Dhaba Egg Masala
Boiled eggs simmered in a robust onion-tomato gravy with everyday dhaba-style spices. This roadside favorite is rich, comforting, and perfect with roti, paratha, or a small helping of jeera rice.
For 4 servings
- boil · ~12 min
Boil and peel the eggs.
Place the eggs in a pot, cover with water, and boil until hard-boiled. Cool them, peel them, and set aside.
TIPCool the eggs before peeling so the shells come off more easily. - prep · ~2 min
Make small slits in the eggs.
Make 2 to 3 shallow slits on each boiled egg so the gravy can coat them better.
- saute · ~9 min
Start the masala base.
1.Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.2.Add cumin seeds and bay leaf and let them sizzle for 20 to 30 seconds.3.Add chopped onions and cook until light golden, 6 to 7 minutes.4.Add ginger, garlic, and green chili and cook for 1 minute.TIPKeep the heat medium so the onions brown evenly without burning. - saute · ~10 min
Cook the tomatoes and spices.
1.Add chopped tomatoes and salt and cook until soft and pulpy, 5 to 6 minutes.2.Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder.3.Mix well and cook until the masala looks thick and the oil starts to separate, 3 to 4 minutes. - simmer · ~4 min
Add water and make the gravy.
Pour in the water and stir well, scraping up any masala stuck to the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- simmer · ~6 min
Simmer the eggs in the gravy.
Add the boiled eggs to the gravy and spoon some masala over them. Cover and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes so the eggs pick up the flavor.
- garnish · ~1 min
Finish with garam masala and kasuri methi.
Sprinkle garam masala and crushed kasuri methi over the curry. Mix gently and cook for 1 minute, then add coriander leaves.
- serve
Serve hot.
Serve Dhaba Egg Masala hot with roti, paratha, or rice.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Prick only shallow slits in the boiled eggs; deep cuts can make them break while simmering.
- 2Cook the onions to light golden, not dark brown, so the gravy stays balanced and not bitter.
- 3Wait for the masala to turn thick and slightly glossy before adding water; this gives a proper dhaba-style base.
- 4Crush the kasuri methi between your palms just before adding so its aroma blooms in the hot gravy.
- 5Simmer the eggs covered for a few minutes after adding them so the slits absorb the masala.
- 6If making ahead, let the curry rest for 20 to 30 minutes before reheating; the egg and gravy taste better after sitting.
- 7Store leftovers refrigerated and reheat gently, turning the eggs carefully so they do not split.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicier
Add an extra green chili or a bit more red chili powder for a hotter roadside-style curry.
low oilLow-oil
Use slightly less oil and cook the onion-tomato masala a little longer with splashes of water to keep the gravy lighter.
restaurant styleRestaurant-style
Puree the onion-tomato base before simmering for a smoother, richer gravy that feels closer to a restaurant version.
semi drySemi-dry
Reduce the water and cook the masala down further if you want a thicker coating for serving with paratha or pav.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Protein-Rich Main Dish
Eggs make this curry filling and satisfying, helping turn a simple masala gravy into a hearty meal.
Includes Aromatic Spices
Ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, and kasuri methi add flavor complexity without relying on heavy cream or butter.
Tomato-Onion Gravy Base
The gravy uses everyday vegetables for body and tang, giving the dish depth while keeping it home-style.
Frequently asked questions
The shallow cuts help the masala coat the eggs better and allow some of the gravy flavor to seep into the outer layer.
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