Bhindi Masala

January 30, 2014mayurisjikoni
Blog post

Recipe: Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala is a classic North Indian Style okra or ladyfinger curry. The okra or bhindi is semi dry and prepared using onion, tomatoes and spices. This flavourful, easy to make and healthy sabji or curry is quite popular on the menus of many Indian restaurants.

Memories

When I was staying in Mombasa, Esther our mboga lady (vegetable lady) would come to my doorstep everyday with a selection of vegetables and fruits in season. However, her basket was always full of  okra, bottle gourd, potatoes, peas, ridge gourd, carrots, capsicum and eggplants. If I didn’t go to the market then those are the vegetables I would have to buy. Sometimes I would tell Esther ” Esther not bhinda or doodhi again!” And her reply “That is all I get in the market”. Which was in reality not the truth. However, she would buy what is popular and not the more expensive vegetables like ivy gourd, papdi beans, valor, etc.

Now that I don’t get okra, bottle gourd, ridge gourd in Magog, I miss them so much. During my recent trip to India, as soon as I got to Bangalore and opened up my kitchen, bhindi, doodhi, turia were bought often to make into sabjis. That is when I got the opportunity to redo Bhindi Masala with better photos and write up. I can eat okra everyday, that is how much I miss it. I bought the frozen okra from the local supermarket and was disappointed as they were too woody and took a long time to cook.

Sharing Bhindi Masala Recipe With Foodies_Redoing Old Posts

I have a part of this group for quite a long time. It amazes me how I still have so many recipes that need to be redone. If it were not for this group, I may not have redone so many posts. Thanks Renu for starting this group and managing it for so long.

This recipe was first published on 30/01/2014. Redone the post with fresh photos and better write up on 25/04/2025

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BAKED KURKURI BHINDI/CRISPY OKRA
Baked kurkuri bhindi is a guilt free, gluten free and vegan snack or starter. Served with a dip, it is a tasty crunchy snack to nibble on.
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Bharela Bhinda

Ingredients Required For Bhindi Masala

Okra

Also known as bhindi, bhinda, ladyfingers. I usually wash them the previous night and leave them on a kitchen towel or cloth to dry. Wet okra makes the curry or sabji slimy. If you are in a hurry you can wipe the washed bhindi with a kitchen towel. Trim the ends. Check for any worms. Cut the ladyfinger into approximately into 1 inch pieces.

Onion

Preferably red one. However, can use yellow or white one. Peel and finely chop the onion. We need about 1 cup of finely chopped onion.

Tomato

Make sure the tomato or tomatoes are ripe. Wash and dice them finely. We need about 1 cup of finely chopped tomatoes. If you don’t have fresh tomatoes then used canned ones. If you are using the pureed tomatoes then you will need about ½ cup of it.

Fresh Fenugreek

I had some fresh fenugreek, methi so added that. Wash and chop the methi. If you don’t have any, add kasuri methi which is dried fenugreek leaves. Add about 1 tsp of it.

Fresh Coriander

Washed and finely chopped to add to the sabji and for garnishing.

Oil

Need a little extra oil for this sabji or curry. I have used sunflower oil. You can use any oil of your choice.

Fresh Garlic

Peeled and minced. Need about 1 tbsp. Garlic pairs very well with okra.

Ginger

Peel and grate or mince, about 1 tsp.

Green Chillis

Add according to your taste. Can mince them or slice them finely.

Mustard Seeds

Rai, sarson ke dane. Need a little for flavour.

Cumin Seeds

Jeera, jiru. Need some for flavour.

Ajwain

Known as ajmo, carom seeds. Goes well with okra.

Asafoetida

Also known as hing. Adds a unique flavour. If you want to prepare a gluten free bhindi masala then omit asafoetida as it contains wheat flour.

Garam Masala

I use homemade garam masala. Can use ready made one or make it at home by following my recipe.

Turmeric Powder

Haldi, hardar. Add it for colour and is an antioxidant.

Red Chilli Powder

Add according to your taste.

Salt

Add according to your taste.

Water

Need normal tap water to add to the tomatoes so that they cook well and can be mashed lightly.

