Bhindi fry is Indian style okra stir fry made with fresh okra, spices, nuts, seeds and herbs. This easy to make dish is delicious and nutrient packed. Serve it as a side in a meal, with rice, quinoa or with roti.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Total time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 500 grams (1.1 lb) okra ((bhindi, ladies finger))
  • 2 tablespoons oil (or as needed)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds ((jeera))
  • 1 green chili (slit (skip if making for kids))
  • ½ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))
  • ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder ((for kids - ¼ to ½ tsp))
  • 1½ tablespoons peanuts ((or 2 tbsps almond meal))
  • 1½ tablespoons desiccated coconut ((optional) (copra tastes best))
  • 1 tablespoons white sesame seeds ((optional))
  • 1 to 2 garlic (cloves)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds ((jeera))

Method

Preparation

  1. Choose okra or bhindi that are young and tender. Wash them well under running water.
  2. Drain them to a colander. Wipe off with a clean kitchen cloth or tissues.
  3. Cut off both the ends and discard. Chop them to half inch pieces. Set aside.

How to make Bhindi Fry

  1. Pour oil in a pan. When the oil turns hot, add half teaspoon cumin and allow them to splutter.
  2. Then add chopped bhindi and 1 slit green chili.
  3. Begin to saute them in oil on a medium heat. Stirring as often as needed. Over stirring can make them more slimy.
  4. You can skip this step and just use garam masala. While the bhindi gets fried, in a different pan dry roast peanuts and garlic on a medium flame until deep golden and aromatic. Then add coconut and sesame (both optional). Lastly add in jeera. Saute just for a minute. When the sesame seeds begin to splutter turn off the stove. Cool completely. Make a coarse powder.
  5. When the bhindi shrinks and is no more slimy or sticky, then add salt and turmeric.
  6. Fry until bhindi is done to your liking. I usually take off the bhindi when it is no more slimy.
  7. Pour 1 tsp oil to the center of the pan, add chili powder to the oil.
  8. Mix well and saute the bhindi for another 2 mins until the raw smell of the chili goes away.
  9. Now add the powdered peanuts and mix well.
  10. Serve bhindi fry with rice or roti as a side.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.