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    Home » Recipes » Stir Fries

    Published: Nov 22, 2011 · Modified: Dec 6, 2019 by Usha Rao

    Okra Stir Fry ~ Okra Fry ~ Bendakaya Koora

    Jump to Recipe

    Indian Okra stir fry is a simple everyday dry curry prepared all across India. It is easy to prepare and goes well with rice and roti.

    A bowl of Indian okra stir fry is an easy, everyday dry curry.  It is a great side dish for rice and flatbreads.

    Okra is one of the most cooked vegetables all across India. Just like in many English speaking countries, in India okra is ladies finger. I am sure that is the British influence! Some of the regional names of okra are bhendi/bhindi in Hindi and bendakaya in Telugu, and the stir fry is bhendi subzi and bendakaya koora respectively. Okra fry or bhendi subzi is a common preparation all over India though the recipe varies region to region.

    Bhendi subzi, as it is commonly known in most parts of the country is a comfort food to many. Regardless of the region, a basic stir fry requires very minimal Indian spices which are common in any Indian kitchen. Though the spices are minimal, it tastes amazing with steaming rice and Indian flatbreads. Today's version is from Andhra/Telangana states.

    Besides bhendi fry, I cook palakura ~ spinach fry, chikkudukaya, bell pepper curry and mushroom fry.

    If you like okra stir fry / bendakaya koora / bhendi sabji, you may also like bendakaya tomato shorva ~ okra tomato stew.

    A bowl of Indian okra stir fry is an easy, everyday dry curry.  It is a great side dish for rice and flatbreads.

    How to make Indian Okra Stir Fry

    📖 Recipe

    Okra Stir Fry

    Okra stir fry is a dry Indian okra curry, cooked with simple indian spices. It is a great side dish for rice and roti.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 211kcal
    Author: Usha Rao

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ lbs Okra ~ Bhendi ~ Bendakaya ~ Ladies Finger
    • 3 - 4 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 small Onion chopped
    • 4-8 Curry Leaves
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon crushed Garlic
    • 4 Green Chilies cut vertically into two pieces as you prefer
    • ½ - ¾ teaspoon Chili Powder adjust to taste
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
    • ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic & ½ tsp. Cumin crushed (I did not use)
    • Cilantro to garnish

    Instructions

    • Wash okra and leave it in a colander for 10 – 15 minutes or for few hours to dry.
    • If time is  a constraint, pat dry with paper towels.
    • Trim the edges and cut okra into ½” circles. 
    • Heat oil in a nonstick pan and sauté onions till translucent.
    • Add  curry leaves, green chilies and sauté until  curry leaves change color.
    • Add crushed garlic and sauté for another minute.
    • Next add spices; turmeric powder, chili powder, salt and mix well.
    • Add okra and stir until spices coat okra.
    • Cook on high heat for 3-5 minutes until okra is lightly roasted in oil.
    • Reduce the heat to medium to  medium high, and  cook stirring intermittently.
    • When  okra is no longer sticky, reduce the flame to low and cook until okra is fully cooked.  
    • Garnish with cilantro and serve it with steaming rice or roti.

    Notes

    • Okra here in the United States is very sticky and thinner the slices, sticky and slimy the stir fry / curry is. Hence do not cut into very thin slices
    • Calories mentioned above is approximate calories per serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1040mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1331IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 1mg
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    A bowl of Indian okra stir fry is an easy, everyday dry curry.  It is a great side dish for rice and flatbreads.

    Okra fry goes to Only: Curries, an event started by Pari

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      5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. sasmita says

      December 21, 2019 at 9:08 am

      Absolutely love this okra stir fry. I most of the time enjoy this with simple roti and slice of onion. As this vegetable is one of my fav veggie so its a common dish at my place...

      Reply
    2. Jayashree says

      December 13, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      I love bhendi in any form and make it regularly at home. Love your version, it's easy to make and pairs well with chapati.

      Reply
    3. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

      December 13, 2019 at 12:16 pm

      Ah, Nation's favourite Bhindi Bhaji, which I make almost every week but without curry leaves. I guess this version is from South India, must try one day.

      Reply
    4. Jolly says

      December 12, 2019 at 8:41 pm

      Bhindi is one of our favourite veggies at my home. Perfect goes with roti. A great side dish or sometimes this is our main dish with roti, salad and raita.This looks awesome and the recipe is delicious. We do add onions in it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    5. Pavani says

      December 12, 2019 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      One of our family favorite curry - my daughter can eat bowlfuls of this every single day 🙂 Your version is slightly different from how I make it. Will try your recipe next time I make okra.

      Reply
    6. Padma Veeranki says

      December 12, 2019 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      Okra is one of my favourite vegetable....Pairs well with roti as well as rice...Simplicity at its best is what this bendakaya koora looks and tastes...Yummy share!!

      Reply
    7. Lata Lala says

      December 11, 2019 at 4:52 am

      5 stars
      Okra stir fry looks yummy. This simple yet delicious prepration goes well with dal, roti and rice.
      We do add onions and tomatoes in this.
      Lovely share Usha.

      Reply
    8. Mayuri Patel says

      December 08, 2019 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      Okra stir fried is a common sabji for us, I tend to make it often. The Gujarati style is simple with a bit of garlic and ginger and simple spices. I'd love to try your version with curry leaves and onion.

      Reply
    9. Lisa says

      November 29, 2011 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks for your submission. Such a lovely dish.

      Reply
    10. sapthanaa says

      November 23, 2011 at 11:11 am

      all time favourite...

      Reply
    11. Sushma Mallya says

      November 22, 2011 at 4:53 pm

      Looks delicious and yummy:)

      Reply
    12. Priya says

      November 22, 2011 at 3:17 am

      Okra stir fry looks super delicious,can have it with anything.

      Reply

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    Hi, I am Usha! Welcome to my space. I am the content creator and photographer here. I love cooking and all the recipes on the site are tried and tested in my kitchen.

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