Ladies Finger Fry (Vegan)

Ladies finger fry recipe with step by step photos. This is a simple, easy and tasty recipe of ladies finger fry made in North Indian style with fresh okra pods, onions, spices and herbs. A vegan okra dish that goes very well with roti, paratha or as a side dish with sambar rice or dal rice.

Lady finger also known as Okra or Bhindi rules at my place. We all are fond of this veggie and I make it often. So all the Ladies finger recipes get updated on the blog too.

If like us, you too are fond of Lady finger, then do check this collection of Ladies finger recipes.

This is an easy lady finger recipe which is homely in taste and quick to prepare. Tomatoes can be added. Even dry mango powder or lemon juice can be added to give a slightly sour taste.

You can also have a look at these similar and quick recipes of:

• Tendli fry
• Bhindi sabzi
• Bendakaya fry – Andhra style Ladies Finger fry
• Bhendi Chi Bhaji – Goan-style dry preparation of okra with fresh coconut.

Okra stir fry goes very well with phulkas or paratha and a bowl of salad or plain curd. You can also pair with dal-rice or sambar-rice. It goes well in the tiffin box too.

How to make Ladies Finger Fry

1. First rinse 250 grams lady finger (okra) in fresh water. Wipe them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

There should be no trace of water or moisture on the okra pods as then they can become slimy while cooking.

Ensure to use okra pods that are fresh, green and tender.

2. Then chop the okra in 1 to 1.5 cm roundels. Keep them aside.

3. In a shallow kadai or pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add ⅓ cup of chopped onion.

4. On a low to medium heat, saute the onions till they turn translucent stirring often.

5. Then add 1 teaspoon heaped chopped ginger and 1 green chili (chopped or sliced). Stir and saute for half a minute.

6. Reduce the heat and then add the following ground spices:

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
• ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (paprika)
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)

7. Stir and mix the spice powders very well.

Making ladies finger fry

8. Then add the chopped okra pods.

9. Stir and mix very well with the rest of the masala.

10. Add salt as per taste.

11. Mix the salt very well with the ladies finger.

12. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the okra pods on a low heat. Do not add any water to the pan.

13. After every 3 to 4 minutes, do check the okra and stir again, so that the okra does not get browned or burnt and are uniformly cooked.

14. Cook till the lady finger is tender and done. It takes about 14 to 15 minutes on a low heat.

15. Then add ½ teaspoon garam masala powder. Stir and mix very well. Switch off the heat.

16. Lastly add 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Stir and mix again.

17. Serve lady finger fry hot or warm with phulkas or chapatis or paratha. It also makes for an excellent side dish with sambar rice or rasam rice or dal rice.

It can also be packed in the lunch box with a side of chapati or paratha or whole wheat bread. The recipe can be easily scaled as per your requirements.

If you are looking for more Ladies finger recipes then do check:

Okra Recipes

Bharwa Bhindi Recipe (Punjabi Style)

Okra Recipes

Bhindi Fry

Okra Recipes

Bhindi Masala Recipe (Restaurant Style)

Okra Recipes

Bhindi Do Pyaza Recipe (Punjabi Style)

If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it in the recipe card or leave a comment below – I’d love to hear your feedback. For more vegetarian inspiration, sign up for my email updates or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or X.

This Ladies Finger Fry post from the blog archives first published in May 2016 has been updated and republished on December 2022.