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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Dal & Curries » Veg Curries » Punjabi Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry)

    Published: Oct 25, 2021 | Last Updated On: Aug 17, 2023 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry)

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    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry) is a North Indian style curry made using black-eyed beans. It pairs very well with paratha, phulka, or rice. Here is how to make it in a traditional pressure cooker and instant pot (vegan, gluten-free).

    Lobia masala curry served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • What Is Lobia
    • Health Benefits Of Lobia Beans
    • Punjabi Lobia Masala (Lobia Curry)
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Lobia Curry
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    What Is Lobia

    Lobia is the Hindi name for black-eyed peas. It is also known by the name lobia dal, rongi, white lobia, chowli, chawli, or rongi ki dal in different parts of North India. It goes by the name Karamani in Tamil and Perum Payaru in Malayalam.

    Lobia Beans are a very nutritious pulse and they are a great source of vegetarian protein. Each serving of 100 grams lobia provides about 8 grams of vegetarian protein.

    Rongi beans come in various sizes. Try to choose medium to large-sized beans for the best taste and flavor. The small beans are hard and don’t cook well.

    Also, try to source black-eyes beans that are not very old. Old beans take a long time to cook.

    Dry beans can be stored in a cool and dry place in an airtight container for up to 6 months. You can refrigerate it to increase its shelf life even more.

    These beans can be used to make a variety of dishes. Here are some lobia recipes that you can try – Lobia Salad, Lobia Sundal, Lobia Kabab, etc.

    You can read more about these beans here.

    Health Benefits Of Lobia Beans

    Lobia is a great source of protein and fiber. It will keep you full for longer and is great if you are following a weight-loss diet.

    It regulates blood sugar levels, making it perfect for managing diabetes.

    Chawli beans also control cholesterol, anxiety, and stress. 

    It is considered to be great for skin, hair, and nail health and makes the bones stronger.

    This bean also prevents certain types of cancers. 

    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Lobia Curry)

    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Lobia Curry) is a North Indian style curry where black-eyed beans are cooked in a spicy onion-tomato gravy. It is vegan, gluten-free, and comes together in just 30 minutes. 

    Lobia Masala is best paired with phulka or steamed rice for everyday meals or can be packed with tawa parathas for school or office lunch boxes. 

    Punjabi style lobia curry can be made in a traditional pressure cooker or an Instant Pot. I have mentioned both recipes in the post below. I have included a No Onion No Garlic lobia recipe in the post too.

    I make this Indian black-eyed peas curry recipe in my 6-quart instant pot (or a 3-liter pressure cooker). If you are doubling or tripling the recipe, then use a bigger instant pot or a pressure cooker. The cooking time will remain the same.

    Here are some more North Indian curries that you may like

    • Kadai Paneer
    • Chana Masala
    • Jeera Aloo
    • Dahi Aloo
    • Paneer Lababdar
    • Punjabi Mutton Curry
    • Rajma Masala
    • Methi Matar Malai
    • Lauki Kofta Curry

    Ingredients

    Lobia curry ingredients 1.
    Lobia curry ingredients 2.

    Lobia – You will get lobia in the beans or legumes section of any grocery store or online.

    Try to use new beans to make lobia masala recipe, as older beans might take a long time to cook.

    Oil – I prefer to make lobia curry in mustard oil as it gives a nice flavor to it but you can use any cooking oil that you like. You can also make it in ghee.

    Whole Spices – You will need cumin seeds, cinnamon (dalchini), cloves (laung), and whole black peppercorns (kali mirch).

    Spice Powders – Basic spices such as coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, and salt are used to spice up the lobia masala curry.

    Others – You will also need onions, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, fresh tomatoes, freshly squeezed lime juice, Kasuri methi, and cilantro (fresh coriander leaves).

    Fresh tomatoes can be replaced with ½ cup of canned tomato puree or ¼ cup of tomato paste.

    Optional – Add some heavy cream to the ready lobia sabji to make it rich and creamy.

    How To Make Lobia Curry

    In Traditional Pressure Cooker

    Rinse 1 cup lobia beans with water and soak them in 4-5 cups of water for 5-6 hours or overnight.

    Wash them once again and drain them well.

    Heat 4 tablespoon mustard oil in a pressure cooker over medium-high heat.

    When the oil is hot, add a

    • 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
    • 2-3 cloves
    • 3-4 whole black peppercorns

    and fry for 3-4 seconds.

    Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and fry for 3-4 seconds.

    Whole spices and cumin seeds added to hot oil in a pressure cooker.

