Curried Adzuki Beans Recipe: Quick, Flavorful, and Full of Nutrition

Chances are you’ve never heard of adzuki beans, but they are super-popular in Asian cuisine and bakeries — these protein-packed pods are often used to create red bean paste. Growing up in India, adzuki beans were a staple in my mom’s kitchen. I love their firm texture and nutty flavor. It used to be nearly impossible to find them in the U.S., but Bob’s Red Mill was the answer to my adzuki bean prayers! Now that they’re a bit more popular, I can also get my organic adzuki beans online at Shiloh Farms, and I can make this curried adzuki beans recipe whenever I want! Besides adzuki, the variations of beans are limitless! They are inexpensive and one of the best protein substitutes for vegetarians. A few variations you’re probably familiar with are black beans, cannellini beans, mung beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and garbanzo beans. If you’re a bean fanatic like I am, you should try my Black-Eyed Pea Curry and my Kala Chana Curried Black Chickpeas. This stovetop and instant pot curried adzuki beans recipe is healthy, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and delicious, so let’s get cooking! And I know “adzuki” sounds like a made-up word, so if you had to name a bean of your own, what would you call it? Comment below; I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you have been on the lookout for adzuki bean recipes and other similar recipes, then look no further than this spiced version which begins with dried adzuki beans. This dish is wonderfully seasoned with Indian spices and is a delicious high protein and vegan dinner that can be served over rice. It also makes a wonderful accompaniment to other Indian-inspired dishes like Easy Vegan Dal Makhani and Vegan Indian Rice Pudding. Here are some of the reasons why you will love this adzuki beans and rice recipe:

• A Vegan Recipe: Those who are vegan or vegetarian will appreciate this vegan adzuki bean recipe which uses only beans, spices, tomatoes, garlic, and onions to create a vibrant and nourishing meal. Containing no dairy or meat, you will be able to serve this flavorful dish to everyone whether they are plant-based or not.
• High in Protein: Adzuki beans make an excellent protein source for those who don’t consume lean meat and dairy. In fact, you can get approximately 7.5 grams of quality plant-based protein from just 100 grams of cooked adzuki beans. 
• Packed With Flavor: The spices and aromatic ingredients in these beans almost make them taste unhealthy; they are that good! Warming spices like cumin seeds, turmeric, ginger, coriander, and garam masala give this recipe for adzuki beans a depth of flavor, while a squeeze of lime juice brightens everything up.
• A Make Ahead Dish: Similar to other recipes using dried beans or lentils such as my Cumin Lentil Soup or South Indian Style Dal, this adzuki beans curry is easy to make ahead and store in the fridge until you are ready to warm it up and serve it. In fact, the flavors will likely become even better as the beans sit.

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

This is one of the best recipes for adzuki beans because it is full of delicious spices that compliment the nutty taste of the beans. Here is what you will need to make them:

• olive oil
• dried red adzuki beans
• whole cumin seeds
• red onion
• garlic cloves
• fresh ginger
• cumin powder
• turmeric
• coriander powder
• tomatoes
• salt
• garam masala
• fresh lime juice
• cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe for adzuki beans and rice is so easy to prepare at home using either an Instant Pot or a stove-top method. Here is how to make them: Instant Pot

1. Pick through the beans to remove debris and rinse them thoroughly.
2. Soak the beans in 4 cups of water overnight.
3. Heat the oil in an Instant Pot using the “Sauté” setting. 
4. Add the cumin seeds and toast them until fragrant.
5. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook them until they are soft and wilted.
6. Stir in the powdered cumin, turmeric, and coriander powder.
7. Add the pureed tomatoes, adzuki beans, salt, and 2 cups of water.
8. Cover the Instant Pot and hit “Cancel.” Then, set it to “Beans/Chili Mode” and cook for 25 minutes.
9. Remove the cover and stir in the garam masala and lime juice.
10. Serve with steamed basmati rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Stove-top

1. Pick through the beans to remove debris and rinse them thoroughly.
2. Soak the beans in 4 cups of water overnight.
3. When ready to cook, heat oil in a large pot on medium heat.
4. After about 1 minute, add the cumin seeds and cook them until they are fragrant.
5. Stir in the red onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook until soft.
6. Add the cumin powder, turmeric, and coriander powder, mixing well.
7. Stir in the pureed tomatoes, adzuki beans, salt, and 4 cups of water.
8. Cook until the beans are tender, about 1 ½ hours.
9. Stir in the garam masala and lime juice.
10. Serve over basmati rice and garnished with fresh cilantro.

