What is curry? Is curry the same as curry powder? A breakdown of different types of curries along with the best curry recipes for your pressure cooker, from all across the world.
What Is Curry?
The word curry or Kari just makes sauce or gravy. So ANYTHING cooked with water, resulting in meat, vegetables, or beans covered in sauce could be regarded as a curry! Are you surprised?
I’m not making this up. Technically, anything from my 75+ Instant Pot Indian recipes can be classified as a curry. But let’s not stop there.
That beef stew you make all the time? Curry. Your favorite pot roast recipe? Curry. Carne Guisada? Curry.
So it’s very much a category of cooked dishes, not one cooked dish. This is why you need to stop saying, I don’t like curry. Because what you’re saying is, I don’t like anything cooked in water, with a sauce.
What is Curry Powder?
Curry Powder is a mix of spices, and that’s just the issue—you don’t know what spices others are using. Many premixed blends rely on turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground ginger, and black pepper.
But when I make any of my curries, such as butter chicken for example, or rogan josh or kheema, I’m using many more spices and aromatics than just that handful. That’s probably why they taste better than what you’ve been making with just curry powder.
Most Indians do not use what is known as curry powder in the United States or in the United Kingdom. We make our own blends, like my garam masala, the spice mix I use for the Tamarind chicken, or what’s used in the Fennel chicken.
If you check my Basic Indian curry recipe, guess what’s missing? Well, nothing actually, but you’ll notice, no curry powder.
So, do you need curry powder? Well, if you are going to make Jamaican Curry or even this Vietnamese curry, you might want it.
But for Indian curries, I don’t use it.
What’s In Curry? Different Types Of Curries
While it is possible that the word kari or curry originated in India (kari is Tamil for sauce or gravy), it has since become the province of many different South Asian countries.
Curries have also morphed over time. Once the Spanish and Portuguese started trading with India, they brought red chili peppers. Before that, Indian Curries relied largely on black pepper for heat. This is still quite common in many South Indian curries.
What’s in a curry will vary by the cook, and by the country. Just a few examples below--and I am guilty of gross over-simplification and generalization in this list but hopefully, it’s still helpful for you.
- Ceylon or Sri Lankan Curries often toast spices, and then add a mixture of coconut and lime for a creamy and tart flavor
- Curry Puffs whether Jamaican, African, Singaporean, or Indian often use meat that has been cooked dry in a curry-like base, warming spices and aromatics, and then baked in puff pastries. The flaky pastry combined with the well-spiced meat is very addictive!
- Indian Curries
- North Indian Curries usually have a mix of onion, ginger, garlic, and tomatoes, as their base along with spices, meats, and vegetables
- Rajasthani Curries, the most popular of which is laal mas (literally, red meat) are spicy, and use a lot of Kashmiri Red Chilis for both flavor as well as color. In contrast, a safed maas (white meat) is a lot like my Safed Chicken Korma recipe.
- Kashmiri curries often have cinnamon, nuts, raisins, and lots of Kashmiri chilis
- South Indian curries often have coconut milk, black pepper, and a variety of other spices.
- Jamaican curries use a specific curry powder that’s is heavy on the turmeric, and tastes quite different from Indian Curries.
- They often contain vinegar and Worcestershire sauce for a tangy sour taste. Scotch bonnet or habaneros are often included for heat.
- Japanese curries often use curry paste blocks, and kare raisu (curry rice) is a very popular dish.
- Malaysian curries like my rendang result in a dry curry with all of the water from the coconut milk evaporated, leaving tender meat coated with a deliciously thick, spicy, sweet, and tangy paste. SO good!
- South African or Durban Curry, often includes potatoes and may be served as Bunny Chow, by emptying out a loaf of bread, and filling the bread bowl with the curry.
- Thai Curries may have coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, and magrut lime leaves. They usually do not contain cumin and coriander, like many Indian curries. But lest we over-generalize let me point out that there are many different types of Thai Curries, including the examples below:
- Panang curry
- Thai Red Curry
- Vietnamese curry like this bo kho recipe, have a lovely combination of garam masala as well as things like star anise
What Does Curry Taste Like?
This is a lot like asking, what does soup taste like? It depends on the country, the cook, the type of curry, and the ingredients you use.
But I think it’s fair to say that most of them taste complex, because they do have so many different aromatics and spices in them.
Is Curry Spicy?
They can range from creamy like this Thai green curry, to spicy like the Vindaloo, to a creamy spicy deliciousness like butter chicken.
Not all curry is spicy, and if you are making homemade curry of course, you can vary all spice levels, not just heat, to your preference. This is the main reason why I urge people to make homemade curries—so you can adjust the flavors and heat to your preference.
So, before you say “I don’t like curry”, remind yourself that it is akin to saying I don’t like anything cooked with water.
Maybe, you just haven’t had the right curry for YOU yet. This list of the best instant pot curries will fix that for you!
So to help you in your culinary journey, I've created a list of the best curries for your pressure cooker. Be sure to pin this, and share it with your friends.
Why Instant Pot Curry?
So, that's a good question! Why not make it the old fashioned way, on a stovetop? Here's why I like using my pressure cooker for curries.
- Because it's Faster. You can skip many browning steps in pressure cooker curries, since the pressure cooker creates a Maillard reaction without pre-browning.
