Bell Pepper Sabzi
A quick, vibrant dry sabzi where crunchy bell peppers are tossed with fragrant cumin, turmeric, and a hint of amchur for a tangy finish. This everyday North Indian side dish comes together in under 20 minutes with just a handful of pantry spices, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals paired with roti or dal rice.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~5 min
Prep the bell peppers.
1.Cut the bell peppers in half, remove the core, seeds, and white pith.2.Slice each half into 1-inch chunks, keeping all the pieces roughly the same size for even cooking. - temper · ~2 min
Make the tempering.
1.Heat oil in a large skillet or kadhai over medium heat.2.Add cumin seeds and let them crackle and turn aromatic (20-30 seconds).3.Add asafoetida and stir for a few seconds until fragrant.TIPMedium heat is key — too high and the cumin burns, turning the dish bitter. - saute · ~7 min
Cook the bell peppers with spices.
1.Add the bell pepper cubes to the pan and stir to coat with the tempering.2.Sprinkle in turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt.3.Stir everything together and cook on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.TIPKeep heat high enough to slightly char the edges but don't over-stir — letting the peppers sit for a minute between tosses gives light blistering. - mix · ~1 min
Finish and serve.
1.Turn off the heat. Sprinkle dry mango powder over the cooked peppers.2.Toss well to coat. Taste and adjust salt if needed.3.Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.TIPAdding amchur off the heat preserves its tangy punch — heat dulls the sourness.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use a mix of green, red, and yellow bell peppers for vibrant color and varied sweetness.
- 2Cut all bell pepper chunks uniformly (about 1 inch) so they cook evenly and don't turn mushy.
- 3Let the peppers blister slightly by not stirring constantly — a minute of contact with the hot pan adds smoky char.
- 4Add amchur (dry mango powder) only after turning off the heat to retain its bright tangy flavor.
- 5This sabzi tastes best served immediately; leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet.
- 6If you prefer softer peppers, cover the pan for the last 2 minutes of cooking to steam them gently.
Adapt it for your goals.
High-protein
Toss in 1/2 cup of boiled chickpeas or paneer cubes along with the bell peppers for a more filling sabzi that works as a light main with rice.
veganVegan
This recipe is already vegan; simply ensure the oil is plant-based (e.g., sunflower or avocado oil).
low oilLow-oil
Reduce oil to 1 teaspoon and add 1 tablespoon of water after the tempering to steam the peppers, cutting fat while keeping them tender.
with onion tomatoWith-onion-tomato
Sauté 1 small sliced onion after the cumin, then add 1 chopped tomato before the bell peppers for a juicier, more gravy-like sabzi.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Vitamin C
Bell peppers, especially red ones, are packed with vitamin C, which supports immune health and collagen production.
Low in Calories
This oil-based sabzi is light yet satisfying, with bell peppers providing bulk and micronutrients for very few calories.
Digestive-Friendly Spices
Cumin and asafoetida aid digestion and help reduce bloating, making this a gentle side dish for everyday meals.
Frequently asked questions
Fresh bell peppers are best for texture and flavor. Frozen peppers release excess water and will turn mushy instead of getting that nice char.




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