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Homemade Instant Pot Chana Masala photo

Instant Pot Chana Masala

This Instant Pot Chana Masala is a flavorful and comforting chickpea curry that's easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion small dice
  • 1 small hot pepper/chili minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 inches fresh ginger peeled and minced
  • 1 strip lemon peel minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes or 1 ½ cups
  • 3 cups cooked chickpeas drained (from roughly 2 15-oz cans)
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Cilantro chopper (optional)

Method
 

  1. Start by setting your Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function. Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and let it heat up. Once hot, add the diced yellow onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced hot pepper, garlic, ginger, and lemon peel, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Next, sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, and curry powder. Stir well to coat the aromatics in the spices, allowing them to toast for about 1 minute.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and mix everything together. Then, add the cooked chickpeas and water, stirring to combine. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Close the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to "Sealing." Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the timer for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for about 10 minutes before carefully switching the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure.
  5. After the pressure has been released, open the lid and give your Chana Masala a good stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • For a different flavor, substitute coconut oil with olive oil or ghee.
  • Use dried chickpeas if preferred, but soak and cook them separately first.
  • This dish freezes well, so double the recipe and store some for later.