    Now add 1 cup chopped onions and 3-4 green chilies (slit into half) and saute until they turn translucent (7-8 minutes). Keep stirring at regular intervals.

    Chopped onions and green chilies added to the cooker.

    Add 2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste and fry until the onion turns golden brown (7-8 minutes).

    Ginger garlic paste added to the pan.

    Add 1 cup of chopped tomatoes and cook for a minute. Keep mashing the tomatoes with the back of a ladle while cooking.

    Chopped tomatoes added to the pan.

    Now add

    • 2 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala powder

    and cook for 3-4 minutes until oil starts to separate from the sides of the pan.

    Dry spice powders added to the pan.

    Now add the soaked beans along with 2 and ½ cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt.

    Lobia, salt and water added to the pan.

    Close the lid of the cooker and cook for one whistle on high heat. Now reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.

    Lid of the cooker closed.

    Remove the cooker from heat and let the pressure release naturally.

    Cooker opened.

    Open the lid of the cooker and add 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice and 2 tablespoon Kasuri methi and mix well.

    Check for salt and add more if needed.

    Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

    Kasuri methi and lime juice added to ready lobia curry.

    In An Instant Pot

    Wash 1 cup lobia with water and soak it in 4-5 cups of water for 5-6 hours or overnight.

    Wash it once again and drain it well.

    Press SAUTE button of the instant pot and add 4 tablespoon mustard oil to the pot.

    Follow the recipe until adding the spice powders to the pot.

    Now add the soaked lobia along with 1 and ½ cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt.

    Close the lid of the pot and set the valve to the sealing position.

    Press CANCEL and then press PRESSURE COOK. Set the timer to 10 minutes at high pressure.

    Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

    Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid of the instant pot.

    Add 2 tablespoon lime juice and 2 tablespoon Kasuri methi and mix well.

    Check for salt and add more if needed.

    Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make lobia sabji without onion and garlic?

    To make a no onion no garlic lobia curry, skip adding onions and garlic and keep the rest of the recipe the same.

    Can I use canned beans to make lobia curry?

    Yes, canned beans can be used to make the curry. Use two 15oz cans in this recipe.

    Make the curry using the recipe on the recipe card without adding the beans. Once the curry is ready, add the drained and rinsed beans and cook for 10 minutes on low heat. Garnish and serve.

    Although you can use canned beans to make this curry, I see no advantage in doing that. The time of cooking will remain the same and the canned beans are costlier than the dried ones. The only plus point is that you don’t have to pre-plan the soaking part.

    Can I use frozen black-eyed peas to make this curry?

    Yes, you can. Frozen beans are pre-cooked so you could use them the same way you would use the canned beans.

    Is it necessary to soak lobia?

    Soaking lobia for 6 to 8 hours makes it easy to cook and easy to digest, I highly recommend it.

    What if I forgot to soak lobia?

    If you forget to soak it, add beans and water to a pot and bring it to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, switch off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and soak in hot water for about 1-2 hours. After 1-2 hours, drain the water and cook the beans.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve lobia masala along with Indian flatbread like phulka or paratha for your everyday meals with a side of raita.

    It also tastes great with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, matar pulao, or any lightly spiced pulao. 

    Leftover lobia curry can be used to make pulao or biryani. I sometimes even dry out the curry and use it to make rolls and wraps. 

    Storage Suggestions

    Punjabi Lobia Masala will last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Reheat in a pan or microwave before serving. 

    Add in a little water to adjust the consistency while reheating, as refrigeration makes the curry a little thick. 

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    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry) is a North Indian style curry made using black-eyed beans. It pairs very well with paratha, phulka, or rice. Here is how to make it in a traditional pressure cooker and instant pot (vegan, gluten-free).

    Punjabi Lobia Masala Recipe (Black Eyed Peas Curry)

    Punjabi Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry) is a North Indian style curry made using black-eyed beans. It pairs very well with paratha, phulka, or rice. Here is how to make it in a traditional pressure cooker and Instant Pot.
    4.63 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 234kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup dry lobia (black-eyed bean)
    • 4 tablespoons mustard oil (or any other cooking oil)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 inch piece of cinnamon stick (dalchini)
    • 2-3 cloves (laung)
    • 3-4 whole black peppercorns (kali mirch)
    • 1 cup chopped onions
    • 2-3 green chilies (slit into half)
    • 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
    • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons coriander powder
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons Kasuri methi
    • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
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    Instructions

