Beans Mezhukkupuratti
A simple Kerala-style beans stir-fry made with finely chopped green beans, coconut oil, shallots, and a little spice. It cooks quickly and stays lightly crisp, making it a lovely side for rice and curry.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~15 min
Prepare the beans and aromatics.
1.Trim the green beans and chop them finely into small even pieces.2.Slice the shallots thinly.3.Crush the garlic cloves and slit the green chilies. - saute · ~5 min
Cook the shallots and spices in coconut oil.
1.Heat coconut oil in a wide pan over medium heat.2.Add curry leaves, sliced shallots, garlic, and green chilies.3.Cook until the shallots soften and smell sweet, about 3 to 4 minutes.4.Add turmeric powder and red chili powder and stir for a few seconds.TIPKeep the heat medium so the chili powder does not burn in the oil. - simmer · ~8 min
Cook the beans until just tender.
1.Add the chopped green beans and salt to the pan.2.Mix well so the beans are coated with the oil and spices.3.Pour in the water and cover the pan.4.Cook on low heat until the beans are just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.TIPUse only a little water so the dish stays dry and not stewy. - saute · ~3 min
Dry out the moisture and finish the stir-fry.
Remove the lid and cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring now and then, until the remaining moisture dries up and the beans look glossy and lightly fried.
- serve
Serve hot with rice and curry.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Chop the beans very evenly and quite fine so they cook at the same rate and get the classic Kerala-style texture.
- 2Use a wide pan rather than a deep pot so the water evaporates quickly in the final stage and the stir-fry stays dry.
- 3Do not brown the shallots deeply; stop when they turn soft and sweet so they blend into the beans instead of tasting fried.
- 4Add the chili powder only briefly to the oil, then move on quickly to the beans so the spice does not scorch and turn bitter.
- 5Keep the water minimal as written; too much liquid makes the dish soggy instead of glossy and lightly fried.
- 6For best texture, uncover as soon as the beans are just tender and finish on medium heat until there is no visible moisture left.
- 7Leftovers reheat best in a skillet, not the microwave, to bring back the dry mezhukkupuratti finish.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Reduce the coconut oil slightly and use a good nonstick pan; you will get a lighter version while keeping the dish dry and quick-cooking.
mildMild
Cut back the green chilies and skip the red chili powder for a gentler side dish that still keeps the shallot-garlic-curry leaf flavor.
coconut finishCoconut-finish
Stir in a spoonful of fresh grated coconut at the end for a softer, slightly sweeter Kerala-style variation.
carrot beansCarrot-beans
Replace part of the beans with finely chopped carrot for extra color and a slightly sweeter taste while keeping the same cooking method.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Vegetable-Rich Side Dish
Green beans make this a simple way to add more vegetables to a meal while keeping the preparation light and not heavily sauced.
Made With Aromatic Whole Ingredients
Shallots, garlic, green chili, and curry leaves bring flavor naturally, so the dish tastes vibrant without relying on rich gravies.
Lightly Cooked Texture
Because the beans are cooked only until just tender, they keep a fresh bite and do not become overcooked or heavy.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but thaw and drain them well first. Frozen beans release more water, so use less added water and dry the dish longer at the end.
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