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Instant Pot Trotters And Beans Curry

Trotters and Beans Curry (Paya) – A Flavorful Lamb Delight in the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet

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By DenisiyaPublished on April 9, 2025
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Instant Pot Trotters And Beans Curry
⏱️
Prep Time20 mins
🍳
Cook Time70 mins
⌛
Total Time90 mins
🍽️
ServingsServes 3-4
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This Recipe Serves 3-4

Trotters and Beans Curry (Paya) – A Flavorful Lamb Delight in the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet

If you’re craving a hearty, flavorful, and comforting dish, look no further than Trotters and Beans Curry (Paya), a traditional South Asian delicacy that combines tender lamb trotters and creamy beans in a rich, spiced curry. Perfect for a family meal or special gatherings, this dish delivers deep flavors, and when made in the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet, it’s both easy and efficient to prepare.

What is Trotters and Beans Curry (Paya)?

Trotters and Beans Curry, known as Paya in South Asian cuisine, is a beloved dish made with lamb’s trotters (the feet), beans (often chickpeas or kidney beans), and a blend of aromatic spices. The trotters are slow-cooked to perfection, rendering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that absorbs the savory flavors of the curry. The beans add creaminess and texture, making this dish a soul-satisfying experience.

In traditional recipes, making Paya can take hours, with slow simmering and careful attention. However, thanks to the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet, you can enjoy the same depth of flavor in a fraction of the time, with minimal fuss and noise – ideal for those who love the aroma of a slow-cooked meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Why Choose the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet?

The Instant Pot Whisper Quiet is a kitchen powerhouse that makes meal prep a breeze. With its pressure-cooking function, it can cook tough cuts of meat like lamb trotters in a fraction of the time compared to stovetop methods. Not only is it efficient, but it’s quiet operation also ensures a peaceful cooking experience. You won’t have to deal with the noise of simmering pots or hissing steam – just set it, forget it, and let it work its magic.

🥗

Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Serves 3-4
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Step-by-Step Instructions

33 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Clean and rinse the lamb trotters. On each leg, there will be a hair bag and a patch of hair, using a small knife, remove the hair. For those hard to reach spots, you can also place it over a flame to burn off any hair that may be on the leg.

    Step 1 visual guide
  2. Step 2

    Today I am using my Instant Pot Whisper Quiet, however, other Instant Pots can be used.

    Step 2 visual guide
  3. Step 3

    Plug in the Instant Pot, it should display “Ready” on the screen.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Open the lid and add the cleaned trotters, salt, bay leaves and water to the inner stainless-steel pot.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    Secure the lid and make sure the anti-blockage vent (steam release switch) is on “SEAL”.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    Press the “Pressure Cook” button.

    Step 6 visual guide
  7. Step 7

    Press on the silver knob so that it selects “Custom” on the screen.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Turn the knob until it adjusts the time to 50 minutes.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Thereafter, press the “Start” button.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    The screen should display “Preheating”. Allow it to pressure cook – it will beep when it is done.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Once the timer is done, press “Cancel”.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    Move the anti-blockage vent (steam release switch) to “VENT” – On the Standard IP, turn the anti-blockage vent (steam release handle) to “VENTING” & allow the steam to release.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    Wait until the screen displays “Ready” to open the lid.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    Carefully decant the trotters into a bowl. The water in the pot can be discarded. Make sure that the trotters is soft according to your preference.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Peel and chop the onion.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Rinse and slit the green chilies.

    Step 16 visual guide
  17. Step 17

    Rinse & blend the tomatoes.

    Step 17 visual guide
  18. Step 18

    For this recipe, I’ve also chosen to use canned butter beans. You may use whichever beans you prefer. If you are using raw beans, this can be pressure cooked with the trotters.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Next, we are going to braise the curry. You may rinse out the inner stainless-steel pot and wipe dry before placing it into the Instant Pot. Press the “Sauté” button and then press the “Start” button so that the “Sauté” function can work. On the standard Instant Pot’s, it will automatically start as there is no “Start” button. 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 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    To the pot, add in the vegetable oil and the whole spices (cumin (jeera) seeds, fennel (soomph) seeds, bay leaves, star anise and cinnamon stick).

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    Add in the chopped onions, slit green chillies and thyme.

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    Mix and allow to sauté until the onions are translucent.

    Step 22 visual guide
  23. Step 23

    Once the onions are translucent, add in the ground spices (garam masala, cumin (jeera) powder, coriander (dhania) powder, cardamom (elachi) powder, turmeric powder and chilli powder/masala) and ginger & garlic paste.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    Mix well before adding in the blended tomatoes.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    Mix together until combined.

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Add in the canned beans, salt to taste and a little water.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    Mix well and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    After 10 minutes, add in the pressure-cooked trotters and a little more water.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Mix until the trotters are thoroughly coated in the spices.

    Step 29 visual guide
  30. Step 30

    Cover with a lid & to cook until the gravy thickens. Make sure to give it a stir now & again as you do not want it to burn. I do not have the Instant Pot lid, so I used a lid that I had on hand.

    Step 30 visual guide
  31. Step 31

    Once the gravy consistency is according to your preference of thickness, press the “Cancel” button on the Instant Pot.

    Step 31 visual guide
  32. Step 32

    Decant the Trotters And Beans Curry into a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped coriander (dhania). Note: this can also be served straight out of the Instant Pot.

    Step 32 visual guide
  33. Step 33

    Serve hot with rice, bread or roti’s and enjoy!

    Step 33 visual guide
Video Tutorial

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Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

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What is Trotters and Beans Curry (Paya)?

Trotters and Beans Curry, known as Paya in South Asian cuisine, is a beloved dish made with lamb’s trotters (the feet), beans (often chickpeas or kidney beans), and a blend of aromatic spices. The trotters are slow-cooked to perfection, rendering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that absorbs the savory flavors of the curry. The beans add creaminess and texture, making this dish a soul-satisfying experience. In traditional recipes, making Paya can take hours, with slow simmering and careful attention. However, thanks to the Instant Pot Whisper Quiet, you can enjoy the same depth of flavor in a fraction of the time, with minimal fuss and noise – ideal for those who love the aroma of a slow-cooked meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

How do I ensure the meat in Instant Pot Trotters And Beans Curry is tender and flavorful?

For the most tender mutton or lamb, cook on low to medium heat allowing the meat to simmer in its own natural juices before adding any water. Allowing the meat to braise gently with the spices infuses the flavor deep into the bone.

How do I get soft, gravy-infused potatoes without them breaking?

Use soft-cooking South African potatoes (such as Up-to-Date, Mondial, or Sifra). Cut them into halves or quarters and add them halfway through the cooking process. Avoid stirring aggressively once the potatoes are tender.

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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