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.

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 bet that is the British influence! Some of the regional names of okra are bhendi in Hindi and bendakaya in Telugu. Okra stir fry 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 okra 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 version from Andhra/Telangana.

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

How to make Indian Okra Stir Fry

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Okra Stir Fry

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Okra stir fry is a dry Indian okra curry, cooked with simple indian spices. It is a great side dish for rice and roti.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 4

Author: MySpicyKitchen

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Wash okra and leave it in a colander for 10 – 15 minutes or for few hours to dry.

2. If time is  a constraint, pat dry with paper towels.

3. Trim the edges and cut okra into ½” circles. 

4. Heat oil in a nonstick pan and sauté onions till translucent.

5. Add  curry leaves, green chilies and sauté until  curry leaves change color.

6. Add crushed garlic and sauté for another minute.

7. Next add spices; turmeric powder, chili powder, salt and mix well.
8. Add okra and stir until spices coat okra.

9. Cook on high heat for 3-5 minutes until okra is lightly roasted in oil.

10. Reduce the heat to medium to  medium high, and  cook stirring intermittently.

11. When  okra is no longer sticky, reduce the flame to low and cook until okra is fully cooked.  

12. Garnish with cilantro and serve it with steaming rice or roti.

Recipe Notes

Okra here in the United States is very sticky and thinner the slices, sticky the stir fry / curry is. Hence do not cut into very thin slices

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Recipes posted this month in: 2008, 2009, 2010

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

and Lisa’s Celebrating Indian Food