Rajma
Kidney beans simmered in a spiced onion-tomato gravy.
Ingredients
- 2 tin Kidney beans
- 2 Yellow onion
- 3 Tomato
- 1 Ginger
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp Ground coriander
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 3 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 240 g Basmati rice
Method
- Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear, then cook it in twice its volume of water, covered, until tender and the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Grate the onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic.
- Crackle the cumin in oil, fry the onion golden, then add ginger-garlic, tomato, and coriander.
- Add the kidney beans and water and simmer, mashing some for body, about 15 minutes.
- Finish with garam masala off heat.
- Serve with steamed rice.
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About Rajma
Rajma is a North Indian favorite of red kidney beans simmered in a spiced onion-tomato gravy, the beans lending their soft, meaty texture to a dish that eats like proper comfort food. This streamlined version grates the onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic so they melt quickly into a smooth masala base — no long chopping or lengthy browning required. Cumin crackled in oil starts the aromatics, and ground coriander and a finishing hit of garam masala off the heat layer the warm, earthy spicing that defines the dish.
Mashing some of the beans as they simmer is the move that gives rajma its signature body, thickening the gravy into something clingy and rich rather than brothy. The flavor is savory and mildly spiced, with the tang of tomato balancing the sweetness of fried onion and the depth of the beans. It is almost always served over steamed rice — the pairing so beloved it has its own name — where the sauce soaks into the grains. Hearty, high in fiber, and vegan as written, this is everyday home cooking that delivers real satisfaction in about thirty-five minutes.
Rajma: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Rajma?
A serving has about 532 calories — 17g protein, 88.5g carbs, 13g fat, 12.4g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Rajma gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Rajma has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Rajma take to make?
About 35 minutes start to finish, but only around 21 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
How many servings does Rajma make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.