Easy Instant Pot Baingan Bharta – Indian Spiced Mashed Eggplant. 1 Pot 30 Min. Serve as dip with flatbread or with curries or Dals. Add chickpeas to make a meal Vegan Glutenfree Nutfree Soyfree Recipe Stovetop option Jump to Recipe

Baingan Bharta translates to eggplant mash. The traditional bharta is a long process, Large eggplants are roasted over a flame or grill to char the skin. The skin is them removed and the partially cooked eggplant is mashed. Then added to a spiced onion tomato base and cooked to roast the eggplant with the spices and base.

In this instant pot version, cubed Eggplant gets pressure cooked with the onion tomato base, then mashed and cooked a bit to roast. Pressure cooking reduces the steps and also uses less bowls, vessels! I add some smoked paprika that adds a fresh smoked flavor that is generally there in this dish if the eggplant was charred and cookes. Some liquid smoke will do that too, although I find that a bit too strong.

This spiced eggplant mash also makes a great dip with some hot pita bread. Add some chickpeas to make this into a meal or serve with a side of chickpea curry or dals.

This bharta is 1 Pot, needs just 15 mins active time, is Easy and Delicious!

More Instant Pot Recipes (all have Saucepan Instructions too!)

Tips to get the charred/roasted flavor

Finish with fresh Smoked Paprika or some liquid smoke

Char the eggplant skin on the high flame just lightly, then peel and cube and proceed to cook.

Char the flatbread! Yes, char the roti or flatbread you are serving with so that it has black spots or burnt edges. Together the meal will have a roasted flavor. 🙂