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.
Cooked in under 30 minutes, using 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-like 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 stop dishes in it. I have to agree that there are a few recipes like my Pineapple Sheera, which is so much better-cooked on the stovetop. Then there are many others like the Spinach Daal, Dum Aloo, and Palak Paneer that are SO effortless and flavorful in the Instant Pot. It saves time and I do not need to stand around the stove too long.
I was thrilled to see how flavorful and easy my stove-top Chana Saag recipe was in the pressure cooker!
Saag
So 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.
Variations
- You can make pot in pot white rice along with chana saag when using canned chickpeas. Add 1 cup basmati rice, 1.5 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt in a stainless steel pot and place over the tall trivet.
- If using pre-soaked chickpeas, add an extra ½ cup of water and pressure cook for 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. 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 brown rice, 1.5 cups of water in a stainless steel pot, and place over the tall trivet.
- 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.
Instructions
Here are the easy steps to make healthy and tasty 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 the chickpeas (photos 3 - 4).
Add ⅓ cup of water and mix well.
Optional Step to make Pot in pot rice: 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 5 - 6).
Close the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Note if you are just cooking chickpeas without the pot in pot rice you can also quick-release at this point. Carefully take out the rice pot and the trivet. Add amchur powder (or lemon juice) & garam masala (photos 7 - 8).
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 9 - 10).
Serving
Serve with warm pita bread, naan, or homemade parathas. 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!
Storing
Chana saag can be refrigerated for 5 days. 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.
Did you enjoy this protein-packed vegetarian curry? Here are some more vegetarian recipes to try:
- 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
Chana Saag - Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz canned chickpeas rinsed and drained, or or 2 cups soaked chickpeas (1 cup dry, soaked overnight)
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil for vegan
- 1 small onion chopped fine
- 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
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute mode. Once the 'hot' sign displays, add ghee. Add onions and mix well. Cook for 2 mins with a glass lid on.
- Add ginger, garlic, cumin powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for 30 secs.
- Add tomatoes and mix everything together. Add water and chickpeas. Mix well.
- Close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing position. Pressure cook for 4 minutes. (If using pre-soaked chickpeas cook for 25 mins)
- Quick-release the pressure or if you have time Natural Release is fine too. Open the Instant Pot and set it on Saute mode.
Video
Notes
- To make vegan Chana Saag, simply substitute ghee with oil.
- You can make pot in pot white rice along with chana saag when using canned chickpeas. Add 1 cup basmati rice, 1.5 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt in a stainless steel pot and place over the tall trivet.
- If using pre-soaked chickpeas, add an extra ½ cup of water and pressure cook for 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. 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 brown rice, 1.5 cups of water in a stainless steel pot, and place over the tall trivet.
- Substitute spinach with your favorite greens like finely chopped kale, swiss chard, or beet leaves.
Nutrition
♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.
Pallavi K says
Hi Archana,,
This recipe looks delicious! Planning to make it tomorrow! However, I feel that the canned garbanzo beans/ dried garbanzo conversion is off. 1 1/2 cups dry garbanzo beans will yield almost 2 cans (in my humble opinion)
should I use only 3/4 cup dry garbanzo beans, or more?
Thank you!!
Archana says
Sure you can use 3/4th cup of dry chickpeas.
T says
If doubling the recipe, does the liquid need to be doubled as well?
Archana says
yes, since this recipe has a little bit of sauce.
Haliza says
Another excellent recipe. So easy with the instant pot! Made it and it’s very tasty. I used canned tomato do it was a bit sour already and I omitted the amchoor powder ( my husband does like things too sour). Thank you!
Savi says
Easy to follow steps and excellent recipe! Thanks Archana , it came out delicious! Love all your recipes
Melissa Dhillon says
This is one of my favourite recipes on your site. It’s become a family favourite. And the flavours are bang on.
Shilpa says
I made this recipe of yours for dinner tonight and it was super easy and very simple to make. It was so delicious and cant wait try your other recipes.
100 % husband and kids approved. Thank you
Michelle says
Hello Archana.
This was great. Can I use frozen spinach? If so should I add it before pressure cooking and extend the cooking time?
Thanks!
Archana says
Yes! Same cook time with frozen spinach. As it wilts really fast. You may want to squeeze out excess moisture before adding
Danny says
Hi. I do not own an Instant Pot and do not intend to buy one. That said, I find would love to try this recipe. How should I go about converting this recipe for regular stove top cooking?
Archana says
I have a stove top version of this recipe - https://ministryofcurry.com/chana-saag-chickpeas-and-spinach/
Jen says
Phenomenal recipe! I added carrots to the recipe and it gave it a nice flavor. I’m going to try some of your other recipes.
Mala says
Hi the taste is excellent. But my chickpeas came out hard, not soft. I followed the timings in your recipe for pre soaked chickpeas. Any tips?
Archana says
Use filtered water. Also, organic chickpeas or older chickpeas can take an extra 5 to 10 mins to pressure cooking.
Lauren says
Made this tonight! It was so delicious. I added a splash of full fat coconut milk at the end too!