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Chana Masala

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🌶️ Chana Masala offers an authentic North Indian chickpea curry packed with rich spices and vibrant flavors.
🌱 This protein-rich, vegan, and gluten-free dish is perfect as a wholesome meal paired with rice or Indian breads.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes plus soaking
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dried chickpeas (or 3 cups soaked or 215 oz cans)

1½ cups water for pressure cooking, plus additional water for gravy as needed

2 tablespoons oil

1 small bay leaf (optional, as part of whole spices)

1 inch cinnamon stick (optional, as part of whole spices)

2 cloves (optional, as part of whole spices)

2 green cardamoms (optional, as part of whole spices)

1½ cups finely chopped onions (2 large onions)

1 green chili, slit (optional)

1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste

1½ cups tomatoes (chopped, pureed, or whole peeled)

¾ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

1½ teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon garam masala

2 teaspoons coriander powder

½ teaspoon cumin powder (optional)

1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves, optional)

¼ teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder, optional)

2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)

Instructions

1-Rinse and soak chickpeas overnight, then drain and cook until tender. This ensures a creamy texture and reduces cooking time.

2-Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle, releasing their aroma.

3-Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, developing a sweet, caramelized flavor.

4-Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for a minute until fragrant. In this recipe, use 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste for that extra depth.

5-Pour in pureed tomatoes, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens, then add salt and spices like turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala.

6-Add turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and cumin powder; mix well to combine spices evenly and cook for 3-4 minutes until aromatic.

7-Add the cooked chickpeas with their stock or rinsed canned chickpeas with water to reach the desired gravy consistency, then simmer for 15 minutes to thicken.

8-Adjust seasoning and garnish with fresh cilantro; optionally blend the mixture after cooling and discard whole spices before returning the puree to the pot.

9-Serve hot with rice or flatbread. For a twist, consider checking out our Italian bolognese sauce recipe if you’re in the mood for another hearty option.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌿 Soaking chickpeas overnight ensures even cooking and softer texture.
🔥 Adjust Kashmiri red chili powder to control heat level.
🍋 Add lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors and balance spices.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes plus soaking time
  • Cooking Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Curry, Vegan
  • Method: Pressure cooking, simmering
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free, High Protein

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 193
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg