Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad

Salads are often seen as a boring meal, and most people tend to run away at the thought of eating a salad for lunch or dinner.

However, with a little effort, a boring salad/pilaf can be converted into something exciting that delivers your daily serving of vegetables and fruits.

And this Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa and White Bean Salad /pilaf is no exception. It’s a complete game-changer and a healthy addition to your diet.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF Instant Pot Curried Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad!

This protein-rich salad/pilaf is made up of:

» Quinoa – The base for this salad/pilaf is the superfood quinoa. The health benefits of quinoa alone are the reason why this salad/pilaf makes it to my list of protein-rich meals.

Quinoa is the perfect food for anyone, it can be paired with literally anything, and best of all its gluten-free, vegan, and extremely nutritious.

And I recently learned that quinoa is a seed? It’s a part of the goosefoot plant, and the seeds of this goosefoot plant are known as quinoa that contains all nine essential amino acids. Impressive, right?

Not only that, Quinoa is high in protein, fiber, manganese, B-vitamins, iron, potassium, copper, folate, phosphorus, and other minerals.

» White Cannellini Beans – these beans are packed with a wealth of B vitamins.

Besides that, these beans are fiber-rich super-foods that also provide iron, potassium, and other essential minerals.

» Red Bell Peppers– Among all the varieties, did you know red bell pepper packs the most nutrition.

They are rich in many vitamins- especially vitamin C, antioxidants, and multiple carotenoids.

» Spinach – As we all know, Spinach is a nutrition-rich vegetable. It’s loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, K, folic acid, iron, and calcium.

» Coconut Milk – The addition of coconut milk to this recipe is like the icing on the cake for me. Because of its thick consistency, it lends a rich and creamy texture, and you can taste that creaminess in every bite.

It is no surprise that when combined with all the above ingredients, you get a dinner bowl that is a nutritional powerhouse that can fit into almost any diet! 

Everyone on the table will love the contrast of quinoa with soft, yet firm beans. Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad

Additionally, red bell pepper and spinach will add an extra pop of color to this salad.

How to make Instant Pot Curried Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad?

What I love the most about this quinoa salad/pilaf is that it combines two of my favorite ingredients that are a staple in my kitchen: coconut milk (lite) and quinoa.

The creaminess from the coconut milk and the nutty flavor of quinoa complement each other perfectly.

1. Press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil and onion to the pot. Saute for 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the cooked beans. Add red bell pepper and Quinoa into the Instant Pot. Stir in the seasonings.

3. Pour in coconut milk and water. Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad

4. Add spinach leaves. Mix all the ingredients and cancel the ‘saute’ mode. Cover the lid and press PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL. Set the timer to 2 minutes.

Once the Instant Pot beeps, wait for the pressure to release naturally.

As the safety pin drops down, open the lid. The result is a yummy looking salad /pilaf loaded with all the goodness.

Fluff the coconut quinoa and bean salad with a fork and enjoy. 

HIGHLIGHTS!

Everyone on the table will love this salad/pilaf because it’s:

• Nourishing
• Incredibly flavorful
• Nutrient-dense
• Is the quickest yet nutritious meal that you can toss together for a light snack
• Satisfying, and will keep you full all day long!

It can be used as a side dish, paired along with a soup or spoon yourself a big bowl and enjoy as is!

OTHER VARIATIONS!

The ingredients used in this salad/pilaf are simple and can be easily swapped with whatever you have on hand. Some tested and tried options are: Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad

» Replace coconut milk with water or vegetable stock for extra flavor.

» Switch white cannellini beans with red kidney beans, black-eyed peas, navy beans or even Northern beans.

» If you have canned beans on hand, give it a try. Cooking time will remain the same. Instant Pot Coconut Quinoa And White Bean Salad

» This salad/pilaf gets its bold flavor from curry powder, but if curry powder isn’t your thing, then swap it with your favorite spice blend.

» Great creative and use whatever veggies you have at your disposal.

» Quinoa can be exchanged with rice. Cooking time will vary.

» This salad/pilaf is incredibly customizable, so go ahead and try different options and make it your own! This Instant Pot curried coconut pilaf can be prepared with almost any ingredient or veggies you have available in your fridge or pantry. 

Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe. Feel free to contact me with any questions or inquiries, and I would be happy to answer them.

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