Homemade Instant Pot Vegan Kefir has become increasingly popular around the world, mainly because of its probiotic and nutraceutical properties. Here, I made homemade kefir in the Instant Pot with only two ingredients--soy milk and kefir starter. Start the Instant Pot in the evening, and by morning, it is done and ready. The result is fresh, creamy and delicious kefir that is vegan, gluten free and dairy free. Toss in fruit, almond butter and hemp seeds, and you have the perfect breakfast smoothie.
Tools of the Trade Used In This Recipe:
I made this kefir in the Instant Pot 6 Quart Pressure Cooker using the yogurt setting. Check out my review of the Instant Pot, and see all the delicious recipes that I have made with this gadget that replaces 9 kitchen tools!
What Are The Benefits of Kefir?
When you are looking for a quick healthy breakfast, a kefir smoothie is a perfect choice. The main health benefits of kefir are that it contains probiotics and is high in protein. Adding more probiotics to your diet can increase good bacteria in your digestive tract which improves your overall gut health, digestion and boosts your immune system. To learn more, you can read more about benefits of probiotics here.
What Is The Difference Between Yogurt and Kefir?
I also make homemade vegan yogurt in the Instant Pot. Kefir and yogurt are both creamy and fresh, and have somewhat of a tart flavor. Both kefir and yogurt have protein, calcium, B vitamins, potassium, and probiotics, so it just depends on what you are in the mood for.
According to the Mayo Clinic, probiotics can help to:
- improve the healthy bacteria ratio in the gastrointestinal tract’s environment
- treat or prevent diarrhea, especially following antibiotic treatment
- treat irritable bowel syndrome, or relieve symptoms
- reduce or prevent gastrointestinal infections, or increase recovery from them
- prevent and treat vaginal and urinary tract infections
You have endless options for serving your kefir. You can add a variety of fruits and superfoods to enhance the nutritional value and flavor. Try this raspberry smooth recipe!
Recipe
Homemade Instant Pot Vegan Kefir
Ingredients
Instant Pot Kefir
- 64 oz unsweetened soy milk
- Two (2) 5 grm pkgs kefir starter
Kefir Smoothie
- ½ cup rasberries
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
- ½ banana
Instructions
Instant Pot Kefir
- Add starter to bottom of Instant Pot inner pot. Add soy milk and stir until dissolved. Cook in Instant Pot on Yogurt setting for 15 hours. Make sure vent is set to venting so that moisture doesn't build up inside.
Kefir Smoothie
- To make a kefir smoothie, add 12 oz of kefir, the raspberries, hemp seeds, almond butter, banana and blend in blender.
How To Make Homemade Instant Pot Vegan Kefir
Recipe updated July 2019
Archana M. Shah says
Hi, can you make this without an instant pot? Thank you.
skylar says
Yes! But you'll have to find different cooking instructions for whatever equipment you use.
Adam says
Everything I’ve read says making or storing kefir in a metal container can leach the metals into your water or milk. They say if done long enough it can be hazardous to your health.
skylar says
Storing it in glass is ideal!
Maria says
What brand of soy milk do you recommend?
skylar says
This would mostly be personal preference - any that's unsweetened and matches your tastes is great.
June Jespersen says
Can you use Kefir grains with this recipe?
June
skylar says
I'd recommend following the recipe as described. Any alterations turns it into a brand new recipe.
David says
My instant pot has a high/low yogurt fermentation temp setting. I think high is the default, but I'm not sure which setting I should use for kefir culture.
Thank you!
greenschemetv says
Yes, you are right. My understanding is the low setting is for fermented rice, and the high is appropriate for yogurt/kefir. Good luck!
Janet Downing says
- Have you ever tried this with homemade soy milk?
greenschemetv says
No actually, I have never made homemade soy milk--I would say try it and see if you like it. I don't think the milk makes as much difference in instant pot kefir as it does in yogurt.
Trish Koppendrayer says
Can you use this recipe with milk to make milk keifir?
greenschemetv says
I haven't used milk with this recipe, but I definitely think that with the starter and Instant Pot, you can make milk kefir. I would use organic milk if possible though for best result.
Anita Scott says
I keep trying to get a batch that is liquid enough to actually drink. I’m on my third change in anount of milk I use. The first one was just like yogurt and the second one not much better. I’m now up to 78 oz of milk with 10 gr of kefir starter. Hoping this one is drinkable. Anyone have a tried and true recipe? Tganks
greenschemetv says
That is so weird! The recipe that I made is actually pictured, and I found it perfect to make a smoothie with, and it was drinkable. Thank you for trying the recipe; I hope that by adding more milk, eventually you will get the right combination for your preference.
Lisa P says
I don’t eat soy. Can I substitute the soy milk with another nut milk?
skylar says
We haven't tried other nut milks with this recipe, but you can certainly try it! It would make it a totally different recipe though.
Lisa Abts says
Kefir cultures at 68-85 degrees .
Yogurt cultures at 110-115 degrees.
Instant pot maintains the temp at 106 -113 degrees. On the yogurt option.
From my research, it said that temperatures
Above 86 degrees damages the milk grains.
Wouldn’t the instant pot destroy the milk grains since the temperature is too high?
greenschemetv says
Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment. I definitely am not an expert, but like you, do like to research. Part of the issue with soy kefir is that most of the rules that apply to dairy kefir don't apply to soy kefir. Experts recommend adding sugar to the soy milk to increase the bacteria growth, but I don't chose to do that. As far as temperature, my Instant Pot allows me to reduce the temperature on the yogurt setting to less, but no everyone has that setting. Additionally, what I do know is that the reason for keeping the vent open when making the vegan kefir is to keep the Instant Pot from reaching that maximum temperature and therefore, that makes it more suitable for kefir. I also don't reuse the grains. For sure, this is not an exact science, but I am always looking for good suggestions.
Michael W. Perry, medical writer says
I notice that you use mason jars for storage. The fit is tight, but three quart mason jars will just fit into a 6 qt. Instant Pot if your have two to four cups of water and nothing else in the pot. It does take some adjusting to place them just right, but about three out of four (in my experience) are short enough to just fit. That saves time, since you don't need to clean the pot afterward.
greenschemetv says
Yes, I have tried that with the small jars. It really is a good solution, thanks for mentioning it.