Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (2024)

posted: 09/24/19 — updated: 01/05/23 by Deryn Macey Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·4.4 from 24 reviews

This healthy Instant Pot Kale Potato Soup is easy to make in 30 minutes for a nourishing plant-based meal.

Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (1)

This simple, creamy potato soup is easy to make in an Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. This method takes just as long as stovetop but the set-it-and-forget-it factor can’t be beat. You can find stovetop instructions below as well though.

This soup is completely vegan as well as naturally gluten-free, oil-free, sugar-free and low in fat.

Table of Contents

Kale Potato Soup Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this soup:

  1. Onion, garlic, carrot and celery. These veggies add flavour to the soup. If you’re missing carrot or celery, no big deal. You can use either or, if needed. Onion and garlic are a must!
  2. Herbs. You’ll need dried parsley, thyme and oregano to add the perfect savory flavor.
  3. Yukon gold or red potatoes. Different varieties of potatoes have different starch contents and will react different when cooked in soups. I recommend using red, Yukon gold or white potatoes.
  4. Vegetable broth. I like to keep vegetable bouillon cubes on hand so I’m always ready to make soups. You can use stock cubes, carton vegetable broth or homemade broth. The type of broth you use will change the colour of the soup, just something to keep in mind.
  5. Kale. Fresh kale will get stirred in at the end to add even more nutrition to this already nutritious soup. The kale is technically optional, so if you want a plain potato soup, feel free to skip it

How to Make this Recipe

Making soup in your Instant Pot is so easy, you’ll love it as an alternative to cooking stove top. While it’s not necessarily faster, the fact that it’s completely hands off makes cooking a breeze. Let’s go over how to make this soup in an Instant Pot.

Before you start, prepare by chopping the carrot, onion, garlic and celery. While those are sautéing, chop the potatoes and while the soup is cooking, chop the kale.

1. Sauté the veggies then add the herbs.

The first step is to start cooking the onions, garlic, carrot and celery using the Instant Pot “Saute” function. Once the Instant Pot comes to heat, allow the veggies to cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until they’re fragrant, softened and starting to brown.

Next, add savory favourites parsley, thyme and oregano. Missing one? No big deal. Add up to 2 tsp in any combination and you should have a lovely layer of flavor. I used 1 tsp oregano and 1/2 tsp each thyme and parsley.

Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (2)
Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (3)

2. Add the potatoes and broth.

Next is to add the potato and broth to the Instant Pot. You can see roughly the size the chopped potatoes should be in the images below.

2. Set the Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook”.

Next is to set the Instant Pot to “pressure cook” to start cooking the soup. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Seal the Instant Pot lid.
  2. Make sure the Vent Knob is pushed to “Sealing”.
  3. Press “Pressure Cook” and adjust the time to 10 minutes.
  4. The timer will not start right away. This is normal. It will read “On” until the Instant Pot comes to pressure. This could take 10 minutes or maybe a bit longer. Eventually, it will beep and a couple minutes later the timer will finally start.
  5. Once the timer beeps to indicate it’s finished, carefully move the Vent Knob to “Quick Release”. I always use a towel or oven mit to do this, just in case! Allow the steam to escape until the Float Valve drops, at which point you can remove the lid.

5. Blend half the soup.

Once the soup has finished cooking, it’s time to blend! You can either scoop half of it out and into a blender or use an immersion blender right in the Instant Pot. I would recommend the blender method for the a creamier soup, just make sure you allow the steam to escape while blending.

Once you’ve blended the soup, pour it back into the Instant Pot with the unblended portion.

Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (6)

5. Stir in the kale.

That’s it! Once you’ve stirred in the kale, taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired. A little spritz of fresh lemon juice is also nice!

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Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (8)

FAQs

How do I sauté the veggies oil-free?

Easy! Just use water or vegetable broth. There’s really no need to sauté with oil for a recipe like this. I added 1/4 cup of water to the Instant Pot to sauté the veggies.

