Bhindi masala recipe – A simple North Indian bhindi masala that is great on flavors, tastes delicious & is healthy. Bhindi masala is a healthy dish made of okra, spices, onions & tomatoes. This semi dry curry made with ladies finger or okra goes very well with rice or roti. Bhindi masala is mildly spicy, hot & full of flavors that comes from the pan fried bhindi and garam masala.
This bhindi masala can be served for lunch or dinner and also goes well in a lunch box. Bhindi is a favorite with my kids so I make it very often for the lunch box. It is simple to cook and doesn’t need much preparation.
Bhindi is one of the most consumed vegetable in Indian cuisine and there are numerous ways to prepare it. Dahi bhindi, kurkuri bhindi & bharwa bhindi are some popular dishes.
This bhindi masala is healthy, tastes delicious & is simple to make for your regular meal.
Bhindi has immense health benefits and regular consumption of this veggie can help us in numerous ways.
More vegetable curry recipes
Aloo gobi
Bharwa baingan
Jeera aloo
dum aloo
Benefits of bhindi or okra
- Bhindi is a fiber rich vegetable that helps in digestion, prevents constipation & stomach problems.
- It is a good source of vitamin B, C, K, potassium & calcium. So helps in the overall health.
- Bhindi is also a rich source of antioxidants so helps in fighting the free radicals.
- It is a good source of folate (vitamin b) so it is very good for pregnant women.
- This low calorie veggie is nutrient dense keeps you full for longer. So it is great for those trying to manage their weight.
- Helps in reducing cholesterol & stress, helps to manage diabetes.
Tips on how to make bhindi masala
Here are some tips for the novice cooks on okra.
- Always choose tender and young bhindi as they get cooked faster and taste good.
- Always wash and wipe them dry before chopping. While chopping, wipe off the sticky residue on the knife to a disposable tissue.
- Do not chop them very small as they turn more sticky while cooking.
- Do not skimp on the oil used in any bhindi recipe. Oil helps to get rid of the sticky substance from the veggie.
- One to two tbsp of lemon juice can be sprinkled on the bhindi after sauteing in the oil for a minute. This reduces the sticky substance but makes the dish sour. So more spice powders will be needed.
- You can also add some boiled potatoes to make this bhindi masala. Just cube the boiled potatoes and add them to the onion tomato masala along with fried bhindi. Cover and simmer for a while for the veggies to absorb the flavors.
More Bhindi recipes
Bhindi fry
Bhindi ki sabji
Ladies finger stir fry
Andhra bendakaya pulusu
Ladies finger poriyal
Bhindi masala recipe
Bhindi masala recipe | How to make bhindi masala | Bhindi recipe
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Ingredients for bhindi masala
- 250 grams bhindi (or ladies finger or okra)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin or jeera
- ¾ to 1 cup onions (2 medium) (finely chopped or processed)
- 1 green chilli slit (optional)
- ¾ tablespoons ginger garlic paste or crushed
- ¾ to 1 cup tomatoes (about 2 medium) (deseeded & chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric or haldi
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) (optional)
- Water as needed
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves or cilantro (optional)
How to make the recipe
Preparation for bhindi masala recipe
- Rinse bhindi very well under running water & drain them.
- Wipe off with a clean kitchen cloth or tissues to remove all the moisture. You can also leave on the counter top for a while to air dry.
- Chop off both the ends and discard them. Chop the bhindi to ¾ inch pieces.
How to make bhindi masala
- Heat 1 ½ tbsp oil in a pan.
- Saute bhindi on a medium flame for about 5 to 7 mins stirring often until they are partially cooked.
- Once done bhindi should not be sticky or slimy.
- Transfer them to a plate and set aside.
- Add 2 tbsps more oil to the same pan. Then add cumin.
- When they begin to splutter saute onions and green chili until they turn golden.
- Next saute ginger garlic for 2 to 3 mins till the raw smell of the garlic goes away.
- Then saute tomatoes with salt until they turn soft and mushy.
