Rajma Masala Curry – राजमा मसाला

Rajma Masala Curry is a lightly spiced, creamy and delicious curry made with kidney beans. People cook it often and enjoy it with both rice and naan or chapati.

Rajma is also called Red kidney Bean in English. They are popular in North India and Nepal to make curries.

This dish is very much loved by everyone. So much that it easily tops the list of favorites for the majority of people in the North region of India.

Indian mothers prefer to cook this meal as it is not only a staple diet but also a rich source of protein and carbs too.

Rajma-chawal is sure to give you a homey feeling, especially if you are from North India. People over there include in meals on a daily basis.

One can also consider it some sort of comfort food. Rajma is often a go-to dish when you can’t decide what to cook for the guests.

Usually, you need to soak Rajma overnight and it is a very crucial step in the process. Because rajma needs to melt in your mouth without resistance while biting, soaking is preferable.

But if you cannot do that then you can use canned rajma that is available in the market so as to save time. Or you can pressure cook it until the beans turn soft.

You can try out our similar recipes like Chickpea Curry and Memoni Chole.

Watch Rajma Masala Curry Recipe Video


Ingredients of Rajma Masala Curry

  • Rajma - 200 gm
  • Water - 2 glass
  • Salt - 1 tbsp
  • Edible Oil - 125 ml (curry paste 50ml + masala curry 75ml)
  • Cumin Seed - whole 1 tbsp
  • Coriander Seeds - whole 1 tbsp
  • Green Chili - 2 pcs
  • Ginger - 2 pcs (medium size)
  • Garlic - 7 pcs (medium size)
  • Onion - 2 pcs (medium size)
  • Tomato Puree - 2 pcs (medium size)
  • Red Chili Powder - 1tbsp
  • Turmeric Powder -1 tbsp
  • Coriander Leaves - 1 small cup (whole)
  • Whole Spices - 1 pcs star anise, 2 small pcs cinnamon, 5 pcs black pepper, 2pcs cloves, 2pcs bay leaf, 2 pcs red dry whole chili

Steps for Rajma Masala Curry

  • Steps to boil rajma beans
  • Heat water, add rajma and salt. Stir the mixture and allow it to boil till rajma beans become soft. If rajma is soaked overnight then it will take only 10 minutes to boil. If not then, approx timing is 30 to 45 minutes. If boiling rajma in a pressure cooker blow 4 to 5 whistle.
  • Steps to prepare the masala curry paste
  • Heat oil in a pan.Add whole cumin seeds and let it fry.Add whole coriander seeds, green chili, ginger, and garlic. Stir the mixture on low flame until it gets brownish.
  • Add sliced onion. Stir the mixture until it turns a bit brown in color.
  • Put off the flame and wait till the mixture cools down. Then grind the mixture till it becomes a thick paste.
  • Steps to prepare the rajma masala curry
  • Heat oil in a pan. Add whole spices and stir the mixture.
  • Add tomato puree, masala curry paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and fresh coriander leaves. Keep stirring the mixture. Allow it to heat for some time and take care the mixture doesn't burn at the bottom.
  • Now add boiled rajma to the mixture and mix it well. Heat it for some time and be careful to not let it burn at the bottom.
  • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

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