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    Home » Recipes » Authentic Indian

    Bitter Gourd Fry

    Published: January 11, 2021 · Modified: May 7, 2021 by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 36 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Card

    Bitter gourd fry fits the bill for a quick fix meal and for that reason, it is one of my favorite recipes among the bitter gourd recipes. If you are entertaining guests, make this bitter gourd curry that goes well with rice as well as roti or chapati.

    A bowl of bitter gourd curry is on the white table along with napkins this recipe
    Jump to:
    • About this recipe
    • Ingredients 
    • How to make this recipe
    • Serving suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Expert tips
    • Related recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    About this recipe

    This bitter gourd curry a.k.a Karela Sabji or Pavakka fry has a spicy note to it along with probiotic goodness from yogurt (vegan Plain flavor). It also packs tons of nutrients in one serving. 

    Don’t let the name mislead you. Bitter gourd can be bitter when it is raw, but with the right amount of spices, it makes up for the bitterness with its medicinal benefits. 

    Traditional Indian medicine suggests to use bitter gourds to aid in relieving diabetes, stomach complaints, cough and several other conditions. To realize the full benefits from bitter gourd, you would have to use it quite often and a quick fix recipe such as this one can come in very handy. Try this recipe today if you have stir fried bitter gourd before.

    Ingredients 

    Ingredients for bitter gourd fry like onions, oil  and cumin seeds

    Bitter gourd - Look for bright green gourds with no scabs. Yellowish or red gourd indicates ripening gourd and does not suit this recipe. 

    Vegan yogurt - Yogurt is a key ingredient for marinating gourd.

    Sambar powder - I added a little bit of sambar powder to give the curry, a little extra flavor. This step is totally optional.

    How to make this recipe

    This pavakkai fry does not get any easier. To begin with, you have to chop the bitter gourd into little circles or alone the length.(remove seeds)

    A pan is filled with onions, cumin seeds and bitter gourd

    Place a pan over medium heat and pour 4 teaspoon coconut oil. When it's hot add the cumin seeds. When it starts to sizzle, add the chopped onions and saute. When the onions turn translucent, add the chopped bitter gourd. 

    Continue to saute them until the bitter gourd is thoroughly cooked. Add the turmeric powder,  yogurt, chili powder, and sambar powder continue to saute. Add salt.

    In about 6- 8 minutes, the dish should be thoroughly cooked and crispy. Turn off the heat. And bitter gourd curry is ready!

    Serving suggestions

    These bitter gourd fry can be served as a side dish with a combination of dal or rasam and rice. You can also serve them with Indian flatbreads like chapati or roti.

    Recipe FAQs

    What are the benefits of bitter gourd?

    This Packs Several Important Nutrients. It Can help  to reduce the  Blood Sugar and also decrease Cholesterol levels. 

    How do you get bitterness out of bitter gourd?

    All the steps like adding yogurt while cooking, addition of tamarind, and jaggery helps to reduce bitterness.

    What’s the best way to store bitter gourd fry?

    Store this in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

    Expert tips

    • Before the cooking process, wash and thinly slice the bitter gourd.
    • Always keep the flame in medium heat to avoid overcooking gourds. 
    • Add oil little by little when you fry the bitter gourd
    • If you feel that the bitterness is still there, add some tamarind juice or lemon juice while frying. But remember to balance the spices accordingly to suit your taste preference. 
    • You can skip the onions if you want a no onion no garlic version of this recipe. 
    A copper is filled with bitter gourd fry

    If this recipe interests you, look for similar recipes in my blog such as the

    • Hagalakayi Palya - Bitter Gourd Curry
    • Ridge Gourd Chutney | Heerekai Chutney
    • Ivy Gourd Fry - Tindora Fry
    • Instant Pot Dal Fry

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    For more delicious vegan recipes such as this sent directly to your inbox, just subscribe to my newsletter.

