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Home » Meal Type » Entrees » Punjabi Chole Recipe – No Onion No Garlic

Punjabi Chole Recipe – No Onion No Garlic

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Instant pot version of Amritsari Punjabi Chole recipe without onion, garlic and tea bags, but still the same authentic flavors and deep brown color derived from 18 different spices used. A very unique and delicate balance of spices with four recipe enhancements to create a perfect aroma to entice everybody and please your palate.

Amritsari Punjabi Chole (No Onion-Garlic)

This chole recipe can also be vegan, if we do not add paneer cubes at the end or substitute with extra firm Tofu. The authentic Amritsari Punjabi Chole recipe requires onion and garlic, however several people do not use onion or garlic in their meal preparations. Therefore, I am sharing my take on onion and garlic free version of this most popular Amritsari Punjabi Chole recipe.

A very unique and delicate balance of spices to create a perfect aroma to entice and please your palate.

Chole Bhature – The Heavenly Combination

Chole Bhature, just the thought of this combination is heavenly.  This popular combination comes from the region of Punjab, North India. Chole or Chole Masala is the hindi name for the popular Indian chickpea recipe with tangy curry simmered in lots of spices, green chilli, ginger, onion tomatoes. Bhature is leavened deep fried Puri. One just can’t resist a hot serving of chole with puffy bhature.

Note: Photoprop details are at the bottom of this post. 

Global Popularity of Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans

While growing up in India, I thought chickpeas or chole can be used only for this Amritsari Punjabi chole recipe. However, since I started traveling abroad, I realized the popularity of chickpeas or garbanzo beans as a key ingredient in different cuisines . Chickpeas or garbanzo beans were originally cultivated in Mediterranean region, and has spread all over the world due to its culinary versatility. Garbanzo beans is one of the healthiest foods full of good carbs, healthy protein and fiber. It has low GI making it an ideal and gratifying option for the people who are suffering with blood sugar problem.

Amritsari Punjabi Chole (No Onion-Garlic)

How to Soak and Cook Dried Chickpeas?

Chickpeas are available all year round in grocery stores in dried beans version or boiled canned version. When cooking the dry beans, it is important to separate debris or foreign objects before use. The beans need to be soaked at least 6-8 hours in cold water before cooking to obtain the right texture of the beans. If you are in hurry or lack enough time, you can also soak in hot water for 4 -5 hrs. Keep changing the hot water as the water cools down to maintain the temperature. After soaking, discard the soaked water and cook in fresh water in a pressure cooker.

Ancient Ayurvedic Spices

Cooking with incredible list of ancient Ayurvedic spices, like ginger, cumin, carom, cinnamon, bay leaves, cardomoms, cloves, black pepper, dry annardana, turmeric, and tamarind further supplements the health benefits. These spices are excellent sources of potassium, and calcium with powerful anti-inflammatory properties while aiding easy digestion.

Amritsari Punjabi Chole Enahance Your Palate

Enhancements to Authentic Punjabi Chole Recipe

Those who follow my recipes know that I always try to enhance my recipes to make them more healthy, flavorful and unique. In this recipe you will find some key modifications compared to the authentic recipe, which I have developed over the years with many experiments and trials.

  • First and most shift is that you don’t need to use tea leaves or tea bags to bring out the dark tone or hue of chole. I use a healthy ingredient ‘dry amala (gooseberry) slices‘ which also increase the iron content of overall dish.
  • Second, have you ever cooked Punjabi chole in mustard oil? Try it next time when you cook, it enhances the flavor of overall dish so much.
  • Third, adding a boiled mashed potato in the gravy is totally a game changer. It helps in thickens the gravy and brings the dish to another level.
  • Fourth, addition of roasted and ground cumin seeds, cardomom seeds, dry amla powder, while using tamarind pulp instead amchur powder brings out much more flavor of these dark toned Amritsari Punjabi chole.
Amritsari Punjabi Chole Enhance Your Palate

Last but not least don’t forget to add few paneer cubes towards the end of cooking process. So, are you excited and ready try my version of onion,garlic -free Amritsari Punjabi chole? Let’s go!!

For condiments, some people prefer spiced green chillies. However, I like to have these with sweet and sour green mango launji. Both of these are shown in the picture below. 

Hope you are motivated to try this recipe. Please leave comment on how your friends and family liked it. Stay Enhanced!

Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
4.89 from 17 votes

Punjabi Chole Recipe – No Onion No Garlic

Instant pot version of Punjabi Chole recipe without onion, garlic and tea bags, but still the same authentic flavors and deep brown color derived from 18 different spices used. A very unique and delicate balance of spices with four recipe enhancements to create a perfect aroma to entice everybody and please your palate. 
Review Print Pin Share
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time50 mins
Soaking Time8 hrs
Total Time1 hr
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Hindu, Vegetarian
Keyword: Amritsari Punjabi Chole, Authentic Punjabi Chole, Chole, Chole Bhature, Maa Chole ki Dal, Punjabi Chole
Servings: 10
Calories: 278kcal
Author: Rupali Agarwal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 cup Chickpeas boiled and some mashed
  • 800 gm Tomato 8 tomatoes puree ~ 3 cups puree
  • 200 gm Potatoes 1 medium sized boiled mashed
  • 250 gm Paneer small cubes
  • 20 gm Ginger 1 inch piece julienned
  • 5 gm Greenchilies 3-4 slits as per spice level
  • 15 gm Cilantro handful

