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A bowl of South Indian chana masala is on the table.
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5 from 14 votes

Authentic South Indian Chana Masala Recipe

A blend of aromatic spices and herbs gives this chana masala curry its bold and authentic South Indian taste.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Gluten free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 5
Calories: 257kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place a pan over medium heat and add the spices – coriander seeds, cumin, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.  Roast them with oil for a minute or until they start to release their aroma.
    3 cloves, ½ inch cinnamon, 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, 3 teaspoon coconut oil, 2 cardamoms
  • Add chopped onions, ginger and garlic and cook until they turn translucent.
    1 cup onion, 1 teaspoon ginger, 3 garlic
  • Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft or when the raw smell fades.
    1 ½ cup tomato
  • Switch off the heat and add grated coconuts and cashews; mix well.
    ½ cup coconut, 10 cashews
  • Once the mixture has cooled down, Blend it with ¼ cup of chickpeas and 1 cup water. Make a smooth sauce.
  • Place the same pan over medium flame.
  • Add two teaspoons of oil and all the spices and bay leaf. Cook for 20 seconds. Add cooked drained chickpeas and mix well.
    1 teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 bay leaf, 3 cups chickpeas
  • Pour the coconut mixture and mix well. Add 1- 2 cups of water if it is very thick.
    salt to taste
  • Close the pan with a lid and cook for 10 minutes on low heat.
  • Stir in between to avoid burning at the bottom of the pan. Open the lid after ten minutes, add chopped cilantro.  Mix well.
  • The South Indian chana masala is ready to be served with your choice of bread or rice.
  • Garnish with some more chopped coriander leaves on top for added freshness and flavor.
    2 teaspoon coriander leaves

Notes

  • Add a tablespoon of vegan ghee at the end for a richer and creamier texture.
  • You can also use ½ cup of canned coconut milk instead of grated coconut.  
  • Add some chopped green chilies while sautéing the onions for a spicier version.

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 529mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 526IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 4mg