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A bowl of rice and Rajma Chawal, garnished with herbs and accompanied by a piece of flatbread, on a rustic wooden table. A fork rests on the edge of the bowl.
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5 from 3 votes

Rajma Chawal (Vegan Rajma Masala Recipe)

This Rajma Chawal recipe makes for a fast, nourishing Indian dinner. Awesome served over fluffy basmati rice, this classic North Indian dish is vegan and gluten-free.
Prep Time4 minutes
Cook Time24 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Course: Curry
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 5 cups
Calories: 212kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $6.50

Ingredients

Rajma Chawal Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup dried kidney beans or 29 oz. canned kidney beans, drained
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil vegetable oil, or sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons coriander
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon asafetida
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups chopped tomato
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Tadka:

To Serve and Garnish (optional):

  • Steamed basmati rice
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Strips of green chili

Instructions

  • If using dried kidney beans, soak them overnight in a large container or covered bowl with plenty of water to cover them. The next day, drain and rinse the beans, then cook them in a large pot of water until tender, about 35-40 minutes. Drain and set aside. If using canned kidney beans, simply drain and rinse them.
  • Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large pan. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for 4 minutes until lightly golden brown. 
  • Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander, turmeric, asafetida, and bay leaves. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently, to allow the spices to bloom.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook over medium heat until they break down into a thick, rich sauce, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the cooked kidney beans and water to the pan, stirring to combine. Season with salt and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, allowing the tomato to break down into a gravy for the beans.
  • To prepare the tadka, heat the oil over medium heat in a saucepan. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, julienne-cut ginger, dried chilies, and thinly sliced garlic, kasuri methi , and salt, and sauté for one to two minutes until fragrant and slightly crisp.
  • Place the cooked kidney beans into an attractive serving dish or portion into bowls over rice. Pour the tadka over the kidney beans and stir gently to mix. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, cilantro leaves, and strips of green chili, if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

🌊 Soak 'Em Right: Soak dried kidney beans overnight for quicker cooking and better flavor absorption. Drain and rinse well to reduce gas-causing amino acids.
🍅 Drain the Cans: Canned tomatoes work great! Use either diced or whole peeled tomatoes, but be sure to drain them first to keep the curry’s consistency on point. Save the liquid to replace some of the water in the recipe.
👃 Trust Your Senses: If your curry's too thick, add water gradually. Too thin? Just simmer it longer to thicken.
🌶️ Spice It Up: This dish is mild by default, but if you want heat, toss in some minced green chilies when adding spices. I like to use 1-2 hari mirch chilies, but you can adjust to your liking!

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 729mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 4mg