Spices:

  • 2 tbsp Mustard Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Asafoetida Hing
  • 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp Carom seeds Ajwain
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Annardana
  • 1 tsp Black rock Salt
  • 2 tsp Salt adjust as per taste
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp Red chili powder as per spice level
  • 2 tsp Coriander seeds powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds toasted and ground
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ¼ tsp
  • 1 tsp Amla powder
  • 1 tbsp. Chana masala
  • 2 tsp Chaat masala
  • 1 tbsp. Tamarind pulp
  • 2 tbsp Kasoori methi optional

Masala bag:

  • 1 tsp Black peppercorns
  • Cloves 6-8 pieces
  • 2 Cinnamon powder small pieces
  • Green cardamom 2 pieces
  • Black cardamom 1 piece
  • 2 gm Dry ginger saunth small piece

Instructions

  • Soak at least 6-8 hours or overnight. Put soaked and washed chickpeas in pressure cooker with 2.5 times fresh water of dry chickpeas quantity. Add 2 tbsp dry amla as well.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • For Masala Bag, take all the ingredients from the masala bag group and crush them. Put them in a spice bag or make a potli using cheese cloth.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • You can use either conventional pressure cooker, electric pressure cooker or Instant Pots. which are more common these days. If using instant pot, pressure cook on High for 25 minutes. NR (Natural Release) after 25 minutes are over. TIP: To save time, I have prepared the masala simultaneously on cooktop in a pan while chickpease are getting pressure cooked.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Heat oil in a pan. Add hing, cumin seeds, ajwain and bay leaves.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Crush annardana in a mortel and pastel and add to hot oil.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Sauté them for few seconds. Now add jullien ginger and chilies. Sauté for a minute.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Add tomato puree and mix well.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Covered and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. At the end it should look like second picture below.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • When you achive that consistency (like second picture), then add all the spices and mix well.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Add boiled and mashed potato Mix well, and cook for 5 minutes.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Add cooked chickpeas mix well. Add some water if needed.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Add tamarind pulp.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Add paneer cubes and cover to simmer for 20 minutes on medium-low heat.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate
  • Amritsari chole are ready. Serve with any of your flatbread and enjoy.
    Amritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate

Video

Notes

For condiments, some people prefer spiced green chillies. However, I like to have these with sweet and sour green mango launji. 
Hope you are motivated to try this recipe. Please leave comment on how your friends and family liked it. Stay Enhanced!
Nutrition Facts
Punjabi Chole Recipe – No Onion No Garlic
Amount Per Serving
Calories 278 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 724mg31%
Potassium 609mg17%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 842IU17%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 194mg19%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag @enhanceyourpalate on Instagram and hashtag it #enhanceyourpalate

Recommended Bhature Recipe:

I do not have my own Bhature recipe published yet. Hence, meanwhile, I would recommend using CookingShooking Bhature recipe. Making soft puffy bhatures is no easy ask and I have had my struggles with it. This is the recipe with which I have had the most success.

Other Chickpea or Chole recipe on EYP:

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Pan-Fried Falafel Recipe

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Falafel – Ebelskiver / Appe Pan Recipe

Chickpeas Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe from Enhance Your Palate

Vegetable Barley Soup with Chickpeas

Chana Saag – Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Chana Saag – Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Photo Prop Details:

Please click on any of the items below to be directed to a purchase link.

  • Spice box: Naaz-wood-arts-Valentines-Craftgasmic
  • Burlap small bags: Drawstring-Wedding-Project-Christmas-Presents
  • Spice bags for cooking: Regency-Natural-Spice-Bags-cotton
  • Mortar and pestle 
  • Instant Pot: Instant-Pot-Multi-Use-Programmable-Pressure
  • Le cruset wok: Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 14-1/4-Inch Wok with Glass Lid
  • Le cruset stoneware wok: Le Creuset Stoneware Wok Dish, 28-Ounce, Cerise (Cherry Red)
  • Le cruset small condiment dish: Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Round Casserole, 8-Ounce, Cerise (Cherry Red)
  • Le cruset small oval cocotte: Le Creuset Stoneware 12-Ounce Mini Oval Cocotte, Cerise (Cherry Red)
  • Le cruset spoon rest: Le Creuset Stoneware 10-Inch Spoon Rest, Cerise (Cherry Red)
  • Salt and pepper shakers: Ek Do Dhai Classic Stoneware Salt Pepper Dispenser, 2-Pieces, Multicolour
  • Cake stand: Gabriella-cake-stand

Some Frequently Asked Questions related to this recipe:

How to make Amritsari Chole bhature?

For full chole recipe please go to Amritsari Punjabi Chole Recipe – Enhance Your Palate. In summary, you soak the chick peas overnight. Then boil to cook foolowed by simmering in a tomato onion gravy. How complex the recipe is, depends on how many spices you use and perfection you are looking for. These Amritsari chole are most commonly paired with a levend deep fried bread called bhature.