 

 

Watch How To Make Bhindi Masala

 

BHINDI MASALA

mayurisjikoni
Bhindi Masala is a classic North Indian Style okra or ladyfinger curry. The okra or bhindi is semi dry and prepared using onion, tomatoes and spices. This flavourful, easy to make and healthy sabji or curry is quite popular on the menus of many Indian restaurants.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course sabji, shaak, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g ladyfingers bhindi
  • 1 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 cup tomato finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh coriander chopped
  • 2 cups fresh fenugreek chopped
  • 1 tbsp garlic paste
  • 1 tsp ginger paste
  • 4 tbsp oil
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida
  • 1 tsp green chilli paste
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • ¾ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ -1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp mustard seeds
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ¼ tsp ajwain seeds
  • ½ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Wash the ladyfingers and arrange on a kitchen towel to dry. I prefer to leave them on the towel overnight.
  • If in a hurry, wipe the washed bhindi with a dry kitchen towel.
  • Cut the ends off and cut the ladyfingers into inch long pieces.
  • Heat 3 tbsp oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
  • Add the cut bhindi and ¼ tsp turmeric powder.
  • Stir fry in the oil, stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes or till the bhindi is partially cooked. It will begin to turn light brownish in colour.
  • Remove the ladyfingers into a plate or wide bowl.
  • Heat the remaining oil in the pan.
  • Add mustard, cumin and ajwain seeds.
  • Add the chopped onions and asafoetida. Cook till the onions become soft and light pink in colour.
  • Add garlic, ginger and chilli paste and saute.
  • Add  remaining turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala. Mix well.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and fresh methi. Mix well.
  • Add salt and water. Cover the pan. Let the mixture cook till the tomatoes become mushy.
  • Add the stir fried bhindi.
  • Mix well and cover the pan. Allow the bhindi masala to cook for 5 minutes over medium to low heat. If required add little water.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped coriander and serve with hot rotis.

Notes

  • Wash the ladyfingers the previous day and leave it at room temperature.
  • Add salt when the ladyfingers are cooked otherwise you will land up with sticky bhindi masala.
  • Adjust the spices according to your taste.
  • Do not overcook the ladyfingers.
Keyword bhindi masala, bhindi masala north indian style, ladyfinger curry, okra curry

Pin For Later

 

A Small Request

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62

 

 

 

 

 

16 Comments

  • Nayna Kanabar

    January 30, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    A different way to cook bhindis a welcome change.

  • Linsy Patel

    January 30, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    any time is bhinda time for me, specially with dahi. this looks delicious too.

  • Seema

    April 27, 2025 at 4:51 am

    5 stars
    The bhindi masala came out so good for Sunday lunch. We made some phulkas to go with it and felt like we were transportd back to India and home.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 2, 2025 at 9:16 pm

      Seema I am so glad that Sunday lunch was good for you and it reminded you of India. Bhindi Masala tends to be a favourite for many.

  • Kalyani

    April 28, 2025 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    Bhindi sabji is an absolute favourite with my elder one, esp with hot phulkas. I learnt this suka bhaji from my maid, as we make okra sabji differently in south indian sabji. Lovely pics as always, Mayuri !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 2, 2025 at 9:07 pm

      My sukhi bhindi shaak is quite different from this one. This one is like the north Indian style but I have added methi.

  • Priya Srinivasan

    April 29, 2025 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    Bhindi masala is an all time favorite! This is one subzi which gets a nod from everyone. Love to enjoy it with soft roti’s. The addition of fresh methi is brilliant. The subzi must be super aromatic.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 2, 2025 at 9:05 pm

      Priya, fresh methi and that too in India…so aromatic and flavourful. Love adding it to bhindi whenever I can. Try it.

  • Renu

    May 4, 2025 at 5:35 am

    5 stars
    I like the addition of fresh fenugreek in this recipe. I made this following yours and it turned out super yummy

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm

      Thank you so much Renu for trying out my version of bhindi masala. Am so glad that you enjoyed it.

  • Archana

    May 9, 2025 at 5:23 am

    5 stars
    I have never used fenugreek leaves in Bhindi masala, but I love the idea. It will make the bhaji really delicious. I am adding this bhaji to my week plan. Thanks I love it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 12, 2025 at 8:37 pm

      Thanks Archana, enjoy the bhindi masala with methi when you try out the recipe.

  • Jayashree T Rao

    May 9, 2025 at 8:13 am

    5 stars
    I love making bhindi as it is liked by all at home. I will make your version, loved the addition of ajwain and methi leaves.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 12, 2025 at 8:35 pm

      Thanks Jayashree, we always add ajwain to any style of bhindi we make. And fresh methi adds so much flavour. Please do try out the recipe.

  • Priya Vj

    May 9, 2025 at 3:00 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner last night and paired with hot fulkas .the flavorful Bhindi sabji was super hit and outstanding

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 12, 2025 at 8:32 pm

      Thank you so much for trying out my style of bhindi masala. Am so happy they you enjoyed it.

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