Rajma Masala (Red Kidney Beans Curry) is a much loved spicy curry in most Indian Households and it goes very well with rice or any Indian bread. Here is a tried and tested step by step recipe to make this authentic Punjabi style rajma curry.
Rajma Masala is like a healing dish for me. Whenever I came home from my hostel, mom made sure to cheer me up by preparing delicious Curry and steamed rice.
For me, eating mom made Punjabi Rajma Masala after eating months of bland mess food was nothing less than a blessing. I used to relish this curry with so much love that for a moment I used to forget everything.
This Red Kidney Beans Curry is a dish prepared from boiled red Kidney Beans simmered in a creamy, rich onion tomato based gravy. This dish can easily score top among the most loved dishes in India.
Native to Punjab, Rajma Masala has become a favourite almost in all the parts of India. Like many other Indian dishes, each house has its own recipe to make it and with a slight variation here and there, it becomes a family owned recipe which passes from generation to generation.
This thick, creamy Red Kidney Bean Curry is perfect to be enjoyed with chapathi, Jeera Rice or any Indian bread. Bookmark my easy recipe for making it at home and relish it on comforting weekends with your family or all by yourself! Here is how to make Authentic Punjabi Rajma Masala.
What is Rajma?
Rajma is also called Red kidney bean in english. It is popularly used in North India and Nepal to make curries. It is rich in protein and carbs. You can read more about rajma along with it’s benefits here.
How to freeze Rajma Masala?
To freeze rajma masala, you can transfer it in a freezer safe box and just keep it in the freezer for up to 30 days. When you are ready to eat it, take out the container and let it rest on the counter for 2-3 hours until the content thaw and then re heat until nice and warm.
How to make rajma without Onion and Garlic?
To make Rajma Curry without onion and garlic, add some oil or ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds and hing and fry for a few seconds. Add tomato puree and cook for 3-4 minutes. Now add the dry spices and fry until oil separates from the sides. Add the cooked rajma and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Tips to make best Rajma Curry
Soak the rajma for at least 5-6 hours before cooking them.
Cook the rajma until they are well done. They should be slightly mushy in texture but still retain their shape. This will make the curry very creamy.
Mash the rajma slightly with the back of your ladle. It will make the curry very cream.
You can also grate the onion and tomato for a slightly different texture of the curry.
Use canned tomato puree to add in the curry. It will add to the taste as it is very concentrated.
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How to make Punjabi Rajma Recipe Step by Step
Wash the rajma and soak in enough water for 5-6 hours. Drain the water. Add the soaked rajma is a pressure cooker with 2 tsp of salt and 3 cups of water. Cook till rajma is soft and cooked. Remove the pressure cooker from heat and keep aside.
Heat oil in a Karahi / pan.
When the oil is hot, add onion and fry till translucent.
Add Ginger Garlic paste and fry till onion is golden brown.
Add chopped tomato and tomato puree and cook for a minute.
Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, amchoor powder and garam masala powder and fry for a few seconds. Add 1/2 cup water and cook the masala till oil separates on the side of the pan.
Add the cooked rajma along with the water and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes. Slightly press a few rajmas with the back of a ladle.
Add more water and salt if required. Garnish with Fresh Coriander. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Rajma Recipe Video
Rajma Masala Recipe
Punjabi Rajma Masala
Punjabi Rajma Masala (Red Kidney Beans Curry) is a much loved curry in most Indian Households and it goes very well with rice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rajma
- 4 tbsp Mustard Oil
- 1 and 1/2 cup Onion Finely Chopped
- 2 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 3/4 cup Tomato Finely Chopped
- 3 tbsp Tomato Puree
- 3 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
- 2 tsp Amchoor Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander Chopped
Instructions
Wash the rajma and soak in enough water for 5-6 hours.
Drain the water.
Add the soaked rajma is a pressure cooker with 2 tsp of salt and 3 cups of water.
Cook till rajma is soft and cooked.
Remove the pressure cooker from heat and keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan.
When the oil is hot, add onion and fry till translucent.
Add Ginger Garlic paste and fry till onion is golden brown.
Add chopped tomato and tomato puree and cook for a minute.
Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, amchoor powder and garam masala powder and fry for a few seconds.
Add 1/2 cup water and cook the masala till oil separates on the side of the pan.
Add the cooked rajma along with the water and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Slightly press a few rajmas with the back of a ladle.
Add more water and salt if required.
Garnish with Fresh Coriander.
Serve hot with steamed rice.
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wow awesome Neha…my fav too 🙂
Cheers
Anu@RasA-svAda
My family really liked this rajma curry.thanks Neha
Awesome. Thnx a lot for trying and leaving your feedback 🙂
I will try it.Thanks for the recipe.
Do try 🙂
Wow rajma looking amazing.. nice chitra.
Thnx.