- Most importantly, better flavor. Pressure cooking allows you to infuse flavor as nothing else can. All the juices and flavors, as well as the aromatic compounds from meats, spices, and vegetables, are contained in the Instant pot during cooking.
- Tender meat. Tender, braised meat is a hallmark of pressure cooking--and also a sign of a great curry recipe.
The Best Instant Pot Curry Recipes
Love Curry? You'll love how quick and easy it is to make in your Instant Pot! With no time at all, you'll have your favorite comfort food on the table with little effort at all!
Easy Indian Curry Recipes | Pressure Cooker Indian Curry
South Indian Chicken Curry | Pressure Cooker Coconut Tamarind Chicken Curry
Here’s an easy South Indian style chicken curry that uses coconut milk and tamarind for a tangy, creamy flavor that is just divine. It’s a pour and cook recipe for a pressure cooker chicken curry that comes together in just minutes–leaving you more time to eat this!
Jamaican Chicken Curry
Use your Instant Pot or pressure cooker to make this amazing Jamaican Chicken Curry. This Jamaican curried chicken is spicy, authentic, and finished in just 20 minutes!
Panang Curry | A Delicious Thai Curry Recipe!
I made myself a deal. If only I’d take some time this weekend to cook instead of work, I’d allow myself a little latitude with using packages and premade sauces. Just so long as I used fresh meat and vegetables and got something yummy together. So I decided to start with Panang Curry. I got my ingredients together and decided to use a canned panang paste to make things easier.
Fish Saag | Pressure Cooker, Low Carb and Gluten Free!
In addition to being delicious, this Fish Saag recipe is also good for you. It's full of spinach, warm spices, and coconut milk and is not only a balanced meal, but is also dairy-free, gluten-free, and Keto friendly.
Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal
Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal is Indian comfort food made easy. Once you learn how to make rice and dal at the same time in your Instant Pot, putting together a nutritious dinner will be easy as—well as rice and dal!
Instant Pot Indian Chicken Curry with Spinach & Yogurt
Here’s an easy, low carb, high protein Instant Pot Indian Chicken Curry that cooks in under 15 minutes in your Instant Pot. So there’s this slow cooker chicken curry that’s my favorite way to make and eat chicken curry.
Chicken Curry Soup
Thai Curry Soup
Low Carb Thai Curry Soup that uses curry paste, coconut milk, and some fresh vegetables to provide a savory, comforting twist on regular chicken soup. Use your Instant Pot to make this even faster!
Instant Pot Indian Beef Curry
Use your Instant Pot to make amazing Indian Beef Curry! It’s tender and delicious and makes an awesome meal.
Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry
This Instant Pot Coconut Chickpea Curry recipe is an easy and delicious vegan recipe that’s SO very good. Make it easily right in your pressure cooker or slow cooker.
Instant Pot Fish Saag | Fish Curry
I’ve seen so many comment threads on Facebook of people who are against cooking seafood in their pressure cooker because they’re afraid of over-cooking. The thing is, seafood in the Instant Pot is amazing and is so simple. I love this Fish Saag recipe because it’s creamy and cooks so quickly.
Thai Green Curry | Pressure Cooker & Slow Cooker Recipe
Instant Pot Slow Cooker Thai Green Curry is a perfect, authentic Thai curry with chicken and vegetables. Makes a fragrant, aromatic dish that hits the spot.
Thai Yellow Curry Baked Chicken Thighs
This Yellow Chicken Curry is full of wonderful Thai flavors and comes together quickly, so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal. It’s also a little unusual because I baked the chicken in the oven and air fryer rather than cooking it stovetop, or in an Instant Pot. It’s a great hands-off meal and it’s yet another low carb chicken recipe to add to your weekly rotation.
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
This is the best Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala recipe you will find. Make an authentic Tikka Masala recipe, with very little work, in your electric pressure cooker.
Chicken Vindaloo
Make an authentic Chicken Vindaloo in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker in minutes rather than hours! It’s easy to make, keto and gluten-free!
Malaysian Beef Rendang | Cheater Instant Pot Recipe
Make the curry to beat all curries with this cheater Malaysian Instant Pot Beef Rendang recipe! It’s fall-apart tender, and absolutely delicious–but best of all? Ready in under an hour.
Carne Guisada | Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew Recipe
Carne Guisada has always been one of my favorite dishes to order at a Mexican restaurant, so I made my own version for the Instant Pot! It turned out fantastic and tastes absolutely authentic!
Instant Pot Butter Chicken + Video
Lamb Rogan Josh
Instant Pot Keto Indian Kheema | Indian Ground Beef Recipe
This Instant Pot Keto Indian Kheema Recipe is an easy family-friendly keto dish that’s gluten-free, keto, paleo and done in under 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Low Carb Vietnamese Bo Kho
One-Step Instant Pot Low Carb Vietnamese Bo Kho Stew recipe for a hearty and fragrant soup!
Japanese Chicken Curry | Instant Pot Recipe
Make a quick but authentic Japanese Chicken Curry in your Instant Pot. Just four minutes under pressure in your pressure cooker for a flavorful and hearty meal. I can’t believe how quickly this came together!
Want more amazing Indian Instant Pot recipes?
Find 74 more Indian Instant Pot recipes like this one that are tried and tested - and did I mention delicious?! Click here to go to the post so you can Pin it on Pinterest for later!
Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!
Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.
Originally Published July 11, 2019
Quality Proxies
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe this website needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the advice!