Enjoy this warm and comforting Kala chana soup this winter. It’s soothing, nourishing, and a truly comforting black chickpea soup that you will want to make it over and over again.
What Is Kala Chana Soup?
A few days ago, I had this groovy idea to make a soup with these brown/black chickpeas. Since each one in my family love chickpeas and black chickpeas, making a warm soup was certainly a good move. The first try was a big hit, and I didn’t stop after that. Every other week, I make a big batch of this soup and pack it in soup containers for lunch-time. I usually pair it with quinoa or a salad for a delicious yet light meal.
My Kala chana soup or black chickpea soup is more like an Indian version of minestrone soup. It has celery, carrots, green beans and garlic, some fire-roasted tomatoes and vegetable broth. Indian curry spices, freshly ground black pepper, ginger and aromatic cilantro make this soup a nice, mildly spiced soup with a variety of flavor profiles. You need to try it to believe how tasty this soup can be.
Kala chana soup is very popular in India. People in Northern Indian states often make this during winter. Mostly, it’s made from the black chickpea cooking stock and fresh herbs with a strong hint of spicy black pepper. Often, this broth-like soup is served with a dash of lime juice. Mine also has a similar yet improved flavor; thanks to the veggies and herbs used in it. Fresh ginger and garlic add a robust kick to this soup whereas sweet vegetables like carrots and green beans balance the flavors really well. This soup, also featuring black pepper and celery, is nourishing and has a flu-fighting property. In short, this yum soup is a healthy, warm beverage for those times when you are in look for a comforting and rejuvenating bowl.
Feel free to spice up the soup with some chilies or dried chili flakes. You either can add some jalapeños or Serrano while cooking or fold in some chili flakes right before serving. Either way, it gives you a slight heat perfect for your itchy throat or stuffy nose. But don’t just keep this soup for those-sick days only. This comforting soup is perfect for any day or night.
How to make Kala chana soup?
Ingredients of Kala Chana Soup:
2 cups cooked kala chana in its broth, 2 sticks of celery chopped, 2 garlic pods roughly chopped, 1-inch ginger finely chopped, 1 cup cauliflower florets, green beans and carrots chopped, can fire-roasted tomatoes in the broth, 1 tablespoon spice mix - curry powder+ black pepper ground+Cumin and coriander powder+soup broth powder all mixed equally in amounts, Cilantro and ginger julienne to garnish, Salt to taste, 1 teaspoon cooking oil of choice
Instructions:
- Set the instant pot to a sauté mode and add oil.
- Add garlic and celery, sauté well. Now add ginger and mix well.
- Now add veggies and sauté for a minute.
- Add the spice mix and give a good stir. Mix in the tomatoes and add kala chana with broth. Mix well.
- Now add a cup of water or broth. Set the instant pot to soup mode and set for 20-minutes.Once it beeps, wait for natural pressure release.
- Open the lid and garnish with cilantro and ginger julienne.
- Smash some of the chickpeas with the back of the ladle.
- Serve warm with some lime juice.
- You can serve this soup some crunchy pita or naan chips.
- Add some jalapeño or chili pepper while cooking for a spicy punch.
📖 Recipe
Kala Chana Soup {Instant Pot}
Equipment
- Instant pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked kala chana in its broth
- 2 sticks of celery chopped
- 2 garlic pods roughly chopped1-inch ginger finely chopped
- 1 cup cauliflower florets, green beans and carrots chopped, Take total 1 cup of chopped veggies
- 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes in the broth
- 1 tablespoon spice mix - curry powder+ black pepper ground+cumin and coriander powder+soup broth powder mixed equally in amounts
- Cilantro and ginger julienne to garnish
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil of choice
Instructions
- Set the instant pot to a sauté mode and add oil.
- Add garlic and celery, sauté well. Now add ginger and mix well.
- Now add veggies and sauté for a minute.
- Add the spice mix and give a good stir. Mix in the tomatoes and add kala chana with broth. Mix well.
- Now add a cup of water or broth. Set the instant pot to soup mode and set for 20-minutes. Once it beeps, wait for natural pressure release.
- Open the lid and garnish with cilantro and ginger julienne.
- Smash some of the chickpeas with the back of the ladle.
- Serve warm with some lime juice.
Notes
- You can serve this soup some crunchy pita or naan chips.
- Add some jalapeño or chili pepper while cooking for a spicy punch.
Michelle
This soup looks so rich and flavourful! I bet it's just bursting with so many great flavours, I can't wait to make it.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This soup is so beautiful! Loving that it's low calorie too - perfect for this cold weather.
Haley D Williams
Wow! I love the use of kale! This soup looks and sounds fantastic! Cannot wait to make it!
Toni
This soup quickly became a favorite at my house! It was so good!
Alison
So many delicious veggies and nutrients packed into this flavorful soup! It's comforting and healthy at the same time!