Tips for the Best Results

If this is your first foray into making a recipe using adzuki beans, there are some things to consider to achieve the best results ever. Here is everything you need to know to make this vegan bean recipe at home:

• Pre-soak the Beans: As with other dried beans, it is usually best to soak the adzuki in water overnight as this will help reduce the cooking time. While you may be able to get away without soaking the beans if you are using an Instant Pot, soaking them is also beneficial as it will help reduce digestive discomfort after eating them.
• Use Fresh Spices: Spices have a limited shelf life with ground spices staying fresh for 1 to 2 years and whole spices staying fresh for up to 3 to 4 years. If you notice that the spices in your pantry have a dull color and smell, it may be time to discard them and get some new ones.
• Don’t Burn the Spices: If you cook the spices over too high of heat, they may burn rather than becoming warm and toasty. Keep the heat source on the stove at no more than medium heat when toasting the spices, and adjust the temperature down as needed if you feel your pan is getting too hot.
• Taste and Adjust Seasonings: After you have cooked the beans, the flavors should have married beautifully. However, it is always a good idea to taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Simply add a little more salt if you feel that the seasonings require enhancement or squeeze in more lime if you would like a brighter taste.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover adzuki beans can be stored in the fridge in a covered pot so you can easily transfer it to the stove to reheat. Alternatively, feel free to place it in sealed containers in the fridge. The beans should keep for up to 3 to 5 days. You could also place the containers of beans in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure you label and date them so that you know what they are and how long they have been in your freezer. To reheat the beans, you can place them in a pot on the stove over medium heat, and stir them once in a while until they are heated through. Alternatively, you could place them in a microwave-safe container or bowl, and reheat them in the microwave until they are piping hot.

Serving Suggestions

Once cooked, these adzuki beans will be creamy and full of curry spices, making them perfect for serving over rice. While basmati rice is an ideal choice here, you could really use whatever rice you prefer such as jasmine or brown rice. These beans would also be wonderful served with quinoa if you prefer its nutty flavor to rice.

Are Adzuki Beans the Same as Red Beans?

Native to the Himalayas and now widely grown all through Asia, adzuki beans are easily mistaken for kidney beans because they’re both red. Kidney beans, also called red beans, are shaped like kidneys and double the size of adzuki beans. Adzuki beans separate themselves proudly with a white thread along part of the stem. Try using this protein-packed legume the next time you’re tempted to use black beans or garbanzo beans in a recipe — you won’t be disappointed!

Are Adzuki Beans Good For Your Health?

Yes, what generally makes adzuki beans recipes healthy is that they are high in fiber and plenty of nutrients to aid digestive health and prevent different diseases. Beans in general are proven to help with improving heart health, lowering cholesterol, and lowering the risk of cancer, and these particular little red beans have even more health benefits to offer:

• They are high in protein, fiber, and micronutrients.
• Although high in protein and fiber like its counterparts garbanzo and black beans, adzuki beans are saturated with micronutrients.
• They have high folate content, which helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases and is vital for cell growth, function, and metabolism.
• They are full of nutrients like copper, magnesium, iron, and potassium.
• They have a high manganese content, which helps in promoting normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.

Nutritional Information

There are a plethora of health benefits to this adzuki beans recipe if prepared as directed.  Here are a few you can gain by using the ingredients in this dish:

• Adzuki Beans: High fiber and folate content which helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Coriander: Can help with fighting infections and can help with digestion and gut health.
• Cumin: Can help control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and assist in weight loss.
• Garam Masala: Powerful antioxidant that helps relieve heartburn, indigestion, and bloating.
• Garlic: Can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Ginger: Can treat chronic indigestion, help with nausea, and reduce menstrual pain.
• Lime Juice: Powerful source of antioxidants, can help to reduce heart disease, and promotes healthy skin.
• Olive Oil: Rich in monounsaturated fats, it may prevent stroke, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Onions: High in antioxidants, help control blood sugar, and may boost bone density.
• Tomatoes: Good source of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, and folate, and helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Turmeric: Powerful antioxidant, natural inflammatory, and is good for your skin.

What Do Adzuki Beans Taste Like?

Vibrant red, these beans have a nutty and sweet flavor. In Asian cooking, they’re used in lots of desserts like pastries and cheesecakes, and in other cultures, they’re surprisingly found in savory dishes served with rice, added to fresh salads, smoothies, wraps, casseroles, and even added to delicious soups.

How Do You Use Dried Adzuki Beans?

If you have dried adzuki beans in your pantry, simply rehydrate by soaking them in water for 1-2 hours and you’re all set. If you don’t plan on using your dried adzuki beans for a while, make sure you store them in a cool, dark, dry place (I store mine in the pantry). When you come home from the grocery store, be sure to take your beans out of the bag and store them in an airtight container.

Do Adzuki Beans Need to Be Soaked?

It’s not crucial to soak adzuki beans before cooking, but there are a couple of benefits to pre-soaking them overnight at room temperature. This will help to reduce the cooking time and help to peel off any components that can cause (or not help!) an upset stomach. If you choose to skip soaking, just simmer the beans until they’re soft and tender, but note this could take up to 2 hours.

How Do You Cook Adzuki Beans?

Cooking dried adzuki beans is a bit delicate, and having the right consistency is important depending on what dish you’re making. In my experience, a slow and steady simmer instead of a boil is the key to getting perfectly cooked adzuki beans. Here is a really simple recipe for adzuki beans:

1. Rinse 1 cup of beans well, picking out any stones or debris.
2. Soak them overnight or for 3-4 hours.
3. Drain the water.
4. Add about 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of in a large pot.
5. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil with the lid on.
6. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to a simmer.
7. Allow it to cook for about 1 hour (covered).
8. Remove from the heat until tender.

Hint: Adding additional seasonings such as shallots, fresh garlic, green onions, and even bay leaves will enhance the flavor of these pleasantly appetizing beans.

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