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masala karela recipe | karela masala | karela masala sabzi | dry bitter gourd sabzi |

Tarla Dalal
06 December, 2024


Table of Content
masala karela is a quick fix healthy Indian accompaniment to wheat flour chapatis. Learn how to make karela masala sabzi.
masala karela is made from karela, onions, cauliflower, lots of coriander, besan and Indian spices.
To make masala karela, heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the bitter gourd slices and mix well. Cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes or till they turn brown in colour, while stirring occasionally. Add the prepared mixture, mix well and cook on a medium flame for another 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.
You will be amazed by how effectively grated cauliflower masks the bitterness of karela, making dry bitter gourd sabzi a delicacy that even kids would not mind eating.
Perked up with onion, coriander and spice powders, karela masala is a treat to the taste buds, and a wonder food for your body too, as karela contains at least three active substances which are known to exhibit anti-diabetic properties. These have been known to have a blood glucose-lowering effect and thus beneficial for a diabetics.
In this karela masala sabzi, we have further made it more healthy by cooking it in only 2 tsp of oil. 100 calories, 10 g of carbs and 4 f of fiber is what you gain from 1 serving of this sabzi. This high fiber count is beneficial for heart patients too. It has a cholesterol lowering effect.
With a low sodium count and good potassium count, this karela masala sabzi benefits those with hypertension too. All they need to do is restrict the amount of salt being added as per their daily limit suggested.
Tips for masala karela. 1. Slice the karela thinly, so it is easier to cook. 2. Serve the sabzi immediately to enjoy its freshness.
Enjoy masala karela recipe | karela masala | karela masala sabzi | dry bitter gourd sabzi.
Tags
Preparation Time
10 Mins
Cooking Time
17 Mins
Total Time
27 Mins
Makes
4 servings
Ingredients
For Masala Karela
2 cups deseeded and thinly sliced bitter gourd (karela)
2 tsp oil
To Be Mixed Together Into A Mixture
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup grated cauliflower
1/4 cup finely chopped coriander (dhania)
2 tbsp besan (Bengal gram flour)
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp coriander (dhania) powder
salt to taste
Method
- To make masala karela, heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the bitter gourd slices and mix well.
- Cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes or till they turn brown in colour, while stirring occasionally.
- Add the prepared mixture, mix well and cook on a medium flame for another 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Serve the masala karela hot.
Masala Karela recipe with step by step photos
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masala karela recipe | karela masala | karela masala sabzi | dry bitter gourd sabzi | then do try other karela recipes also:
- karela tikki recipe |bottle gourd tikki | healthy Indian tikki | karela tikki with garlic tomato chutney |
- sukhi karela sabzi recipe | Indian karela ki sabji | healthy bitter gourd sabzi |
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masala karela recipe | karela masala | karela masala sabzi | dry bitter gourd sabzi | then do try other karela recipes also:
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See the below image of list of ingredients for making masala karela sabzi.
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See the below image of list of ingredients for making masala karela sabzi.
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In a deep bowl, add 1 cup finely chopped onions. The sweetness and pungency of onions help to balance out the inherent bitterness of karela, making the dish more palatable and enjoyable.
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Add ½ cup grated cauliflower. The finely grated cauliflower seamlessly blends with the karela, adding a delightful contrast in texture. The combination of the soft, cooked karela and the slightly crunchy cauliflower enhances the overall mouthfeel.
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Add ¼ cup finely chopped coriander (dhania). Coriander leaves release a refreshing fragrance that complements the aroma of the spices to the sabzi.
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Add 2 tbsp besan (bengal gram flour). Besan's bland and slightly nutty flavor effectively masks the intense bitterness of karela.
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Add 1 tsp chilli powder. Chilli powder imparts a spicy flavor to masala karela sabzi.
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Add 1 tsp coriander (dhania) powder.
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Add salt to taste.
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Mix well.
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In a deep bowl, add 1 cup finely chopped onions. The sweetness and pungency of onions help to balance out the inherent bitterness of karela, making the dish more palatable and enjoyable.
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To make masala karela, heat 2 tsp oil in a broad non-stick pan.
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Add 2 cups deseeded and thinly sliced bitter gourd (karela).
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Mix well.
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Cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes.
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Till they turn brown in colour, while stirring occasionally.
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Add the prepared mixture.
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Mix well and cook on a medium flame for another 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
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Serve the masala karela hot.
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To make masala karela, heat 2 tsp oil in a broad non-stick pan.
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You can add little lemon juice to the sabzi to balance the flavours.
- Dip the sliced karela in salt water before making the sabzi to remove the excess bitterness.
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Instead of regular oil you can use coconut oil or olive oil to cook this sabzi.
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In a deep bowl, add 1 cup finely chopped onions. The sweetness and pungency of onions help to balance out the inherent bitterness of karela, making the dish more palatable and enjoyable.
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Add ½ cup grated cauliflower. The finely grated cauliflower seamlessly blends with the karela, adding a delightful contrast in texture. The combination of the soft, cooked karela and the slightly crunchy cauliflower enhances the overall mouthfeel.
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Add 2 tbsp besan (bengal gram flour). Besan's bland and slightly nutty flavor effectively masks the intense bitterness of karela.
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You can add little lemon juice to the sabzi to balance the flavours.
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Energy | 69 cal |
Protein | 2.3 g |
Carbohydrates | 8.5 g |
Fiber | 3.4 g |
Fat | 2.9 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 10.8 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Masala Karela
The Nutrient info is complete

pranali
March 13, 2025, midnight

Loves Food
March 13, 2025, midnight
Amazing bitter Karela cooked with no sugar and yet tastes good. Perfect for diabetics.

Sangeeta Prabhakar
March 13, 2025, midnight
Very tasty and super easy. Try this recipient when our in a hurry. Quick and unbelievably delicious. Must try.

Foodie #625517
March 13, 2025, midnight
Love this recipe.

Mohini Shukla
March 13, 2025, midnight
Jabse pregnant hu, tab se mummy karele ki subzi khane ki jid karti thi. Par Karele ke kadvepan se bhoat daar lagta tha. Kal lunch me Mummy ne bina bataye yeh masala karele ki subzi thali me parosi aur meine kha bhi lee. Aadha khana hone pe Mummy ne bataya ki mein karele ki subzi kha rahi hu. Aab muze karele se koi sikayat nahi. Thanks to TarlaJi for this wonderful recipe.

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
Hi Mohini, Thank you very much for your kind words. Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you enjoyed them. Happy Cooking !!

Foodie #622014
March 13, 2025, midnight
Very Very tasty.

Foodie #679893
March 13, 2025, midnight