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rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry |

Tarla Dalal
17 December, 2024


Table of Content
About Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala Recipe
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Ingredients
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Methods
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Recipe notes for Rajma Masala
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How to make Rajma Recipe
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Rajma Curry ? A Protein Boost
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Benefits of Rajma curry
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Nutrient values
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rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | restaurant style rajma masala | with 24 amazing images.
Rajma curry is also called rajma masala, Punjabi rajma recipe or rajma recipe in different parts of India.
Rajma curry and rice, no meal can be more satiating. This famous combination of rajma curry recipe + chawal is a complete one meal dinner and healthy protein for Vegetarians as it’s a cereal and pulse combination.
Made from rajma, tomatoes, onions and spices makes this a healthy Rajma Curry recipe. Rajma is a complex carb and rich in Fibre which helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Rajma is rich in potassium which is critical for those with high blood pressure as it lessens the impact of sodium. Eating rajma is good for diabetics due to being a fiber rich food.
Some tips for Punjabi rajma masala. 1. Add the rajma. Also you can make use of canned kidney beans. 2. Add the tomato pulp and salt. The addition of salt right after tomatoes help in quick cooking of them. 3. The gravy of rajma curry should not be watery and neither be too thick. If required, mash few rajmas lightly to achieve the perfect consistency for Rajma Masala.
Filling and nutritious, Rajma curry turns out beautifully when Rajma is cooked in a thick tomato pulp with only basic spices. This Rajma curry is a favourite in Punjab and very popular amongst all age groups. My kids love Punjabi Rajma Curry with some ladi pav and loads of raw onions on the side.
Enjoy how to make rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | restaurant style rajma masala | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala Recipe recipe - How to make Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala Recipe
Tags
Preparation Time
10 Mins
Cooking Time
15 Mins
Total Time
25 Mins
Makes
4 servings
Ingredients
For Rajma Curry
2 cups soaked and boiled rajma (kidney beans)
2 cups roughly chopped tomato
3 tbsp oil
1/2 cup grated onions
1 tbsp garlic-ginger-green chilli paste
1 tsp chilli powder
salt to taste
Method
For rajma curry
- To make rajma curry, combine the tomatoes and 1 cup of water in a deep non-stick kadhai and cook on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes or till the tomatoes turn soft, while stirring occasionally.
- Allow them to cool slightly and blend in a mixer to a smooth pulp. Keep aside.
- Heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic-ginger-green chilli paste, chilli powder and 2 tbsp of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the rajma, tomato pulp and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Serve the rajma curry hot.
rajma curry recipe | Punjabi rajma masala | healthy rajma curry | Video by Tarla Dalal
Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala Recipe recipe with step by step photos
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For preparing the Rajma Masala (Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala), we are making use of Jammu rajma which lend a beautiful aroma and flavour. But, feel free to use any variety of kidney beans especially the red rajma which are available in small as well as big sizes.
- You can even cook the rajma along with whole spices like bay leaf and cinnamon stick to enhance the flavour of restaurant style rajma masala recipe.
- Fresh cream, kasuri methi, coriander leaves can be additionally added at the end of preparation.
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To get a darker shade of rajma curry, put a tea bag while boiling the rajmas.
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Many people even make use of Punjabi garam masala or Rajma Masala as flavour enhancers.
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For preparing the Rajma Masala (Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala), we are making use of Jammu rajma which lend a beautiful aroma and flavour. But, feel free to use any variety of kidney beans especially the red rajma which are available in small as well as big sizes.
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For making Rajma Masala, rinse the rajma very well using water. We are making use of small sized Kashmiri rajma but, you can use whichever is easily available.
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Transfer the rajma in a bowl, submerge in enough water and soak overnight or a minimum of 8-10 hours.
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Next day, discard the water by straining the rajmas. Rinse the rajma once again with fresh water.
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Add the soaked and drained kidney beans to a pressure cooker. You can even cook the rajma directly on a stovetop but it will consume a lot of time.
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Add enough water.
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Close the lid and pressure cook the rajmas for 4-5 whistles on a medium flame.
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When the pressure settle downs naturally, open the lid and mix once.Check if the rajma is cooked or not by pressing it between your thumb and index finger. If it is not soft, add water and cook for 1-2 more whistles. Always cook the rajma till soft and tender.
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Strain the rajma and keep aside. You may reserve and use this water while preparing the Rajma Masala later.
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For the Punjabi Rajma Masala, in a deep non-stick pan, transfer the chopped tomatoes.
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Add 1 cup of water.
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Cook on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes or till the tomatoes turn soft, while stirring occasionally.
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Allow them to cool slightly and transfer into a mixer jar.
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Blend in a mixer to a smooth pulp. Keep aside.
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For preparing the Punjabi Rajma masala recipe, heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai. Also, you can make use of butter/ghee or part butter part oil to cook the Punjabi rajma masala.
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Once the oil is hot, add the onions.
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Sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes or till they are golden brown.
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Add the prepared garlic-ginger-green chilli paste. Nothing can beat the aroma and flavour of freshly pounded masala.
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Add the chilli powder. Also, you can add Kashmiri red chilli powder for a bright red colour.
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Add 2 tbsp of water. This will aid in cooking and prevent the spices from burning.
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Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes or till the raw aroma of garlic-ginger-green chilli goes away.
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Add the rajma. Also you can make use of canned kidney beans.
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Add the tomato pulp and salt. The addition of salt right after tomatoes help in quick cooking of them.
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Mix Rajma Masala (Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala) well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. The gravy should not be watery and neither be too thick. If required, mash few rajmas lightly to achieve the perfect consistency for Rajma Masala.
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Serve Rajma Masala restaurant style hot with steamed rice, jeera rice or paratha.
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For making Rajma Masala, rinse the rajma very well using water. We are making use of small sized Kashmiri rajma but, you can use whichever is easily available.
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Rajma Curry – A Protein Boost. This Rajma Curry is one the famous North Indian subzi – served as a main meal with parathas. Rajma is a legume with a storehouse of protein and many other nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc etc. The tomatoes used as the base of this Rajma Masala add antioxidants like lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin C. These antioxidants help to reduce inflammation in the body and get rid of the harmful free radicals which otherwise can cause chronic diseases. Simply compromise a bit and make this Rajma curry with 1 tbsp of oil to go a tad healthy
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Rajma Curry – A Protein Boost. This Rajma Curry is one the famous North Indian subzi – served as a main meal with parathas. Rajma is a legume with a storehouse of protein and many other nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc etc. The tomatoes used as the base of this Rajma Masala add antioxidants like lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin C. These antioxidants help to reduce inflammation in the body and get rid of the harmful free radicals which otherwise can cause chronic diseases. Simply compromise a bit and make this Rajma curry with 1 tbsp of oil to go a tad healthy
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Rajma Curry is rich in below macronutrients, vitamins and minerals given in descending order (highest to lowest).
- Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Folic acid is an essential vitamin required throughout pregnancy. Folic acid rich Indian foods (kabuli chana, chana dal, yellow moong dal, urad dal, tooval dal, til ) 59% of RDA.
- Phosphorus : Phosphorus works closely with calcium to build bones. 20% of RDA.
- Calcium. See Calcium rich recipes : Calcium is a mineral that makes bones stay strong. Required from kids to adults. 18% of RDA.
- Magnesium : Magnesium is required for formation of bones and teeth. It helps in the metabolism of calcium and potassium. % of RDA. magnesium rich Indian foods like leafy vegetables (palak, broccoli, kale), pulses ( rajma, chawli, moong ), nuts (walnuts, almonds) , cereals ( jowar, bajra, whole wheat flour, dalia). % of RDA.
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Rajma Curry is rich in below macronutrients, vitamins and minerals given in descending order (highest to lowest).
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Energy | 207 cal |
Protein | 6.4 g |
Carbohydrates | 19 g |
Fiber | 2.6 g |
Fat | 11.7 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 11.1 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Rajma Curry, Punjabi Rajma Masala Recipe
The Nutrient info is complete

