You guys, this SO delish. Continue reading for the Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric recipe.

Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (2)

I love using dried/soaked chickpeas here, because I think they taste better, and they also have a pleasant texture when cooked properly in an Instant Pot. Alison Roman’s original recipe called for two cans of chickpeas, so to get the equivalent from dried, you need to start by soaking two cups of dried chickpeas in water overnight. Next, drain the chickpeas and measure out 500 grams (about 3 cups). Store any leftover chickpeas in the fridge and use for a different recipe!

  • Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (3)
  • Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (4)

While the stew is cooking, you can prepare the toppings. Start by toasting some unsweetened coconut flakes in a skillet just until they begin to brown. Then add black mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop. This toasted coconut topping adds some nice crunch to the stew while amping up the coconut flavor.

Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (5)

In addition to the toasted coconut, I love to serve this stew with labneh, a thick and tangy Middle Eastern yogurt, and fresh cilantro. But the beauty of stews like these, is that you can top it with whatever you like. I personally like to add something creamy, crunchy and fresh. Don’t have labneh? Try full fat Greek yogurt or even sour cream. Mustard seeds not in your pantry? Just sprinkle on toasted coconut or chopped, roasted peanuts. Hate cilantro? Use basil or parsley instead! You can really get creative with toppings.

Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (6)

4.73 from 11 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Inactive Time 8 hrs 30 mins

Total Time 9 hrs 5 mins

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 350 grams (2 cups) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, finely chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 bunch lacinato kale, stems removed, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 2 teaspoons black mustard seeds

Labeh (or full-fat Greek yogurt), for serving

    Cilantro leaves, for serving

      Instructions

      • Drain soaked chickpeas, measure out 500 grams (about 3 cups), and set aside. Store any remaining chickpeas in the fridge for another use.

      • Using the saute function, warm coconut oil on high in an Instant Pot. When it’s hot, stir in garlic, onion, ginger a pinch of salt and a few turns of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft (about 5 minutes). Add turmeric, red pepper flakes and chickpeas, then cook, stirring frequently, just until you start seeing some brown bits form on the bottom of the pan (about 5 minutes).

      • Add coconut milk and stock, then scrape up any brown bits that formed on the bottom of the pot. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, cover and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally, then return the pot to the saute function. Using a wooden spoon, smash some of the chickpeas along the side of the pot, then stir in kale. Cook until the greens wilt and soften (about 5 minutes). Stir in lime juice, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

      • While the stew is cooking, prepare the topping. Add coconut to a medium skillet over medium heat, and toast, stirring occasionally, until just golden at the edges (2 to 3 minutes). Stir in the mustard seeds and cook for 1 minute more.

      • To serve, ladle soup into a bowl, then top with a dollop of labneh, fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkling of toasted coconut and mustard seeds.

      Keyword instant pot, instant pot stew, spiced chickpea stew

      Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

      201

      Brandon

      I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, co*cktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

      Instant Pot Spiced Chickpea Stew with Coconut and Turmeric Recipe (2024)

      FAQs

      How long do chick peas take to cook? ›

      Drain your soaked chickpeas and tip them into a pan. Add cold water until you have twice the volume of the chickpeas. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer the chickpeas for 45 mins (if you are going to cook them further in another dish) or up to 1 hour.

      What is the meat stew setting on instant pot? ›

      The meat stew setting is a one-click approach to cooking larger pieces of meat (like those in this recipe) in the Instant Pot. The meat stew setting on the Instant Pot is 35 minutes long, so it should work, but I haven't experimented with the setting myself. I recommend making the recipe as directed.

      How do you know when chickpeas are cooked enough? ›

      You can tell if they are ready when they are tender to the bite. And as I said, the cooking time will also depend on how you choose to cook them: Stovetop: boiled chickpeas cooked on the stovetop will take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours.

      How much time do chickpeas take to boil in a pressure cooker? ›

      Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes, or up to 17-18 minutes for super buttery, tender chickpeas. Note: If you soaked your chickpeas for longer than 8 hours (overnight or 10+ hours), you may even be able to get away with cooking for 12-14 minutes! Then quick release and drain off the excess cooking liquid.

      Why is my stew meat tough in Instant Pot? ›

      The Secret to Super Tender Beef

      The best way to ensure your beef is tender in your Instant Pot stew is to braise it (aka pan sear it first, then let it stew). Braising turns tough cuts of beef into tender, fall-apart bites. But skip the pre-cut stew beef.

      Why does my Instant Pot burn stew? ›

      Here's what may be triggering the burn notice and the precautions you can take to prevent it.
      1. Your steam valve isn't sealed. A pressure cooker can't pressure cook without steam. ...
      2. There isn't enough liquid. ...
      3. You added ingredients at the wrong time or in the wrong order. ...
      4. Something's up with your Instant Pot.
      Jun 16, 2021

      Is stew better in the slow cooker or Instant Pot? ›

      The Instant Pot is a fantastic tool because it cooks even frozen meats to tender perfection. Pressure cooking beef stew is much faster than cooking beef stew in the slow cooker. Also, to get the beef, potatoes and carrots really tender, you have to cook it longer in the slow cooker.

      How many hours do chickpeas need to boil? ›

      Stovetop method: Place the chickpeas in a large pot and cover by several inches with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for 1.5 – 2 hours, or until soft (but not mushy). Offset the lid of the pot to let some of the steam out during cooking.

      How long do you need to cook canned chickpeas? ›

      Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with desired toppings, such as sour cream, chopped onion, cheddar cheese, or corn chips.

      How long to boil chickpeas without soaking? ›

      Dried chickpeas — also known as garbanzo beans — can be cooked without presoaking in anywhere from 40 minutes to eight hours, depending on the method that best suits your needs. However, cooking garbanzo beans without soaking first can increase risk of digestive side effects including gas and bloating.

      How long to cook chickpeas to remove toxins? ›

      The pulses should be thoroughly rinsed after soaking and placed in a saucepan of fresh water. Bring them to the boil and keep at a boil for 10 minutes before reducing the heat to a simmer. This boiling time is needed to kill off toxins which can be present in some pulses.

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