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    Home » Lunchbox Recipes » Rajma Pulao | Instant Pot Rajma Pulav

    Rajma Pulao | Instant Pot Rajma Pulav

    Posted on April 21, 2018 · Last Updated on September 5, 2024 · By Srividhya G · 38 Comments

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    I am back with another pulav/pulao recipe today, and it’s with Rajma or Red Kidney Beans. Here is my healthy, delicious and easy to prepare Rajma Pulao (Rajma Pulav) with the hint of mint and dried fenugreek. Check out the detailed video recipe on how to made this on Instant Pot and written recipe on how to prepare rajma pulav on the pressure cooker.


    Kiddo likes pulav and biryanis. I try to make the not-so-elaborate ones during weekdays and pack it for our lunch. In this A-Z lunchbox series, so far I have posted Brinji Rice, Garbanzo Beans Pulav, Paneer Biryani , veggie pulao and now I am adding one more to the lot – Rajma Pulao. Any recipe with legumes needs some planning and same goes for this rajma pulav recipe.

    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Delicious and Spicy with Mint Leaves and Chili Pepper on the Side

    You need to soak and cook the beans, and you can do this well ahead and store in the refrigerator. You can also use store-bought ones. Once you have the legumes ready, you can make this recipe in no time. I usually soak the beans overnight, and while doing the prep work, I cook the beans in instant pot. Then I quickly release the pressure after my prep-work. I know the beans will be half done but again along with rice, I cook it, and this gives non-mushy beans. This method works when you have soaked the beans for at least 5 hours. If not, I would recommend cooking the beans in manual mode for at least 4 minutes.

    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Served and Ready on the Table with Two Wooden Spoons, Chili Pepper and Two Mint LeavesI did not post many video recipes this year, and it is my second one for this year. Please subscribe to my channel, and I am planning to post more video recipes in the coming months. So stay tuned. Here is the video link and check out the detailed written recipe below.

    Rajma Pulao | Instant Pot Rajma Pulav

    Healthy, delicious and easy to prepare Rajma/Red Kidney Beans Pulao with the hint of mint and dried fenugreek.

    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Overhead Shot on the Dish with Yellow Cloth on the Right

    Ingredients:

    • Red Kidney Beans / Rajma – ½ cup
    • Water for cooking kidney beans – 2 cups
    • Oil – 2 tsps
    • Cumin Seeds – ½ tsp
    • Fennel Seeds – ½ tsp
    • Cloves – 2
    • Cinnamon – ½ inch stick
    • Cardamom – 2
    • Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
    • Onion – ½
    • Tomato – 1
    • Salt – 1 tsp
    • Red Chili Powder – ½ tsp
    • Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
    • Garam Masala – ½ tsp
    • Dried Fenugreek / Kasoori Methi – 1 tsp
    • Basmati Rice – 1 cup
    • Mint Leaves – 10
    • Chopped Cilantro – 2 tbsps
    • Water for cooking the rice – 1.25 cups

    Pressure Cooker Method:

    • Wash and soak the kidney beans for at least 5 hours.
    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes.
    • Pressure cook the beans for two whistles and let it cool. Do not drain the water. You can reserve it for cooking the rice.
    • Heat the pressure pan and add two tsps of oil.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
    • Saute for a minute and then add the ginger garlic paste and chopped onion.
    • Cook until the onion turns translucent.
    • Now add the chopped tomato, salt, red chili powder and coriander powder.
    • Mix and cook for two minutes.
    • Then add the garam masala and crushed fenugreek leaves and mix.
    • Add the cooked red kidney beans and combine all the ingredients.
    • Add water now. I had about ¾ cup of rajma water. So I added ¾ cup of rajma water and ½ cup of plain water.
    • Add the soaked rice and the chopped cilantro. Gently mix and pressure cook for just one whistle, or you can follow the no whistle method like I explained in my Paneer Biryani Post.
    • Let the pressure release and let the rice cool and fluff it gently.
    • Serve hot with raita.

    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Overhead Shot on the Delicious Dish

    Instant Pot Method:

    • Wash and soak the kidney beans for at least 5 hours.
    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes.
    • Cook the beans in manual mode for 3 minutes and release the pressure quickly after 3 minutes.
    • Transfer the beans to another vessel. Do not drain the water.
    • Set the IP in saute mode and add two tsps of oil.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
    • Saute for a minute and then add the ginger garlic paste and chopped onion.
    • Cook until the onion turns translucent.
    • Now add the chopped tomato, salt, red chili powder and coriander powder.
    • Mix and cook for two minutes.
    • Then add the garam masala and crushed fenugreek leaves and mix.
    • Add the cooked red kidney beans and combine all the ingredients.
    • Add water now. I had about ¾ cup of rajma water. So I added ¾ cup of rajma water and ½ cup of plain water.
    • Next, add the soaked rice and the chopped cilantro.
    • Close the IP lid with vent sealed and set it in manual mode for 2 minutes and release the pressure quickly after 3 minutes.
    • Allow the rice to cool and gently fluff it with a fork.

    Rajma pulav is ready. Serve hot with raita.

