Masaledar Karela

Try this spicy, tangy, sweet Masaledar Karela for everyday Indian meals. It tastes great with phulka, paratha, or even with dal rice. Here is how to make it (vegan, can be easily made gluten-free).

Jump to:

• About Masaledar Karela
• Ingredients
• How To Make Masaledar Karela
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage Suggestions
• You Might Also Like
• Recipe Card

About Masaledar Karela

Karela, or bitter gourd, is one of those vegetables that is not preferred by many. But I am one of those who loves to eat a good karela sabzi. This North Indian style Masaledar Karela is my favorite version of karela sabzi, which is even enjoyed by my son, who used to make faces seeing the vegetable.

It’s tangy, spicy, and sweet, making this masaledar karela delicious and tempting. Kashmiri red chili powder adds the much-needed spiciness, tamarind gives it a tangy taste, and jaggery adds that hint of sweetness that complements the other flavors so well.

At home, we love to eat it with simple dal and rice. The karela sabji adds a zing to the simple dal chawal, making it taste even more delicious. But you can serve it with Indian bread too.

As karela is a little bitter, it is coated with salt for about 10 minutes. It is then washed to get rid of the bitterness. This is an important step; otherwise, the karela will taste bitter.

This Masaledar Karela Recipe is vegan and can be easily made gluten-free. You can also double or triple it as per your requirements.

If you prefer to make simple everyday sabzis for weekday meals, here are some more for you

• Baingan Methi
• Mooli Ki Sabzi
• Aloo Matar Gobi
• Hare Tamatar Ki Sabzi
• Tindora Fry
• Aloo Bhindi
• Matar Ka Nimona

Ingredients

Karela – Karela, or as we call it, bitter gourd is available throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait for any specific season to try this recipe. Check your nearby Indian grocery store if you are living outside of India.

While buying bitter gourd, see they are bright green and firm when lightly pressed.

Oil – Make this recipe in mustard oil for the best result. The flavors of pungent mustard oil enhance the overall taste of the sabzi.

You can use vegetable oil, too, if you do not prefer mustard oil.

Jaggery – Jaggery is added for a bit of sweetness that balances the bitter taste of the karela.

Tamarind – Like jaggery, tamarind is also used to balance the bitter taste of the karela. But it adds a tangy taste to the sabzi, which complements the sweet flavor of jaggery well.

Spice Powders – To enhance the taste further, we will add coriander powder, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. I have used Kashmiri red chili powder, which will add a nice color to the sabzi without making it too spicy.

Others – You will also need asafetida (hing), fennel seeds (saunf), nigella seeds (kalonji), cumin seeds, onions, ginger garlic paste, and salt.

How To Make Masaledar Karela

Wash 0.6 lb (300 g) of karela with water and peel them using a vegetable peeler. Do not discard the peel. We will use it later in the recipe.

Rub approximately 2 teaspoon salt over karela and keep them aside for 10 minutes.

Wash the karela well with water and cut it into thin rounds (0.25 inch).

Heat 4 tablespoon mustard oil in a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat. An iron kadai works excellent for this recipe too.

Once the oil is hot, add

• ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing)
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)
• ½ teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

and let them crackle for 3-4 seconds.

Skip adding hing if making it gluten-free.

Add 1 cup of thinly sliced onions and fry on medium-high heat until they are nicely browned (8 – 10 minutes), stirring frequently.

Add 2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste and fry for another 2 minutes.

Now add

• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• karela peel

and fry for a minute.

Add the sliced karela and mix everything well.

Reduce the heat to low.

Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook until karela is tender (10-12 minutes). Stir a few times while cooking.

Add 2 teaspoon crushed jaggery and 2 teaspoon tamarind paste and mix well.

Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Check for salt and add more if needed.

Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Serve masaledar karela with a simple dal like Toor Dal, or Masoor Dal, and steamed rice with sliced onions and papad on the side. The most comforting meal ever!

You can also serve it with Indian bread such as phulka, tawa paratha, laccha paratha, jowar roti, etc. It even tastes great with kadhi khichdi combination; try it.

Storage Suggestions

Masaledar Karela will last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Store it in an airtight container.

Reheat it in a pan or microwave until nice and warm before serving it again.

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