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Pigeon Pea

Pigeon peas are legumes used fresh or dried in soups, stews, dals, and rice dishes.

Pigeon Pea — illustrative ingredient image

About Pigeon Pea

Pigeon pea is the edible seed of a legume, available as fresh green pods or as dried whole, split, or peeled seeds. Dried pigeon peas range from cream to tan or brown, while fresh seeds are green and plump.

Cooked seeds have a mild, earthy, slightly nutty flavour and a tender texture that can become creamy when simmered. The ingredient is used in soups, stews, dals, curries, and rice dishes.

Whole dried seeds generally require soaking or extended cooking, while split forms cook more quickly and can thicken a dish. Fresh pigeon peas are cooked as a vegetable, and canned or frozen versions may also be sold. Processing and cooking therefore change their appearance and texture.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where pigeon pea appears

21 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 1–12 of 21

Main dishes

Sides

Snacks

Soups

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for pigeon pea

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

pigeon pea

English

pigeon pea (canned)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (dried, split)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (dried)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (immature, raw)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (immature)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (mature)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

pigeon pea (raw)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Pigeon Pea nutrition & diet

Pigeon Pea nutritional value

Pigeon peas (red gram), mature seeds, raw

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the recorded food form.

Calories
343kcal
Protein
21.7g
Carbs
62.8g
Fat
1.5g

Reference values for the specific food form shown. Other varieties, brands and preparations can differ.

Portions & preparation

Identify whether pigeon peas are fresh, dried, split, canned, or cooked from dry, and whether liquid is retained. Preparation with oil, coconut, meat, broth, vegetables, or grains changes the comparison; the edible peas and a finished stew are not equivalent forms.

Compare the right form: Match references to fresh, dried, split, canned, or cooked pigeon peas, specifying drained status, cooking method, and whether the reference is plain or a recipe.

Diet considerations

Pigeon pea is plant-derived and a legume. Compatibility changes with animal broth, meat, dairy, coconut preparations, sauces, and cereal grains such as rice. Plain peas and dals have a different carbohydrate pattern from sweetened or grain-based dishes, while soaking, cooking, and portion size determine the relevant serving form.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Depends on the version
  • Paleo
    Typically incompatible
  • Low-carb
    Depends on the version
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Paleo · Typically incompatible
This profile falls outside the conventional paleo pattern used here (grains and pseudograins, legumes, dairy or refined sugar).
Low-carb · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central — Pigeon peas (red gram), mature seeds, raw ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .