Chana Saag (Curried Chickpeas & Spinach)

This Chana Saag recipe is a creamy, cozy and completely gluten-free, and vegan chickpea curry finished with fresh, tender baby spinach. It's a delicious, Instant Pot meal prepared pop-in-pot style with cumin rice, that's ready in 30 minutes!

Jump to:

• What is Chana Saag?
• Easy One-Pot Meal in 30 Minutes
• Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
• How to Make Chana Saag
• How to Make Chana Saag with Pre-made Onion-Tomato Bhuna Masala?
• Serving Suggestions
• Variation to Try
• How to Store & Make-Ahead
• Recipe Tips & Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Instant Pot Indian Curries
• More Chickpea Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

I always crave a touch of classic Indian cooking when I go through a bout of long work days and busy weeknights. And this Chana Saag recipe sure hits the spot!

It's one of my favorite dishes to order out at a restaurant. In this recipe, I've tweaked it a little to make it completely doable on a weeknight, using my trusted kitchen pal, the electric pressure cooker.

It's a complete, plant-based, and protein-packed meal you can get on the table in no time, rice included! 🙂

What is Chana Saag?

Chana saag is a creamy chickpea and spinach curry simmered in tomato-onion gravy scented with warm Indian spices. 'Chana' refers to chickpeas, and 'saag' is the Hindi name for curried greens, and in this case, spinach.

If you've enjoyed Palak Paneer, Chicken Saag, and Dal Palak from the blog, you will really enjoy this curry!

How to pronounce chana saag: Chuh-nah (Chana) Sa-ag (Saag)

Easy One-Pot Meal in 30 Minutes

This is a classic Indian curry found on most restaurant menus that easily fits into just about any dietary lifestyle. It's on rotation in my home because:

• Fiber-rich, nutrient-dense, and protein-packed chickpeas make this curry a healthy meal for my family.
• It's an easy and convenient 30-minute, one-pot, make-ahead meal and it tastes even better the next day.
• The addition of baby spinach makes this a complete meal with a generous dose of healthy greens.
• It's a naturally gluten-free, vegan & vegetarian meal, which makes it ideal for parties, potlucks, and casual get-togethers.
• If using a pre-made onion-tomato Bhuna Masala, this meal comes together in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

Although the ingredient list may look long, it's full of pantry staples you probably already have tucked inside your pantry and fridge.

If you are going full-out with the cumin rice, also make sure to have basmati rice, water, olive oil, salt, and cumin seeds on hand.

• Olive Oil: I keep it plant-based with olive oil. Feel free to substitute with ghee, but keep in mind the dish will no longer be vegan.
• Chole Masala: Chole masala is a warm and slightly spicy and tangy spice blend. It is easily available in Indian grocery markets or online. It is tangier than chana masala powder, so if using that, add ½ teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder). For a good substitute, use 1 teaspoon garam masala + 1 teaspoon coriander + 1 teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon amchur.
• Chickpeas: This recipe uses cooked chickpeas. If cooking from dried beans, you will need to soak and cook ½ cup dry chickpeas to get the same amount as one 14-ounce can. If using canned, rinse and drain the chickpeas before cooking. Here is a detailed recipe for cooking dried chickpeas.
• Spinach: This recipe requires 2 cups chopped baby spinach, or just over half of a 5-ounce package. Roughly chop and stir in at the end to lock in that beautiful green color.

Shopping Tip: Chana or Chole is the name for the larger and lighter-colored chickpea variety, known as Kabuli chana. When shopping, simply grab dried or canned chickpeas or garbanzo beans (the Spanish-derived name). Both are the same bean.

How to Make Chana Saag

This is an incredibly easy and straightforward chickpea and spinach curry that allows you to cook the cumin rice directly in the Instant Pot while the curry simmers. Here are the step-by-step directions and photos:

• Select Saute and preheat the pressure cooker. When hot, add oil, cumin seeds, and bay leaf. When cumin seeds sizzle, add chopped onions, minced ginger, and garlic. Saute 3-4 minutes, until onions soften (Pic 1).
• Add crushed tomato along with the spices listed for chana masala. Stir and cook for 2 minutes (Pic 2).
• Add cooked chickpeas and water. Turn off Saute and scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any brown bits. If making cumin rice, put the trivet in place (Pic 3).
• For cumin rice, assemble rinsed rice, water, oil, salt, and cumin seeds in a pressure-cooker-safe bowl. Put the rice bowl on top of the trivet (Pic 4).

