Here’s a stir fry for you, which is not just vegan and easy to prepare, but will also change your perspective about the not so loved karela (bitter gourd or bitter melon). This Karela Fry recipe is lightly spiced and tangy, which balances the bitter tones of the karela. The Bitter Gourd Fry or Kakarakaya Fry gets done super quickly and has a unique flavor profile.
More on This Karela Fry
This Karela Fry or Bitter Gourd Fry is a simple Indian style stir fry as I’ve used a mix of spice powders and gram flour (besan) that are common ingredients in the Indian cuisine. Karela or bitter gourd/melon is also referred to as kakarakaya in Telugu language and pavakkai in Tamil language. Hence, this dish can also be called as Kakarakaya Fry or Pavakkai Fry.
There are not many people who are fond of this bitter tasting vegetable. But bitter gourd has many health benefits and you must include it in your diet. This recipe that I have created is one of those stir fries which is hassle free and makes the bitter gourd palate-friendly. I also do not use a lot of oil to make this karela fry.
Since the day I started making this Kakarakaya Fry, it has been a hit at my home and now I often prepare this dish. Other than this Bitter Gourd Fry, other preparations with karela that are quite frequent at my home are the Bharwa Karela and the Punjabi style Karela Sabji (Bitter Gourd Curry).
The ground spice powders that go in this Pavakkai Fry are a mix of earthy and tangy. Hence, balance the bitter undertones of the bitter gourd very well. Its almost like you are munching on a yummy packet of chips made by any other regular vegetable.
You can enjoy the Kakarakaya Fry or Bitter Gourd Fry just as it is. However, the most classic way to relish it is to have it as a side with dal-rice, sambar-rice, rasam-rice or even kadhi-rice. This Karela Fry pairs really well with Indian flatbreads like phulkas and chapattis too.
Health Benefits of Karela
When it comes to flavors, the karela has most of the times been at the lowest position for the biggest of foodies. The simple reason is its bitter taste.
But we can’t really miss on the health benefits that this vegetable has in store for us. Here’s a sneak peak to what your body may miss out on, if you are not consuming the bitter gourd.
- Karela or bitter gourd is a storehouse of Vitamin C, B Vitamin and even minerals like calcium, iron and phosphorus.
- This vegetable helps in purifying blood.
- If you are border line diabetic or even diabetic, you must include karela in your diet right way. It is excellent for you.
- Karela helps in tackling the problem of constipation and piles.
- It is great for the skin and helps in healing skin issues.
Expert Tips
- If you are using karela which is not tender, remove the seeds. The seeds of bitter gourd are considered toxic, so you can remove them before making the recipe.
- You can cut down on the bitterness of the karela by keeping the pieces in salted water for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse them well in fresh water, pat dry with a kitchen towel and use. Alternatively mix some salt with the bitter gourd slices. Let sit for 15 minutes. Later with your fingers or palms, gently squeeze the bitter juices from the slices. Rinse in water and drain all of the water. Pat dry and use in the recipe.
- If you want a tangier taste in the Karela Fry recipe, then increase the quantity of dried mango powder accordingly.
- Garnishing the Karela Fry with coriander leaves is optional. You can skip it.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by skipping the asafoetida (hing).
- You can double or triple this recipe.
FAQs
It is not necessary to peel the skin of the karela or bitter gourd, as it is edible. However, you can scrape some skin or peel it if you wish to. This will reduce the rough outer texture.
You can add the bitter gourd slices in salted water and keep it for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse the pieces well in fresh water, pat dry and use.
Or choose to mix some salt with the slices and set aside for 15 minutes. Squeeze the bitter juice gently from the slices and rinse them in fresh water. Dry with a clean kitchen napkin before using.
You can serve this Karela Fry with dal-rice, sambar-rice, rasam-rice or even kadhi-rice. This is also a great munchie by itself.
The Karela Fry recipe is vegan. In order to make it gluten free too, don’t add the asafoetida (hing).
Bitter gourd seeds are considered to be toxic and can be removed if you prefer. I usually remove the seeds if they are mature. If there are small and tender seeds, I keep them. We eat karela once in a while, so I do not remove the tender seeds. If you eat karela often, then do remove the seeds.
Yes, you can use potato, brinjal, lady finger, etc. in place of karela in this recipe.
More Vegetable Recipes To Try!
Potato Recipes
Okra Recipes
Cauliflower Recipes
Brinjal Recipes
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Karela Fry | Bitter Gourd Fry | Kakarakaya Fry
Ingredients
- 250 gram bitter gourd (karela or kakarakaya or bitter melon) – tender and fresh
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder (ground cumin)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
- 1 teaspoon fennel powder (ground fennel)
- ¼ teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing), optional
- ½ or 1 teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan) or chickpea flour
- 2 tablespoons oil
- salt as required
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse the bitter gourd for a few times in water first.
- Slice the karela into thin round pieces.
- You can lightly peel the skin if you want, before you slice them. But if the peels are very thick, then remove them.
Making karela fry
- Heat oil in a frying pan or kadai.
- Add the karela slices and sauté on low or medium-low heat till the slices are lightly browned. This takes about 8 to minutes, keep stirring in between.
- Now, add all the dry ground spice powders and salt.
- Stir and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes more on low heat.
- Lastly, add the besan (gram flour) and sauté for some minutes or till the rawness of the besan goes away. This takes about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander leaves.
- Serve Karela Fry with dal-rice, kadhi-rice or sambar-rice.
Notes
- To reduce the bitterness, rub some salt in the bitter gourd slices evenly. Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently squeeze the slices to extract the bitter juice. Later rinse the slices in fresh water. Drain very well, dry with a kitchen towel and follow the recipe.
- Bitter gourds seeds are considered to be toxic, so you can opt to remove them before using in the recipe.
- Use fresh, tender, green bitter gourd and not the ones which are wilted or ripened. The ripened ones will be yellow colored inside with red seeds.
- The tang from the dry mango powder helps in balancing the bitter taste. If you do not have mango powder, drizzle some lemon juice once the bitter gourd slices are cooked.
- Adjust the ground spices and seasonings depending on your taste preferences.
- This recipe can be halved or doubled or tripled easily.
Nutrition Info (Approximate values)
This Bitter Gourd Fry post from the archives first published in June 2013 has been republished and updated on 30 April 2022.
Wonderful way of making karela dish.
Thank you.
Wonderful recipe, however could not get it crispy because of the powders that we add
add more oil and you will get a crispy texture. slow cooking is also the key to get a crisp texture. it is not due to the spice powders. add salt at the last once the karela is done. hope this helps.
Tried this today and it tasted fabulous. Also very easy to make. Loved it!!
thanks, winnie. yes easy to make.