Rajma Recipe: Easy Guide To Making This Delicious North Indian Delicacy

If you are searching for the best comfort dish, check out this easy recipe for Rajma or Rajma masala to make at home. Impress your family and friends with this North Indian delicacy. 

rajma recipe rajma

Rajma Masala (kidney beans) is one of the most relished dishes in North India. These lentils are very nutritious and are a rich source of protein. They are also very versatile as you can add boiled rajma to your salads, make rajma tikki, rajma wraps, and rajma pulao.

If you love Rajma or Rajma Masala with plain boiled rice or chapatis, here is an easy recipe you must try at home.

Easy Rajma Recipe

Here is an easy step-by-step recipe to make rajma at home and relish on a boring day:

Preparing Rajma

  1. Add 1 ½ cups of rajma in a large bowl and wash them thoroughly a few times. Soak them in water for 8-12 hours to help them soften. Cover it with a cloth or basket.
  2. Pour the soaked rajma into a pressure cooker or instant pot, add about 2 cups of water, and pressure cook until soft (about 4-5 whistles) or about 15 minutes in a pot.

rajma recipe rajma masala photo

Image courtesy: Freepik

Preparing Masala For Rajma Recipe

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee in a pan and add 2 bay leaves and 1 teaspoon jeera.
  2. Once they start sizzling, add finely chopped onions and 2 green chilis. Saute them on medium heat for about 5 minutes, till they turn golden brown.
  3. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for not more than a minute.
  4. Pour in the freshly made tomato puree and let it cook until the raw smell dies. Leave it to cook for about 3 minutes.
  5. Not add 1/8th teaspoon of asafoetida, 2 teaspoons of coriander seed powder, 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder, and salt to taste.
  6. Stir the spices well to ensure they spread evenly and saute for about 3 minutes, until aromatic.
  7. Now gradually add the pressure-cooked rajma (kidney beans) to the masala along with its stock (cooked water). Add more hot water if needed to balance its consistency.
  8. Mix everything thoroughly yet gently to ensure the even spreading of flavours. Cook for about 15 minutes.
  9. Add 1 tablespoon of crushed kasturi methi to enhance flavours.
  10. You can add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to make it creamy and thick.
  11. Once done, turn off the stove and sprinkle some coriander leaves on top to garnish.
  12. Your rajma is ready to serve with steaming hot rice or chapati.
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Easy Rajma Recipe Recipe Card

Here is an easy recipe of Rajma or Rajma Masala to try at home.
Her ZindagiHer ZindagiHer ZindagiHer ZindagiHer Zindagi
  • Total Time :50 min
  • Preparation Time : 10 min
  • Cooking Time : 40 min
  • Servings : 6
  • Cooking Level : Medium
  • Course: Main Course
  • Calories: 450
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Author: Rajoshi Purkait

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup kidney beans (rajma)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 black cardamom
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp ghee or oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1/8th tsp asafoetida (hing)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 30g ginger
  • 2 green chillies
  • 2 medium onions
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 12 springs fresh coriander
  • 2 tsp coriander seed powder
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp kasturi methi
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional)

Step

  • Step 1 :

    Wash and soak some rajma in a large bowl for 12 hours.

  • Step 2 :

    Pressure cook the rajma till 4-5 whistles or cook it in a pot for 15 minutes after adding 2 cups of water.

  • Step 3 :

    For the masala, add bay leaves and cumin seeds in hot oil or ghee.

  • Step 4 :

    After it sizzles, add onion and green chilis and saute them for 5 minutes.

  • Step 5 :

    Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 minute.

  • Step 6 :

    Pour the tomato puree and cook for 3 minutes, till the raw smell passes.

  • Step 7 :

    Sprinkle asafoetida, coriander seed powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, roasted cumin powder, and salt and mix.

  • Step 8 :

    Add boiled rajma to the masala with stock. Add additional hot water if needed.

  • Step 9 :

    Mix it all and cook for 15 minutes.

  • Step 10 :

    Add crushed kasturi methi.

  • Step 11 :

    You can add heavy cream as per your preference.

  • Step 12 :

    Turn off the stove and sprinkle some coriander leaves.

  • Step 13 :

    Your rajma is ready!