Chana masala is an Indian dish made with chickpeas (chana) and garam masala. This 30-minute recipe is so simple, tasty and also oil-free.
Chickpeas are the type of legume I use the most, especially to make hummus and falafel, but also to prepare other delicious recipes like chana masala.
I realized the other day we shared a chana masala recipe a few years ago on our Spanish blog, but not on Simple Vegan Blog, so we’ve made an oil-free version for you guys. It’s so simple and is ready in just 30 minutes.
Just in case you don’t know, chana masala is an Indian recipe made with chickpeas (chana), garam masala (a blend of ground spices common in India, Pakistan, and other South Asian cuisines), some veggies and other spices.
We serve chana masala with some basmati rice and steamed veggies, but it’s up to you. It’s also usually served with some fresh cilantro on top, but I don’t like cilantro very much, so I prefer to omit this ingredient or add some fresh parsley instead.
If you like this simple chana masala, check out these chickpea recipes: chole palak, spinach with chickpeas, spicy roasted chickpeas, chickpea and vegetable stir fry and Spanish pumpkin and chickpea stew.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @simpleveganblog on Instagram and hashtag it #simpleveganblog. We’d love to see what you cook!
Simple Chana Masala
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- 6-8 1x
- Main Dish, Gluten Free
- Vegan, Indian
Servings 6-8 1x
Chana masala is an Indian dish made with chickpeas (chana) and garam masala. This 30-minute recipe is so simple, tasty and also oil-free.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2-inch piece of ginger root (about 1 cm)
- 2 14-ounce cans chopped tomatoes (800 g)
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne powder
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas (800 g), drained and rinsed
- The juice of half a lemon
- Fresh cilantro to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Place garlic, onion and ginger in a food processor or a blender and blend for a few seconds until you have a paste (see picture).
- Cook the paste in a large pot over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, tahini and spices and cook covered for 10 minutes more.
- Then add the chickpeas, stir and cook covered for another 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, stir and serve with some basmati rice and fresh cilantro on top (optional).
- Store the chana masala in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Garlic, onion and ginger powder can be used for a quicker and simpler version of this recipe.
- Feel free to use some fresh tomatoes or even some tomato sauce instead of the canned tomatoes.
- Tahini can be replaced by oil. You can sauté the veggies in the oil if you want.
- If you can’t find garam masala, make your own or use some curry powder, it’s not the same, but the dish will be delicious as well.
- You don’t have to use cayenne powder, any fresh or dried chili pepper is okay. Add more or less depending on how spicy you like your food.
- Add more or less salt if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe without the rice
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 6.8 g
- Sodium: 528.9 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.9 g
- Fiber: 7.6 g
- Protein: 6.9 g
Absolutely in love with this recipe! So quick to make. The flavors were spot on if not better. I have to admit, I was rushing as I had to leave for an appointment that I totally forgot the onion and it still tasted amazing. My daughter doesn’t like this dish from the Indian restaurant we go to but she raved at how good this was. So glad I found this quick recipe. I used canned whole peeled plum tomatoes and just used the spatula to break them up. I also used olive oil as I didn’t have tahini. I’ll need to double the recipe to have leftovers as there was none left, lol
★★★★★
Hi Janina! I’m so glad you and your daughter liked it 🙂
Absolutely delicious and so easy! I love that I can prepare this without oil too. Thanks so much for this recipe.
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Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂
I’m trying to incorporate more vegan recipes in my diet and thankfully this recipe is soooo good! I never thought to make a paste out of the first few ingredients but now I see the effect that it has as the base of the sauce… it makes the texture lighter and fluffier ! Not sure if that was the intention but it was a nice touch. Definitely making this again thank you 🙏🏽
Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 Have a nice day!
Delicious, and I’m glad it’s oil-free. Take a look at the cans of chopped tomatoes you’re using. If they’re roma tomatoes (Contadina brand, for instance), chop them a little more before you put them in.
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Thanks for the info Kevin! Have a nice day 🙂
I discovered this recipe over a year ago and since then it became one of my signature dishes. I even took it to a pot luck at work and everyone loved it!! It<s quick, easy and delicious!
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Hi! So glad you liked it Esma 🙂 Have a nice day!
I made this it was just alittle bitter consistency was very good measured everything could it be the Ticino next time I will use oil
Hi! Yes, next time try to use oil 🙂 Have a nice day!
Loved this recipe of chana masala. Thanks for such amazing recipe. Please visit http://www.temptingrecipe.com
★★★★★
Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 Have a nice day!
Could you do this recipe in a slow cooker? Looking forward to trying it, sounds so so yummy. Thank you!!