Do I have to saute the veggies first?

No, you do not. Sautéing adds flavour to the soup and I’d recommend it but if you want to skip it, just add everything except the kale to the Instant Pot, pressure cook for 10 minutes then quick release.

Do I have to blend the soup?

Nope. If you want to skip blending no problem. The soup will be broth-y instead of creamy though. I would recommend blending at least some of it. Even just a few pulses with an immersion blender would help create a thicker, creamier soup.

Can I blend all of the soup?

Sure! For a completely pureed potato soup, go ahead and blend it all (before adding the kale). You might have to do it in two batches. Be careful and don’t overload the blender!

How to Make this Soup Stovetop

Here’s how to make this recipe on the stovetop:

  1. Add the carrot, onion, garlic and onion to a soup pot with about 2-3 tbsp water or broth. Saute over medium heat for 6-7 minutes.
  2. Add the dried herbs and stir to combine. Cook for another minute or two.
  3. Add the broth and potatoes and simmer lightly until the potato is tender, approximately 15 minutes.
  4. Carefully blend half of the soup then pour it back into the pot.
  5. Stir in the kale, season and serve.
Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (9)

Toppings

The best part of potato soup is the toppings, don’t you think? Here are some delicious ways to top this hearty bowl of soup:

  • fresh chopped chives
  • chopped green onion
  • crumbled tempeh bacon
  • roasted chickpeas
  • vegan sour cream
  • grated vegan cheese

More Healthy Soups

  • Instant Pot Quinoa Chili
  • Vegan Kale and Cauliflower Soup
  • Chickpea Vegetable Chowder
  • Cauliflower Potato Soup with Peas
  • Vegan Zuppa Toscana

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (10)

Instant Pot Kale Potato Soup

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.4 from 24 reviews

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Vegan
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Description

This hearty, creamy potato soup is so easy to make in the Instant Pot you’ll love it for a simple, warm meal all Fall and Winter long. Serve with fresh sourdough bread for a real treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 white onion, diced (approx. 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced (approx. 1 heaping cup)
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped (approx. 1 heaping cup)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 2 lbs. Yukon gold or red potatoes, chopped into cubes (approx. 6 cups)
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups de-stemmed and finely chopped kale
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Add the onion, garlic, carrots and celery to the Instant Pot with 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth. Press “Saute” and allow to come to heat. Once it’s hot, cook, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes until starting to soften and become fragrant.
  2. Add the oregano, thyme and parsley. Stir to combine and cook for another couple of minutes.
  3. Add the potatoes and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
  4. Seal the lid and make sure the venting knob is turned to “Sealing”. Press “Pressure Cook” and set the timer to 10 minutes. There is no need to press start. The display will now read “On”. The Instant Pot will take 10 minutes or so to come to pressure at which point, you will hear a beep and the timer will begin.
  5. Once the timer has finished, carefully turn the Vent Knob to “Quick Release”. Allow all the pressure to release until the Float Valve drops, at which point you can remove the lid.
  6. Once the soup has finished cooking, you can either scoop half of it out and into a blender or use an immersion blender right in the Instant Pot. I would recommend the blender method for the a creamier soup, just make sure you allow the steam to escape while blending. Once you’ve blended half the soup, pour it back into the Instant Pot with the unblended portion.
  7. Stir in the chopped kale then season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired.
  8. Serve right away. Optional toppings include chopped chives, green onion, crumbled tempeh bacon or grated vegan cheese. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

I updated this recipe August 2019. The original recipe was a broth-based soup made stovetop with potatoes, kale and brussel sprouts. I completed revamped the recipe to make it a cream-based potato soup with kale, made in the Instant Pot. See post for instructions on making this soup stovetop or leaving it unblended.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
  • Calories: 150
  • Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 4 g

This recipe was originally published April 8, 2013. It was updated August 2019 with new photos and a revised recipe.

