Looking for a satisfying addition to a meat-free meal? Dried beans offer plenty of ways to build a vegetarian menu and are one option for including plant-based protein in your diet. Chickpeas, rajma, and lentils each have different textures and preparation methods. Learn how to choose them for curries, soups, and dal, and check the linked product pages for details about individual items. Beans alone do not provide everything you need from a balanced diet, so consider your whole meal.
You do not have to change your entire menu. Try beans as the main ingredient in a curry, add them to soup, or pair a bean dish with rice. Different beans have different textures and preparation needs, so start with the meal you want to make.
Kabuli chana (white chickpeas) work well in spiced chole, soups, and hummus made from cooked and mashed chickpeas. They also give a curry a distinct bean texture.
Rajma Chitkabra can be simmered with onions and tomatoes for rajma curry. Pair it with rice for rajma chawal, a meal built around beans. Kidney beans must be thoroughly cooked; never eat them raw or undercooked.
Kala chana (black chickpeas) has a firm texture. Soak and cook it thoroughly, then add it to curries, soups, or chaat-style dishes with your preferred spices.
Masoor dal red (red lentils) softens as it cooks, making it suitable for dal and thick soups. Its preparation differs from larger beans, so follow the directions on the package.
Bean curry and rice: Simmer chickpeas or rajma with onions, tomatoes, and spices. Dal with vegetables: Serve red lentil dal alongside seasonal vegetables. Bean and vegetable soup: Combine fully cooked beans with vegetables. Experiment with flavors that make meat-free meals enjoyable for you. If you follow a vegan diet, check stocks, sauces, dairy, and any other ingredients you use.
Sort and rinse the beans. Soak varieties that require it, such as chickpeas or rajma, in plenty of water according to the product directions. After soaking, replace the water and cook until the beans are thoroughly done. Some varieties, such as red lentils, might not need presoaking. There is no single cooking time that works for every bean; follow the package instructions and check that the beans are properly cooked. In particular, do not eat kidney beans such as rajma raw or undercooked.
For a spiced curry, consider Kabuli chana. For a bean curry served with rice, try rajma. For a soft dal, choose red lentils. See each product page for ingredients, pack size, and current price.
Looking for a plant-based meat alternative? Read our soy meat guide. If you include dairy in your diet, explore our paneer cooking guide. Paneer contains milk and is not vegan.