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    $5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

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    Chana Masala in the Slow Cooker

    February 8, 2013 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 11 Comments

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    slow cooker chana masala recipe

    Thanks so much to Kimberly Danger from Frugal Bites for sharing this great recipe with us. I’m still on “leave,” enjoying my time with new baby and settling into life as a family of 6. I’m so grateful for the help and support of my fellow bloggers during this time! ~Erin

    slow cooker chana masala recipe

    Ever since a new Indian restaurant opened up down the street from us last fall, I can’t get enough.  It’s become my new foodie obsession.  For me, it wasn’t enough to just enjoy a nice meal out every other month.  I wanted to recreate these colorful flavors at home.

    If you’re new to Indian cooking, don’t let these recipes overwhelm you.  Just because the list of ingredients is longer than usual, it doesn’t mean they’re difficult or expensive.  It’s true:  you may have to spend a little bit on your initial investment in Indian cookery. Garam Masala, Turmeric and other spices are a must, and they can set you back $5-7 per bottle.  However, they last a long time and ensure the authentic flavors of India.  Plus, most of the other ingredients required are inexpensive and help offset the cost of the spices.

    This recipe for one of my favorites, Chana Masala, is so flavorful you’ll forget that it’s vegetarian… and frugal!

    chana masala
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    Chana Masala in the Slow Cooker

    This Slow Cooker Chana Masala recipe is super easy and budget friendly! Try this popular Indian vegetable dish, with a distinct sweet and sour flavor!
    Prep Time10 minutes
    Cook Time6 hours
    Servings - 4 servings

    Ingredients 

    • 4 cups water
    • 1 large onion, diced
    • 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
    • 6 oz. can tomato paste
    • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
    • 2 tsp garam masala
    • 2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more if you like more of a kick)
    • 1 tsp ground coriander
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • 1 tsp 1 tsp sea salt
    • 2 15 oz. cans chickpeas
    • Serve over Basmati Rice

    Instructions

    • Combine everything except the chickpeas in your slow cooker and turn on low for 6-8 hours.
    • After 6 or 8 hours, add chickpeas and then cook 2 more hours, until they are tender and have incorporated the Indian flavors.
    • Prepare rice and serve Slow Cooker Chana Masala over Basmati rice.

    About the Author:  Kimberly Danger is the creator of Mommysavers.com and author of three books including Instant Bargains: 600+ Ways to Shrink Your Grocery Bills and Eat Well for Less.  Her recipes can be found at Frugalbites.com.

    slow cooker chana masala recipe
    Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases. Reviews, opinions are my own.
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    Filed Under: Budget Friendly Recipes, Rice Recipes, Slow Cooker Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

    Comments

    1. Lynn says

      February 8, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      Could I just buy dried chick peas and let them cook with everything else for the whole time?

      Reply
      • Mark says

        March 3, 2015 at 11:10 pm

        dried chickpeas take quite some time to cook. The chickpeas stated in the recipe are canned, which typically come precooked. I would recommend cooking your dried chickpeas in the slow cooker the day before you make this recipe. Instructions to do this can be found all over but this is a good recipe

        http://thehealthyeatingsite.com/how-to-cook-chickpeas-in-a-slow-cooker/

        Reply
    2. Kathryn says

      February 9, 2013 at 6:13 am

      I love Garam Marsala and always on the lookout for recipes that use it. Thanks for sharing this with us as I plan on making this some time:)

      Reply
    3. Cheryl says

      February 11, 2013 at 10:28 pm

      I was also going to ask how to use dried chickpeas in this recipe

      Reply
    4. Pagan O. says

      February 18, 2013 at 2:44 pm

      Currently have this in the crock pot. Doubled a few of the spices and halved the water, also used chicken stock instead of water since it was open and needed to be used. I also added 2 big spoonfuls of sweet spicy mixed fruit chutney I had in fridge too. We’ll see how it is tonight!

      Also! For using dried chickpeas, I’d cook them separately then add.. Though I guess you could try to add them with a little more liquid in beginning. Of course after you’ve soaked them. (Do chickpeas need to be soaked, can’t remember…)

      Reply
    5. Anna says

      February 27, 2013 at 9:08 am

      Mine came out tasting great, but really watery. Almost like tomato soup with chickpeas floating in it! So, 2 questions: do I drain the tomatoes before adding? do I rinse the chickpeas? Maybe something in the chickpea goop is a thickening agent?

      Reply
    6. Elisa says

      October 17, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Yes, all beans need to be soaked, and since chickpeas are one of the longest-cooking beans and overnight soak helps a lot. Soaking then rinsing and using fresh water to cook also reduces gas. I’d also recommend turning on the pot while you are chopping and using boiling water to start. Otherwise your first 3 hours are spent just getting everything up to cooking temp. Alternatively, you could start soaking beans in the morning, throw this together before bed, and eat it for dinner the next day.

      Reply
    7. Cristina says

      April 4, 2015 at 11:24 pm

      How many servings does this recipe make?

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. If at First Your Car is Frozen…Take Your Boyfriend’s and Head to the Store | Luv What You Do says:
      January 6, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      […] Adapted From 5 Dollar Dinners […]

      Reply
    2. Mondayitis - High Tea with Dragons says:
      May 17, 2015 at 1:39 am

      […] Speaking of crockpots, how delish does this crockpot Chana Masala (aka. my absolute favourite curry) […]

      Reply
    3. Indian Recipes You Can Make in a Crock Pot. Slow Cooker Indian Recipes says:
      June 17, 2017 at 2:56 am

      […] image credit: 5dollardinners /  Erin Get the recipe here for Chana Masala in the Slow Cooker […]

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    I’m Erin Chase…

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    I have a little problem. I cannot make a meal that costs more than $5.
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