Cabbage chana dal sabji is a nutritious and delicious everyday kind of vegetable recipe made with finely chopped cabbage along with soaked chana dal (split chickpea lentils)
This is a vegan, diabetic-friendly, beginner-friendly easy-to-make sabji recipe that pairs best with roti.
About Cabbage Chana dal Sabji
I feel Cabbage Chana Dal is a perfect dish for a busy lifestyle whether you are juggling a hectic work schedule or simply do not want to spend hours in the kitchen, this easy-to-make dish is perfect as itโs quick to make and nutritious.
No need for any fancy ingredients, all we need is simple basic pantry staples and you are good to go.
When looking for some quick lunch options this wholesome and satisfying dish always comes to my rescue.
This is my comfort meal along with some soft phulkas or chapati.
The addition of chana dal makes this sabji a rich source of protein apt for a plant-based diet.
Chana dal (split chickpea lentils) is also high in fiber which aids digestion and helps to manage cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, cabbage is low in calories and high in vitamins like vitamins C and K. The fiber content in cabbage makes you feel longer full-time.
Thus the combination of these two ingredients not only creates a delicious meal but also makes a perfect option for diabetics and persons with heart conditions.
Cabbage chana dal is such a versatile combination that it is often included in the diets of those who are on a weight loss journey. Being low in calories and packed with fiber this sabzi keeps you full for a longer period of time.
This sabji offers a well-balanced meal without excess calories.
To make this cabbage chana dal sabji, chana dal needs to be pre-soaked which further helps it to cook faster.
This cabbage chana dal sabji can be made on a stovetop, pressure cooker or instant pot.
The simple ingredients used in this recipe make it easy for beginners as this is such a straightforward recipe that requires only minimal basic spices.
If you are starting to explore Indian cooking then this is one of the best options to make for lunch or dinner.
This cabbage chana dal sabji is naturally vegan and can be made gluten-free if you skip adding hing (asafoetida).
So whether you are new to Indian cooking or a pro, if you are looking for a wholesome easy-to-make dish try out this cabbage chana dal.
You are definitely going to love the simplicity of this dish.
Health Benefits Of Cabbage Chana Dal
Rich in Fiber
High in Protein
Low in Calories
Boost Immunity
Diabetic-Friendly
Recipe Video
ingredients
Cabbage โ To make this cabbage chana dal sabji I have used 300 grams of cabbage which is roughly chopped. This amount of cabbage makes serving for two people.
Chana Dal (split chickpea lentils) โ We will need to pre-soak chana dal (split chickpea lentils) as they take longer timer to cook.
Garlic โ Garlic gives a nice flavour to this dish. We will need to roughly crushed the garlic and add it to the tempering. (You can skip adding garlic if you do not like it)
Spices & Herbs โ To enhance the flavour of this sabji, we will add basic spices like red chilli powder, turmeric powder, hing (asafoetida) and coriander powder.
We will also need a teaspoon of mustard seeds for the tempering.
Seasoning โ We will season this cabbage chana dal sabji with salt and half a teaspoon of jaggery (gul). Jaggery helps to balance the flavours of the dish. You can skip jaggery if you do not like it. You may also add half a teaspoon of sugar instead.
Oil โ We will need 2 tablespoons of oil for the tempering. I have used sunflower oil, but you can use any oil of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip soaking Chana dal?
Chana dal takes a longer time to cook hence it is advisable to soak it in water at least 1 hour prior to reduce the cooking time.
You can skip soaking however, you will need to cook the vegetable for a longer time. Meanwhile, the cabbage will tend to get overcooked.
Is cabbage chana dal sabji kid-friendly?
Yes, if you are cooking for kids make sure to reduce the amount of spices to make it mild and enjoyable for them. This sabji is also best for kids lunch boxes along with some soft phulkas or rotis.
Can I use canned chickpeas instead of chana dal?
Traditionally split chickpea lentils (chana dal) are used in making this sabji. However, you can substitute chana dal with canned peas, the flavour and texture of the sabji will differ a lot.
Is cabbage chana dal good for weight loss?
Yes, chana dal being high in protein and cabbage being low in calories makes a perfect recipe for weight loss.
Also, cabbage being high in fiber keeps you fuller for a long time.
Can I make this dish oil-free?
Yes, this cabbage chana dal sabji can be made oil-free. Dry roast the garlic till the raw smell fades off. Add the cabbage, chana dal and water. Add spices and let the cabbage cook in water till tender. You can also use vegetable broth instead of water.
Variations
South Indian Touch โ To give more refreshing flavours to this sabji, you can add curry leaves to the tempering and add freshly scrapped coconut just when the sabji is almost cooked.
Vegetables โ You can also add other vegetables along with cabbage such as potatoes, peas, and carrots to enhance the nutritional value. These vegetables not only add flavour but also give a nice texture and make the sabji more appealing to eat.
In case you do not want to add chana dal but still want the protein in the sabzi, check out cabbage besan sabji which I have already posted on my blog. Check it out here if interested.
Serving Suggestions
With Flatbreads โ This cabbage chana dal sabji pairs best with whole wheat roti, parathas and naan. The flavours of this sabji complement the wheat-based breads making it a filling meal.
With Dal Rice โ This cabbage chana dal sabji also pairs well as a side dish with steamed rice and comforting dal. That slight crunch of cabbage compliments the soft dal rice making it a balanced meal.
Storage Options
This cabbage chana dal sabji stays good for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Store it in an air-tight container. Reheat before serving.
Related Recipes
More Cabbage Recipes
Cabbage Pakoda (Crispy Cabbage Fritters), Cabbage Besan Sabji (Kobi Peeth Perun), Garlic Cabbage Potato Sabji
How to make cabbage Chana Dal Recipe
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Recipe Card
Cabbage Chana Dal | Cabbage Sabzi Recipe| Patta Gobi Ki sabji
Ingredientsย ย
- 300 grams Cabbage, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons Chana Dal (split chickpea lentils), soaked in water for 1-2 hours
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves, roughly crushed
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1/4th teaspoon Hing (asafoetida)
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Jaggery (Gul)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Oil
- Water as required, to cook
Instructionsย
- Heat oil in a kadhai. Once hot, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add hing and roughly crushed garlic cloves. Saute garlic till raw smells from the garlic fade away.
- Add turmeric powder and roughly chopped cabbage. Mix well.
- Add soaked chana dal (split chickpea lentils) and give it a mix.
- Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt to taste and jaggery.
- Add 1/4th cup of water. Cover and cook cabbage for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, give a stir and add water if requirec for cabbage and chana dal to cook.
- Cover and cook till chana dal and cabbage softens.
- Cabbage Chana Dal sabji is ready.
- Transfer onto a serving bowl. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve with phulka or chapati.
