Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

From Chicken and Dumplings to Zuppa Toscana to Vietnamese Pho, we love making Soups in Instant Pot!

There are times you’d crave a thick & creamy soup, but there are other times when you just want a delicious bowl of good old nourishing vegetable soup.

This satisfying Instant Pot Veggie Soup is simple yet packed with fresh, wholesome, hearty flavors. Especially great for chilly days; after enjoying heavy meals; when you’re not feeling well; or needing some mood-boosting wholesome food!

We’re using several techniques to build flavors & add depths to this Vegetable Soup Recipe. This includes sauteing the herbs, spices, aromatics; using fire-roasted tomatoes; adding fresh, healthy leafy green vegetables; and using salt before & after pressure cooking the veggie soup.

Enjoy cooking Delicious Instant Pot Veggie Soup!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Here are the ingredients for cooking Vegetable Soup in Instant Pot.

Vegetables: We used kale to make this vegetable soup recipe, but spinach will work equally well. 

Tomatoes: We used a can of crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, but you can also use 4 diced fresh tomatoes. Make sure to taste & adjust the vegetable soup in the end because the tomatoes you use every time can vary greatly in sweetness, tartness, & tanginess.

Potatoes: You can place the peeled potatoes under cold water. It’ll prevent them from browning while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Make sure to drain the water before adding the potato cubes to the Instant Pot.

Tools for Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups

Saute Onions, Garlic, and Spices

First, press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

It’ll switch to “ON” on the screen.

*Pro Tip: You can prepare the remaining ingredients during the preheating and browning processes.

Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen (takes roughly 8 minutes).

*Note: Make sure Instant Pot is as hot as it can be to induce a Maillard reaction.

Now, add 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil or unsalted butter in the Instant Pot’s inner pot. Ensure the whole bottom is coated.

Add the sliced onion, then saute onions until lightly browned (roughly 4 minutes).

Finally, add minced garlic, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp (0.8g) dried oregano, and ½ tsp (0.6g) dried basil in Instant Pot, then saute for another minute.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Now, pour 1 cup (250ml) unsalted vegetable stock or unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.

Then, scrub all the brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.

*Pro Tip: Keep those brown bits because they’re very flavorful! 😀

Pressure Cook Vegetable Soup

Add 1 tsp (7g) fine salt and 3 cups (750ml) unsalted vegetable or unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Give it a quick mix.

Add chopped carrots, chopped celeries, and 1½ lb (680g) potato cubes to the Instant Pot. 

Now, layer the crushed fire-roasted tomatoes on the very top. Do not mix.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 3 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes

After 10 minutes, carefully release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

*Note: This release takes roughly 2 – 3 minutes.

Finally, remove the lid carefully.

Add Kale or Spinach

Press the “Saute” button, then bring the Instant Pot vegetable soup back to a full boil.

If you’re using kale or spinach, you can cook them now in the Instant Pot.

• Kale: cook for roughly 3 – 4 minutes
• Spinach: cook for roughly 1 – 2 minutes

Season & Serve Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Stir occasionally and break down some of the potato cubes to thicken the vegetable soup.

Finally, taste the vegetable soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt.

*Note: Our tomatoes were really sour, so we added ½ tsp sugar to balance our vegetable soup.

*For Reference: We used 3 – 4 pinches of salt to properly season the Instant Pot Vegetable Soup.

Enjoy this Hearty Instant Pot Vegetable Soup!

Other Delicious Instant Pot Soups

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Instant Pot Potato Soup