Kidney beans curry in instant pot, is a traditional curry made with beans, tomato and spices. Usually made in North Indian homes to go with cumin rice or chappathi for lunch mostly during colder months. I have perfected this recipe to suit my taste. This curry works perfectly every time I want a superb fast curry provided I have all the ingredients! Tastes best the next day when all the flavors have sinked into the beans.
WHAT ADDS FLAVOR TO KIDNEY BEANS CURRY?
- This curry draws its flavors from 4 important steps.
- The beans : Here Kidney bean needs OVERNIGHT SOAKING the buttery soft beans add flavor and thickness. Use FAST cooking variety Kidney beans.
- Spices : A mix of whole spices and spice powders used in different combination gives best aroma and flavor. Added in stages.
- Vegetables : Tart tomato brings out the flavor in the kidney beans.Slightly caramelized carrot adds distinct taste. It adds to the thickness and sweetness to the curry.
- PERFECT TASTE : The beans should be very soft yet hold its shape, the gravy needs to be smooth, thick yet flowy (this happens only when tomato peel is removed). Slight tartness should stand out more than the spice. Too much acidic tomatoes can make the curry sour.To prevent that adding a carrot helps to cut down acidity, adds body with color and light sweetness to the curry.
Lets discuss some basics here :
- Planning is key in making any good curry if you are looking for authentic flavors.
- Soaking the beans overnight and changing the water couple of times works best for me.
- Starting a curry recipe from scratch with fresh ingredients will give you the most flavorful end result.
- Buying dry beans is always the most economical way in Indian cooking.
- Beans that have passed their prime(that have been in your pantry forever) will not cook properly and stay hard even after cooking. Hence buy beans in small quantities.
- Not adding enough water while cooking the beans will dry it out fast before getting a chance to soften.
- The minerals in the hard water used for cooking , will not soften the beans.
- Adding too much tart ingredients will prevent the beans from cooking properly.
- If there is too much salt the beans may not cook well instead harden sometimes too much oil too restricts the bean from cooking fully.
Ingredients list :
Kidney beans curry FAQS
Curry is a flavor game. Under spiced, under salted could be the reason. Too much water also makes runny curries hence robbing its flavor. Trust me too much cooking of the dish simply looses it aroma and flavor from prolonged heat exposure.
Yes it is vegan and gluten free flavorful curry.
Unless the powder is homemade the amount of spice varies in each store bought brand. Hence adjusting and compensating with other spices enhances the flavor of the curry.
Steps for making the curry :
Blanch the tomatoes - Make small 'x' mark on the skin of the tomato just enough to tear the skin and it to boiling hot water for 2-3 minutes until the skin curls up then put in ice bath or allow it to cool gently peel off the skin and grind. OR used canned tomato if you are pressed for time. Fresh is best, it doesn't have as much acid as in canned.
Keep everything ready and chopped before cooking as the instant pot heats up quickly.
Add everything given in this order because its tried and tested many times.
Serving and storage :
- This Kidney beans curry tastes best with plain cooked basmati rice, or jeera (cumin) rice or long grain white rice. Other option is chappathi or naan.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Stores well for up to 3 days and tastes even better the next day.
- Reheating leftovers: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore consistency.
Other famous Indian restaurant styles curries you should try :
- Korma with chicken
- Methi matar malai (Fenugreek leaves with peas)
- Paneer butter masala (Peas and cottage cheese)
- Palak paneer (cottage cheese and spinach)
- Rasam (Tomato tamarind soup)
30 minute Kidney beans curry in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups Kidney beans / Rajma (dried not canned)
- 2 medium sized Red onion - chopped
- 2-3 medium sized Tomatoes
- 1 tbsp or more Tomato paste - canned is fine
- Thumb size Ginger -chopped
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1 Green chili (cut into two)
- 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste (store bought)
- 1/2 small carrot chopped finely
- 1 tbsp Mustard oil
Whole spices :
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 thumb size Cinnamon stick piece
- 4-5 Cloves
- 3-4 pods Cardamom
- 1/2 aniseed
- 1 heaped tsp Cumin seeds
Spice powders :
- 1/2 tsp Red chili powder
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/3- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 3 tsps Coriander powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the kidney beans over night change the water a couple of times before cooking so most of the toxins get washed away.
- Blanch the tomatoes by putting it in hot boilng water for few minutes to remove the tomato peel if you like smooth textures. Else simply chop it
- 1. Heat mustard oil adding bay leaf. When it heats up add cardamom, cloves cinnamon, aniseed give this a minute to heat up then add cumin seeds saute for a minute.
- 2. Add ginger give it a minute then add the garlic and chopped carrot and green chili and saute until a nice aroma comes. Now add ginger garlic paste, onion chopped when this turns pink add the spice powders saute until it gives a nice aroma.
- 3. Now add the chopped tomatoes saute until some of the water evaporates add the tomato paste give it a minute.
- 4.Add the soaked and drained kidney beans. Saute this for 2 minutes. Then add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water. Stir well. pressure cook for 15 minutes
- IF USING INSTANT POT - Steps 1 to 4 can be done in SAUTE MODE then switch to MANUAL or Pressure cooker mode and press 20 minutes then natural pressure release after 10 minutes minimum else the beans won't cook properly, I prefer soft beans hence I go for natural pressure release for 30 minutes.
Notes
This 30-minute Instant Pot Kidney Beans Curry is a game-changer for anyone craving authentic Indian flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s flavorful, filling, and fits perfectly into your busy lifestyle. Try it once, and it might just become your go-to weeknight comfort meal!
Instant Pot recipes, Kidney beans curry, Rajma masala, Quick Indian dinner, One-pot meals, Protein-rich curry, Vegetarian Instant Pot recipe, Easy Indian curry, 30-minute meals, Weeknight dinners
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