Mushroom masala curry

Mushroom Masala Curry (Mushroom Gravy)

By Swasthi on March 1, 2024, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Mushroom Masala is a delicious Indian curry made with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spices & herbs. This Mushroom Masala is one of the best I have been making at home for our regular meals. It is quite simple to make & tastes delicious. We love the restaurant style dishes with smooth & rich gravy that are flavor packed. This mushroom masala is one such dish which is loved each time in my home without getting bored. It goes so well with plain basmati rice, jeera rice , ghee rice, roti or even chapati and plain paratha.

Mushroom masala curry

Mushroom Masala Curry

Mushrooms are not a common veggie in the traditional Indian cuisine yet they are used to prepare so many dishes like Mushroom biryani, mushroom pulao, curries & mushroom stir fry.

Indian cuisine is by far diverse and each dish is made in numerous ways depending on the region. Most days I cook 3 meals a day. This gives me the chance to experiment a lot with different dishes.

I make this mushroom masala in more than 1 way. In this post I have shared 2 different recipes to make mushroom masala curry. 

The first one is very simple to make and has a curry base like the paneer masala. It is moderately spicy, tasty and goes well with any kind of flavored rice, parathas, roti or even with naan. I also have the Instant pot instructions for this in the recipe card.

The second mushroom curry recipe is made similar to the Hyderabadi salan with roasted peanuts & sesame seeds (optional). This has a unique nutty flavor since roasted peanuts are used. In this recipe I have also used bell peppers to enhance the flavor & nutrition of the dish.

This one too can be served with rice, roti or even with naan.

For more Mushroom recipes, you may check
Spicy kadai mushroom
Simple mushroom stir fry
Mushroom pepper fry
Garlic mushrooms
Mushroom omelet

Mushroom masala curry recipe

How to Make Mushroom Masala (Stepwise Photos)

Preparation

1. Pour 2 cups of water to a small pot & bring it to a rolling boil on a medium high flame. Add 1 cup onions and boil them for 4 to 5 mins until transparent. Drain the water and add them to the blender. This step is done to remove the raw smell & bitter taste from the onions. If you blend the raw onions, it will impart a bitter taste.

2. Add 1 cup tomatoes, ½ inch ginger, 2 to 3 garlic cloves and 12 cashew nuts to a blender jar. I did not have cashews so I used almonds here. If using almonds soak them in hot water for 30 mins and then peel the skin and add them. You can also replace ginger garlic with 1 tsp ginger garlic paste.

onion tomato mix for mushroom gravy recipe

3. Puree them to a fine paste without adding water.

pureed onion tomato for mushroom gravy recipe

Make the Gravy

4. Heat a pan with 2 tbsp oil. I have added a small piece of bay leaf, 2 green cardamoms and 1 small cinnamon stick. All of these are optional and you may skip them.

sauteing spices

5. When the oil becomes slightly hot and spices begin to sizzle, pour the onion tomato puree. Be careful the mixture may begin to splash. Cover partially and continue to cook until the mixture thickens. While this cooks, rinse and slice mushrooms.

frying onion tomato paste for mushroom gravy recipe

6. Add ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chili powder, ¾ teaspoon garam masala and ¾ to 1 teaspoon coriander powder (optional).

addition of spice powders

7. Sauté until the mixture turns aromatic and begins to leave the sides. You may not see oil separated as we did not use much here.

spicy curry base for mushroom gravy recipe

8. Add 200 grams sliced mushrooms and then sprinkle salt.

addition of sliced mushrooms

9. Saute for 2 mins.

Saute

10. Add ½ to ¾ cup water to make a thick gravy. Adjust the quantity of water slightly as it depends on how much moisture the mushrooms release.

addition of water to make mushroom gravy recipe

11. Cover and cook until the gravy thickens and mushrooms are just cooked. Do not overcook as they turn soggy. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon kasuri methi & mix. Taste test and add more salt if needed. At this stage you can also add few tbsps of cream if you like. Cover and turn off the stove.

thickened simmering mushroom gravy

Serve mushroom gravy hot with rice, roti or jeera rice.

mushroom gravy

Pro Tips

1. Onions are boiled to remove the raw and bitter taste. Also boiled onion paste gets cooked faster in the pot. Some kind of onions taste bitter when pureed without boiling. You can skip this step if you don’t experience that. Alternately you may soak onions in a bowl of water for 15 to 20 mins & then blend them.

