Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

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Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) - a delicious vegetarian curry made with Red Kidney Beans, onions, tomato (passata) and a blend of spices.

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (1)

Rajma

Rajma or Red Kidney Bean curry was one of the first Indian dishes I watched a good friend of mine (whose family are from North India), cook. I love the simplicity of the dish and the fact it doesn't compromise on flavour, plus it's high in protein and fibre and a completely meat-free dish which is perfect for those who are vegetarian or fancy a meat-free dish.

Kidney Bean Curry

The main tip my friend gave me for making this curry is to always use dried kidney beans as they are much nicer than canned. Much cheaper too if you buy in bulk and can easily be prepped the night before, by just placing in a bowl and fully immersing in cold water to soak overnight.

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (2)

Can I use canned Kidney Beans?

I know it is a question that will be asked and if you don't have dried kidney beans on hand and want to try this recipe, then, by all means, use canned kidney beans if that is all you have. Two 400g cans should be enough in ratio to the dried. You won't need to soak overnight or do the precook of the kidney beans.

Can I use spray oil?

The flavour is better if you cook the onion base and spices in ghee or oil and so it's worth it to use that instead of spray oil. However, if you really want to use a spray oil, then just ensure you don't burn the spices otherwsie the taste will be bitter. You may need to add a little bit of water to prevent this.

Best Chilli Powder for Curry?

There are various types of Chili or Chilli powder available. In North America, most are a Mexican Style Chili Powder and have paprika and a blend of other spices in there, so are usually milder in comparison to Indian Chilli Powders.

For Indian dishes, I like to use a Deggi Mirch that is made from Kashmiri Red Chillies, it adds good flavour and a decent amount of heat. You will find it at most Indian grocers as well as online.

Medium or hot chilli powder is fine too depending on your preferred spice level.

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (3)

Sides for Rajma Curry

I simply like to serve this over some plain basmati rice with a little cilantro (corinader). But if you prefer a Pilau rice, check out these recipes.

  • Sweetcorn Pilau Rice
  • Zucchini Pilau Rice

or if you are trying to be healthy, these low carb cauliflower rice recipe are delicious.

  • Roasted Cauliflower Rice
  • Cauliflower and Zucchini Rice

and if you want to great and Indian Feast with items like Onion Bhaji, Pakora etc then check out this Indian Fakeaway Section

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (4)

More Vegetarian Curry Recipes

Fancy some other delicious vegetarian curry recipes? Check out these:

  • COCONUT VEGETABLE CURRY
  • AUBERGINE, COURGETTE, SWEET POTATO AND LENTIL CURRY
  • BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHICKPEA CURRY (VEGAN)
  • HEALTHY MATAR PANEER CURRY
  • LENTIL CURRY (INSTANT POT AND STOVE TOP RECIPE)
  • CHANA MASALA (INSTANT POT OR STOVETOP)

or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients etc

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (5)

Recipe Card

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (6)

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma)

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) - a delicious vegetarian curry made with Red Kidney Beans, onions, tomato (passata) and a blend of spices.

Ingredients

  • 350g (12.5oz) of dried kidney beans
  • 1 tablespoon of ghee (or use another oil of your choice)
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of grated ginger root
  • 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon of deggi mirch (or another hot chilli powder) can use more if you prefer it spicier)
  • 5 cardamom pods
  • 1.5 teaspoons of turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon of garam masala
  • 1 cup (240ml) of passata
  • 2 cups (480ml) of water
  • 1 /2 teaspoon of salt
  • chopped cilantro (coriander) - optional
  • additional salt to season.

Instructions

  1. Place the kidney beans in a large bowl and fully immersed in cold water, leave to soak overnight (for at least 10 hours).
  2. Once kidney beans have soaked overnight, rinse thoroughly.
  3. Add to a large saucepan cover completely with cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for abot 45 minutes to 1 hour (beans should be soft but not mushy).
  4. Drain.
  5. Heat the ghee (or other cooking oil of choice) in a large deep frying pan over a medium high heat.
  6. Add the onion and cumin seeds and fry until the onion is lightly golden and softened.
  7. Add in the ginger, garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, garam masala, deggi mirch and ½ teaspoon of salt and continue to cook for an additional minute or so, until the base is paste like.
  8. Add in the passata, cardamom pods, cooked kidney beans and 2 cups of water, bring to a boil and then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  9. If you prefer a thicker gravy, mash a few of the kidney beans in the sauce, if you prefer it more saucy, add in a little more water.
  10. Taste and season as needed with more salt.
  11. Serve and Enjoy
  12. I like to sprinkle with chopped coriander (cilantro) but this is optional.

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

  • Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
  • WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.

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Nutrition Information

Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per ServingCalories 169Total Fat 2.1gSaturated Fat 1.2gCholesterol 3.1mgSodium 200mgCarbohydrates 31.9gFiber 7.3gSugar 3.7gProtein 11g

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kels says

    Hi which cardamom pods did you use? green or black?
    thankyou

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      I use green.

