Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Curry (Indian Lobia Masala)

Black Eyed Peas Curry (also known as Indian Lobia Masala) is a famous Punjabi curry recipe that is healthy and delicious made using the onion-tomato base and a few spices in an Instant Pot pressure cooker or Stovetop. It is perfect when enjoyed with basmati rice. Vegan, protein-rich, gluten-free, and freezer-friendly!

A word about Black Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas or black-eyed beans are among the most nourishing varieties of legumes. The name refers to the black spot on the creamy skin of peas. These are versatile beans that go well with many recipes.

In other Indian states, it is known as "Chawl" in Marathi, "Karamani" in Tamil, and "Lobia" in Punjabi. 

Healthy Benefits of Black Eyed Peas?

Black-eyed peas have numerous health benefits. They are a great source of protein for Vegans and are considered nourishing because it contains almost all the essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C. Other essential ones are folic acid, iron, calcium, manganese, Thiamine, zinc, copper, phosphorus, Folate, etc. 

The science behind Soaking Beans?

1. Beans contain indigestible complex sugars that cause gas and hard on tummies and can cause some digestive issues like bloating and flatulence. Therefore, soaking and sprouting the beans is an excellent way to reduce the uneasiness produced by them. 

2. Soaking dried beans ahead of time (soaked for at least 3-4 hours) will cook faster compared to the beans that have not been soaked at all. Depending on how old the beans are, cooking time may vary. 

Black Eyed Peas Curry Ingredients

• Black Eyed Peas: Used 1 cup of dried black eyed peas and then soaked for more than 4 hours in water. It is easily available in the nearest grocery stores.
• Ginger and Garlic: Use paste or minced ginger-garlic.
• Green chili:  I have used two green thai chili, you can skip it if you like.
• Onion: I have finely chopped the onions.
• Tomatoes: I have used Roma tomatoes to make the base for this curry. You can also puree the tomatoes instead and add them or use canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.
• Oil: I have used olive oil. You can use your choice of cooking oil.
• Herbs & Spices: I have used fresh cut cilantro for herbs and cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala as spices. You can increase or decrease the spices according to your choice.
• Lemon juice: use fresh lemon juice whenever possible or use amchur powder (dry mango powder) for tartness.

How to Make Black Eyed Peas Curry in Instant Pot

Firstly, soak the black-eyed peas in abundant water for four or more hours, so they are all submerged. When you are ready to cook, drain the water.

Blend 2 tomatoes to make a puree.

Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil to the POT. Once the pot is hot, add cumin seeds, let them splutter.

Add onions, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and saute until onions turn light brown (approximately 5-6 minutes).

Next, add the tomato puree or finely chopped tomatoes and cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes.

Then add soaked black-eyed peas, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, and mix well.

Then add water and give a stir.

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes for firmer beans & 14 minutes for softer beans.

Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR) for at least 10 minutes.

Lastly, remove the lid away from you, add garam masala powder, lime juice, and garnish with cilantro. Mix well.

Instant Pot black-eyed peas curry recipe (Indian Lobia Masala) is ready, serve with hot with rice, pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

• Soak the black-eyed peas in abundant water for 4 or more hours so they are all submerged. When you are ready to cook, drain the water.
• Blend 2 tomatoes to make a puree.
• Take a pressure cooker. Add oil. Once hot add jeera seeds, let them splutter.
• Once the oil is hot add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and saute until onions turn light brown (approximately 5-6 minutes).
• Next, add tomato puree or finely chopped tomatoes and cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes.
• Then add soaked black-eyed peas, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, and mix well.
• Then add water and give a stir.
• Close the lid place a whistle and cook for 3-4 whistles on medium flame.
• Switch off the flame and let the pressure from the cooker release naturally.
• Open the lid and add garam masala powder, lime juice, and garnish with cilantro. Mix well.
• Black-eyed peas curry recipe is ready, serve with hot with rice, poori's, chapatis, roti & parathas.

How to serve Black Eyed Peas Curry?

Serve Indian-style Black Eyed Peas Curry (Lobia Masala) with hot basmati rice, jeera rice, Indian flatbread, or puris. Also, pair it with raita and a salad on the side for a wholesome dinner or lunch.

Tips & Variations

• If the curry is not thick enough for your liking, press the cancel button then press Saute Mode and allow to cook, stir until you get the desired thickness. You can also mash a few peas using the back of the ladle to make the gravy thick and creamy.
• You can also add spinach, kale, or collard greens to make this dish more hearty.
• If you don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can use canned crushed tomatoes too.

Recipe FAQs

Looking for More Indian Curry Recipes

• Lauki Chana Dal
• Zucchini Besan Sabzi
• Rajma Masala
• Beetroot & Chickpeas Stir Fry
• Chana Masala
• Potato Peas Curry
• Cabbage Potato Stir Fry

If you love Lentils & Beans and looking for more Instant Pot Indian Recipes? Here are my 22+ Instant Pot lentils & Beans Recipes you must try.