If you do not prefer to grind the onions, simply fine chop them and saute first until golden. Then add the tomato, ginger, garlic and cashew puree.

2. Cashews are used to give a creamy texture and milky aroma to the curry. You can substitute them with almonds. Simply soak almonds in hot water for 30 to 60 minutes and peel the skin.

3. Mushrooms: White button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms go well in this recipe. Rinse them quickly and do not let them soak up in water for long time. Rinse and slice them only when you are ready to add them in the hot pan.

How to Make Mushroom Curry (Recipe 2)

This is a South Indian home style recipe, very simple to make and has a curry base like the Hyderabadi mirchi ka salan. It takes too good with plain basmati rice, jeera rice, ghee rice, roti, paratha and even with naan.

In this mushroom curry, peanuts, sesame seeds and coconut form the base of the curry. These ingredients are roasted and ground first. Then added to the onion tomato mixture. It tastes extremely delicious with bursting aroma of nuts, seeds and spices.

mushroom masala curry recipe

Ingredients

200 grams sliced white button mushrooms
1 cup capsicums cubed (optional)
¾ cup of chopped onions
¾ cup fine chopped tomatoes or tomato puree
1 sprig curry leaves or bay leaf
1 green chilli slit
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
¾ teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
¾ teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon kasuri methi (optional)
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
1/8 teaspoon turmeric

To roast
2 tablespoons roasted Peanuts
1 tablespoon roasted Sesame seeds (optional)
1 tablespoon desiccated coconut (optional)

Instructions – Preparation

1. On a medium flame, dry roast 2 tablespoons peanuts in a pan until deep golden and aromatic. Then reduce the flame to low and add sesame seeds. Stir them until they begin to splutter. Turn off and add coconut. Saute for some time. Cool all of these and make a powder.

It will turn slightly greasy, lumpy and oily. It’s just fine but the powder must smell nice and nutty. Otherwise roast this for a few more minutes so it smells really good.

2. Pour 1 tablespoon oil to a hot pan. Add 200 grams sliced mushrooms and saute them on a high heat for 2 to 3 mins until a nice aroma comes out. They will let out some moisture but it’s just fine. Remove these to a plate and set aside.

saute mushrooms in oil to make curry

3. To the same pan, add 1 cup diced bell peppers/ capsicum and saute them as well for 2 to 3 mins until partially cooked yet crunchy. This is done to bring out the flavors from the bell peppers. Remove these as well and keep aside.

Making mushroom curry

4. Pour 1 tablespoon oil to the same pan. Add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and 1 sprig curry leaves.

splutter spices in oil

5. When the seeds splutter add ¾ cup fine chopped onions and 1 slit green chilli. Saute until the onions turn golden to light brown. Then add 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste. Saute until the raw smell goes away.

saute onions and then ginger garlic

6. Add ¾ cup tomatoes (chopped or pureed), ½ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon turmeric. Saute until the tomatoes break down and turn mushy. The raw smell of tomatoes should go away by now.

add tomatoes salt and turmeric

7. Add the roasted peanut powder and ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder. Saute for a minute.

add peanuts for mushroom masala gravy

8. Then pour 1¼ to 1½ cups water. Mix well and let the curry simmer until it turns thick. Do not proceed to the next step until your gravy turns thick.

adding mushrooms to simmering curry

9. Add mushrooms and bell peppers.

adding bell peppers to mushroom curry

10. Add crushed kasuri methi (optional) and garam masala. Let the mushrooms cook only for a while until tender but not soggy. Turn off and cover the pan so the flavors are retained. Stir well and taste test. Add more salt if need.

