Whole green mung beans offer health benefits like few other ingredients, but when you cook them for the first time, it can be quite daunting to figure out the easy way to cook them.
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Using a stovetop pressure cooker is the most common method.
Stove top cooking in boiling water or using a slow cooker are other options, but the easiest and most convenient way to cook whole green moong dal is in an Instant Pot.
This electric pressure cooker has revolutionized our cooking, making it quick and easy to prepare various dishes.
Mung beans, also known as green gram, are a type of legume that has been cultivated for thousands of years in Southeast Asia.
These small green beans are becoming increasingly popular in Western countries due to their health benefits and versatility in cooking.
With this as the main ingredient, there are plenty of recipes in indian cuisine that open up as options.
I would like to share some of my tips for pressure cooking mung beans so you can perfect your recipes.
Health Benefits of Mung Beans
Whole Mung beans are highly nutritious and offer a range of health benefits.
They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, making them a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
In addition to protein, mung beans contain various vitamins and minerals such as folate, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
The fiber content is particularly beneficial for digestive health. It helps regulate bowel movements and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
Mung beans are also known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them a great addition to any diet.
How to cook in an Instant Pot
Rinse the soaked mung beans and add them to the Instant Pot with - cups of water to cover them. You can add some aromatic herbs and spices like bay leaves, cumin seeds, black pepper, or garlic for extra flavor.
Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to cook at high pressure for 2 minutes (depending on how soft you want your beans).
Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure. Enjoy the Instant Pot mung beans.
Do we need to soak?
Yes, soaking mung beans can help reduce cooking time and make them easier to digest.
Ideally, you should soak them overnight in water before cooking.
However, if you're short on time, soaking for a few hours will still yield good results.
Without soaking
If you forget to soak the mung beans, don't worry. You can still cook them in an Instant Pot without soaking them.
Simply increase the cooking time to 8 minutes and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure manually.
Mung bean recipe ideas
There are numerous delightful ways to incorporate cooked mung beans into your meals. Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started:
- Mung Bean Salad: I have tried Costco salad, which is spiced up with herbs and vegetables.
- Mung Bean Rice: Check my Instant Pot green moong rice flavored with Indian spices like garam masala, red chili powder, and turmeric powder.
- Stir-fry: Add cooked green gram to the stir-fried vegetables.
- Mung Bean Soup: This is another flavorful yet easy recipe rich in protein and herbs.
- Green gram or mung bean Curry: I have shared this recipe. This is made with whole green moong beans, indian spices, and coconut milk. Enjoy with plain rice or jeera rice.
- Mung Bean Hummus: A healthy twist on the classic chickpea hummus.
Remember, these are just ideas. Feel free to experiment with your own recipes and enjoy the versatile, nutritious, and delicious mung beans in your diet.
Storage
Cooked mung beans can be stored efficiently, ensuring you have a nutritious option for future meals.
After cooking a big batch, allow the mung beans to cool completely.
Once cooled, transfer them into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Stored in the fridge, they will last for up to five days.
For longer storage, cooked mung beans can be frozen.
They can be portioned into smaller airtight containers or resealable plastic bags, allowing easy access to the quantity you need for a meal.
Simply thaw them overnight in the fridge or microwave them directly from frozen. Properly stored, they will maintain their best quality for about two months in the freezer, though they will remain safe to eat beyond this time. Always remember to label containers or bags with the date to keep track of their freshness.
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📖 Recipe
How To Cook Mung Beans In Instant Pot
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 2 cups mung beans - green gram
- 5½ cup water
Instructions
- Rinse the mung beans and soak them for 4 hours.
- Add the soaked mung beans to the Instant Pot with water to cover them. You can add some aromatic herbs and spices like bay leaves, cumin seeds, black pepper, or garlic for extra flavor.2 cups mung beans, 5½ cup water
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to cook at high pressure for 2 minutes (depending on how soft you want your beans). Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
Notes
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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