    Recipe Notes:

    • You can use canned kidney beans. Make sure you rinse thoroughly before using it.
    • Basmati rice is not mandatory. You can use rice/millets/quinoa of your choice. The cooking time may vary.
    • Adjust the salt and spices as per your preference.

    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Collage with Text Overlay

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    Rajma Pulao - Instant Pot Rajma Pulav - Beautiful Dish Perfect to Serve for Dinner
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    5 from 11 votes

    Rajma Pulao | Instant Pot Rajma Pulav

    Healthy, delicious and easy to prepare Rajma/Red Kidney Beans Pulav with the hint of mint and dried fenugreek.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Soaking Time5 hours hrs
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Variety Rice
    Cuisine: North Indian
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 315kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Red Kidney Beans / Rajma
    • 2 cups Water for cooking kidney beans
    • 2 tsps Oil
    • ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
    • ½ tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 2 Cloves
    • ½ inch Cinnamon
    • 2 Cardamom
    • 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
    • ½ Onion
    • 1 Tomato
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • ½ tsp Red Chili Powder
    • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
    • ½ tsp Garam Masala
    • 1 tsp Dried Fenugreek / Kasoori Methi
    • 1 cup Basmati Rice
    • 10 Mint Leaves
    • 2 tbsp Chopped Cilantro
    • 1.25 cups Water for cooking the rice

    Instructions

    Pressure Cooker Method:

    • Wash and soak the kidney beans for at least 5 hours.
    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes.
    • Pressure cook the beans for two whistles and let it cool. Do not drain the water. You can reserve it for cooking the rice.
    • Heat the pressure pan and add two tsps of oil.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
    • Saute for a minute and then add the ginger garlic paste and chopped onion.
    • Cook until the onion turns translucent.
    • Now add the chopped tomato, salt, red chili powder and coriander powder.
    • Mix and cook for two minutes.
    • Then add the garam masala and crushed fenugreek leaves and mix.
    • Add the cooked red kidney beans and combine all the ingredients.
    • Add water now. I had about ¾ cup of rajma water. So I added ¾ cup of rajma water and ½ cup of plain water.
    • Add the soaked rice and the chopped cilantro. Gently mix and pressure cook for just one whistle, or you can follow the no whistle method like I explained in my Paneer Biryani Post.
    • Let the pressure release and let the rice cool and fluff it gently.
    • Serve hot with raita.

    Instant Pot Method:

    • Wash and soak the kidney beans for at least 5 hours.
    • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes.
    • Cook the beans in manual mode for 3 minutes and release the pressure quickly after 3 minutes.
    • Transfer the beans to another vessel. Do not drain the water.
    • Set the IP in saute mode and add two tsps of oil.
    • Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
    • Saute for a minute and then add the ginger garlic paste and chopped onion.
    • Cook until the onion turns translucent.
    • Now add the chopped tomato, salt, red chili powder and coriander powder.
    • Mix and cook for two minutes.
    • Then add the garam masala and crushed fenugreek leaves and mix.
    • Add the cooked red kidney beans and combine all the ingredients.
    • Add water now. I had about ¾ cup of rajma water. So I added ¾ cup of rajma water and ½ cup of plain water.
    • Next, add the soaked rice and the chopped cilantro.
    • Close the IP lid with vent sealed and set it in manual mode for 2 minutes and release the pressure quickly after 3 minutes.
    • Allow the rice to cool and gently fluff it with a fork.
    • Rajma pulav is ready. Serve hot with raita.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can use canned kidney beans. Make sure you rinse thoroughly before using it.
    • Basmati rice is not mandatory. You can use rice/millets/quinoa of your choice. The cooking time may vary.
    • Adjust the salt and spices as per your preference.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 806mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Vitamin C: 9.8mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2.3mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

     

     

     

     

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    Filed Under: Instant Pot Indian Recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Lunchbox Recipes, Pulao, Variety Rice Tagged With: Blogging Marathon, how to make rajma pulav in instant pot, Indian legume recipes, indian vegan recipes, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, Instant Pot Rajma Pulav, instant pot rajma pulav recipe, kids friendly lunch box recipes, legumes, lunch box recipes, my legume love affair, Rajma Pulao, rajma pulav recipe, vegan recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Darshana says

      November 03, 2021 at 8:06 am

      Hi Thanks for the lovely recipe…i just put in instant pot will check the results and let you know. You informed we can replace rice with millets and quiona .can you tell me what would be the timings for that can you inform,thank you in advance.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        November 04, 2021 at 12:51 pm

        Thanks a lot and sorry for the delayed response. I hope you liked the rice. As this batch was new rice, I went with minimal cooking time and this same time or rice preset should work for millet and quinoa.

        Reply
    2. Padmajha PJ says

      June 20, 2018 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      This is definitely a great dish for the lunchbox. Usually I cook and freeze some whole legume so that when I am in a hurry to cook for the lunch box, these beans act like saviors!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 21, 2018 at 5:50 pm

        Oh yeah very true. Thanks Padma

        Reply
    3. preeti garg says

      June 20, 2018 at 2:56 am

      Rajma Chawal in one pot meal form… looks so healthy and comforting idea for everyday meal.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 20, 2018 at 8:32 am

        Thank you.