Vegan Instant Pot Potato Soup (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't my potato soup creamy? ›

The main reason your potato is not thickening is that it needs a heavier dairy product. Potato soup is cooked in a milk and chicken broth soup but heavy cream may need to be added. If your recipe calls for whole milk, mix in heavy cream instead or do half milk and have heavy cream.

Can you overcook soup in Instant Pot? ›

Yes, you can definitely overcook soup in the Instant Pot.

Cooking for too long will lead to mushy vegetables and an unappealing flavor.

How to make potato soup more thick? ›

Opt for Cornstarch or Arrowroot

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch or arrowroot with a small amount of cold water to form a slurry. Once the slurry is smooth, gradually pour it into the simmering potato soup. Stir well to ensure the slurry is evenly distributed.

How long does soup function take on Instant Pot? ›

Step 5: Set the cooking time
  1. Vegetable Soup: 4-6 minutes.
  2. Chicken Noodle Soup: 8-10 minutes.
  3. Beef Stew: 20-25 minutes.
  4. Tomato Soup: 6-8 minutes.
Apr 18, 2024

How can I make my soup more creamy? ›

You can thicken soup with flour or cornstarch, which do not add any additional flavor. If you want more flavor, a roux is the best way to thicken up a soup. Starchy add-ins are another great way to create thick and creamy vegan soups.

How do you doctor up bland potato soup? ›

With a simple soup like potato, I would stick to salt and pepper only. If you do use other spices, be careful because they will easily overwhelm the delicate flavor. Some ingredients I like to include in potato soup: Cooked, chopped bacon.

How long do you can soup in a pressure cooker? ›

Process:
  1. For weighted gauge pressure canners at 0-1000 feet, process at 10 pounds pressure - 60 minutes for pints and 75 minutes for quarts. ...
  2. For dial gauge pressure canners at 0-2000 feet, process at 11 pounds pressure – process 60 minutes for pints and 75 minutes for quarts.

What is a good thickener for potato soup? ›

Tip: Cornstarch will thicken your soup more than flour, but both are a good option if you need to thicken a very thin soup. Pour in 1 cup (60 g) of instant potato flakes for a quick fix. This will add extra potato flavor to your soup, so you don't have to worry about changing the taste.

What is the best thickening agent for potato soup? ›

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way.

Why does my potato soup taste bland? ›

Not Adding Acid. If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

How can I improve my instant soup? ›

9 Delicious Ways to Enhance Boxed Soup
  1. A Dash of Dairy. Creamed soups such as tomato, squash or red pepper really benefit from a swirl of dairy. ...
  2. Fresh herbs. ...
  3. Lemon or Vinegar. ...
  4. A Touch of Nut or Truffle Oil. ...
  5. A Fresh Garnish. ...
  6. Freshly Grated Parmesan. ...
  7. Sausage. ...
  8. Delicious Accompaniments.
Oct 19, 2012

Why aren't my potatoes getting soft in my potato soup? ›

It's possible that the variety of potatoes you used may have a firmer texture, even when fully cooked. For soups, it's generally recommended to use russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, as they tend to break down and become softer when cooked.

Why is my potato soup so grainy? ›

Boiling at too high of a temperature will break down your potatoes and make your soup grainy. You want your potatoes to be fork-tender but still have a little “bite” to them. Cooksy will tell you exactly how to get the right temperature and when the potatoes are the perfect texture.

Why is my potato soup mushy? ›

There is a reason for this starchy struggle: Improper potato preparation — we couldn't say that five times fast, even without a mouthful of slimy soup. Like many of us chefs and home cooks, potatoes break down when overworked in the kitchen.

What is the thickening agent of cream of potato soup? ›

Add a roux to add the most thickness to your soup. A roux is made by heating up equal parts flour and fat to add body and flavor to a dish. To thicken about 1 qt (0.95 L), melt 2 tbsp (28 g) of butter in a skillet, then whisk in 2 tbsp (30 g) of flour.

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