Bhindi Masala (Okra Fry)

Bhindi masala is a stir fried okra made with onion, tomato and spices.

This Okra Fry is served as a side dish in accompaniment with chapathi, pulkas, rice or dal.

Okra is called bhindi or ladies finger and is one of the most loved vegetables in India.

Some of the Okra recipes form the blog –

Simple Okra Stir Fry

Okra Sambar

How to remove sliminess from okra?

Wash the okra and spread them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and let dry for a while before using it.

If you are short of time wipe the washed okra completely and then proceed to cutting them.

Make sure the cutting board, knife and our hands are dry while cutting the okra.

While cooking do not over crowd the pan and season with salt only at the end.

While cooking, do not cover the okra with a lid, because covering will trap the stream and releases

Cook the okra slow and study, which helps in reducing the sliminess.

How do you pick good okra?

Look for okra which are bright green color, fresh, tender and no spots on them.

You can also snap off the tip and its should break of easily, means the okra is tender and good to go. (I have seen many many people do that, but personally I have never done that.)

Few Indian Stir Fry recipes-

Pumpkin stir Fry

Broccoli Moong Dal Stir Fry

Frozen mixed veggies stir fry

Bitter gourd Fry

Instant Pot Tindora Fry

How to cook Bhindi Masala Curry (with step by step pics)

1)Wash the bhindi and pat them dry by wiping each bhindi piece or spread them on a clean towel and let fry for a while.

2)Using a clean cutting board and knife, cut the bhindi to ½ inch pieces.

3) In a pan (i used a cast iron pan) heat some oil and pan fry the bhindi in low-medium heat, stirring often. It should take about 12-15 minutes to cook bhindi. do not rush, if not the bhindi will brown and not cook from inside.

4) Transfer the okra to a plate, wipe off any seeds and heat some more oil. If short of time you can use two pans and cook the okra in one pan and the masala in another and mix at the end.

5) Once the oil gets hot, add the cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds.

6) Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook till onion turns soft.

7) Now add in the ginger and green chily and cook for 30 seconds.

8) Add the tomato and turmeric and cook till mushy.

9)Add the chily powder, garama masala, coriander powder, salt and sugar (if using). Coat the spices to the onion tomato mixture and cook for a minute.

10) Add the stir fried bhindi and mix well and cook for another 5-7 minutes.

110 Finally add lots of coriander leaves and lemon juice and turn off the stove.

This recipe was originally posted on November 2006, it has been updated and republished.

If you tried this Bhindi Masala, do share your feedback in the comment section below. For more recipes, follow me on  Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.