Tempered yogurt, with delicious crispy okra, chili, and spices, bhindi raita is the perfect side dish for your Indian meal. When we were in India, we loved the variations in the different raitas and, being Indian food lovers, we couldn’t resist creating our own take on the delicious bhindi raita.
Why you’ll love this delicious raita recipe
- It’s bursting full of Indian flavors, this fried bhindi, spiced okra tastes so good.
- There’s little preparation time involved.
- It’s the perfect accompaniment for your Indian meal or as part of a thali meal.
- It’s 100% vegetarian and can easily be made vegan.
If you’ve never tried okra raita before then you’re in for a real treat. The spiced yogurt mixture with thin crispy okra is just a taste that all Indian food lovers should try. It’s good, really good.
What is a raita?
Raita is a very popular Indian side dish made from fresh curd, plain yogurt, and can be made with a variety of different vegetables and spices.
Probably the most well-known raita is simple cucumber raita.
What is bhindi or okra?
Okra originated from Africa, it’s a vegetable that’s widely used in Indian, Caribbean, Cajun, and Creole cuisines.
When we first came across it in Southern India, we were told that we were going to be served a dish that contained lovely ‘ladies fingers’ which is how they are widely known as in India. They are also known as bhindi.
They are a long-tapered shape, not too dissimilar to ladies’ fingers, but they are green.
You’ll use them in raitas, curries, gumbos and stews, they are the type of vegetable that hasn’t got a strong flavor of its own, so is infused by the spices and flavors it’s cooked in.
It’s quite delicious although it splits opinions, some love it, some hate it.
Often the reason people hate it is because the seed pods have almost a sliminess about them.
While it doesn’t have a strong flavor, it’s got a grassy type of flavor.
What can I serve bhindi raita with?
Bhindi raita is usually served as a side dish to a main meal or part of a thali.
It goes very well with our paneer jalfrezi, saag aloo, pilau rice, and cauliflower dal.
But if we’re being totally honest, we could just grab a roti, papadums (I know, I know, that’s a British thing), or some fresh vegetables and sit down and polish a whole bowl off without anything else!
How do I store it?
Our bhindi raita recipe will store in the fridge when covered for up to 3 days, however, the okra will soften.
If you’re making it ahead, follow the recipe to the point of adding the okra, then add it when you are ready to eat it.
Recipe notes and tips
- Making ahead?
Mix the yogurt and the spices together, make your thin slices of fried bhindi but don’t add it until you are ready to eat, this will give you a crispy okra raita, if you add them and leave them, they will become soft.
How to make bhindi raita with step-by-step instructions
Making our delicious bhindi raita recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok, and then add green chili and okra and fry until they are crispy.
Remove your pan from the heat and let the crispy bhindi cool.
Add yogurt to a mixing bowl and whisk until it’s smooth.
Now, add your crispy bhindi (fried okra) to the bowl, followed by salt, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and red chili powder, stir to combine, and set aside.
Now, heat oil in a pan and fry your mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing (asafoetida), and dried red chili’s, once you hear the crackle of the seeds, remove from the heat and pour the tempering over your raita.
Serve as part of a larger Indian meal and enjoy!
We hope that you enjoy making and eating our bhindi raita recipe and would love to hear how you got on with it.
Please leave a comment below and feel free to ask any questions that you may have.
More vegetarian Indian-inspired recipes for you to try
If you love our bhindi raita recipe, then why not try out these tasty Indian side dishes? Boondi raita, dum aloo, aloo gobi, saag aloo, and aloo tikki.
BHINDI RAITA RECIPE – OKRA YOGURT DIP
Utensils
Ingredients
For the okra
- 2 tsp Vegetable oil
- 2 tsp Green chili thinly sliced
- 7 oz Okra (bhindi) washed and cut into small slices
- 8 oz Plain yogurt
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Roasted cumin powder
- 1 tsp Chaat masala
- 1 tsp Red chili powder
For the tempuring (topping)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- ½ tsp Mustard seed
- ½ tsp Cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp Hing (asafoetida)
- 2 Dried red chilis
Instructions
For the okra
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok, and then add green chili and okra and fry until they are crispy. Remove your pan from the heat and let the crispy bhindi cool. Add yogurt to a mixing bowl and whisk until it's smooth. Now, add your crispy bhindi (fried okra) to the bowl, followed by salt, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and red chili powder, stir to combine, and set aside.2 tsp Vegetable oil, 2 tsp Green chili, 7 oz Okra (bhindi), 8 oz Plain yogurt, Salt, 1 tsp Roasted cumin powder, 1 tsp Chaat masala, 1 tsp Red chili powder
For the tempering (topping)
- Now, heat oil in a pan and fry your mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing (asafoetida), and dried red chili's, once you hear the crackle of the seeds, remove from the heat and pour the tempering over your raita. Serve as part of a larger Indian meal and enjoy!1 tbsp Vegetable oil, ½ tsp Mustard seed, ½ tsp Cumin seeds, ¼ tsp Hing (asafoetida), 2 Dried red chilis
Notes
- Making ahead?
Mix the yogurt and the spices together, make your thin slices of fried bhindi but don’t add it until you are ready to eat, this will give you crispy okra raita, if you add them and leave them, they will become soft
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Dionne says
One of the best raita recipes that I’ve seen, that’s for sure – delicious, yummy and oh… so good!
Danielle Wolter says
This sounds delicious! I absolutely love okra and can’t wait to try this dish. The flavors sound amazing!
Gina says
Such an interesting dip! I love all the ingredients (especially okra!) so I can’t wait to give it a try.
AISilva says
Okra is one of my favourite sides when getting Indian food. I can’t wait to make this bhindi raita, it sounds so good!
Andrea says
What a flavorful yogurt. I’ve never had anything like it. Can’t wait to taste it.
Rachel says
This was DIVINE dipped in store bought naan bread! Totally kicked it up a notch! 🙂
Mandy from Splash of Taste says
So pleased you enjoyed it! There’s nothing quite like homemade fairs!
Glenda says
This is the most delicious way I’ve EVER eaten okra! We love Indian spices and the way creamy yogurt tempers them perfectly. Your raita with fried okra is so unique and perfectly balanced with those favorite ingredients! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Lisa says
We enjoyed this yogurt dip way more than expected. It’s so full of flavor!
Jenn says
The flavors in this dish are outstanding and the okra is perfect. Thanks for your tips to make this amazing recipe!
Sherry says
This Okra Yogurt Dip was a huge hit at my New Years Eve party. I had many requests for the recipe!! I will be making it again!!