poori masala also known as poori curry

Poori Masala (Poori Curry)

By Swasthi on July 22, 2022, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Poori Masala is a South Indian dish of curried potatoes made to serve as a side with Poori or Puri, an Indian fried bread. Poori masala also known as poori curry is made with boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes, whole spices and curry leaves. Surprisingly this is one of those dishes made with minimum spices yet it tastes super delicious and flavorsome. In this post I share how to make Poori Masala in a kadai/ pan on the stovetop and also in an instant pot.

poori masala also known as poori curry

You can also serve this with roti, dosa or any flatbreads.

Poori is a staple Breakfast eaten all over India and is served with a side of potato curry, Veg Kurma, Chana Masala, Halwa and Shrikhand. However a curried dish of potatoes is the most loved.

This South Indian poori masala, Maharashtrian puri bhaji, North Indian aloo sabzi and Karnataka Potato sagu all are variations of the potato curry that is eaten with poori. All these taste very different from each other.

My recipe helps you make poori masala that tastes almost the same as served in Hotels & Tiffin places in Karnataka. Curry leaves, green chilies and fresh ginger is what makes this dish unique, flavorsome and delicious.

About Poori Masala

Poori Masala is made similar to the Potato Masala (dosa aloo) but differs in the texture and flavor as tomatoes are added here. Dosa aloo is more of a thicker consistency than this poori masala, which has a more gravy like consistency.

The conventional method to make this dish starts by boiling the potatoes until soft. A basic tempering is made with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, green chilies and ginger. Onions are sautéed to bring out the sweet tones, to which ripe tomatoes are added.

When the tomatoes break down, the mashed potatoes are simmered with this. Simple yet So delicious!

To make this in the instant pot, we simply reverse and make the tempering first. Add the potatoes and pressure cook. I have been making this way a lot as the entire dish gets done hands free while you make the pooris. You can find the instructions for the same in the recipe card below.

poori masala

How to Make Poori Masala (Stepwise photos)

Preparation

1. Wash, peel and cube 450 grams (1 pound) potatoes. Add them to a pressure cook along with 1 cup water. Cook for 1 whistle on a medium flame. You may also place them in a bowl, pour water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles.

If you want you may also cook them in a pot. Add the potatoes to a pot and pour 1 cup water. On a high heat, bring the water to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are soft cooked.

2. The potatoes must be cooked well to a soft and slightly mushy texture. Keep the cooked potatoes aside along with the stock (water used to cook potatoes).

cooked potatoes

Temper

3. Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons oil. Add ¾ tablespoon chana dal, ¾ tablespoon urad dal, ¾ to 1 cumin seeds and ½ teaspoon mustard.

spices tempering in oil for poori curry

4. The spices will splutter and slowly the lentils will turn golden. At this stage, add 1 sprig curry leaves and 2 to 4 green chilies (adjust to taste). If you have kids at home, use deseeded chilies.

adding green chilies to make poori masala

5. When the curry leaves will turn crisp, add a pinch of hing (optional), ¾ to 1 tablespoon ginger and 1 cup sliced onions. Saute until the onions become transparent/ pink and lose the raw flavor.

Saute

6. Add ½ to ¾ cup tomatoes, ½ teaspoon salt and ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon turmeric.

Adding tomatoes to make poori curry

7. Saute until tomatoes turn completely mushy & lose the raw flavor.

Frying onion tomato masala to make poori masala

Make Poori Masala

8. Add the boiled potatoes. Pour the stock/water left in the cooker/pot used for cooking potatoes.

Adding the boiled potatoes to make poori curry

9. Gently mash some of the potatoes to help thicken the curry. Retain some of the potato cubes to keep the curry chunky. Add more hot water if required to adjust the consistency. I used about half cup more. Taste test and more salt if required.

mashing the potatoes to make poori curry

10. Cover and cook on a low flame for 3 to 4 minutes or until the poori masala turns thick. Add chopped coriander leaves. Mix and keep covered until served. If you want you may sprinkle some lemon juice.

Adding chopped coriander leaves

Serve Poori masala with Poori.

poori masala

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

poori masala

Poori Masala

Simple poori curry made using boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes, curry leaves and spices. This curry can also be served with roti, paratha or any flatbread.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings4
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 450 grams potatoes ( diced, 1 pound, 5 medium potatoes)
  • 1 cup water (to cook potatoes)
  • 1 cup sliced onions (or 1 large onion)
  • ½ to ¾ cup tomatoes (1 large, deseeded & chopped)
  • ¾ to 1 tablespoon ginger (fine chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ¾ tablespoon chana dal (bengal gram, skinned split chickpeas)
  • ¾ tablespoon urad dal (skinned black gram)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 2 to 4 green chili (slit or chopped, adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 pinch hing (asafoetida)
  • ¼ to ½ cup water (or as needed, to adjust the consistency)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (chopped)

Spices

  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon turmeric (haldi, as needed)