How to make Amritsari Chole?

For full chole recipe please go to Amritsari Punjabi Chole Recipe – Enhance Your Palate. In summary, you soak the chick peas overnight. Then boil to cook foolowed by simmering in a tomato onion gravy. How complex the recipe is, depends on how many spices you use and perfection you are looking for. These Amritsari chole are most commonly paired with a levend deep fried bread called bhatureAmritsari Punjabi Chole Bhature Chickpea Recipe Enhance Your Palate

How to make Punjabi Chole?

For full chole recipe please go to Punjabi Chole Recipe – Enhance Your Palate. In summary, you soak the chick peas overnight. Then boil to cook foolowed by simmering in a tomato onion gravy. How complex the recipe is, depends on how many spices you use and perfection you are looking for. These Amritsari chole are most commonly paired with a levend deep fried bread called bhature.

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About Rupali Agarwal

I love to share recipe ideas from my North Indian roots and my globetrotting present with recipes that range from beautifully simple creations to elaborate showstoppers.

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Posted in: Bean Recipes, Egg Free, Entrees, Gluten Free, High Fiber, High Protein, Indian Street Food, Indian Vegetarian Curry Recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Low Carb, Low Sugar, Meal Prep Recipes, No Onion No Garlic, Nut Free, Paneer Recipes, Pressure Cooking, Sauteing, Soy Free

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Upasini

    April 19, 2022 at 5:22 am

    4 stars
    My chole looked great, but it feels overpowered by the masala. How can i tone it down?

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      April 20, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      Hello Upasini, I am sorry to know that the chole recipe did not turn out as per your taste and was overpowering by the masalas. To tone it down you can add boiled potatoes/paneer/yogurt to it. Just wanted to make sure you used the exact measures for all the ingredients. By any chance, did you reduce the quantity of chole but not spices???

      I hope you try the recipe one more time adjusting it as per your liking.

      Thank you Rupali

      Reply
  2. VRINDA

    November 1, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best chole I have been able to make in 7 years!!! We loved this recipe…thank you so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      November 1, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      Vrinda, so happy to know that the recipe worked for you and you enjoyed it! Do try other recipes as well from the blog.
      Much thanks for sharing your feedback with me!

      Rupali

      Reply
  3. Chiku

    July 7, 2020 at 9:03 am

    5 stars
    Thankfully, I recently unintentionally discovered your blog. I got it later book-marked! Thank you so much for this detail.
    Thanks

    Reply
  4. Sri

    May 20, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Rupali – Thank you for the wonderful recipe and step wise instructions. My family loved it so much I am making it again today.

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      May 20, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      That’s so awesome ? I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for sharing your feedback- Rupali

      Reply
  5. sangeeta chaudhari

    May 10, 2020 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    Rupali,
    I tried this receipe and it came out amazing!You are an awesome cook!!

    Thank you and keep posting new receipe’s!

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      May 19, 2020 at 10:55 pm

      Thank You Sangeeta for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback. I am so glad you liked it.

      Thanks-Rupali

      Reply
  6. Jaya

    October 3, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    Hi Rupali,

    Thank you for sharing the recipe with your tips & tricks! Will try it soon!
    Can you also share the recipe of spiced green chilies & mango launji! They both look so tempting..??

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      October 3, 2019 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks Jaya!
      I am glad you found it helpful and Sure I would try to share the spiced mirchi recipe soon, but launji I would not be able to share until next mango season.

      Reply
  7. Tiya

    June 4, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Would you have an instant pot version of this recipe?

    Reply
  8. Richa

    February 16, 2019 at 11:32 am

    5 stars
    Rupali,

    Made chole with help of your recipe and used mustard oil.The taste was amazing.Also love ur blog,presentation and your pictures

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      February 16, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you so much for trying the recipe Richa? And so glad it did come out well for you?

      Reply
  9. Udisha

    December 7, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    Very unique recipe. Thank you Rupali your work is truly inspiring.

    Reply
  10. Shilpa

    September 16, 2018 at 2:20 pm

    Hi Rupali … thank you for sharing your unique take on this amazing recipe . Love your presentatation & detailed pics & explaination … :)!! Could you pls also share recipe for bhature when you can .. thank you for making us a part of your culinary journey !! It’s always a pleasure to see a post from you !

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      September 16, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      Hello Shilpa, thank you for checking out the recipe and liking it. It’s a pleasure to have you on my culinarily journey with me. I’ll soon share the recipe for bhature as well with my twist? Thank you

      Reply
  11. Riti

    September 16, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    5 stars
    Such an elaborate recipe at the same time seems easy. Can I skip amla during boiling chickpeas? Will it make a difference in taste? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rupali Agarwal

      September 16, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      Hello Riti, thank you for checking out the recipe. Yes, you can skip the dry amla during boiling the Chickpeas, amla is for more to get the dark tone of Amritsari chole, than flavor. You won’t much compromise on flavor by skipping dry amla.

      Reply

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