Chana masala vs chole; what’s the difference? Well, the most notable difference lies with the chickpeas themselves.
In this article, we will explore all you need to know about these popular dishes, including their similarities, differences, and even their history.
Ready to find out more? Let’s dive in!
What is Chole, and What Is Chana Masala?
Chole and chana masala are popular dishes containing chickpeas in a rich, spicy tomato sauce. However, they are not the same dish.
Chole otherwise referred to as chhole, is a chickpea curry dish derived from Punjabi and is merely a version of chana masala. It is most often served with ‘bhature’, a type of fried bread.
Let’s take a look at other differences between chana masala vs chole.
What Is The Difference Between Chole and Chana Masala?
A major difference between chana masala and chole is that chana masala is considerably spicier than chole. In fact, chana masala translates to ‘spiced chickpeas’. There are many different types of masala which are specific blends of spices used to add flavor and substance to a dish.
Taste
While both dishes contain spices, as discussed above, chana masala is much spicier. Aside from the added heat, both dishes are the perfect balance of chickpeas and sauce.
Color
There isn’t too much difference in color between the two. The finished product for both is red, orange, or light brown which is mostly due to the addition of tomatoes and spices.
Chana masala vs chole: Texture
One reason why this is such a popular meal is the consistency. The chunky chickpeas together with the velvety, spicy gravy seem to be the perfect combination. So we can see why they’re such a hit!
Chole vs chana masala: Chickpea Substitutes
If you aren’t a fan of chickpeas, there are some good alternatives you can use which enable you to enjoy the dish in the same way.
Alternatives such as garbanzo beans, paneer, and lentils, are popular substitutes, and you will barely notice the difference. Chickpeas alone are really quite bland in flavor, so it is mostly about the sauce in which they are served.
To read more about substitutes, please check out the chana vs paneer article.
Chana Masala vs Chole: Spices Used In Each Dish
Let’s take a look at the spices used in each dish to confirm why chana masala is the spicier of the two.
| Chana Masala | Chole |
| Ground coriander | Ground coriander |
| Ground turmeric | Ground turmeric |
| Ground cumin | Ground cumin |
| Garam masala | Garam masala |
| Kashmiri red chillies |
As we can see from the above table, the addition of the Kashmiri red chilies used in chana masala is what sets these two apart.
If you aren’t a fan of spice, check out this article on korma vs tikka masala.
Take a look at our FAQ section to see if we can answer any questions you may still have.
What is the difference between Pindi Chole and Amritsari chole?
The difference lies within the regions of Pakistan they derived from. Amritsari chole originates from Punjabi, whereas Pindi chole derives from Rawalpindi. Therefore, it’s not necessarily all to do with the taste of the dish but from where the dish originates.
How healthy is Chana Masala?
Chana masala, in general, is a healthy, hearty dish. While it may be high in calories, it is quite low in fat. Chickpeas are the main element that pushes up the calorie count. They are a great source of protein and healthy fats.
How many calories does a bowl of Chole have?
There are around 280 calories per serving of chole, which is mostly due to the presence of chickpeas. The sauce itself although delicious, is actually quite low in calories as it only contains vegetables and spices.
Is chana masala good for weight loss?
If eaten in moderation, there is no reason why you couldn’t eat chana masala when trying to lose weight. As discussed above, chickpeas are high in protein which helps keep you fuller for longer.
Can Kabuli Chana be used for Chole?
Yes absolutely. Kabuli chana refers to the region in which the dish was created, and to be quite honest, it would be hard to pinpoint the difference!
Watch this video to see how authentic chole is made.
Chole Chana Masala Recipe
Below is a recipe that is a combination of ingredients to give you a mish-mash of both dishes. Here’s how to do it!
Ingredients
200g canned chickpeas
2 cups of water
1 inch ginger
4 cloves garlic
1 large onion finely diced
400g chopped tomatoes
1 green chili (chopped)
1 bay leaf
4 green cardamom pods (not seeds)
2 cloves
1 inch Cinnamon stick
6 whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 large red onion finely chopped
400g chopped tomatoes (pureed)
1 tbsp tomato paste/puree
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp garam masala
1 tsp kasuri methi crushed, dried fenugreek leaves
Bunch of chopped cilantro
A squeeze of lemon juice
Method
To begin with, you may wish to soak the chickpeas in water overnight. Canned chickpeas can be used straight away, but there is just something about the taste of soaked chickpeas!
- Place a pan over medium heat and add your cooking oil plus the whole spices, i.e., green cardamom pods, cinnamon, cumin seeds, peppercorns, bay leaf, and cloves.
- Allow the spices to cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they become fragrant.
- Next, add the onions and saute for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown. You can add a teaspoon of salt to speed up the process if you want to.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and chopped green chili. Give it a stir and allow it to cook for a minute or two.
- Pour in the tomatoes and add a tablespoon of tomato puree. Stir the mixture and let it sit for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Now it is time to add the remaining spices. Once added, cook for a further minute or two until you see oil line the sides of the pan or pot.
- Drain the white chickpeas (if needed) and add them to the mix before continuing to stir. You can also add 2 cups of water and let it simmer until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice (optional), and serve immediately.
If you want to switch things up, read this article about paneer chana masala to get some ideas!