adding spice powders to simmering gravy

Cool down the curry a bit and squeeze some lemon juice before serving. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve mushroom curry with roti, paratha, ghee rice or jeera rice.

mushroom masala curry

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

mushroom masala mushroom gravy

Mushroom Masala Curry Recipe (Mushroom Gravy)

This mushroom masala curry is simply the best because it’s delicious, rich, hearty and flavorful. It’s a perfect recipe for a simple dinner. Serve this mushroom gravy over rice or with any Indian flatbreads, sure it will be loved by everyone.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Jump to Comments

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time7 minutes
Cook Time23 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 230 grams mushrooms (8 ounce) sliced
  • 1 cup onions cubed (1 large)
  • 1 cup tomatoes cubed (2 large)
  • ½ inch ginger chopped
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 12 cashewnuts or almonds
  • 2 tablespoons oil or butter
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon coriander powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or as needed
  • ¼ teaspoon kasuri methi (optional)(dried fenugreek leaves)

optional

  • 1 small bay leaf or 10 curry leaves
  • 2 green cardamoms (elaichi)
  • 1 inch cinnamon piece (dalchini)
  • 2 tbsp coriander leaves (cilantro) chopped finely
  • 2 to 3 tbsp cream (optional)


Instructions

Preparation

  • Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil and add cubed onions. Boil them until transparent for about 4 mins. Drain them and cool down.
  • Add onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and 12 cashews to a blender jar.
  • Make a fine paste and set aside. Ensure the paste is smooth and not coarse.

How to make Mushroom Masala

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan. optional – When the oil becomes hot, add bay leaf, cardamoms & cinnamon.
  • Pour the onion tomato puree and cook covered until the mixture thickens. Keep stirring often while frying.
  • Then add red chili powder, coriander powder and garam masala.
  • Saute on a low heat until the mixture turns fragrant and leaves the sides of the pan.
  • While the mixture cooks, rinse and slice the mushrooms.
  • When the onion tomato masala becomes aromatic. add sliced mushrooms and salt.
  • Saute for 2 to 3 mins until the flavor of mushrooms come out.
  • Next pour ½ to ¾ cup water or as needed to make a thick gravy.
  • Cook until the mushrooms turn tender and not soggy. If the gravy is too thick add little hot water.
  • Sprinkle kasuri methi. Cover and Turn off the stove. You can also add few tbsps of cream and coriander leaves. 
  • Mix and serve mushroom masala hot with basmati rice or roti.

Instant pot Mushroom Curry

  • Bring 2 cups water to a rolling boil and add diced onions. Boil them for 4 to 5 mins so the raw bitter taste goes away from the onions. Drain them.
  • Add them to a grinder/ blender along with tomatoes, cashews, ginger and garlic. Grind them to a very smooth puree,
  • Press saute button on your Instant pot and pour 2 tablespoons oil.
  • Pour the onion tomato puree and saute until thick. Keep stirring in between. Meanwhile slice the mushrooms.
  • When the mixture turns thick, add all the spice powders – red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder & salt.
  • Soon the mixture becomes thick and aromatic. Press cancel.
  • Pour 1 cup water and deglaze the pot well by scrubbing the bottom with the spatula.
  • Add mushrooms and stir. Secure the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release valve to sealing.
  • Press pressure cook button with the timer set to 3 mins.
  • Once the Instant pot is done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 mins. Then release the rest manually.
  • Add kasuri methi and mix well. Taste test and add more salt if needed. If want you can also add some cream. Garnish with coriander leaves.


Notes

  • Onions are boiled to remove the raw and bitter taste. Also boiled onion paste gets cooked faster in the pot. Some kind of onions taste bitter when pureed without boiling. You can skip this step if you don’t experience that. Alternately you may soak onions in a bowl of water for 15 to 20 mins & then blend them.
  • Cashews are used to give a creamy texture and milky aroma to the curry. You can substitute them with almonds. Simply soak almonds in hot water for 30 to 60 minutes and peel the skin.
  • Mushrooms: White button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms go well in this recipe.
  • This recipe has been tested in a 6 QT Instant pot only. Please stick to the measurements. 