    • Wash lobia with water and soak it in 4-5 cups of water for 5-6 hours or overnight.
    • Wash it once again and drain well.
    • Heat mustard oil in a pressure cooker over medium-high heat.
    • When the oil is hot, add cinnamon stick, cloves, and whole black peppercorns and fry for 3-4 seconds.
    • Add cumin seeds and fry for 3-4 seconds.
    • Now add onions and green chilies and fry until they turn translucent (7-8 minutes). Keep stirring at regular intervals.
    • Add ginger-garlic paste and fry until the onion turns golden brown (7-8 minutes).
    • Add tomatoes and cook for a minute. Keep mashing the tomatoes with the back of a ladle while cooking.
    • Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, cumin powder, and garam masala powder, and cook for 3-4 minutes until oil starts to separate from the sides of the pan.
    • Now add the soaked lobia along with 2 and ½ cups of water and salt.
    • Close the lid of the cooker and cook for one whistle on high heat. Now reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Remove the cooker from heat and let the pressure release naturally.
    • Open the lid of the cooker and add lime juice and Kasuri methi and mix well.
    • Check for salt and add more if needed.
    • Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUa00rfBBmE

    Notes

    Instant Pot Lobia Curry Recipe
    Wash lobia with water and soak it in 4-5 cups of water for 5-6 hours or overnight. Wash it once again and drain well.
    Press SAUTE button of the instant pot and add oil to the pot.
    Now follow the recipe until adding the spice powders to the pot.
    Add the soaked lobia along with 1 and ½ cups of water and salt. Close the lid of the pot and set the valve to the sealing position.
    Press CANCEL and then press PRESSURE COOK. Set the timer to 10 minutes at high pressure. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid of the instant pot.
    Add lime juice and Kasuri methi and mix well. Check for salt and add more if needed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
    Notes
    I make this recipe in my 6-quart instant pot (or a 3-liter pressure cooker). If you are doubling or tripling the recipe, then use a bigger instant pot or a pressure cooker. The cooking time will remain the same.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 793IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3mg
    Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
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    More Veg Curry Recipes

    • Kashmiri Rajma Masala is a delicious recipe with flavors from dry ginger powder and fennel powder. Here is how to make it.
      Kashmiri Rajma Masala Curry
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    • Kadala Curry (Kerala-Style Black Chickpeas Kari) is a quintessential dish in every Malayalee household. It’s a very popular dish to serve with puttu, appam, and dosa for breakfast and is also eaten with idiyappam or string hoppers, paratha, and boiled red rice for lunch or dinner (vegan, can be easily made gluten-free).
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    • Bhindi Masala (Indian Okra Stir Fry) is a very popular North Indian dish made using okra, onions, tomatoes, and spices. This semi-dry curry is super easy to make and comes together in under 30 minutes (vegan, gluten-free).
      Bhindi Masala (Indian Okra Stir Fry)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating





    1. Lizet Flores de Bowen

      March 03, 2018 at 2:28 am

      5 stars
      The other day our menu was from your blog. The beans were delicious. Never made beans with Indian spices. Definitely keeping it. Went great with the okras ????

      Reply
      • venassa

        June 24, 2020 at 7:18 pm

        5 stars
        I love your recipe. It was easy, quick and tasty. Definitely a keeper!
        Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          June 26, 2020 at 3:43 pm

          Thanks 🙂

          Reply
    2. pranita deshpande

      September 21, 2018 at 11:33 am

      Very nice recipe with good volume ingredients.

      Reply
    3. Ellie

      March 27, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      Lovely recipe but you forgot to mention the green chilli in the instruction so I actually missed it out by accident !

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        March 31, 2019 at 12:08 pm

        Sorry for that Ellie. I have updated the recipe.

        Reply
    4. JENNIFER BATTEN

      February 23, 2020 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      Thanks from Melbourne

      So healthy

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        February 24, 2020 at 2:24 am

        I am glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    5. Diana

      March 25, 2020 at 7:24 am

      Mam 1 cup onion and tomato is how many onion and tomato? And one cup lobia is 250ml cup?

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        March 26, 2020 at 3:33 am

        Onion and tomato comes in different sizes. You can take 2 medium sized onion and tomato. I use standard cup measures to measure the ingredients. One cup lobia will be approximately 200 g dry lobia.

        Reply
    6. Bhuvan

      May 31, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      How many whistles are needed for the cooker?

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        May 31, 2020 at 3:59 pm

        Approx 1 whistle on high heat. Then simmer the heat and cook for 10 minutes.

        Reply

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