• Close the lid and pressure cook for 6 minutes at high pressure on sealing mode (Pic 5).
• Wait 5 minutes after pressure cooking and then release the pressure manually (QR) by following the quick-release instructions of your cooker. Open the lid after the pin drops. Remove the rice bowl and using a fork, fluff the rice. Cover with a plate and set aside while you finish the curry.
• Stir the curry and check for taste. Using the back of your ladle, mash a few beans against the sides of the pot to make the curry creamy (Pic 7).
• Turn on Saute mode. Stir in the chopped spinach and simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it wilts down. Cancel Saute. Add fresh lime juice (Pic 8).

How to Make Chana Saag with Pre-made Onion-Tomato Bhuna Masala?

You can make this recipe in under 20 minutes if you use the pre-made onion-tomato Bhuna masala. For this quantity, add ½ cup masala (4oz.), 1 cup water, cooked chickpeas, and follow the cooking instructions. Stir in ½ teaspoon garam masala after pressure cooking.

Serving Suggestions

The chana saag curry can be served the moment it is made with cumin rice right alongside. A small batch of cooling Cucumber raita or Boondi raita, and sliced red onions are nice accompaniments.

If there is no need to make it gluten-free, feel free to also warm a batch of store-bought pita or naan in the oven while you finish the curry. It's the best utensil to scoop up all those juices!

How to Serve At Indian Dinner Parties & Potlucks

This saag chana recipe is a popular menu item at parties and potlucks. You can easily double or triple the recipe to make a larger quantity.

The recipe can be doubled in a 6qt, or tripled in a 8qt, with the same cooking instructions and time. Please note, that the cooker will take longer to come to pressure due to a larger quantity.

Variation to Try

Lower-Carb Pairing: Prepare a batch of Indian cauliflower rice to enjoy this simple weeknight curry while keeping your carbs in control. (This eliminates the carbs from rice.)

Simply omit the steps for cumin rice. Then, whip up a batch of cauli rice for 10 minutes on the stove while the curry simmers away.

Add Kale: Switch the spinach with baby kale leaves and add to the curry as per instructions.

How to Store & Make-Ahead

The saag chana curry will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To freeze, cool completely and transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container. Label, date, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat, simply simmer over medium heat on the stove or reheat individual bowls (tented with a paper towel or a microwave cover) in 30-second increments in the microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• If Chole masala is unavailable, use 1 teaspoon garam masala + 1 teaspoon coriander + 1 teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon amchur.
• Use homemade or canned chickpeas. This recipe uses cooked chickpeas, either homemade or canned. If cooking from dried beans, you will need to soak and cook ½ cup dry chickpeas to get the same amount as one 14-ounce can. If using canned, rinse and drain the chickpeas before cooking.
• To use the pre-made Onion-Tomato Bhuna Masala, add ½ cup masala (4oz.), 1 cup water, and cooked chickpeas, and follow the cooking instructions. Stir in ½ teaspoon garam masala after pressure cooking.
• Mash the chickpeas for a creamy texture. This releases their natural starches for a thicker, creamier consistency.
• Add the spinach at the end. This prevents overcooking and locks in the beautiful green color.
• Reduce the carbs. Simply omit the cumin rice and prepare cauliflower rice instead. This is a favorite of me and my hubby's!
• Double or triple to serve a crowd. Chana saag is a widely popular curry that everyone loves. The recipe can be doubled (6qt) or tripled (8qt) with the same cooking time.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. The curry will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheat over gentle heat. Simply simmer over medium heat on the stove or reheat individual bowls (tented with a paper towel or microwave cover) in 30-second increments in the microwave until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Instant Pot Indian Curries

These recipes are part of the Indian Curries Collection:

More Chickpea Recipes

These recipes are part of the Chickpeas Recipes Collection:

📖 Recipe