Delicious Punjabi Chole Recipe - Easy & Authentic

Punjabi Chole — a indian recipe (main course) with 16 ingredients. Source: edamam.com.

Medium
Updated March 20, 2026

90

Total Time (min)

6

servings

177

Calories/serving

Medium

Difficulty

Delicious Punjabi Chole Recipe - Easy & Authentic

Ingredients

Servings:
6
  • 1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • 2 tbsp oil (for cooking)
  • 1 large onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
  • 2 tbsp chole masala
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 cups water (for cooking)
  • 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
  • 1 lemon juiced (for serving)
  • 2 green chilies slit (for extra heat)

Instructions

9 steps

  1. Prepare Chickpeas

    Soak chickpeas overnight in water. Drain and rinse before cooking.

    For quicker cooking, use canned chickpeas.
  2. Heat Oil

    In a large pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and sauté until they splutter.

    Be careful not to burn the cumin seeds.
  3. Sauté Onions

    Add chopped onions to the pan and cook until golden brown.

    Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
  4. Add Ginger-Garlic Paste

    Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

    Make sure the paste does not stick to the pan.
  5. Incorporate Tomatoes

    Add pureed tomatoes and cook until the oil separates from the mixture.

    This step intensifies the flavors.
  6. Mix in Spices

    Stir in chole masala, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for a minute.

    Adjust spices according to your taste.
  7. Add Chickpeas and Water

    Add the soaked chickpeas and water to the mixture. Bring to a boil.

    Use a pressure cooker for quicker cooking if desired.
  8. Simmer

    Reduce heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until chickpeas are tender.

    Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary.
  9. Finish with Garam Masala

    Stir in garam masala and simmer for another 5 minutes.

    Add cilantro for garnish before serving.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Health: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free. Diet: Balanced, High-Fiber

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your indian meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Naan bread or basmati rice
🍽️Raita
🍽️Mango chutney

About This Dish

Delicious Punjabi Chole Recipe - Easy & Authentic is a beloved dish from Indian cuisine. With a total preparation time of about 90 minutes, it is a rewarding project for when you have extra time in the kitchen.

Indian cuisine reflects the country's incredible diversity, with flavors and techniques varying dramatically from north to south, east to west. The masterful use of spices is the hallmark of Indian cooking.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 14 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can substitute soaked chickpeas with canned chickpeas for quicker preparation.

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Nutrition Facts

6 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories280kcal
Total Fat8gg
Sodium600mgmg
Total Carbohydrates45gg
Dietary Fiber12gg
Total Sugars6gg
Protein14gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineIndian