Looking for a delicious way to cook bitter gourd? Try this amazing Bitter Gourd Curry (Karela Curry) recipe! This traditional Indian dish balances the natural bitterness of the gourd with a rich, spicy masala, making it a perfect addition to your healthy meal plans.

In this video, I’ll show you how to prepare the bitter gourd to reduce its bitterness and cook it with onions, tomatoes, and flavorful Indian spices. You’ll love this simple, healthy, and incredibly tasty curry that goes well with rice, roti, or chapati!

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd (karela): 3 medium-sized (sliced thin)
Onions: 2 medium (finely chopped)
Tomatoes: 2 medium (finely chopped)
Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tbsp
Green chilies: 2 (slit lengthwise)
Yogurt/curd: 2 tbsp (optional for tanginess)
Coriander powder: 1 tsp
Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
Red chili powder: 1 tsp
Garam masala: ½ tsp
Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds (methi): ½ tsp
Salt: to taste
Oil: 3-4 tbsp
Fresh coriander leaves: for garnish

Preparation:

Prepare the Bitter Gourd:
Wash the bitter gourds thoroughly, and slice them thin (either into rounds or half-moons).
Sprinkle salt over the slices and set aside for 20-30 minutes. This helps reduce bitterness. Afterward, squeeze out the excess water and rinse the bitter gourd to remove extra salt.

Fry the Bitter Gourd:
Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the bitter gourd slices until they turn light golden brown. Remove and keep aside.

Cooking the Masala:
In the same pan, add some more oil if required.
Add cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds, let them splutter.
Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for a couple of minutes until the raw smell disappears.

Add Spices:
Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Mix well and sauté for another minute.

Tomatoes and Cooking:
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and the oil begins to separate from the masala. This should take about 5-6 minutes.
If using yogurt/curd, add it now and cook for an additional minute.

Combine Bitter Gourd and Masala:
Add the fried bitter gourd slices to the tomato-onion mixture and mix well.
Sprinkle garam masala over the curry and cook on low heat for about 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine. Adjust salt and spices as per taste.

Finish and Garnish:
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve the bitter gourd curry with steamed rice, chapati, or paratha. It also goes well with dal and sabzi as part of a traditional Indian meal.
This recipe balances the bitterness of the gourd with the richness of the masala, creating a delicious and flavorful dish.