
North Indian kidney bean curry in a spiced tomato sauce
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
4
5 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
North Indian kidney bean curry in a spiced tomato sauce
Creamy red kidney beans simmered in a thick, warming tomato-onion gravy with cumin, coriander, and garam masala. A Punjabi staple served over steamed rice.
10m
Prep Time
50m
Cook Time
60m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
Rajma chawal—kidney bean curry with rice—is soul food in Punjab. The beans become creamy and melt-in-your-mouth after slow simmering in a tomato-onion gravy scented with warming spices.
Heat oil, add cumin seeds until they splutter, then sauté onion until deeply golden, about 8 minutes.
Add ginger-garlic paste and cook 1 minute; stir in coriander, turmeric, and chili powder for 30 seconds.
Pour in tomato puree and cook until oil separates, about 6 minutes.
Add kidney beans and 1.5 cups water; bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes, mashing some beans.
Stir in garam masala, adjust salt, and finish with cilantro; serve over steamed basmati rice.
Serve with warm naan bread or basmati rice
Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime
Pair with a cooling cucumber raita on the side
Similar texture and cooking time
Use equal parts of each
Test Kitchen Pick
Garam Masala
Helpful Pantry Staple
A better spice blend gives the recipe more rounded flavor without making you buy ten separate jars first.
This is often the pantry shortcut that makes the result taste more complete.
If you are cooking Indian food more than once, garam masala is a practical pantry anchor.
Shop garam masala for this recipeMash a few beans against the side of the pot with a spoon to thicken the gravy naturally.
A pat of butter stirred in at the end is traditional and adds richness.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Reheat with a splash of water on the stovetop; the gravy thickens as it cools.
Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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