Instant Pot Chana Saag with Pot in Pot Rice

Chana Saag is a vegetarian chickpea curry cooked with greens in a tangy onion-tomato-based sauce that is perfectly spiced with turmeric, cumin seeds, and garam masala. In this Instant Pot recipe, I am also sharing how to cook pot-in-pot rice along with chickpeas. A perfect weeknight gluten-free meal that can be easily made vegan!

Original recipe published in April 2017 is updated with new photos, a video, and tips.

Cooked in under 30 minutes, using a few basic ingredients, this Instant Pot Chana Saag is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A sprinkle of homemade garam masala gives perfect warmth to this dish and the tangy flavors from dry mango powder round up the flavors really well.

In addition to the restaurant-style Chana Masala, this chana saag dish is a staple for weeknight meals and also a good make-ahead dish for pot lucks and dinner parties.

Since I started cooking in the Instant Pot, I am attempting many of my stove-top dishes in it. I love that classic Indian vegetarian dishes such as Spinach Daal, Dum Aloo, and Palak Paneer that are so quick and effortless in the Instant Pot. And now I am excited to share my stove-top Chana Saag recipe Using the Instant Pot!

Why I love making Chana Saag in the Instant Pot

✔️ Hands-free recipe that is ready in 30 minutes
✔️ You can make it with canned or dried chickpeas by simply increasing the cooking time
✔️ Make pot-in-pot rice at the same time for a complete meal

What is Saag

Saag refers to leafy green vegetables like mustard greens, collard greens, and spinach. Since spinach is more readily available, that is my go-to green for this recipe. But you can also use other leafy greens such as mustard greens, beet leaves, swiss chard, or kale.

Ingredients for Chana Saag

Here are some of the main ingredients you will need for this recipe:

• Chickpeas - I am using canned chickpeas in this recipe but you can use dry chickpeas instead. Please see my notes in the recipe card below for tips on using dried chickpeas.
• Greens - I love to add boxed baby spinach but you can also use kale, mustard greens, or a mix.
• Tomatoes - Diced fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes with liquids work well.
• Ginger and Garlic Paste - I prefer using homemade ginger and garlic paste but storebought ones work equally well too.
• Spices - Garam Masala, Mild Kashmiri Red Chili, and Turmeric are all that you will need. If you do not have dry mango powder, simply squeeze some fresh lemon in the end.

Easy steps to make Instant Pot Chana Saag

• Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and add ghee and onions. Cook for 2 minutes or until the onions become translucent. Add ginger, garlic, ground cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. (photos 1 - 2)
• Stir the spices. Add tomatoes and chickpeas (photos 3 - 4)

• Add chickpeas, and water, and mix well (photos 5 - 6)
• Place a tall trivet. Add 1 cup basmati rice, 1.5 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt to a stainless steel pot. You can also add ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 bay leaf. Place a tall trivet in the Instant Pot and place the rice pot over it (photos 7 - 8).

• Carefully take out the rice pot and the trivet. Add amchur powder(or lemon juice) & garam masala (photos 9 - 10).
• Add spinach and set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Cook for 2 minutes or just until the spinach starts to cook down. Turn the Instant Pot off to avoid overcooking the spinach (photos 11 - 12).

How to serve Chana Saag

Serve with roti, homemade parathas or fluffy warm pita bread. For gluten-free options, serve with basmati rice or brown rice. Cooling beetroot raita pairs really well with the spicy flavors of this curry. And don’t forget to make the refreshing mango lassi that the kids and adults will love!

Substitutes and Variations

• I love to cook pot- in-pot rice along with chana saag when using canned chickpeas. The cook time for canned chickpeas and rice is the same making it a great option for a whole meal. Add 1 cup basmati rice, 1.5 cups of water, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a stainless steel pot and place over the tall trivet
• Prefer using dry chickpeas? Go ahead and soak them in water overnight. When cooking add an extra half a cup of water and increase the pressure cooking time to 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. You can make pot-in-pot brown rice when using soaked chickpeas as they have a similar cook time to brown rice. Add 1 cup brown rice, and 1.5 cups of water to a stainless steel pot, and place over the tall trivet
• To make Vegan Chana Saag, simply substitute ghee with neutral cooking oil
• Substitute spinach with your favorite greens like finely chopped kale, swiss chard, or beet leaves

Storing

Chana saag can be refrigerated for 5 days making it a perfect make ahead curry. For longer shelf life, freeze it. To reheat simply allow it to thaw and then reheat it in the microwave or stovetop in a pan. 

More Indian vegetarian recipes You'll Love

• Daal Makhani – Copy cat Madras Lentils Recipe
• Spinach Dal & Rice – Creamy lentils with rice cooked pot in pot
• Chana Masala – A classic restaurant fav dish
• Curried Black-eyed peas – Easy Instant Pot Recipe
• Creamy Dill Lentils – Best way to enjoy dill with lots of garlic

Recipe

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Instant Pot Chana Saag

A Vegan, chickpeas, and spinach dish cooked in onion, tomato-based tangy sauce and spiced with turmeric, cumin, and garam masala.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 3

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Equipment

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
• Stainless steel pot
• Tall Trivet

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 15 oz canned chickpeas rinsed and drained, **
• ▢ 1 tablespoon ghee or oil for vegan
• ▢ 1 small yellow onion finely diced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ginger grated
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder or paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 medium tomato diced
• ▢ ⅓ cup water **
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ▢ ½ teaspoon aamchoor powder dry mango powder or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 4-6 cups fresh baby spinach chopped

Pot in Pot Rice (Optional) **

• ▢ 1 cup Basmati Rice rinsed and drained
• ▢ 1½ cups water
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ▢ 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Turn Instant Pot to saute mode and heat ghee. Add onions and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on.
• Add ginger, garlic, cumin powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
• Add tomatoes and mix everything together. Add chickpeas and water. Mix well.

The following step to cook pot in pot rice is optional

• Place a tall trivet. Add basmati rice, water, salt to a stainless steel pot. You can also add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Place a tall trivet in the Instant Pot and place the rice pot over it
• Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing position. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.
• Allow 5-minute natural pressure release or if you have time Natural Pressure Release works too. Open the Instant Pot and set it on Saute mode.
• Add garam masala and dry mango powder. Add Spinach. Mix everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Serve hot with rice or Parathas.

Video

Notes

Variations

• To make vegan Chana Saag, simply substitute ghee with oil.
• Substitute spinach with your favorite greens like finely chopped kale, swiss chard, or beet leaves.
• For low carb options serve with cauliflower rice.

Using Dry Chickpeas **

1. Soak 1 cup dry chickpeas in warm water overnight. Drain the water.
2. Add an extra ½ cup of water and increase the pressure cook to 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
3. You can also make pot-in-pot brown rice when using soaked chickpeas as they have a similar cook time to brown rice. Add 1 cup of rinsed and drained brown rice, 1.5 cups of water to a stainless steel pot, and place over the tall trivet.

Nutrition

Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 822mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3950IU | Vitamin C: 13.9mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1.8mg

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