Kala Chana (Black Chickpea Curry)
My kala chana recipe is a protein-packed vegetarian black chickpea curry served in a spiced gravy. It’s a delicious, homestyle Indian curry!

- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 40 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 1 cup kala chana ((black chickpeas))
- 2 tbsp ghee (or butter)
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium red onion (diced)
- 1 serrano chile (diced)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 2 plum tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp fenugreek leaves
- 1 lime (cut into wedges for serving)
- cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse and clean the kala chickpeas. Cover with 3 cups of water and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Rinse and drain before using and proceed to Step 2 below. OR use quick soak method below in the Instant Pot.
- 2
Rinse and clean the kala chickpeas. Cover with 3 cups of water. The water should cover the chana by about 2 inches, so use additional water if necessary. Cook the chickpeas at high pressure for 2 minutes, followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release. Quick release any remaining pressure and remove the Instant Pot lid. Drain and rinse the kala chana in a colander, and use per recipe instructions.
- 3
Turn the Instant Pot to Saute setting and melt ghee or butter. Toast the cumin seeds in ghee for 2 minutes; add the onion, serrano chile and salt. Cook for several minutes, until onion is soft and translucent.
- 4
Add garlic and ginger to pot, stir to combine, and cook for one minute. Stir in the tomatoes, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder and turmeric. Saute for for 2 more minutes, then add 2 cups water. Stir to scrape up browned bits on bottom of Instant Pot.
- 5
Stir in soaked kala chana, cover pressure cooker with lid and manually set for 40 minutes using Pressure Cook setting. Allow a 10 minute natural pressure release before removing lid. Stir in fenugreek leaves.
- 6
Garnish with additional ghee or butter, lime slices and chopped cilantro on top. Serve with warm naan or bread of choice.