Quick and Easy Chana Masala Recipe: How to Make Homemade Chana Masala

Chana masala is an Indian vegetarian stew featuring creamy chickpeas cooked in a fragrant and spicy tomato sauce anchored by a blend of spices called garam masala.

It goes by many names, including chole masala (the name for the conventional chickpeas found in the U.S.), channay, and chholay. Chana masala is an Indian food staple and can be found in restaurants, street stalls, and home kitchens. On its own, this chickpea curry is gluten-free and can be vegan, but it’s often served alongside basmati rice, naan, or fluffy fry-breads like puri or bhatoora.

Like most Indian dishes, chana masala is centered around its spice blend. It features garam masala, a blend usually containing:

• Cinnamon
• Mace (a relative of nutmeg)
• Green cardamom
• Black cardamom
• Ground coriander
• Black pepper
• Cumin seeds
• Bay leaf

These spices are all toasted and ground together, although the exact proportions and ingredients of the blend differ from individual to individual and region to region.

Read on to find out how to cook chana masala in an Instant Pot-style pressure cooker or slow cooker.

1. 1. Set the pot to sauté mode.
2. 2. Heat oil in the cooker and sauté onions until beginning to brown, 3 or 4 minutes.
3. 3. Add the cloves garlic, ginger, and spices (except for amchoor) and stir to combine, cooking the onions down until soft.
4. 4. Add the drained chickpeas, tomatoes, and ½ cup water.
5. 5. Season to taste.
6. 6. Set manual pressure cook time for 20 minutes.
7. 7. Release pressure, and bring back to saute mode.
8. 8. Add the amchoor, and adjust with water and seasoning for preferred consistency.

Some recipes call for green chilies, some skip it; some prefer a stew with more of a mashed consistency over a soupy one.

It’s comfort food, so you should feel free to experiment with different ingredients and preparations. While it’s typically enjoyed at dinner, leftover chana masala with a dollop of Greek yogurt makes a great breakfast as well.