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Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry)

Name: Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry)
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g Bitter gourd (karela); 2 pc Onion; 1 pc Tomato; 0.5 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Red chilli powder; 1 tsp Coriander powder; 0.5 tsp Cumin seeds; 4 tbsp Cooking oil; to taste Salt

70 min Medium 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 70 min · Prep 40 min · Cook 30 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

Photo: SwingingUvula / CC BY-SA 4.0

A classic Pakistani everyday sabzi: sliced bitter gourd salted to tame its edge, browned in oil and finished with onion-tomato masala. Bold, slightly bitter and best with hot roti and daal.

Quick answer: 70 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Bitter gourd (karela), Onion, Tomato, Turmeric · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

500 g 1.1 lb Bitter gourd (karela)
2 pc 2 pc Onion
1 pc 1 pc Tomato
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp 1 tsp Coriander powder
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Cumin seeds
4 tbsp 4 tbsp Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt

Steps

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Slice the bitter gourd into thin rounds, scoop out big seeds, rub with a teaspoon of salt and leave for 30 minutes. Squeeze out the bitter liquid and rinse.
⏱ Salting · 30 min
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil and fry the bitter gourd on medium heat until browned and shrunken. Lift out and set aside.
⏱ Frying · 10 min
In the same pan add the last spoon of oil and fry the sliced onions until golden.
⏱ Frying onion · 7 min
Add chopped tomato, turmeric, chilli, coriander, cumin and salt. Cook until the tomato breaks down and the oil separates.
⏱ Cooking masala · 7 min
Return the bitter gourd, mix well, cover and cook on low heat for 10 minutes until tender. Serve hot with roti.
⏱ Simmering · 10 min

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry) take?

70 minutes in total: about 40 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

Is Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry) hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 5 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry) serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry) halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, red chilli powder, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: coriander powder, cumin seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: bitter gourd (karela), onion, tomato.

Any tips for making Karela Masala (Bitter Gourd Fry)?

Do not skip the salting: it draws out much of the bitter juice. A pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon at the end balances the flavour if you like it milder.