Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole

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This Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole is loaded with flavor and incredibly easy to prepare. The flavorful sauce and the delicious spices all combining together to make this recipe a family favorite. As long as you get the sauce right, you’re on to a winner.

With the instant pot making this recipe is a breeze. The instant pot has seriously made life so fo easy, especially in recipes like lentils, beans, and lamb that require pressure cookers.

Instant Pot Chana Masala - Punjabi Chole
Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole

Souring ingredients for Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole:

Other than the flavor of whole spices I also like the tangy flavor obtained by adding pomegranate powder and tamarind concentrate. Some people add amchur powder, or even lime juice to make the chole tangy. I personally like pomegranate powder, which has a distinct sweet-tart flavor. The tamarind concentrate also adds the dark color to the chole. After trying tamarind paste, tamarind concentrate, and tamarind pulp, I firmed up on tamarind concentrate. Tamarind concentrate is easy to use and is convenient. It is a thick dark paste sold in small plastic tubs in most Indian stores. I normally use this for the convenience aspect. Additionally, I like the way it tastes. I also use it in other dishes that require tamarind.


What sort of chickpea should I use for Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole?

I use the dried kabuli chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans for this recipe. Soak the chickpea overnight, and discard the water before cooking.

How do I make this recipe?

First, select sauté on the instant pot and add oil to the pot.

Second, when the oil is hot, add in bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon stick, black cardamoms, and cumin seeds.

Thirdly, when the cumin seeds begin to splutter in about 30 seconds add onions and ginger garlic paste. Keep stirring.

When the onions turn golden in about 2 to 4 minutes add the red chili powder, add ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cumin, and salt. Stir well. Let it sauté for a minute.

Further, add the pureed tomatoes and let them sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. Next, add the chickpea/ kabuli chana and water. Stir well and make sure nothing is stuck to the pot base.

Furthermore, press cancel. Secure the lid on the pot and select manual and cook at high pressure for 40 minutes.

When cooking is complete, use natural pressure release to depressurize. Additionally, open the lid Add the tamarind concentrate, ground pomegranate powder, and garam masala. Stir well.

Use the back of the spoon to crush some chickpea and thicken the gravy. Finally, add the dried fenugreek leaves, cilantro, and Serrano pepper. Transfer into a serving bowl.

If you like less gravy you can select sauté and reduce it to the desired consistency.

Tried this recipe yet? Give us a rating, comment below in the reply section and let us know what you think.

Moreover, try some of our other recipes:

Instant Pot Kashmiri Rajma – Rajma Masala Instant Pot

Paneer Pav Bhaji

Easy Mumbai Cheese Pav Bhaji

Chickpea Peanut Salad – Instant Pot Protein Avocado Salad

Cucumber Tomato Cilantro Salad

Radish Chutney in Yogurt

Air Fryer Baingan Raita

Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole

Shilpa
Instant Pot Chana Masala – Punjabi Chole
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Prep

  • Rinse and finely chop the onions and cilantro. Slit the Serrano pepper, and puree the tomatoes. 
  • Discard the water that was used to soak the chickpea overnight.

Cook

  • Select sauté on the instant pot and add oil to the pot.
  • When the oil is hot, add in bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon stick, black cardamoms, and cumin seeds.
  • When the cumin seeds begin to splutter in about 30 seconds add onions and ginger garlic paste. Keep stirring.
  • When the onions turn golden in about 2 to 4 minutes add the red chili powder, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cumin, and salt. Stir well. Let it sauté for a minute.
  • Then add the pureed tomatoes and let them sauté for 4 to 5 minutes. 
  • Next, add the chickpeas / kabuli chana and water. Stir well and make sure nothing is stuck to the pot base.
  • Press cancel. Secure the lid on the pot and select manual and cook at high pressure for 40 minutes.
  • When cooking is complete, use natural pressure release to depressurize. Add the tamarind concentrate, ground pomegranate powder, and garam masala. Stir well.
  • Use the back of the spoon to crush some chickpea and thicken the gravy. Finally, add the dried fenugreek leaves, cilantro, and Serrano pepper. Transfer into a serving bowl.
  • If you like less gravy you can select sauté and reduce it to the desired consistency. Transfer into a serving bowl.

Serve

  • Enjoy with roti, puri, or steamed rice.

Notes

  • If dont you like your food spicy you can eliminate the serrano pepper, or reduce or eliminate the red chili powder.
  • This recipe has been tried on the 6-quart instant pot. The proportions may vary depending on the size of the instant pot you choose to use.
  • The recipe is based on soaking the chickpea over-night. 
  • The whole spices (cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaf, can be discarded, they don’t need to be consumed).
Keyword Chickpeas Curry, Indian Chickpea Curry Instant Pot, Indian Chickpeas Curry, Instant Pot Chana Masala, Instant Pot Channa Masala, Instant Pot Chole, Instant Pot Indian Chickpea Curry, Instant Pot Punjabi Chole, Punjabi Chana Masala, Punjabi Chole, Punjabi Chole Masala

AboutFastCurries

My name is Shilpa Tiku. I am a foodie and love experimenting with different cuisines. Originally a Kashmiri, born in Mumbai and currently live in Dallas.

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