Hi Mikaela!! Yes, you could use the slow cooker! 🙂
Forgot to rate it. 5 big YUMMs
Thank you so much <3
I made your Chana Masala tonight for my son’s birthday. We are “sheltering in place” at home and amazingly I had all the ingredients minus the garam masala. I just kept going and wow was it great! He liked it too. After I blended the onion, garlic and ginger mixture, I sautéed it in my Instant Pot then added all the remaining ingredients except the lemon juice. Cooked it on “bean/chili” setting for 20 minutes…I did add a cup of water since it was all in the pressure cooker. This is a winner and keeper recipe. Thank you Iosune.
Hi Farley! Sounds great 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Thank you, Iosune! I made your Chana recipe tonight for my hubby, and our eyes were practically twirling around in our heads with delight. Perfection! Hubby was so impressed!
I fell in love with Chana at a Indian food chain here in Canada, and kept searching until I found your recipe – the one where the spices sounded right to me.
The only thing I want to change has nothing to do with your recipe, but the level or lack of creaminess of the brand of chick peas I bought – just not as soft as the ones in the restaurant. But I’m determined…even if I have to pressure cook my own beforehand, or find a better brand.
But I’m over-the-moon impressed! Thank you so much!
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Hi Brenda! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you guys liked it!
Can I use tomato paste instead of tomatoes?
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Hi D! I don’t think it’s going to work, but you could use tomato sauce 🙂
Simple, fast, and tasty. Just what I like. I added another 1/8 tsp of cayenne to kick it up a notch.
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Hi David! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Have yet to make this recipe and am curious what measurements I should use if I sub in powder for the onion, ginger, and garlic? And how will that change the cooking process? Thank you, and God bless.
Hi Cole! I’ve never tried this recipe using those ingredients, so I can’t help you, sorry! I would add them to taste in the third step with all the remaining ingredients 🙂
The Best AND Lightning Fast
Threw this together and everything was ready to be served in 25min with minimum prep. This recipe is not only simple it is friggin delicious. Just finished writing it down on a card for family regulars. Thank you so much for the recipe!!
★★★★★
Hi Rebecca! You’re so welcome 🙂
Have just made this. I added a whole chilli to give it an ‘edge’ that I like in spicy food. Very simple to make and extremely tasty.
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Hi Simon! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Hi! what is the very simple ingredient to make this dish?
Hi Jose! You should follow the recipe, but feel free to omit any ingredient you want 🙂
I forgot to say that my husband had one mouthful and said “oh yes, to be repeated please” – and it will become a staple in our home. Thanks again.
Hi Marta! I’m so happy to hear that 😀
I just made this for our lunch. Absolutely delicious served over quinoa. So simple to make, and mildly spiced for anyone, even those who claim to not like Indian food. Thank you very much.
★★★★★
Hi Marta! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Can I just omit the tahini/oil?
Hi Lauren! Yes, just add some liquid if needed 🙂
Review from very difficult to satisfy, ‘can’t cook’ fresh vegan: Ladies and gents, that thing is delicious! Thank you so much for this recipe. I came across chana masala in some fast food Indian chain in Vegas and really loved it. Becoming vegan meant learning how to cook in my case and I have been mostly unsuccessful. Every time I have to cook something new I am terrified. Iosune’s chana masala turned out just like in that restaurant! Bloggers like you are life-savers. I don’t think I would have done without you good people you.
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Hi Arto! Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it!
So delicious & easy! Followed the recipe to a T & it was PERFECT! I’ll definitely be making this weekly.
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Unbelievably tasty and very easy to make. The spices combined with the lemon juice give it so much flavour. Thanks for posting these great recipes!!
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Hi Michael! So glad you liked it 🙂 Thank YOU for your comment!
So yummy and simple will be my go to from now on!
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Hi Miranda! So glad you liked it 🙂
Yes it was excellent 5 star. I couldn’t believe I had made it when I tasted it, because I’ve had no luck with Indian food making it myself and it’s my favourite.
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Hi Mandy! SO glad you liked it so much 🙂
so good!! and doesn’t require much effort either because of the blending! i added cilantro to the blender w the onion mixture and also added some sugar in at the end 🙂 amazing thank you for sharing
Hi Lauren! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
My husband made this recipe last night (sans cilantro, because I don’t like cilantro) and it is so, so good. 🙂 I’m eating it for lunch, in fact, right now! Yum!
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Hi Joleen! I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 Have a nice day!
I love you guys. The recipes on simpleveganblog are wonderful, clearly explained and a great way to get meat-eaters across the line. Thanks a million!
Hi Marcel! You’re so welcome 🙂 Thank YOU for your kind words. Have a beautiful day!
Made this recipe because my wife just loves Indian. I simply love cooking. This recipe is simply delicious.
A couple of changes I made were more cayenne, a pinch more of salt, and did sautéed the paste (red onion instead) in olive oil. Next time I’ll do tomato sauce, and once nicely reduce, will add fresh tomatoes.
Honestly, this recipe is amazing!
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Hi Walter! So glad you liked it 🙂
Love how vibrant this is, so full of flavour. I make something similar but I’ll have to try adding a little tahini to mine next time!
Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