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
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 (estimation only)
Notes
If you are a beginner or new to Indian cooking, I highly suggest you to check the supporting step by step photos for best results. Step by step photos with description available below after the recipe card.
Preparation
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
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.
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.
Vesna says
Great recipe, I loved it. Better than any restaurant. I used can diced tomatoes and added more water than what recipe calls for. It was on the dry side so maybe next time I will make it with more water.
Thanks for great recipe, I love Indian food.
swasthi says
Hello Vesna
You are welcome! Glad to know. Yes you can add upto half cup water.
Thank you
Natalie says
This looks amazing!!!! My grocery store only carries frozen okra, so can you please let me know if there are any specific changes you’d make when using frozen okra instead? Thank you for your help Swasthi!
swasthi says
Hi Natalie
Thank you! You can spread them on a kitchen towel or few paper towels and let them dry a few hours. This helps reduce the moisture. Add ½ to 1 tbsp lemon juice to the okra while sauteing in oil. This helps to reduce the slime. Hope this helps
Ila Patel says
All recipes in deatails
Very nice
Thank you
swasthi says
Welcome IIa
Thank you
Vasantha says
I made this bhindi masala & potato fry last night. Both came out very delicious and tasty.
swasthi says
Thanks Vasantha
glad to know
Teri says
Great easy to do recipe. Loved the tips about preparing the okra. Thank you!
Teri in Bethesda MD
swasthi says
You are welcome!
Ragini Shah says
Absolutely delicious! Been enjoying all your recipes through the recent lockdown and we really have enjoyed all of them! Thank you 🙂
swasthi says
Hi Ragini
You are welcome! Glad to know the recipes are helping. Thank you
🙂
Catherine says
I tried this recipe the other day! I was soo good🥰 do you have any directions on how to cook it with beef or chicken?
swasthi says
Hi Catherine
Glad to know! Add the chicken to the tomato masala and cook until tender. Saute the okra separately and add it when the chicken is cooked. Thank you
Saniya says
Just tried this recipe today and it came out delicious! I also made some chapathi with it.
swasthi says
Hi Saniya,
Thank you! Happy to know it came out delicious
Nisha Pereira says
Very easy and quick to make.. Taste yummy.
swasthi says
Thank you!
Apratim Ganguli says
Swathi’s recipes are easy to cook and the accompanying description is very lucid. Its great for beginners like to who want to start cooking.
Thanks Swathi.
swasthi says
Hi Apratim Ganguli
You are welcome! Glad the recipes are useful. Thank you
Jane says
Delicious! Could not get enough! Adding to my repetoire! Thank you so much!
Do you think this would be a good make-ahead recipe? (In my Indian cookbook a similar recipe says it is even better the next day. Need some of those in my life! 😉
swasthi says
Hi Jane,
You are welcome! Glad you liked it. Yes it can be made ahead. Thank you!
Anju says
Could you tell me 250 gm okra is approximately how many cups?
Thank You
swasthi says
Hi Anju,
It should be about 2 heaped cups
Cal Rodgers says
Hi Swashti,
You mention optional coriander leaves (cilantro), but I don’t see instructions for it. I am assuming it’s a fresh garnish at the end?
swasthi says
Yes Cal Rodgers,
It is for garnish.
M Ramya says
Hi Mam, I am new to cooking. Initially I used to browse lot of websites for recipes. But after trying your recipes I am just looking at your website most of the time. Your recipes are simple and you are giving full detail for a beginner like me. Thank you so much.
About this Bhindi Masala (I never liked bhindi except the sweet and spicy one which my mom used prepare for me ) , this is really good and I liked it with chappati.
swasthi says
Hi Ramya,
You are welcome! Glad you like the recipes. Thanks for the trust. I have another bhindi recipe which is also very delicious. Check this out – Ladies finger fry. Hope you enjoy more recipes!
🙂
Nasser Mohamed says
Thank you very much
It is very delicious and easy to cook.
swasthi says
Welcome Nasser!
Glad you like it.
Jane says
Greetings from Canada. I haven’t tried this recipe yet but when you say red chili powder is there another name? I’m wondering if it’s what we call cayenne pepper/powder? In your video it is quite red. Our chili powder is brownish and a mix of spices often used in a the savoury dish chili. (A mix of beef, vegetables, spices, tomatoes, kidney beans.) Thank you for all your hard work, recipes and website. We have loved every single recipe we’ve tried.
swasthi says
Hi Jane,
You are welcome.Thank you so much for trying the recipes. Red chilli powder is pure ground red chilies without any additives like spices. It is similar to ground paprika with varying levels of heat. The red chilli powder I mentioned here is not the same as you mentioned & not even the cayenne pepper. Hope this helps.
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.
Zee says
Hi, I’m from Nigeria, my first attempt at bhindi came out badly, it’s kinda hard getting all the ingredients here especially cumin, but I’ll try it again with your instructions step by step and see the outcome.
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.