Srijit Mazumdar
March 13, 2025, midnight
I have cooked the Rajma in your and had it with hot rice and the experience was delicious. Thanks.

shreya_the foodie
March 13, 2025, midnight
This is a classic rajma recipe. Have it as a healthy protein meal for dinner on a regular basis.

sandeep
March 13, 2025, midnight
Rajma Curry, jo swaddishta our posthik hi me ise chaval ki sath kahana bahut pasand karta hu

Krupali Shukla
March 13, 2025, midnight
I love rajma and I very often rajma soup, I tried this simple recipe and loved it too.... Made with minimal ingredients it pairs very well with parathas and rice both.

Gopinathan K
March 13, 2025, midnight

zain
March 13, 2025, midnight
Hello, i am in the search of oral re-hydration salt drink preservation ,what can be preservative for it.

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
Hi Zain, We are very sorry but we do not know about it. If there is anything else we would be happy to help.

Madhukar
March 13, 2025, midnight

Pawan
March 13, 2025, midnight
What do you mean by 1 serving. Why can''t we use grams or measurement?

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
We don?t weigh the food we cook. We estimate the amount a serving size is. The key to take from the analysis of a recipe is if it''s healthy and fits into your lifestyle. When in doubt, eat less of that recipe. We present the facts as we see it.