- Stir in red chili powder, turmeric and garam masala.
- Saute until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
- Pour 4 to 5 tbsp water & mix well.
- Cook the masala for 2 mins to bring out the flavors of spices.
- Check the salt and adjust as needed.
- Stir in the kasuri methi & bhindi.
- Cover and cook on a low heat until bhindi turns slightly tender and the aroma comes out.
- Open the lid and evaporate any excess moisture.
- Serve bhindi masala with roti or rice.
Video
Video of bhindi masala recipe
NUTRITION
Notes
Preparation for bhindi masala recipe
1. Wash bhindi well under running water. I usually sprinkle some salt and vinegar, rest for 15 mins. Then rub and rinse them well under running water.
2. Wipe them dry with a cloth and chop off both the ends of the veggie. Chop the bhindi to 3/4 inch pieces.
3. Heat oil in a pan.
4. Add bhindi and saute them well for 5 to 7 mins on a medium heat. Keep stirring often to fry them uniformly.
5. They don’t get cooked completely but the sticky substance will be gone.
6. Transfer the bhindi to a plate.
How to make bhindi masala recipe
7. Add the rest of the oil and add jeera.
8. When they begin to splutter, add onions and green chilies.
9. Fry until golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw smell of garlic goes off.
10. Add tomatoes and salt.
11. Saute well until the tomatoes turn mushy. Add red chili powder, turmeric and garam masala. I have used this punjabi garam masala. Make use of a good flavorful garam masala. You can also use 3/4 tsp of coriander powder.
12. Saute this masala well until it leaves the pan.
13. Pour 4 to 5 tbsps water just to bring out the aroma of the masala. Mix everything well & cook for a minute. Do not use lot of water, I used about 6 tbsps. If your bhindi are not young then you may need to add half cup water.
14. Add kasuri methi.
Addition of bhindi to the masala
15. Add fried ladies finger.
16. Mix everything well.
17. Cover and cook on a low to medium heat until the bhindi turns tender. This step also helps to bring out the aroma of veggie.
18. We prefer the semi dry curry so I saute for another 2 to 3 mins to dry up excess moisture. Do not overcook as it makes the ladies finger soggy.
Serve bhindi masala with plain rice, ghee or roti.
Lim says
I have cooked this last month and came out pretty good. If I want to make okra chicken at which stage should I put the chicken?
swasthi says
Hi Lim,
Thanks for trying. I haven’t cooked them together any time. I would suggest to keep the chicken separate.Not sure if it tastes good. Or you can grill or saute the chicken separately and then add it at the last stage. If you like your chicken in a masala curry, then have a look at this chicken masala recipe rather than adding it in the bhindi masala. Hope this helps.
Aroon says
Hi swasthi
Thank you so much for teaching me on
Bhindi masala and other indian recipe cause
I like indian food so much .although i am new to cook but i am try to cook the best from your teaching
swasthi says
Hi Aroon,
You are welcome! Glad the recipes are helpful. Thanks for the comment. Hope you enjoy making many more dishes from here.
M Ganey says
Your detailed instructions for a wide variety of Indian dishes is much appreciated. I cook quite often and consistently use your recipes because they always turn out delicious. I particularly like this bhindi recipe, your chicken biryani recipe, and (of course) your butter chicken recipe. Because of your instruction, I’ve learned to love cooking Indian food. Thank you. 🙂
swasthi says
Hi M Ganey
You are most welcome. So glad you like the recipes. Thank you so much for the comment.
🙂
Mel says
Making this right now! Thanks for posting this recipe. It’s one of my fave things to eat and the pics are lovely. 😀
swasthi says
Hi Mel,
You are welcome. Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy the bhindi masala.
🙂
Gaurav says
Hi Ma’am,
Your recipes are very good. I have been cooking from 3 years now and never commented. Thank you very much for making this website. It has helped me to feed myself so well and now my friends call me a chef. You chicken curry is our regular dish on sundays. Thanks for every single recipe.
swasthi says
Hello Gaurav
You are welcome. So glad to know the recipes are helpful. Thanks a lot for following the recipes.
