Instant Pot Rajma Masala - Kidney Beans Curry

ABOUT THIS INSTANT POT RAJMA MASALA WITH STEAMED RICE

Rajma Chawal only screams comfort food and Instant Pot makes this Vegan curry with ease in just One Pot!

I love making these Quick and Easy Curries, just like our Chana Masala and Vegan Tikka masala. This recipe is versatile and it comes together with minimal effort, and you are going to love it too.

You can either use dried kidney beans or Canned kidney Beans for this curry recipe. Cooking time will accordingly vary. All the details are mentioned in the recipe card below.

This Indian Kidney bean curry is loaded with fiber and hence it makes a hearty side dish any day. Any left-over Kidney Beans curry can be refrigerated to use the next day - perfect for Lunch Boxes too!

So if you are still wondering,

What is Rajma Masala?

Rajma Masala is originally an Indian Punjabi dish, made with dried Red Kidney beans, onion, tomatoes, and a selection of Indian spices. This easy Vegan Vegetarian meal is delicious to serve on busy nights. Make for 1 or feed a crowd - the time taken to cook this curry is the same. Serve this hearty kidney beans curry with rice and it is known as Rajma Chawal. However, you can serve this Rajma Curry with Naan Bread or Flatbread too.

I can highly recommend this curry for Batch Cooking too!

What is Rajma Chawal?

Rajma is the Indian name for Red Kidney beans and Chawal is for Rice. Rajma chawal is one of the most delicious and comforting combos in North Indian households. Delicious Rajma masala is served with rice along with onion & lemon wedges.

Make your Perfect steaming rice in the Pressure Cooker with this recipe for Instant Pot Basmati Rice.

Why you'll love this recipe?

• So easy to make that you will ditch your visit to the Indian takeaway joint.
• PERFECT FOR LUNCH BOXES.
• Full-on Flavours even the next day!
• Healthier and just so delicious.
• All about comfort food with ease!
• Perfect for Batch Cooking
• PAIRS really well with rice, roti, flatbread, naan bread, or paratha
• Dietary needs - This Kidney Beans curry is Vegan, Dairy-free, and Gluten-free too.

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS RAJMA MASALA CURRY

This kidney beans curry is made with frugal ingredients, easily available in your pantry.  It is cooked with rajma (kidney beans), onions, tomatoes, and a selection of spices. Simply try this rajma recipe today and don’t forget to tell me how much your family loved it.

• You will need
•  Kidney Beans – Dried beans or Canned Beans both work well in the recipe. I have used soaked dried beans
• Onion - Both white and red onions are delicious in the recipe.
• Tomato - I like to use Red Vine Tomatoes. To speed up the recipe - you can also use a 1 can of tomatoes about 400g
• Ginger Garlic paste adds tons of flavor to this rajma masala
• Green Chilli for heat!
• Rajma Masala or Garam Masala - Rajma Masala uses a special blend of spices for this curry. However, you can always use my Instant Garam masala recipe for a quick Swap.
• Ground Cumin - Use homemade or store-bought powder
• Ground Coriander - Use homemade or store-bought powder
• Turmeric Powder
• Chilli Powder - Adding a little chilli powder in addition to green chillies adds spiciness. Adjust the quantity to suit your liking.
• Kasuri Methi is also known as Dried fenugreek leaves. Do not substitute for fresh methi leaves or ground methi powder.
• Coriander leaves or Cilantro leaves
• Oil - Any neutral flavor oil is good in the recipe. You can also use Ghee for added flavors.

How to make Instant Pot Rajma Masala step by step

Soak the Rajma overnight or for at least 4 hours in enough water. Drain the water and set aside.

Press Saute Button. When HOT, add oil, bayleaf & cumin seeds. Once it sizzles, add the onion and saute for 3-4 minutes until its translucent and lightly brown.

Add the ginger-garlic, green chili, tomatoes, spice powders and saute for 3-4 minutes.

Now add soaked kidney beans, water, salt and Stir.

Cancel the Saute mode. Seal the lid, turn the vent to sealing. Pressure Cook HIGH for 30 minutes or Select Bean Chilli mode.

Natural Pressure release.

If you find the gravy consistency thin, Mash the bean gently. You can also return to Saute and cook briefly for 3 - 4 minutes.

Sprinkle Kasuri methi ( Dried Fenugreek leaves ) and coriander leaves. Serve warm over steamed rice to scoop out all the delicious curry.

For a creamy kidney beans curry, you can add some swirl in some cream or coconut milk too. This also cuts down the heat in the curry, if you find it spicy.

For a smooth texture in the curry, use a blend of onion, tomato, ginger garlic and green chilli instead of diced vegetables.

Serving Suggestions for RAJMA

Rajma and Basmati Rice are a comforting combo in many households in India. As I have mentioned before, you can also serve Rajma with Naan bread, Flatbread, Roti, or even Quinoa. All the pairings are delicious and a great way to soak up the extra gravy.

I also love to serve Pickled onions and a mint sauce occasionally.

Recipe FAQ'S

Why do we soak Rajma Overnight?

Soaking Rajma / kidney beans overnight ensures you have tender beans the next day. You will require to cook for a lesser time compared to unsoaked beans. 

How to Quick Soak Dried Beans in the Instant Pot?

We often forget to soak the beans ahead of time. Thanks to this Quick Soak Beans technique you don't have to worry. Place the dried beans and water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. . Secure the lid, set the vent to sealing, and pressure cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Drain the stock and use these beans in recipes that call for soaked beans.

This method works well with any dried beans like garbanzo beans ( chickpeas ), black beans, pinto beans..

How to make NO SOAK INSTANT POT RAJMA MASALA?

The method is just the same as with the soaked kidney beans. However, you will require longer cooking for unsoaked beans. Follow steps 1 - 5 in the recipe card below. Add the dried beans, 3 cups of water and, set the Pressure Cook time to 1 hour 10 minutes and then Natural pressure release. Garnish and serve warm with rice.

HOW TO MAKE RAJMA WITH CANNED BEANS?

Follow steps 1 -5 in the recipe card below. Add the canned kidney beans, 1 cup of water and set the Pressure Cook time for 5 minutes and then Natural pressure release.

Quick & Easy Instant Pot Rajma Masala Chawal Recipe Below