Banana Pepper Recipes Indian Style for Flavorful Meals

Banana peppers, known for their mild heat and tangy flavor, are a versatile ingredient in Indian cooking. While often associated with Western pickles or salads, banana peppers can be transformed into delicious Indian-style dishes that add a unique zing to your meals.

From spicy stuffed banana peppers to tangy banana pepper chutney, there’s a world of flavors waiting to be explored with this humble vegetable. Indian cuisine’s love for vibrant spices and diverse cooking techniques makes banana peppers an excellent candidate for exciting culinary experiments.

In this post, we’ll dive into several authentic Indian banana pepper recipes that are easy to make and packed with flavor. Whether you want a quick stir-fry, a comforting curry, or a flavorful pickle, these recipes will introduce you to the exciting ways banana peppers can jazz up your everyday meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Banana pepper recipes in Indian cuisine offer a wonderful balance of spice, tang, and aroma that is both comforting and refreshing. These recipes are:

• Highly adaptable – perfect for vegetarians and vegans alike.
• Nutritious – banana peppers are rich in vitamins A and C and low in calories.
• Quick and easy – ideal for busy weeknights or festive occasions.
• Flavorful – layered with traditional Indian spices that enhance the natural sweetness and mild heat of banana peppers.
• Great for meal prepping – some recipes like pickles and chutneys can be made in advance and enjoyed for days.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Sharp knife and chopping board
• Mixing bowls
• Heavy-bottomed pan or skillet
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Serving spoon and dish

Instructions

1. Prepare the banana peppers: Rinse the banana peppers thoroughly under running water. Slice off the stems and cut each pepper lengthwise. Remove the seeds if you prefer less heat.
2. Heat oil: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil over medium flame. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add asafoetida and onions: Add a pinch of asafoetida and the chopped onions (if using). Sauté until onions turn golden brown.
4. Add spices: Mix in turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Stir quickly to prevent burning.
5. Add banana peppers: Toss the sliced banana peppers into the pan. Mix well to coat the peppers with the spices.
6. Add tamarind paste and salt: Stir in tamarind paste and salt to taste. Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Check doneness: The banana peppers should become soft but retain some crunch. Adjust salt and spice as needed.
8. Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or Indian breads like chapati or paratha.

Tips & Variations

To add a smoky flavor, try roasting the banana peppers lightly before adding them to the pan.

• For a tangier dish, add a little jaggery or brown sugar along with tamarind paste.
• Try stuffing the banana peppers with a spiced potato or paneer filling for a delicious stuffed pepper recipe.
• For a quick pickle, slice the peppers thin and marinate them with mustard seeds, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and vinegar.
• Use mustard oil for a traditional pungent flavor often found in Bengali-style preparations.
• Adjust the chili powder according to your preferred spice level; banana peppers are naturally mild but can be spiced up easily.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This banana pepper dish pairs wonderfully with steamed basmati rice or roti. You can also enjoy it as a side with dals (lentils) or vegetable curries for a wholesome meal.

Try it alongside Brown Rice Recipe VegRecipesOfIndia: Easy & Healthy Meals for a nutritious combo.

For an exciting snack, serve the pickled version of banana peppers with hot pakoras or samosas. It also complements sandwiches well; check out our Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious for inspiration.

Looking for more vegetarian delights? These banana pepper recipes go great with other Indian staples like vegetable curries and dals, or you can try them alongside Dassana Veg Recipes: Easy and Delicious Meals to Try for a broader taste experience.

Delicious Indian Banana Pepper Recipes to Try

Stuffed Banana Peppers (Bharwa Banana Mirch)

This recipe is a crowd favorite where banana peppers are stuffed with a spiced mixture of gram flour, peanuts, and aromatic spices. It’s then pan-fried or baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients:

• 6 banana peppers
• ½ cup gram flour (besan)
• 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, crushed
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Wash and slit the banana peppers without cutting them completely. Remove seeds if desired.
2. In a bowl, mix gram flour, crushed peanuts, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, chili powder, salt, lemon juice, and a little water to form a thick paste.
3. Stuff each banana pepper with the prepared mixture carefully.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the stuffed peppers on medium heat until golden and cooked through.
5. Serve hot with roti or as a snack with chutney.

Banana Pepper and Potato Curry

A comforting curry combining tender banana peppers and potatoes simmered in a fragrant tomato-based gravy with aromatic spices.

Ingredients:

• 5 banana peppers, cut into pieces
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add onions and sauté until golden.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies; cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add pureed tomatoes and cook until oil separates from the masala.
4. Add turmeric, coriander powder, salt, and garam masala. Mix well.
5. Add diced potatoes and banana peppers. Stir to coat with the spices.
6. Add water as needed, cover, and simmer until potatoes and peppers are tender.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or chapati.

Spicy Banana Pepper Pickle (Achaar)

A traditional Indian-style pickle made by marinating banana peppers in mustard seeds, turmeric, and chili powder, then preserved in oil and vinegar for a tangy and spicy flavor.

Ingredients:

• 10 banana peppers, sliced
• 2 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp red chili powder (adjust to heat preference)
• 1 tbsp salt
• ½ cup mustard oil
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry banana peppers thoroughly. Slice into rings or strips.
2. Dry roast mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds lightly, then grind coarsely.
3. In a large bowl, combine banana peppers, ground mustard seeds, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
4. Heat mustard oil until smoking point, then cool slightly.
5. Pour mustard oil and vinegar over the pepper mixture and mix thoroughly.
6. Transfer to a sterilized jar, seal, and keep in sunlight for 3-4 days, shaking the jar daily.
7. The pickle is ready to enjoy and can be stored for weeks.

Conclusion

Banana peppers are a delightful ingredient that brings a subtle heat and tang to Indian dishes, making them a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. Whether you’re preparing a quick stir-fry, a hearty curry, or a tangy pickle, these recipes showcase the wonderful ways banana peppers can complement traditional Indian spices and cooking styles.

These dishes are not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients, making them a healthy choice for everyday meals.

Experiment with these recipes to find your favorite way to enjoy banana peppers the Indian way. For more delicious vegetarian recipes, check out our Dassana Veg Recipes: Easy and Delicious Meals to Try or explore other flavorful options like Best Vegetable Curry Recipe for Rice That Tastes Amazing.

With these recipes in your arsenal, your kitchen will be bursting with vibrant colors and unforgettable flavors!

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