Gargi says
Hi Swasthi,
I have made this bhindi masala many times. My family loves it very much. Can you please tell me if I can bake the bhindi in oven. How can I add baked aloo and bhindi together. Thank you for the 😎 & 😋 recipes. 💕
swasthi says
Hi Gargi,
you are welcome. I forgot to reply you. Thanks for trying the recipes.
Maya says
Thank you for the delicious bhindi recipe. All in the family loved it.
swasthi says
Hi Maya,
Glad you all loved the bhindi. Thank you so much for rating.
🙂
Manjula D'Cruze says
Delicious recipes
swasthi says
Hi Manjula,
Thank you so much!
Mac says
Wow! This bhindi masala turned out awesome. I and my Wife having been exploring the green vegetables and found this okra so delicious. We topped it over rice with some clarified butter pickle and some flavoured yogurt. Thank you for the recipe. Will be exploring more vegetarian recipes from here
swasthi says
Hi Mac,
You are welcome.Happy to know you both loved the bhindi masala. Thanks for the comment. Yes sure do try the recipes.
🙂
Neha bhadouria says
Dear swasthi
You are my saviour. Love your blog and recipes. I am always inspired to learn cooking new foods from here. I cannot express how thankful I am to you for all these awesome simply amazing recipes you put up here. Not to mention your little tips at the end are of great help. Having lived in the US for a Long time I have been dependent on your blog for my every day needs . These are of great help as I am away from my family. Thank you!! God bless you & your family!
swasthi says
Welcome Neha
Thanks a lot for the wishes.So happy to know the recipes are helpful. You made my day! God bless!
🙂
Padmaja says
Excellent recipes.
swasthi says
Thank you
Mardai says
Thank you for the recipe. I love vegetarian dishes.
You helped me to make the bhindi much tastier and easy to make.
swasthi says
Welcome Mardai
Glad to know you liked it.
Carole Gaddis says
This bhindi recipe was one of my favorites when I began living in India and having to cook for myself. It’s easy and delicious!
swasthi says
Hi Carole Gaddis
Thank you so much.
🙂
James says
Fantastic bhindi recipe.
andrew meltzer says
wow. so good and so simple. whenever im in India i eat as much bhindi as i can. i love being able to make it at home. thanks.
swasthi says
Hi Andrew meltzer,
You are welcome.
Sri Alluri says
Thanks for the recipe Swathi… I added roasted cashews at the end and it tasted very yummy….. Adding this to my favorite recipes folder 🙂
One Suggestion: Is there a way you can add print feature to your site to print the recipes?
swasthi says
Welcome Sri
Thanks for trying and rating the recipe. I will try.
🙂
Sushma Pattnaik says
Thank you for the recipe. Going to try it.
swasthi says
Welcome Sushma
Thanks for rating the recipe.
Ria says
Made this bhindi for the first time and loved it a lot. Thank you so much
swasthi says
You are welcome Ria
Courtney says
This was delicious! I made it with a pilaf and your cucumber raita recipe. I’m trying to eat less meat and recipes like this make it easy. My international grocery didn’t have regular okra but middle eastern “baby” okra which saved me some chopping! I left out the green chili and most of the chili powder, and it was still very flavorful.
swasthi says
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for trying. Glad to know it turned out good. Have a great day!!
🙂
Poonam says
Swathi you are a rockstar! I love your recipes especially the loads of tips you give on how to best make them! Thank you for sharing!
swasthi says
Welcome Poonam.
Thanks a lot for following the recipes.
🙂
Poonam says
You should seriously consider an app! That would be awesome! Quick access to your recipes!
swasthi says
Thanks for the suggestion
Uma says
Hello swathi Garu , I prepared this recipe very easy and tasty .Thank you for sharing.I am looking for bobattlu recipe I couldn’t find so please share the recipe.
swasthi says
Welcome Uma garu,
Thanks for trying. You can find bobattlu recipe here