Instructions

Preparation

  • Wash potatoes under running water. Peel and dice them to 1 inch. Add them to a pressure cooker or regular pot and pour 1 cup water.
  • Pressure cook for 1 whistle on a medium flame, until soft and slightly mushy. If cooking in a pot, bring the water to a rolling boil on a high heat, reduce and cook until they are soft. If required add more boiling water.
  • While the potatoes cook, slice the onions, chop the tomatoes, ginger & green chilies,

How to Make Poori Masala

  • Pour oil to a pan and heat it. Add cumin, mustard, chana dal and urad dal. Fry until the lentils turn golden and aromatic.
  • Stir in the curry leaves and green chilies. Fry till leaves turn crisp. Sprinkle hing.
  • Add onions and ginger. Saute them on a medium heat until they lose the raw flavor & turn pink.
  • Add tomatoes, turmeric and salt. Cook stirring often until the tomatoes turn mushy and the raw smell has gone completely.
  • Transfer the cooked potatoes along with the water (potato stock). Mash them slightly to make it a thick curry. If required pour some hot water to bring it to a consistency.
  • Taste test and add more salt and green chili if required.
  • Mix well. Cook covered for 3 to 4 minutes until the curry reaches a thick consistency.
  • Sprinkle coriander leaves. Serve poori masala with hot Pooris. If you want you may squeeze some lemon juice.

Instant Pot Poori Masala

  • Pour oil to the steel insert of the Instant pot. Press the saute button. When the oil turns hot, add mustard, cumin, chana dal and urad dal.
  • Saute until lightly golden. Stir in curry leaves, ginger, green chilies & hing.
  • Add onions and saute for 2 to 3 mins until transparent. Add tomatoes, salt and turmeric.
  • Saute until the tomatoes lose their raw flavor for 2 to 3 mins. Press cancel.
  • Add potatoes and pour 1 cup water. Deglaze and pressure cook for 4 mins. Release the pressure immediately. Mash some of the potatoes to thicken the curry. (check pics in the post). Taste test and add more salt if required.
  • Poori masala is not a dry curry so it should be like a thick gravy consistency. If the consistency is too thick pour some hot water and mix well.
  • Sprinkle coriander leaves and lemon juice. Serve with Poori.


Notes

  1. You can also use half cup of green peas and capsicum if you like. 
  2. Lentils are added for a nutty aroma and texture. You may skip if you don’t have them. 
  3. 10 whole cashews (20 split) can also be added to the tempering along with lentils.

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
Poori Masala
Amount Per Serving
Calories 113 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Sodium 380mg17%
Potassium 206mg6%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 244IU5%
Vitamin C 24mg29%
Calcium 37mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

Poori masala recipe first published in March 2018. Updated & republished in July 2022.

Poori Masala (Poori Curry)

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

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5 stars
Delicious poori masala. I also added 1 small carrot and half cup peas. Fantastic recipe

5 stars
Your recipes are always amazing….I follow most of them.

5 stars
I came across your site recently and meal-times have been so pleasant. Made this poori masala to go with chapati and it tastes fantastic. We also added some cashews and green peas. Thank you & this is our new favorite.

5 stars
This was the first time trying out poori masala and poori. It was a delicious meal. Used poori from rotimatic. Next time intend to use your recipe to make the poori. Thank you.

Turned out good. We used peas and bell peppers too. How long can I keep the leftovers.

5 stars
One curry multiple uses. I have been making this quite often. It tastes fantastic with roti, dosa, poori and even with uttapam. Thank you

5 stars
I made this poori masala with fresh green peas. Everyone at home loved it. Thank you

5 stars
This is the first time I made a poori masala without besan. It turned out perfect. Thank you

5 stars
Simple and easy to make and very tasty. Everyone in my family loved it

5 stars
One of the best recipes I always do. Everyone in my family loves it.

5 stars
Hi Swasthi,

This recipe is just perfect and loved and enjoyed by young and old equally in the family.
God bless.

Sylvia

5 stars
Wow I love the poori curry. Thank you so easy to make.

Dear Mam,

I am big fan of your food blog and recipies and has built a reputation as a good cook…I am truly inspired by your narration , simplicity and the variety

You blog is a virtual coach thanks for inspiring to cook

Cheers,
Anantha

5 stars
Looks very appetising..

5 stars
Extremely well explained for a beginner to get initiated to the realm of cooking.

5 stars
Good one, easy to make and tasty too.

Without adding basen you are preparing poori curry?

My first time trying this recipe & it turned out fantastic.. My family loves it so much. Thanks a lot <3

5 stars
Super

4 stars
Hi Madam,
I am a big fan of your recipes and always tries new varieties by seeing your blog and recipe. Last time when I cooked the aloo bhaji it came out really nice but my mother-in-law asked me to add few drops of lemon just once I turned off the heat and kept the curry aside. It turned out to be very good. I like both the ways with our without lemon. Nice recipe and hats off to all the simple way of putting all the receipt with pictures

5 stars
Excellent.Have tried many of your receipes.today I tried the potatoe bhaji and pooris came out excellent.Thanks