    If you have time comment below and rate the recipe in the comment box below.  Follow me on social media's Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl with bitter gourd curry and napkins are placed underneath

    Bitter Gourd Fry

    Uma Raghupathi
    Bitter gourd fry fits the bill for a quick fix meal and for that reason, it is one of my favorite recipes among the bitter gourd recipes. If you are entertaining guests, make this bitter gourd curry that goes well with rice as well as roti or chapati.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prep Time:10 minutes mins
    Cook Time:25 minutes mins
    Total Time:35 minutes mins
    Course :Side Dish
    Cuisine :Indian
    Diet :Low Calorie, Vegan
    Difficulty :Easy
    Servings 4
    Calories 140 kcal

    Equipment

    • Non-Stick Pan

    Process Shot

    Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)

    Ingredients
      

    • 4-5 medium size bitter gourd - washed, gutted and chopped
    • 1 Red onion
    • 2 teaspoon chili powder - use little, if you don't prefer spicy
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon sambar powder
    • 3 tablespoon yogurt - vegan
    • Salt
    • 4 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
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    Instructions
     

    • To begin with, you have to chop the bitter gourd into little circles or along the length. (remove seeds)
    • Place a pan over medium heat and pour 4 teaspoon coconut oil. When it's hot add the cumin seeds. When it starts to sizzle, add the chopped onions and saute. When the onions turn translucent, add the chopped bitter gourd.
    • Continue to saute them until the bitter gourd is thoroughly cooked. Add the turmeric powder, yogurt, chili powder, and sambar powder continue to saute. Add salt.
    • In about 6- 8 minutes, the dish should be thoroughly cooked and crispy. Turn off the heat. And bitter gourd curry is ready!

    Video

    Notes

    • Before the cooking process, wash and thinly slice the bitter gourd.
    • Always keep the flame in medium heat to avoid overcooking gourds. 
    • Add oil little by little when you fry the bitter gourd
    • If you feel that the bitterness is still there, add some tamarind juice or lemon juice while frying. But remember to balance the spices accordingly to suit your taste preference. 
    • You can skip the onions if you want a no onion no garlic version of this recipe. 
     
    Note: The nutrition values I show here are my best estimates. Please be sure to check your preferred nutrition calculator, if you are relying on accurate calculations in your diet.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @simplesumptuouscooking or tag #simplesumptuouscooking!

    UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published on April 25, 2016. It was updated on January 11, 2021, with new photos and text.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rajesh

      May 26, 2021 at 11:55 pm

      Thank you for this one... I love bitter gourd and will try this now. I used to prepare this in a similar way but with crushed garlic instead of onion and little bit of jaggery.
      Have a nice day!5 stars

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        May 27, 2021 at 9:58 am

        Thank you, Hope you will like it 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sapana

      April 08, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Bitter gourd is my favorite vegetable of all. I love making it stuffed and like your version sometimes chopped. Never tried it with yogurt though, as I have always added tomato or mango powder. Will try your version next time.5 stars

      Reply
    3. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

      February 06, 2021 at 1:00 am

      Bitter gourd, not everyone's favourite vegetable, but if you cook just right no one would say no. Love the addition of yogurt to reduce the bitterness.

      Reply
    4. Seema Sriram

      January 24, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      This is a sure shot try recipe as we love bittergourd in any form. I love the way it has crisped up so beautifully in your images.5 stars

      Reply
    5. Poonam bachhav

      January 21, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      We love bitter gourd and I look for different ways of cooking it. Never tried cooking it with yogurt. Next time will surely try your recipe.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Mayuri Patel

      January 21, 2021 at 9:33 am

      Uma, I'm not a big fan of bitter gourd. However, your bitter gourd fry is tempting me to try the recipe especially since you've added yogurt to it. Its a must try recipe.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      January 21, 2021 at 8:30 am

      We might be one of the weird families, but we love bitter gourd and grow a tons of it in summer. I have never used yogurt in my fry. I have to give that a try.5 stars

      Reply
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