Indian Spiced Stuffed Okra is a lip-smacking entree dish, with a dramatic combination of spices and ground peanuts filled delicately into fresh slit okra. Cooked to a delightful crispness and garnished with chopped cilantro, this dish is best served with hot rotis or parathas.
Stuffed Okra never fails to be a mealtime pleaser, and your family will love you for serving this up. With a little initial prep, this dish will be ready in under 15 minutes, just as you are setting up your dinner table.
Visually brilliant and incredibly high on flavors, this is my favorite version of the very versatile okra or bhindi as we call it in India. Okra is one of the most loved vegetables and amongst all the popular Indian okra recipes, stuffed or Bharwa bhindi and Bhindi masala top the list. Other popular okra entree dishes are Dahi Bhindi (pan-fried okra in a creamy yogurt gravy), Tawa Bhindi (sautéed okra with onions and tomatoes), and Kurkuri Bhindi (crisp fried spiced okra). Watch this space for more okra recipes in the coming months.
Benefits of eating okra
Okra is simply delicious, and also has a plethora of health benefits. This nutrient-rich vegetable is packed with Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and magnesium. Vitamin C reduces the risk of heart disease, while potassium helps build muscle and break down carbs into energy.
Traversing through India, you will find a variety of mouth-watering recipes to make the bharwa bhindi alone. Here is my version of the Maharashtrian Stuffed Okra, and my boys claim this is the best of all 🙂
Tips to cook the perfect okra
- Wash the okra first, and then dry them really well before you start cutting them.
- Use a clean dry cutting board and knife. If you notice the knife getting sticky, clean with a kitchen towel.
- If the okra is long, cut it into half after making the vertical slits. This makes it easy to sauté, and also easier for kids to scoop up with fresh rotis in every bite.
- Add the stuffed okra pieces to the pan, sauté slightly and allow to cook over low heat. Do not over-stir, as stirring frequently may make the dish sticky. Note: A non-stick frying pan works really well for this recipe.
- Cover the pan while cooking, as this will speed up the cooking time. However, for sliced okra recipes I recommend cooking uncovered.
Instructions
Step by step recipe for Indian Spiced Stuffed Okra:
Step 1: Wash and dry the okra completely. Tip - always use a dry cutting board and knife.
Step 2: Cut the top and bottom off
Step 3: Make a vertical slit on each okra, taking care not to split them in half. If the okra is long, cut it into half after making the vertical slits.
Step 4: Make the stuffing by mixing coarsely ground peanuts, red chili powder, turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, chopped fresh cilantro, and salt. Fill the stuffing in the okra slit carefully making sure not to split them in half.
Step 5: After stuffing all the okra, add oil in a non-stick pan on medium heat. Save any leftover stuffing to the side. Add the stuffed okra to the pan and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes stirring gently a couple of times. Sprinkle leftover stuffing on the cooked okra and stir gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve with hot rotis, parathas or my favorite way to enjoy it is with kadhi & khichdi.
If you love Indian curries and stir-fries, do checkout these delicious recipes:
- Stuffed eggplant - Curried eggplant with onion and spices
- Instant Pot stuffed eggplant - Easy version of a traditional stuffed eggplant
- Tindora Fry - Tendli stir-fried with cashews and coconut
- Aloo Gobi - Stir-fried cauliflower and potato curry
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Stuffed Okra
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra
- 3 tablespoons coarsely ground roasted peanuts
- 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions
- Wash and dry the okra. Cut the top and bottom off. Make a vertical slit on each okra, taking care not to split them in half.
- Make the stuffing by mixing ground peanuts, red chili powder, ground cumin ground coriander, turmeric, cilantro and salt.
- Fill the stuffing in the okra slit carefully making sure not to split them in half.
- Once all the okras are stuffed, add oil in a pan over medium heat. Save any leftover stuffing to the side.
- Add the stuffed okra to the pan and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes stirring gently a couple of times. If there is any leftover stuffing sprinkle it over the cooked okras and give it a gentle stir cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes. Enjoy hot!
Video
Notes
- Use Fresh Okra for this recipe instead of frozen
- Dry the okra really well before cutting
- Use a dry cutting board and knife
- Cook uncovered
- Do not over stir while cooking
Nutrition
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Parul Singhal says
I love bhindi....
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
yumm! Love okra in any form 😀
Love Served Daily says
Yummy
Indu says
It came out delicious! Plus, it was super easy to make. Thanks Archana!
Rashminotes says
will try this; thanks for sharing Archana!
Archana says
Thank you! Please let me know how you like them.
Aparna says
Hi Archana,
Tried this recipe, it is yummy, added a little amchur powder to the stuffing. I like the slight sour taste.
Thanks for sharing
Archana says
Hi Aparna, Thank you so much for your feedback. What a great idea to add amchur for a nice tangy flavor to the dish.
Wagner says
Can this dish be roasted in the oven?
Archana says
yes!
Claire says
Wonderful dish! Big thumbs up from my husband! I’ve had the best time exploring your blog, drooling over the photographs, and then trying your recipes in my kitchen. I visited my local Indian grocery store for the first time this week and found lot of new-to-me things I want to try. Thank you for the inspiration!
Archana says
Thank you so much Claire! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe. I will be sharing Bhindi Masala recipe soon.
Ritu Bhutda says
Tried it and love it. Thank you so much.
Love the pan you have used. Can you please share the details
Archana says
Thank you! I will link the pan with a coupon code in this recipe 🙂
Lavi says
Awesome recipe...have to try it! May I know which oil brand ou have used in this video? Thank you!
Archana says
I use avocado oil from costco
Vijaya says
Awesome recipe!
Cheryl says
Wondering how much you can prep in advance - can I wash/dry and cut okra 1 day in advance of cooking or do it all same day?
Archana says
Yes, totally wash, dry and cut a day in advance.
lalitha says
Good recipe....will try it out. Can you please share the pan details and if any coupon code?
Archana says
Thank you! Pan is from Mealthy but has been discontinued.
Prema says
Made this for the first time for dinner yesterday, it was amazing!!! The key is to wash and dry the okra really well. I washed the okra then wrapped it in a couple of kitchen towels to dry really well. This will be an absolute go to in my rotation! We enjoyed them with your recipe for paneer tikka masala (also amazing and so delicious!) and fresh phulkas. A meal fit for royalty, thanks so much for sharing your delicious recipes!!
Archana says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Prema! This is my childhood favorite recipe!