Instant Pot RecipesDurban Indian

Instant Pot Culls Curry

Instant Pot Culls Curry is my quick & easy way of cutting down the time to make this delicious meal.

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By DenisiyaPublished on November 10, 2021
Instant Pot Culls Curry
⏱️
Prep Time20 mins
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Cook Time120 mins
⌛
Total Time140 mins
🍽️
ServingsServes 4-6
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This Indian Recipe Serves 3-4

Instant Pot Culls Curry is my quick & easy way of cutting down the time to make this delicious meal.

Usually on the stove-top, Culls can take up to 3 hours to cook, depending on stove-top & the quality of the chicken, whereas in the Instant Pot, it literally takes only 40 minutes to become soft.

This meal is also referred to South African Indians as fresh chicken or live chicken. This is because the chicken is freshly plucked & cut. It also includes the feet, eggs & other intestines. This popular meal isn’t for the faint-hearted as it is pungent yet so satisfying that your taste-buds will crave more.

The Cornish / Cull or Indian Game is a type of chicken from the area of Cornwall in England. Cornish chickens, and also crosses of Cornish’s, are the most-utilized breed in the chicken meat industry. They are overwhelming, solid feathered creatures that lay brown eggs.

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Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Serves 4-6
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Step-by-Step Instructions

39 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Firstly, peel & chop the onion.

    Step 1 visual guide
  2. Step 2

    Rinse & blend the tomato.

    Step 2 visual guide
  3. Step 3

    Rinse & slit the green chilies.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Peel & cut the potatoes into quarters. This can be done at the very end but you can do this ahead if preferred.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    Place the potatoes into a bowl & cover with cold water to prevent them from oxidizing.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    The Cornish or Culls usually come pre-packed in tray & include many other parts of the chicken that the usual dressed chicken doesn’t include. These parts include the egg bag, chicken feet, giblets, liver, heart & sometimes the head. I prefer discarding of those parts that I do not consume & you can do the same. I love the chicken feet so I definitely keep that in as well as the egg bags.

  7. Step 7

    If you enjoy the eggs, then I suggest rinsing them & setting them aside until it’s time to add them to the curry.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Place the chicken feet on a chopping board. Notice those sharp nails. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the ends of each joint, removing the tips.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Rinse & clean the culls, thereafter, add the feet to the bowl of culls.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    Plug in your Instant Pot, the display should read “OFF”.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Press the “SAUTÉ” button the Instant Pot. Press on it again until the heat level is at “NORMAL”. The display should pre-select to 00:30, but it is fine at whichever time because it may be canceled whenever you are done sautéing.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    Pour the vegetable oil into the inner stainless steel pot. Add in the onions, slit green chilies & thyme.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    Thereafter, add in the star aniseed, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, fennel (soomph) seeds & cumin (jeera) seeds.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    Mix well & allow to sauté until the onions are translucent.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Once the onions are translucent, add in turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin (jeera) powder, coriander (dhania) powder, cardamom (elachi) powder, red chili flakes, chili powder/masala & ginger & garlic paste.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Mix well.

    Step 16 visual guide
  17. Step 17

    Thereafter, add in the culls.

    Step 17 visual guide
  18. Step 18

    Add salt to taste.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Mix well allowing the culls to coat in the spices.

    Step 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    Cover with a lid & allow the chicken to seal in the spices for 10 minutes. Make sure to give it a stir now & again as you do not want it to burn – also avoid adding any water. I do not have the Instant Pot lid so I used a lid that I had on hand.

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    After 10 minutes, add in the blended or grated tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped coriander (dhania), curry leaves & pour in the water.

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    Mix well.

    Step 22 visual guide
  23. Step 23

    Press “CANCEL” on your Instant Pot.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    Secure the lid on the Instant Pot & turn the anti-blockage vent (steam release handle) to “SEALING”.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    Press the “Pressure Cook” button. Press the button again to set the pressure level to “MORE” on the display.

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Next, use the “- or +” buttons & set the cooking time to 00:40 (40 minutes). I prefer my culls semi-soft so the times really depend on how soft you want it to be. If you set the time to 50 minutes, the culls will be falling off the bone.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    The Instant Pot should display “ON” until the pressure builds up. Once the pressure builds up, the “float valve” will pop up – when it pops up, do not attempt to open the lid! Thereafter, the 40 minute timer will count down on the screen.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    After the 40 minutes are over. Press “CANCEL” on your Instant Pot.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Turn the anti-blockage vent (steam release handle) to “VENTING” & allow the steam to release. Once the “float valve” sinks in, it is safe to open the lid.

    Step 29 visual guide
  30. Step 30

    Give the curry a mix.

    Step 30 visual guide
  31. Step 31

    Press the “SAUTÉ” button the Instant Pot. Press on it again until the heat level is at “NORMAL”. The display should pre-select to 00:30, but it is fine at whichever time because it may be canceled whenever you are done sautéing.

    Step 31 visual guide
  32. Step 32

    Add in the potatoes making sure to discard the water it had been resting in.

    Step 32 visual guide
  33. Step 33

    Mix well & tuck the potatoes under the gravy.

    Step 33 visual guide
  34. Step 34

    Cover with a lid & allow the potatoes to cook until almost soft.

    Step 34 visual guide
  35. Step 35

    When the potatoes are almost soft, add in the eggs.

    Step 35 visual guide
  36. Step 36

    Gently push the eggs into the gravy & cook until the potatoes are soft as the eggs don’t take long to cook through.

    Step 36 visual guide
  37. Step 37

    Press “CANCEL” on your Instant Pot, this will turn off the “SAUTÉ” mode.

    Step 37 visual guide
  38. Step 38

    Empty out into a serving bowl & garnish with freshly chopped coriander (dhania).

    Step 38 visual guide
  39. Step 39

    Serve this Instant Pot Culls Curry with bread, rice, puris or rotis.

    Step 39 visual guide
Video Tutorial

Watch How It's Made

Follow along with Denisiya's step-by-step video guide for Instant Pot Culls Curry.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best Instant Pot Culls Curry

How do I make the curry gravy thick and rich in Instant Pot Culls Curry?

A combination of finely chopped braised onions, pureed or grated tomatoes, and allowing the gravy to simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes helps reduce and thicken the sauce to a rich coating consistency.

Can I freeze leftover Instant Pot Culls Curry?

Yes, this curry freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Note: If freezing, omit or remove the potatoes as their texture changes when frozen. You can easily add fresh boiled potatoes when reheating!

How long does Instant Pot Culls Curry stay fresh in the refrigerator?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it keeps well for 3 to 4 days. In fact, Durban curries often taste even richer the next day as the spices continue to infuse overnight.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes
About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

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