Today, our weeknight dinner becomes more interesting with flavorsome capsicum or bell pepper curry, depending on what you call it.
This is simple and brings home the Indian restaurant with simple ingredients in your pantry. This capsicum curry is good to serve with steamed rice or naan bread.
This is one of the authentic Indian bell pepper recipes. The peppers are naturally loaded with flavors, so adding extra flavors or masala is unnecessary.
This post explains how to make capsicum curry using simple procedures and minimal ingredients(like this cabbage curry). We have also discussed how to customize it to suit your preference and the popular variations.
Why You'll Love This Capsicum Curry Recipe?
- Very delicious!
- Better than the restaurants!
- Real Authentic flavors!
The Ingredients
This is a versatile recipe of all Indian curry recipes made with minimal ingredients but with a high impact on flavors and taste.
- Capsicum/Green bell pepper. Both are the same but are called by different names depending on where we live. In the United States, they are called green bell peppers, and on the other side of the globe, they are called capsicum.
- Onion. I like to use the yellow onion available on the northeast coast of the United States. Its mild flavors and sweetness are great for making capsicum curry recipes.
- Tomato. Fresh Roma tomato is my favorite choice for making curry.
- Red chili powder. Adds the heat and rich reddish tone to the curry.
- Coriander powder. This adds a mild aroma and binds all the ingredients together. You can skip using it if you do not have it, as it will not ruin the recipe.
- Turmeric powder. It's available in all the leading stores.
- Butter. I suggest it for those new to Indian cooking, as the butter neutralizes all the sharp tastes and flavors.
How To Make Capsicum Curry?
Saute onion. Heat a pan over medium heat; add the cooking oil and finely chopped onion. And saute until it becomes soft and tender.
The pro tip. Saute for 2 minutes, and add a dash of salt. This will speed up the cooking time and help the onion cook evenly. Adding salt while cooking onion may sound simple, but it makes all the difference. If the onion sticks to the bottom, simmer the flame. And you may increase it after a couple of minutes.
Our main objective is to cook the onion soft, tender, and mushy without burning it. Too much cooking oil can ruin the texture, so drizzle a little oil at a time if needed.
Add tomato. Add finely chopped tomato and cook until it becomes mushy.
The pro tip. Add a quarter teaspoon of salt. As with the above, the salt helps to minimize cooking time and cook evenly. Adjust the temperature to medium and low when the tomato gets stuck in the pan. Adjusting the temperature with a dash of salt is vital in any Indian curry recipe.
Add spice powders. Once the tomato thickens, add red chili powder, coriander powder, and turmeric powder. Saute in medium heat for a minute without burning them.
Thickening the curry: Now add water and bring it to a boil. Once all the ingredients combine and the gravy thickens, add capsicum and onion cubes. Allow it to cook for a minute, and remove it from the heat.
Pro tip: Onion slices complement the green bell pepper's taste and texture and give the curry a contrasting color. To make the onion slices, first cut them into cubes and remove the layers.
Garnish. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a tablespoon of butter if desired.
How To Store The Leftovers
- Store the capsicum masala in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. You may freeze it for a maximum of three months.
- To thaw frozen curry, leave it in the refrigerator for a day before using it. This way of thawing is the best without getting contaminated or changes in the taste.
- You can reheat the pans on a low to medium flame. Reheat until it boils for a minute, then serve immediately.
What To Serve With?
This is best served with simple rice, roti, naan bread, or chapati.
- Rice. This spicy Indian gravy is best matched with rice.
- Parathas. It is awesome to pair it with Indian flatbread parathas like Onion kulcha.
- Drink. When served with mango lassi, it makes it a wholesome restaurant-style Indian dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
But in its absence, you may substitute one teaspoon of red chili powder with half a teaspoon of cayenne powder and half a teaspoon of paprika. If red chili powder is too hot, you may directly swap it with paprika alone.
In this recipe, you can substitute fresh aroma tomatoes with plum tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or crushed tomatoes. I tried making with these options and was happy with the results.
📖 Recipe
Capsicum Curry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 cup tomato finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- 11/2 cup water
- 1 cup capsicum cubes
- ½ cup onion cubes
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat pan in medium heat. Add vegetable oil and finely chopped onion.
- Saute until onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add finely chopped tomato and cook until it becomes mushy.
- Add red chili powder, coriander powder and stir for couple of seconds without burning them.
- Add water and allow to cook until it reaches desired consistency.
- Add half a teaspoon of salt. Taste and adjust.
- Add capsicum and onion.
- Cook further for another 3 minutes or until capsicum is half cooked.
- Remove it from the heat and serve with rice or roti.
Gina says
Thanks for such a great recipe! It was easy to make and so delicious! My husband and I really enjoyed it!
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Such a great blend of flavors and textures; easily, a new favorite recipe!
April says
Made this for my husband and he loved it! Thank you for the recipe 🙂