Bhindi Masala with Roti and Kachumber
Dry-ish okra masala with soft rotis and a fresh onion-tomato-cucumber salad—a complete everyday Indian plate.
Bhindi is often cooked as a side; this recipe treats it as the center of a full meal by pairing a generous sabzi portion with roti and kachumber.
Cooking bhindi uncovered and without excess water helps keep it less slimy. Onion and tomato build the base; salad adds crunch and volume.
Nutrition
Per 1 plate with 2 rotis and kachumber (half recipe)
- Calories
- 390 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fiber
- 12 g
Dietary
plant based · soy free · nut free
Protein sources
whole wheat roti · bhindi
Ingredients
- 1300 g Bhindi (okra), washed, dried, and sliced
- 21 Onion, sliced
- 31 Tomato, chopped
- 41 tsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 51/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 61/2 tsp Turmeric
- 71 tsp Coriander powder
- 81/2 tsp Red chilli powder
- 91/2 tsp Amchur or juice of 1/2 Lemon
- 101.5 tbsp Oil
- 11Salt to taste
- 124 Rotis (whole wheat) for serving
- 13For kachumber: 1 Cucumber, 1 Tomato, 1/2 Onion, lemon, salt, coriander
Instructions
- 1
Pat bhindi completely dry after washing. Slice into rounds. Dice kachumber vegetables and toss with lemon, salt, and coriander; set aside.
Dry bhindi thoroughly—moisture is the main reason it turns slimy.
- 2
Heat oil in a wide pan. Add cumin, then onion; saute until soft and lightly golden. Add ginger-garlic and cook until raw smell fades.
A wide pan is better than a deep pot so steam can escape.
- 3
Add tomato, turmeric, coriander, chilli powder, and salt. Cook until tomato softens.
Do not cover the pan for long once bhindi is in.
- 4
Add bhindi. Stir on medium heat 2–3 minutes, then cook uncovered, stirring often, until tender and the sticky strands reduce, 12–15 minutes.
Amchur brightens the dish without making it watery.
- 5
Finish with amchur or lemon. Serve hot with rotis and a large scoop of kachumber.
Make rotis while bhindi cooks so the full plate lands together.
Bhindi style swaps
- Kurkuri-style: dust bhindi with a spoon of besan and roast drier.
- Add capsicum strips in the last 5 minutes for more vegetables.
- Use mustard oil for a stronger North Indian edge if you like it.
Diet adjustments
- Millet or jowar roti instead of wheat for a gluten-free plate (variation only).
- Skip onion in kachumber and use extra cucumber and tomato if needed.
- Add a small bowl of dal on the side when you want more protein.