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Bitter gourd curry recipe | Karela sabzi | Kakarakaya curry

By swasthi , on December 19, 2019, 15 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Bitter gourd curry recipe – Karela, pavakkai, kakarakaya are the other Indian names to bitter gourd or bitter melon. Bitter gourd is used to make stir fry, chips, curry, pulusu/ stew, pickles and even to make pakora. I am sharing a simple bitter gourd curry recipe that can be served with plain white rice, brown rice, millets and even with chapati.

bitter gourd curry recipe

This is a diabetic friendly recipe and even suitable for the aged since there is no usage of jaggery and tamarind as well.

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This karela sabzi recipe is not one from any regional cuisine but my own which I make in my own way but tastes very good, all without the addition of jaggery or sugar.

I do not extract and discard the juice of karela either before making this curry, yet it tastes very very good. Probably its the way the curry is prepared that lends that unique taste.

Preparation

1. Wash bitter gourd thoroughly. I usually soak them up in a large pot filled with salted water. Leave for about 30 mins. Brush off with a vegetable brush. Rinse thoroughly and trim off both the edges. Then slice them thinly. I prefer to keep the seeds, eating them occasionally is harmless.

2. Heat oil in a pan and saute cumin until it begins to crackle. Add hing.

adding oil

3. Add onions, curry leaves and green chilies if you prefer. I have not used chilies.

adding onions

4. Saute the onions well until they turn pink or transparent. We don’t need to bown them.

saute onions

How to make karela sabzi

5. Add bitter gourd slices and sprinkle salt. Saute well for 2 to 3 mins.

Adding bitter gourd

6. Cover and cook on a low heat until the gourd is slightly tender or half cooked.

cooking bitter gourd
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7. The veggies would have wilted off by now.

cooking bitter gourd

8. Add fennel powder, coriander powder and red chili powder.

adding chilli powder

9. Mix everything well and saute for a min. Cook covered on a low flame until bitter gourd is completely soft cooked. If the veggies look very dry, sprinkle some water and cook. Check salt and spice. Adjust as needed.

mixing
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10. Add coriander leaves. Saute for a minute.

Adding coriander leaves

11. Switch off the stove and squeeze in some lemon juice. This helps to subside the bitter taste a bit.

adding lemon juice

Serve bitter gourd curry with plain rice, roti or phulka.

There are not many bitter gourd recipes on the blog yet except this bitter gourd stir fry which you may like to check.

For more simple veg curry recipes, you may like to check,
Mushroom pepper fry
Stuffed brinjal curry
Capsicum curry

Bitter gourd curry (karela sabzi recipe)

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Bitter gourd curry (Karela sabzi recipe)

Bitter gourd curry or karela sabzi is a simple everyday curry that can be served with plain rice or roti.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

  • 250 grams karela or bitter gourd
  • 2 tbsps oil
  • ½ tsp cumin / jeera
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (optional)
  • 1 green chilli slit (optional)
  • 1 tsp saunf powder / fennel powder / sompu powder
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric or haldi
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • Salt as needed
  • 1 onion , medium to large , chopped finely
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 to 2 tbsps Lemon juice or as needed (I used half)
  • 3 tbsps coriander leaves finely chopped
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Instructions

  • Wash and slice bitter gourd thinly. You can also discard seeds if you prefer.
  • Heat oil in a pan. Saute cumin until they crackle and add hing.
  • Add chopped onions and curry leaves. Saute until they turn pink.
  • Add bitter gourd slices and sprinkle salt. Saute for 2 to 3 mins.
  • Cover and cook on a low heat until half cooked.
  • Add fennel powder, coriander powder, red chili powder. Mix every thing well.
  • Cover and cook again on a very low heat until soft cooked. If the curry looks very dry sprinkle very little water. Check for spice and salt, if needed add more.
  • Add coriander leaves and stir.
  • Squeeze in the lemon juice and mix well.
  • Transfer karela sabzi to a serving bowl.
  • Serve bitter gourd curry with rice or roti.
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Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Bitter gourd curry (Karela sabzi recipe)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Sodium 23mg1%
Potassium 359mg10%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 740IU15%
Vitamin C 91.3mg111%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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karela sabzi recipe

For more vegetable recipes you can check these collections
Potato recipes
Palak recipes
Capsicum recipes
Cabbage recipes
Brinjal recipes
Mushroom recipes

bitter gourd curry karela sabzi recipe
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Bitter gourd curry recipe | Karela sabzi | Kakarakaya curry
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Comments

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  2. Winnie says

    July 9, 2020

    Tried this today. A simple and healthy recipe which was good.

    Reply
  3. Geralyn Dsa says

    June 16, 2020

    Made the karela veg today it was very good thank you so much

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 16, 2020

      Glad to know!

      Reply
  4. pushpa says

    April 2, 2020

    Just to find out. Does the bitter gourd cook well without addition of water.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 2, 2020

      Hi Pushpa
      Yes it should cook well completely. If it doesn’t sprinkle some water and cook. Don’t need to pour a lot.

      Reply
  5. Maggie says

    February 18, 2020

    5 stars
    I made it , delicious,now is in my weekly menu for myself,I even eat real 👌👌👌

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 19, 2020

      So glad Maggie! Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Ritika says

    July 26, 2019

    5 stars
    I tried this and it was so simple to make and very tasty to eat. Plus very healthy. Thanks!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 26, 2019

      Welcome Ritika
      Glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  7. Richard D'Souza says

    July 14, 2019

    4 stars
    Have not had Karela in a very long time. This was relatively easy to make and tasted good

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 14, 2019

      Hi Richard,
      Thank you

      Reply
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  9. Babar Shameem says

    March 8, 2019

    Very dry and lacking in flavor.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 9, 2019

      Hi Babar
      This is a healthy dish suitable for people on diet. So there is very less spices, chilli oil etc used in the recipe. If you are looking for flavor then try this bitter gourd fry

      Reply
  10. Soni says

    April 28, 2018

    5 stars
    Dear swasthi I like all your recipes

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 28, 2018

      Thanks Soni

      Reply

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