Rajma masala recipe | Red kidney bean masala – North Indian Rajma masala recipe with step-by-step pictures
Rajma masala is an authentic Punjabi dish that I have tasted many times in restaurants. Though I make Dal makhani at home, Rajma masala is a rare dish. Recently, during our trip to Vietnam, we were served jeera rice and rajma masala on the flight, and my son Varun enjoyed it a lot. He asked me to make rajma masala at home one day. I totally forgot that, and one day last week, he pleaded with me to make rajma masala for dinner after coming home from school. But I didn’t soak the rajma overnight. Finally, I bought canned red kidney beans and rajma masala for him.
Rajma masala recipe
North Indian style Rajma masala recipe
Servings 3
Ingredients
- 1 cup rajma
- 2 onion
- 2 tomato
- 1.5 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp kasoori methi
- 2 tbsp fresh cream optional
Instructions
- If using dry rajma, soak it for 10 to 12 hours, wash well, and add fresh water. Pressure cook for 6-7 whistles, or until soft. Add salt and bay leaf while cooking. Discard the bay leaf later. Reserve the cooked water. Check the 'Notes' section.
- If using a canned one, drain the excess water and wash it thoroughly.
- Chop the onions very finely. Alternatively, you can make the onion into a fine paste too
- In a pan add the oil and add the bay leaf ( since i used the canned rajma i have added bay leaf now) If using dry one, add bay leaf while cooking itself.
- Throw in the onions and saute for a few minutes on a low flame till they turn pink.
- Add the garam masala powder at this stage and saute for a few minutes. Adding garam masala at this stage will give a nice flavor to the curry.
- Puree the tomatoes and add them to the onion garam masala mix.
- Add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, jeera powder, and coriander powder.
- Mix well and saute well till the raw smell goes off and the gravy oozes out oil.
- Add the red kidney beans to this.
- Puree the tomatoes and add them to the onion garam masala mix.
- Add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, jeera powder, and coriander powder.
- Mix well and saute well till the raw smell goes off and the gravy oozes out oil.
- Add the red kidney beans to this.
- If you cooked the rajma, add the reserved cooking water; otherwise, add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups of water.
- Add the kasoori methi. Check for salt.
- Allow this boil for a few minutes and add the milk. I used full cream milk for a creamy texture. You can use cream or evaporated milk, too.
- Keep the flame low and cook it for 20 minutes. Stir in between.
- Creamy and finger-licking Rajma masala is ready to serve.
- Serve with roti | jeera rice.
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Notes
• Ginger-garlic paste can be added after the onions.
• Use the best variety of red kidney beans, otherwise it will be hard to cook.
• You can soak rajma in water along with a tsp of baking soda. Then wash and drain the water; this helps the rajma to cook well. Also, we are discarding the water, so baking soda won't harm your tummy
• Rajma masala pairs well with rice and roti.

METHOD:
- If using dry rajma, soak it for 10 to 12 hours, wash well, and add fresh water. Pressure cook for 6-7 whistles, or until soft. Add salt and bay leaf while cooking. Discard the bay leaf later. Reserve the cooked water. Check the ‘Notes’ section.
- If using a canned one, drain the excess water and wash it thoroughly.
- Chop the onions very finely. Alternatively, you can make the onion into a fine paste too.
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- In a pan add the oil and add the bay leaf ( since i used the canned rajma i have added bay leaf now) If using dry one, add bay leaf while cooking itself.
- Throw in the onions and saute for a few minutes on a low flame till they turn pink.
- Add the garam masala powder at this stage and saute for a few minutes. Adding garam masala at this stage will give a nice flavor to the curry.
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- Puree the tomatoes and add them to the onion garam masala mix.
- Add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, jeera powder, and coriander powder.
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- Mix well and saute well till the raw smell goes off and the gravy oozes out oil.
- Add the red kidney beans to this.
![]() |
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- If you cooked the rajma, add the reserved cooking water; otherwise, add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups of water.
- Add the kasoori methi. Check for salt.
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- Allow this boil for a few minutes and add the milk. I used full cream milk for a creamy texture. You can use cream or evaporated milk, too.
- Keep the flame low and cook it for 20 minutes. Stir in between.
- Creamy and finger-licking Rajma masala is ready to serve.
- Serve with roti | jeera rice.

Notes:
- Ginger-garlic paste can be added after the onions.
- Use the best variety of red kidney beans, otherwise it will be hard to cook.
- You can soak rajma in water along with a tsp of baking soda. Then wash and drain the water; this helps the rajma to cook well. Also, we are discarding the water, so baking soda won’t harm your tummy
- Rajma masala pairs well with rice and roti.
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Its in my try list for a long time. Tempting clicks..Must try soon.
Nice pics. Rajma masala is my all time fave, this with rice is a heavenly combo.
Rajma and Chawal is a hot favorite combination at my place..my comfort food!!
I used to make this a lot..but long time now..looks delicious!!!
Rajma sabzi is a very comforting side with fresh hot rice….
whenever i plan to make this, i forget to soak the beans. always happens and a packet is left unopened in my fridge!
love it..
lovely one jey ! have to try !
My fav! Who can resist them…
Do participate in my event
@Fast!Fresh!Simple
yummy rajama sis and have this anytime
healthy n yumm 🙂
delicious and healthy recipe…
Looks delicious…but I also make it very rarely
So tempting recipe, looks yummy.
Wonderfully pictured. Drool. Drool
nicely done and well presented
I havenot tried tinned rajma for this, should try, sounds easy 🙂
One of the fav at home too..looks nice
awesome….luv that cute bowl….
Anu's Healthy Kitchen – Swiss Chard Chana Dal Masala Vada
Such a healthy and traditional dish.. looks perfect.
perfectly done curry…every step is so well explained with clear pics jeyashri
Looks super delicious. We love rajma in out family.
This is my fav anytime…love the deep color of the gravy!
This is My fav one too 🙂
Jey I love the clicks. Almost looks like its out of a restaurant. I am sure your son must have enjoyed!
Shobha
http://www.anubhavati.wordpress.com
Looks superb and nice clicks
Nice picks and really tempting.I make it the same way but for the milk/cream, will give it a try next time.
lovely masala curry
I am such a fan of this dish.. Lovely step wise pics..
Is milk essential in this recipe?
Milk gives a creamy texture to this rajma, though u can omit, but i highly recommend to add milk
good one i tried and came out well
Turned out very yummy… Gave to my neighbors as well. Awesome it was….Thank You
Sister,
Awesome Recipe.I am Vegan how to substitute with milk? Can we put Cashew milk? Thanks,
Yes you can add