Stuffed Karela also Stuffed Bitter Gourd is a side dish and a great way of eating the bitter vegetable that most people shun.
Shallow fried and not fried as in the traditional Uttar Pradesh style. I have used soya chunks to increase the protein content.
Stuffed Bitter Gourd is a common dish in most North Indian states.
My love for this vegetable that is known as hagalkai in Kannada and karle in Marathi is very well-known in my home.
Here are a few dishes I have made in the past Stuffed Karela, Bitter Gourd ~Flavours of Nepal, Karati Che Kismore and there are some that I have not posted some as in my place no one eats these.

Stuffed Karela or Stuffed Bitter Gourd Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 bitter gourd or karela
- 2 onions chopped fine
- 1 Potatoes boiled and mashed
- ¼ cup soya chunks boiled and drained
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 2 teaspoon Dry mango powder amchur
- Salt to Taste
- 1 tablespoon oil + oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash, scrape, and slit the karela/bitter gourd.
- Remove the seeds and discard them.
- Apply salt and leave it for 12 hours. I generally leave them overnight.
- Soak the karela in water for about ½ hour then wash them thoroughly. Squeeze them a bit and set aside.
- Meanwhile in kadhai/wok heat oil, add the onions and cook until a bit soft.
- Add the ginger garlic paste and cook again until the onion is translucent.
- Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, jeera powder and dry mango powder/amchur.
- Stir well and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the mashed potato and soya chunks mix well.
- Cook until you get a delicious aroma.
- Cool and then stuff the karelas with this stuffing.
- Check the seasonings. Since you will be using it to stuff in salted karelas keep the salt low.
- Traditionally these stuffed bitter gourds are deep-fried in medium hot oil until dark brown.
- However, I shallow fried them in a non-stick pan with little oil till dark brown.
- Flip them over cook on the other side.
- Use oil if needed only.
- Cook covered for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot.

Priya Suresh says
Soya chunks stuffed Karela, wow what a dish re, seriously i never thought of stuffing bitter gourd with soya chunks, am in love with this dish.
Srivalli Jetti says
That is surely a very different stuffing you got Arch, I have stuffed masala into a karela, nice idea to use soya....good one!
Gayathri Kumar says
Very innovative stuffing for karelas. As karelas don't go well in my house, I rarely buy it but I am a great fan of this delicious veggie.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
I second gayathri. Such an innovating stuffing for karela. Health bhi aur taste bhi. Super
Sharmila Kingsly says
Yummy and healthy stuffing in bitter gourd.. I usually make Bitter gourd chips but this is one awesome recipe.. Should try this out!!
Rajani says
We can form a club Archana. lovers of Karela in a karela hating family:-)). But I too don't wander beyond the usual fried Karelas. This recipe is for sure an innovative one!
Mayuri Patel says
I personally don't like karela but my hubby loves them. Stuffing karela with soya is different.
Vaishali says
Omg ! This is thinking out of the box ! Could never have thought soya Karela combo , wow ! Archana .
Nalini says
Nice idea to stuff soya keema in bittergourd.Looks awesome,kudos to your effort.
Anlet Prince - Annslittlecorner says
Soya stuffing in Karela sounds very interesting to me. Can wait to try this.
Sowmya says
I am a karela lover and this idea of stuffing it with soya chunks is fabulous. Looks super delicious. Bookmarked!
Sapna says
The soya chunks stuffing sounds so amazing. I love karela ????????
Kalyani says
wow wow ! u cud be a star in my house if u make it for the elder one who LOVES karela-everyday !
even a karela-hater is loving this idea !
ruchi indu says
We here are not big fans of karela. So this vegetable makes a very rare appearance in my kitchen. But this recipe sounds interesting to try..