Bhindi Masala-Indian okra curry is a famous North Indian okra recipe—the best side dish for Roties and parathas. Ladies finger, also known as Okra, is cooked in tangy gravy.

The fresh okra in my refrigerator tempted me to go for Okra Curry tonight. This recipe came from my aunt, who's from Bombay. She is an expert in cooking all north Maharashtrian dishes.
This is one of her trademark dishes. This dish came out well. MD and my son enjoyed it and had my share of roti. I left with the choice of having my other 'friend' garlic breadsticks for dinner.
This okra curry was so good. I learned today that this Bindi Masala is exceptionally suited as a dip for garlic bread sticks.
The other side dish to be kept along with roties and parathas would be Parota Chalna, Chicken Kurma, and Bindi Masala.
What is Bhindi Masala?
This is spicy Indian okra curry in thick onion and tomato gravy. Bhindi is the Hindi name for okra, and masala is the spiced Indian gravy made usually with onion and tomato. Okra is also called a Lady's finger in India. This is a trendy Indian side dish throughout India. Every region has its own method of making with its unique spices.
Today, we will see Punjabi bhindi masala, famous in the Indian state of Punjab. Because of its aroma and deliciousness, it has become popular and available as one of the buffet dishes in the Indian restaurant. We can also call this ‘bhindi masala dhaba style,’ which dhaba style refers to the roadside hotel.
What does this Bhindi masala taste like?
The vegetarian dishes are always pure and divine, which refreshes me from the inside out. Following the same principle of vegetarian dishes, this Indian okra curry gives me that good to-the-core feeling, making me feel light, wholesome, and satisfied.
The okra is cooed in the light, spicy, flavorful onion and tomato gravy. The gravy is semi-thick, which is good to serve with rice, roti, or chapati.
How to make Indian Okra Curry:
Cut okra 2" in lengthwise and carefully slit them slightly. Otherwise, the seeds come out and spoil the look of the curry. Tip: You may also use frozen okra instead of the fresh okra. Another information for quick, non-slimy okra is frying them with a teaspoon of chickpea flour.
Add a little cooking oil to a pan, and fry the okra on a medium flame until it becomes non-slimy. Then transfer it to another plate. And keep aside.
In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and garlic. Then add onion and cook it until it becomes pink and soft. Add chopped tomato. Cook them on medium flame until they become smooth and mushy.
Now add chili powder Everest Kitchen king masala. Stir in for 1 min.
Then add water and allow it to boil in the high flame until it reaches a thick consistency.
Now it is the time to add Okra and cook it for another 4-5 min. Adjust with water to serve in the desired consistency.
Once the gravy thickens, add a little crushed Kasuri methi leaves and 2 tablespoon of fresh cream(here, I have used light cream)
Serve Bindi Masala with hot roti and Enjoy your winter.
Other curry recipes you may like,
- Egg gravy
- Madurai Chicken Curry
- South Indian fish curry
- Mutter paneer
- Cabbage curry
- salmon fish curry
- List of curries
Printable recipe card
Bindi Masala
Ingredients
For prepping
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb okra /bindi/ladies finger
For seasoning
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion medium size
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam masala
For cooking
- 1 tomato medium size
- 1 teaspoon salt or as required
- 3 cups water
- 2 teaspoon Kasurimethi
- 2 tablespoon fresh cream
Instructions
For prepping
- Cut bindi 2" in lengthwise and slit them gently.
- Over medium heat, in a pan, add vegetable oil and bindi.
- And fry 5 minutes or until it is not sticky any more. And remove from the pan and keep it aside.
For seasoning
- Over medium heat, in the same pan, add vegetable oil, chopped onion.
- Saute them till the onion becomes translucent.
- Add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala.
- Stir them for a minute but without burning them.
For cooking
- The add roughly chopped tomato and salt. Stir them until tomato becomes pulpy.
- Add water and allow them to boil for 10 minutes.
- Now add bindi and cook it for another 4-5 min till it reaches the desired consistency.
- Once the gravy thickens, add little crushed Kasuri methi leaves and 2 tablespoon of fresh cream.
- Serve bindi masala with hot roti.
Notes
- To cut down the fat content, milk can be added but before adding the milk bring the flame to simmer. And cook further in simmer flame. As milk can get curdled easily, if the temperature is high.
- The same method can be used for any vegetables.Do not forget to check out another side dish recipe of roti/chapathi, Aloo-Palak Recipe, here in PepperBowl.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions:
Serve it with roti/chapati/paratha or as a side dish for mixed rice varieties.
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Ramya Krishnamurthy
hi!am ur new follower.please check mine too.wil both be friends.hi chennai friend!me from trichy.
Anonymous
sujha ur website is quite informative & very usefull, hope u continue doin the same.......super!!!!!!!
- Malarvizhi(chithi)
Suja Md
Wow..Chithi wonderful to see you here!! and thanks for passing on excellent feedback!!
Tracy
This is such a great recipe! I love the Okra in it. So so flavorful.
Kushigalu
Delicious bindi recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
Ned
What a delicious curry! I love okra and the combination of the two was delightful!
Anthony
What a delicious way to use okra! thanks for sharing - looks amazing:)
Nikki
So much flavor in such a simple dish! Will make again for sure!