        Reply
    4. Suma Gandlur says

      June 12, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      That is a protein packed wholesome meal. Looks and sounds fabulous.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 13, 2018 at 8:35 am

        Thanks

        Reply
    5. Priya Srinivasan says

      June 10, 2018 at 11:47 am

      Colorful and healthy lunchbox dish! Whenever I make Rajma curry I do keep away some for next days rice. I love the earthiness rajma has and how it beautifully marries with rice and other spices! A perfect power packed protein dish!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 11, 2018 at 4:08 pm

        Very true, Priya

        Reply
    6. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      June 06, 2018 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      Rajma chawal is my comfort food and I love the rajma pulao idea. It is so flavorful and a great way to include some protein the lunch to keep us filled up.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        June 07, 2018 at 7:29 am

        Thanks, Sandhya.

        Reply
    7. cookingwithsapana says

      May 27, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      Whenever I have rajma curry leftover I convert it into rajma pulao. The instant pot makes this job easier. Good you have one to try new recipes every day. I need to buy one.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 28, 2018 at 5:18 pm

        :-) Thanks

        Reply
    8. manjulabharathkumar2016 says

      May 16, 2018 at 7:36 am

      Pulao with rajma is a fabulous idea for lunch box vidhya :) looks so so delicious and making me hungry !! I love your easy to make instant post versions am a beginner when it comes to instant pot . Your Both the versions are so helpful and easy to follow as well. Just 5 minutes and this amazing pulao is ready which is awesome.. Excellent idea !!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 16, 2018 at 10:21 am

        Thanks much Manjula.

        Reply
    9. Mayuri Patel says

      May 08, 2018 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      I just love it when the beans stand out in any pulao preparation. A healthy wholesome and protein packed meal.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 08, 2018 at 9:13 am

        :-) Thanks a lot.

        Reply
    10. Srivalli Jetti says

      May 08, 2018 at 2:28 am

      You have a treasure cove of IP recipes, I think they can make you their brand ambassador for all the recipes you post, all so good nicely explained. Coming to Rajma pulao, this is surely a fantastic way to include this in our menu

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 08, 2018 at 9:10 am

        he he… Thanks for your kind words Valli.

        Reply
    11. Pavani says

      May 04, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      That is one of the best one pot meals to make on a weeknight. Also leftovers taste great in the lunchbox.
      I make similar pulao almost every week but with different beans depending on my mood.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        May 07, 2018 at 8:54 am

        True Pavani. I play with beans too but as kiddo doesn’t prefer Rajma gravy, I go with this option.

        Reply
    12. Priya Suresh says

      April 27, 2018 at 8:30 am

      We love beans in anything especially our favourite beans are both rajma and black-eyed peas. We never get bored of these two beans. ANd this pulao rocks, just love this aromatic pulao anytime.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 27, 2018 at 5:34 pm

        :-) Thanks.

        Reply
    13. kalyani says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      Rajma pulao looks one of those dishes where Rajma can be sneaked. very flavourful dish, Vidhya

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 27, 2018 at 8:05 am

        Thank you, Kalyani.

        Reply
    14. Sandhiya says

      April 22, 2018 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      Such a healthy pulao with rajma. It turned out so good and you have cooked the rice so perfectly. Great pick for lunch box !!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 10:02 pm

        Thanks, Sandhiya.

        Reply
    15. Harini says

      April 22, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      Healthy and flavorful. This is my kind of a rice. My kids are very picky about taking the rice dish to school. So most of the rice dishes are reserved for weekends or vacation days :)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 6:31 pm

        :-) Yeah, these quick one-pot meals are handy for both weekdays and weekends.

        Reply
    16. Kate says

      April 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      5 stars
      This is a dish I think my family will love. I’ll try the Instant pot version first.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 6:34 pm

        Thanks.

        Reply
    17. Gayathri Kumar says

      April 22, 2018 at 1:29 am

      5 stars
      That is a delicious protein packed pulao for kiddos. Mildly spiced and so flavourful..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 6:37 pm

        Thank you, Gayathri.

        Reply
    18. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says

      April 21, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      Protein packed pulao and this sure makes an appearance in our lunchbox very often.. Super delicious pulao..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 6:38 pm

        Thanks, Sharmila.

        Reply
    19. vaishalisabnani says

      April 21, 2018 at 12:43 am

      Rajma Pulao ! Wow ! This is one of my favourite beans and be it Indian or Mexican , I just love it . The Pulao is such a healthy option to make a wholesome meal , it looks and sounds very flavourful . Love the spices going in there , I have posted a Biryani , nearly on the same lines , but I use yogurt .

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        April 22, 2018 at 6:40 pm

        oh ok. Let me know check yours. Thanks, Vaishali. Love your Biryanis.

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hello all, I am Srividhya, the person behind this blog. I firmly believe that the mouth is the way to the heart. My blog is all about vegetarian and vegan food with unique and exciting recipes from all over the world. From traditional, authentic recipes to fusion and eggless bakes, you can find it all here! Read more →

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