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    Home » Stove Top Recipes

    Bhindi Masala | Stir Fried Okra

    Published: Aug 8, 2021 · Modified: Jul 11, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 10 Comments

    212 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Bhindi Masala is a simple, yet a magical combination of the crunchy sweetness of okra and the delectable fragrance of fresh spices. Stir-fried with sweet onions and tangy tomatoes, this Indian Spiced Okra recipe looks so vibrant, that it never fails to wow at the dinner table.

    Bhindi Masala served in a white bowl
    Jump to:
    • Tips for making non-sticky Bhindi
    • How to make Bhindi Masala
    • How to Serve Bhindi Masala
    • More Indian Vegetarian Recipes:
    • FAQ
    • Recipe

    Bhindi Masala or Bhindi Fry is one of the simplest, yet one of the most lip-smacking entree dishes, that you may want to include in your next party spread. This dish uses just a few basic pantry ingredients and is cooked in under 20 minutes. And if you are an okra lover like me, try my Stuffed Okra recipe too.

    Growing up, my family took a lot of holidays and short-stay road trips in India. My mother is extremely health and hygiene conscious, and so she preferred that we eat hot vegetarian food during our travels. Bhindi Masala, a popular restaurant dish, was a family favorite and the taste grew on me over the years.

    Bhindi Masala in a white bowl

    This is my mom's signature recipe and she always sautés the okra first in the oil before adding the remaining ingredients and spices. This helps the bhindi from getting slimy and also is the best technique to achieve restaurant-style taste.

    Tips for making non-sticky Bhindi

    1. Wash the okra first, and then dry them thoroughly using paper towels before you start cutting them. 
    2. Use a clean dry cutting board and knife. If you notice the knife getting sticky, wipe it clean with paper towels.
    3. Do not over-stir the okra whole sautéing, as stirring frequently may make the okra slimy. Note: A non-stick frying pan works really well for any okra recipe.
    4. Cook the okra uncovered on medium heat, for best results.

    How to make Bhindi Masala

    Here is a step-by-step recipe with photos to make delicious, authentic restaurant-style bhindi masala right in your kitchen! For a printable recipe check out the recipe card at the end of this post:

    Step 1: Rinse and completely dry okra with paper towels. Cut dried okra into diagonally sliced pieces, discarding the top and the bottom. 

    slicing okra on a white cutting board

    Step 2: Heat oil in a medium pan. I like to use a nonstick pan for this recipe. Add okra and saute for 8 to 10 minutes stirring frequently. Take the okra out and reserve. 

    photos one and two showing okra sauteeing

    Step 3: In the same pan add the remaining oil. Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle. Add sliced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Next, add ginger, garlic, and tomatoes and mix well. Add salt, turmeric, red chili powder, ground coriander, and garam masala mix well. Cook for 2 minutes or just until the onions start to soften a bit.

    photos three through six showing onions and tomatoes being sauteed with spices

    Step 4: Add the reserved okra and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the okra is cooked to your desired consistency. 

    photos seven and eight okra mixed with onions and spices

    Garnish with chopped cilantro.

    okra in a pan garnished with cilantro

    How to Serve Bhindi Masala

    I love serving bhindi masala with homemade roti or parathas. For a gluten-free option, serve with sorghum roti, masoor daal chilla or moong daal chilla. Serve it alongside your favorite raita for a delicious Indian vegetarian meal. Frequently in Indian households, dal and rice are served to make it a delicious thali.

    masala bhindi in a white bowl

    More Indian Vegetarian Recipes:

    • Tindora stir fry with Cashews
    • Curried Green Beans with Potatoes
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Stuffed Curried Eggplant
    • Curried Baby Potatoes - Dum Aloo
    • Paneer Makhani

    FAQ

    How to buy okra

    I usually use the dark green Indian okra for this recipe, and you can find those at any Indian grocery store. When buying okra, make sure to pick ones that are smallish or medium-sized, crisp, and tender. The light green okra variety works well too, so go ahead and try making this dish with whichever variety you can readily get.

    Can I use frozen okra

    While the Bhindi Masala recipe is best made with fresh okra, you can also use frozen cut okra that is available at Indian grocery stores. Make sure to prep the okra well by spreading the frozen okra pieces evenly between paper towels allowing them to thaw. Then, use the paper towels to dab away any excess moisture which is an important step for this recipe.

    My okra looks slimy, how to fix it

    Over stirring okra or using wet okra can make the dish slimy. To fix it, after the dish is done cooking add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and toss gently.

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    bhindi masala served with roti and raita
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 15 votes

    Bhindi Masala

    A popular Indian stir fry dish, bhindi masalsa has okra cooked to perfection with sweet onion, tangy tomatoes and warm spices
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Entree, Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 157kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Non Stick Frying Pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound okra
    • 3 tablespoons oil
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 large yellow onion sliced
    • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
    • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
    • 1 tomato diced
    • 1½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
    • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Rinse and completely dry okra with paper towels. Use a clean dry cutting board and knife, cut dried okra into diagonally sliced pieces, discarding the top and the bottom. If you notice the knife getting sticky, wipe it clean with paper towels.
    • Heat half of the oil in a medium nonstick pan. Add okra and saute uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes stirring a few times, until the okra is almost cooked but still has a slight crunch to it. Do not over-stir. Take the okra out and reserve. In the same pan add the remaining oil.
    • Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle. Add sliced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add ginger, garlic, tomatoes and mix well. Add salt, turmeric, red chili powder, ground coriander, and garam masala mix well. Cook for 2 minutes or just until the onions start to soften a bit.
    • Add the reserved okra and cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the okra is cooked to your desired consistency.

    Video

    Notes

    Tips for making non-sticky Bhindi
    1. Wash the okra first, and then dry them thoroughly using paper towels before you start cutting them. 
    2. Use a clean dry cutting board and knife. If you notice the knife getting sticky, wipe it clean with paper towels.
    3. Do not over-stir the okra whole sautéing, as stirring frequently may make the okra slimy. Note: A non-stick frying pan works really well for any okra recipe.
    4. Cook the okra uncovered on medium heat, for best results.
    5. If the okra looks slimy, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and toss gently.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 893mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1284IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Radha Bage says

      November 10, 2021 at 1:48 am

      came out very well ..thanks for the recipe5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 10, 2021 at 11:02 am

        Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    2. Puja says

      March 14, 2022 at 8:35 pm

      This is THE BEST!!!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 16, 2022 at 10:44 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Sumi says

      April 06, 2022 at 6:42 pm

      This dish was easy and tasty! The recipe was very easy to follow. The whole family approved this dish, and that is a rarity! Thank you Archana for sharing this recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 06, 2022 at 9:23 pm

        You are most welcome!

        Reply
    4. Matthew Bond says

      June 16, 2022 at 12:08 am

      That is perhaps the most restaurant-like results of any recipe I’ve ever made of any style of food ever. Superb.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 18, 2022 at 10:26 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Shalini says

      November 18, 2022 at 3:36 pm

      I made this for dinner and it was delicious with chapati and another side ..will be revisiting this recipe again.. thanks for sharing this Archana.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 18, 2022 at 4:52 pm

        So glad to read this!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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