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.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Mushroom Masala Curry Recipe (Mushroom Gravy)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 68mg3%
Potassium 355mg10%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 365IU7%
Vitamin C 9.1mg11%
Calcium 55mg6%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

This recipe post was first published in November 2012. Republished in December 2020.

Mushroom Masala Curry (Mushroom Gravy)

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s 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. More about me

Follow Swasthi’s Recipes

Comments

Recipe Rating




155 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

I hate to ask this, because I know it is optimal to use the Kasmiri chili powder, but what can I sub in for this spice? Half the amount in cayenne? Hot paprika?

Haven’t yet made this but recipe looks great. Wondering if it’s possible to substitute canned whole tomatoes? If so, how so?

5 stars
Awesome recipe. I was apprehensive about grinding the onion but it turned out great.

5 stars
I keep coming back to this recipe. I love how easy it is. Sometimes I also make the tikkas using your mushroom tikka recipe and add them to this masala. Both ways it turns out delicious.

5 stars
Another amazing vegan dinner! Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes, Swasthi. You’ve enriched my life so much ?

5 stars
Tried this recipe today.
It was fantastic 5 Stars
Thank you for sharing .
Just to mention also tried some of your other recipes
They are amazing easy to make and flavoursome

The recipe looks delicious and I want to try it as soon as possible! Excuse me, for how many portions (1 recipe) is it meant?

5 stars
I followed the second recipe. Added almond meal and it turned out delicious. It is also easy to make

Hi Swasthi
I tried Recipe 2 and it turned out delicious. As an adjustment I only added 4 mild dry red chillies and chopped the mushroom into small bits. Thank you so much… My kids are wary of mushrooms and this was an excellent way to get mushrooms consumed

5 stars
Thanks for this! I combined the two recipes a bit – I followed the first recipe but left the almonds out of the onion/garlic-ginger masala. Instead I ground roasted almonds, dessicated coconut and sesame seeds and added at the end for a bit of crunch, and it turned out really well. It also passed the mom test – she approved, and she is an amazing cook. But the ultimate approval came from my son who, although American born, loves Indian food.

5 stars
Excellent flavour! Best mushroom curry recipe I have tried

5 stars
Do we need to remove all the black inside the mushrooms when washing. This takes a lot of time so is there an easy way out.
Thanks for sharing your recipes, almost all of them can be made by anybody who likes to cook. I have tried quite a few and it has never let me down. Thanks a lot!

5 stars
My family Loved the mushroom masala.. bet tasty. Tastes like restaurant quality. Very less oil used. So tasty and healthy.

5 stars
Swasthi Mushroom masala recipe is very very tasty and easy to make. I made mushroom for the first time and due to her details with picture, I could make it easily.
I have tried few more recipes and I as well as my family loved each and every recipe of Swasthi.

Hi. Planning to try this recipe.. Cud you please tell me how much 1-1/2 cups mushrooms would be in grams. Thanks

Thanks

5 stars
Tried the first recipe today and it was so delicious and flavorful.Loved it.

5 stars
I finally hit success! I’m a non-Indian that loves Indian food. This recipe was easy using basic ingredients. I didn’t have all the spices and it still came out wonderful. It tastes very flavourful and healthy. The only problem I had was the paste – couldn’t get it smooth. Will make this again. Thank you for this wonderful recipe and teaching me how to cook 🙂 Deb, Canada

5 stars
Hi Swasti,
Can please give me an idea what kind of mushroom is good in Singapore?

Thanks.

Hi Swasthi…..I am a big fan of your recipes…..they never fail…..keep posting new ones…..

Hi Swasthi,
Nowadays I’m checking on your page only for recipes. The tastes and aroma comes good. And it makes me love cooking.
Thanks a lot and keep it up.

5 stars
This recipe is a keeper!. Reminded me of my aunt’s mushroom gravy. Thank you for sharing!