      Reply

  2. Susan Willis says

    Hi, will a spray like Frylight be okay? Can you use tinned kidney beans washed before use? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      I recommend using ghee or a vegetable oil as you want to cook the spices, spray oils don't work so well and can burn the spices leaving a bitter unpleasant taste, you can use canned kidney beans but you won't need to cook for as long. So just follow from step 5

      Reply

  3. Jeannette says

    I would like to make this, but what is passata? Also, the grocery store I can get to does not have cumin seeds or fresh ginger- would the dried be acceptable?
    Thank you for this recipe. It looks delicious!

    Reply

    • Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

      passata is sieved tomatoes, crushed tomatoes are close just a little thicker, but should work fine. Ground cumin is fine and a pinch of dried ginger should be okay, enjoy!!

      Reply

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Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma) | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the English name for rajma beans? ›

Introduction: Rajma is large with dark red in colour and due to the unique shape of a kidney, they are also called kidney beans.

Can I eat rajma for weight loss? ›

Rajma is an excellent choice if you are trying to lose weight, as it has enough nutrients and comes with other perks too.

How much rajma to soak for 2 people? ›

Add 1 cup rajma to a large bowl and rinse them well a few times in lot of water. Pour fresh water and soak for at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Soaking helps to soft cook them well. While you soak them , do not cover the bowl completely.

Is too much rajma bad? ›

Eating rajma (kidney beans) every day might pose certain risks due to its high content of lectins and phytic acid. Consuming it excessively could lead to digestive issues like bloating, gas, or discomfort. Also, kidney beans contain a compound called phytohemagglutinin, which, if not properly cooked, can be toxic.

Are kidney beans good for the kidneys? ›

Kidney beans are a great addition to a kidney-friendly diet. They are rich in fiber, protein, and several essential minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Does rajma cause gas? ›

Despite having so many nutritional benefits, consuming rajma at night can trigger gas and heartburn in people. The fibre content in rajma makes it difficult for people to digest them properly at night and makes them gassy.

Is kidney beans good for belly fat? ›

The bottom line. Kidney beans are an excellent plant-based source of protein. They're also rich in various minerals, vitamins, fibers, antioxidants, and other unique plant compounds. Therefore, these beans may aid weight loss, promote colon health, and moderate blood sugar levels.

Does rajma increase blood sugar? ›

Dals (moong, masoor, arhar) or beans (rajma, channa, lobia or chori) are all low glycemic index foods (GI). This means that since their carbohydrates are gradually released, they're less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.

How much kidney beans per day for weight loss? ›

Eating at least a half-cup of beans per day can improve overall health. According to one study, people who eat beans daily consume less fat and saturated fat while taking in more fiber, protein, folate, iron, and other important minerals.

Which sabzi goes well with rajma? ›

Green Moong Dal Makhani, Methi Sprouts salad, Cabbage Chana Dal Sabzi, Pulka & Curd.

How long should I boil rajma? ›

Continue simmering the Rajma beans for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The exact cooking time can vary based on the size and age of the beans. Check them occasionally to see if they are tender. You might need to cook them longer if they're not yet soft enough.

Can I cook rajma without soaking? ›

According to Chef Pankaj, all you need to do is, take the rajma in a bowl, add boiling water to it. Make sure the water level is higher than the bed of rajma. Close the lid and leave it for half-an-hour. And you get soft rajma ready to be cooked.

Who should not eat kidney beans? ›

Kidney stones

If you have a history of calcium oxalate stones, talk with your doctor or kidney dietitian about the need to limit oxalates. Many beans are high in oxalates.

What is the English name for rajma? ›

The English name for rajma is kidney beans.

Is rajma bad for blood pressure? ›

Evidence proves that soluble fibre in rajma lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and ups the good cholesterol (HDL) by forming a gel-like substance in the stomach and prevents the reabsorption of cholesterol into the body. In addition, rajma is a good source of potassium which dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

What is the English words of rajma? ›

Rajma is generally known as Kidney beans in English. Latin- Phaseolus vulgaris. English- Kidney bean, Snap bean, Green bean, Dry bean, String bean. German- Gartenbohne.

Is pinto beans and rajma same? ›

Pinto beans look like the red rajma, but are a bit lighter in colour and have a smooth texture. Though used more in Mexican and American dishes, Pinto beans can easily replace the good old red rajma when required. Both the beans are similar in taste and flavour. Cooked Pinto Beans are often available in canned form.

What is a substitute for rajma beans? ›

A substitute for rajma, a dish made with red kidney beans, when trying to lose weight quickly may be a dish made with lentils or chickpeas. These legumes are high in protein and fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied, while also providing a good source of nutrition.

Are black beans and rajma the same thing? ›

Kashmiri Black Rajma which is locally called Warmuth is Black Kidney Beans and comes in small size. It has high nutritional value and very Unique Taste. Highly Rich in Protein. Eating Warmuth keeps body internally Warm.

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