bitter gourd curry recipe | karela sabzi | kakarakaya curry with detailed photo and video recipe. a sour and spicy curry recipe made with sliced bitter gourd and other indian spices. it is typically served with roti and chapati but can also be served with steamed rice for lunch and dinner. the recipe has many variations which vary to north and south of indian regions, but this recipe is dedicated to south india.
i have posted quite a few bitter gourd recipes in my blog and this recipe with gravy is the most popular and requested one. i have posted stuffed karela and stir-fry karela which is typically served as side dish to rice-based dishes. but this can be served for both rice and chapati. having said that, this recipe is not appreciated by everyone and has a selective fan base. perhaps it’s because of the sour taste of the bitter gourd. i personally like the combination of sour, sweet and spicy taste it has to offer which makes it unique from other curries. in addition, i like it to be served with dal rice and rasam rice combo but it is completely open-ended.
furthermore, some easy and important tips and suggestion for a perfect bitter gourd curry recipe. firstly, i have used asian bitter gourd for this recipe which is recommended and ideal for this recipe. hairy bitter gourd melon is less sour in taste and hence may not yield same taste. secondly, soak the sliced bitter gourd properly in salt water so that it releases its bitterness. note that soaking may not remove all its bitterness but is highly recommended. lastly, i have added jaggery to balance the sourness and sweet taste. having said that addition of jaggery is optional and can be ignored if you do not like the sweet taste in your curry.
finally, i request you to check my other indian sabzi and curry recipes collection with this recipe post of bitter gourd curry. it includes recipes like bitter gourd fry, alo gobi dry, batata nu shaak, veg kadai, aloo methi, sarson ka saag and raw banana fry. in addition i request you to check my other related and popular recipes collection like,
bitter gourd curry video recipe:
recipe card for bitter gourd curry:
bitter gourd curry recipe | karela sabzi | kakarakaya curry
Ingredients
- 1 bitter gourd
- 4 tsp oil
- ½ tsp jeera / cumin
- ½ tsp fennel / saunf
- few curry leaves
- ½ onion, sliced
- ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 chilli, slit
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup tamarind extract
- 1 tbsp jaggery / gud
- 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
Instructions
- in a large kadai heat 4 tsp oil and splutter ½ tsp jeera, ½ tsp fennel, and few curry leaves.
- add ½ onion, ½ tsp ginger garlic paste and 1 chilli. saute well making sure onions are cooked well.
- squeeze of the bitter gourd and add to the kadai.
- saute for a minute making sure the bitter gourd is roasted.
- now add ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, ¼ tsp garam masala and ½ tsp salt.
- saute on low flame, making sure the spices are cooked well.
- further, add ¾ cup tamarind extract and 1 tbsp jaggery.
- cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the bitter gourd are cooked well.
- finally, add coriander leaves and enjoy bitter gourd curry with hot steamed rice or chapati.
how to make karela sabzi with step by step photo:
- firstly, slice the bitter gourd to thick slices are remove seeds.
- add in 1 tsp salt and rub the bitter gourd.
- further, add water and allow to soak for 20-30 minutes.
- in a large kadai heat 4 tsp oil and splutter ½ tsp jeera, ½ tsp fennel, and few curry leaves.
- add ½ onion, ½ tsp ginger garlic paste and 1 chilli. saute well making sure onions are cooked well.
- squeeze of the bitter gourd and add to the kadai.
- saute for a minute making sure the bitter gourd is roasted.
- now add ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, ¼ tsp garam masala and ½ tsp salt.
- saute on low flame, making sure the spices are cooked well.
- further, add ¾ cup tamarind extract and 1 tbsp jaggery.
- cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the bitter gourd are cooked well.
- finally, add coriander leaves and enjoy bitter gourd curry with hot steamed rice or chapati.
notes:
- firstly, make sure to cut the bitter gourd and remove the seeds to avoid bitterness.
- also, soaking the bitter gourd slice in salt water will reduce the bitterness.
- additionally, increase the amount of jaggery if you prefer more sweetness.
- finally, bitter gourd curry recipe tastes great when balanced with bitter and sweetness.