How to make an easy vegetarian Aloo Fry recipe, traditional and authentic South Indian Turmeric Potatoes.
Our homemade crispy Turmeric Potatoes recipe features flavourful ingredients like diced yukon gold potatoes, ground turmeric, butter or ghee, red onion, crunchy chow mein noodles and chutney.
This healthy Aloo Fry is often served as a side dish or snack. It’s vegetarian and gluten free. You can make vegan turmeric potatoes by substituting butter and ghee for coconut oil.
Enjoy the flavourful dish for lunch or dinner alongside your favourite Indian curry or salad.
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What Is Aloo Fry?
In India “Aloo” means potatoes and “fry” indicates the dish is stir fried over the stove.
A traditional Aloo Fry recipe is typically served as a side dish or snack featuring crispy potatoes, spices and herbs.
In South Indian cuisine, stir fry dishes are traditionally served with rice, rasam or crispy turmeric potatoes.
Aloo Fry recipes vary by region and family tradition but are often served with spicy or sweet mango and cilantro chutney.
Our Aloo Fry recipe is vegetarian but you can make vegan Turmeric Potatoes by substitute butter or ghee for vegetable oils like coconut or canola.
Travel to India by Cooking Turmeric Potatoes at Home
I love traveling through Asia.
My first visit to Asia had me living in South Korea for a year as a teacher and it’s where I was first introduced to fermented vegetables like kimchi.
After my contract ended in Seoul I travelled throughout Asia for 6 months, visiting Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, The Maldives and India.
I spent over a month traveling through India. I started in the capital, eating my way through the bustling markets and fine dining restaurants in Delhi. I then embarked on a magical weekend getaway to awe-inspiring Taj Mahal in Agra. In India’s north you’ll find plenty of barbecue and wheat based side dishes like scorched naan bread.
For the second half of my Indian adventure I explored the southern state of Kerala. The south is famous for its seafood, coconut, tropical fruits, crispy dosa and Aloo Fry. The colonial capital of Cochin was formerly run by the Portuguese. It’s also one of the only places in India you can find beef on a menu.
After enjoying a jaunt to the Maldives my India trip came to a close in the Bollywood capital, bustling and cosmopolitan Mumbai. The city is famous for its specialty street foods and fine dining restaurants at opulent luxury hotels. The Taj Mahal Palace in particular serves one of the world’s most famous Afternoon Teas.
What I found most fascinating is India’s distinct regional food cultures. Much like the regional cuisines found in France, Germany, Italy or Spain, each city in India had its own local speciality.
After you’ve traveled to India, return home to prepare an authentic and fragrant feast for friends and family featuring this flavourful Turmeric Potatoes recipe!
Where To Eat Indian Potatoes
If you live in a large city in Canada or America you’ll likely have access to local Indian restaurants that serve traditional Aloo Fry.
Haven’t traveled to India before? It may be helpful to first sample Turmeric Potatoes at a local Indian restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You can assess the desired onion to potato ratio, ideal spicy level and what chutneys to serve at the table.
In Toronto, popular Indian restaurants that may serve Vegetarian Aloo Fry include Udupi Palace, Lahore Tikka House and Kothur Indian Cuisine.
My Family Loves Vegetarian Aloo Fry
I’ll never forget my first experience eating Aloo Fry.
I woke up at a luxury hotel in Cochin, the capital of the southern state of Kerala, to find a decadent breakfast buffet. I felt like I had arrived in a different country as the dishes in Southern India are unique to what you’d find in northern city’s like Agra and Delhi.
The waiter asked me if I’d like to try a local breakfast speciality, crispy dosa served with a selection of chutneys. I remember sipping bitter darjeeling tea while dipping dosa into spicy chutney. I experienced an unforgettable explosion of flavours in my mouth as hot tea muddled with the flavours of spiced chutney. A wonderful way to wake up to the world!
The waiter saw that I loved the dosa and moments later brought over a small bowl of Turmeric Potatoes, an eye catching side dish featuring crispy diced potatoes, ground turmeric, sliced red onions and dollop of coriander chutney. After devouring the small bowl in a matter of seconds I realized I was forever in love with the simplicity of South Indian cuisine.
After traveling throughout India and eating at some of the world’s best Indian restaurants I was excited to share my love for Aloo Fry with family in Toronto.
I’ve hosted many Indian-themed feasts, showcasing dishes from Delhi to Bengal via fragrant curries, fresh salads and hearty soups.
I served a creamy Chicken Shahi Korma with crunchy Indian Onion Salad for an al fresco lunch in the spring. While in the summer at the cottage in Muskoka we enjoyed a vegetarian feast featuring Shahi Paneer and Indian Chickpea Crepes.
When I finally introduced my parents to Indian Potatoes their eyes bulged with glee. I knew they’d both love the potato dish because it featured crunchy chow mein noodles, sweet chutney and subtly spiced crispy potatoes.
If you’ve traveled to India on holiday there is no better way to share your adventure at home with family and friends at home then by serving our homemade Aloo Fry.
Turmeric Potatoes Health Benefits
Our healthy vegetarian Turmeric Potatoes recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!
Potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Studies have linked potatoes to a variety of impressive health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, reduced heart disease risk and higher immunity.
The star component of turmeric is curcumin, a potent phytochemical that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is often prescribed in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to help relieve arthritis, aid digestion and inhibit the growth of cancers.
Onions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Indian Potatoes Cooking Tips
If it’s your first time cooking Aloo Fry at home be sure to review our recipe below. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to get you started.
- We suggest using a large wok or nonstick skillet when cooking Aloo Fry to ensure there is no splatter when cooking.
- We use butter or ghee in this recipe but you can make vegan turmeric potatoes by substituting for coconut oil or canola oil.
- If you like spicy food feel free to add dried red chilies or green serrano chilies.
- The dish can be elevated with an additional level of flavour by adding fresh curry leaves or dried curry leaves. Simply fry the leaves in fat at the beginning of the recipe until they are crispy.
- We love serving this dish as a healthy snack paired with a bitter beer like an IPA.
What To Serve with Aloo Fry
Indian Turmeric Potatoes are one of our favourite vegetarian side dishes and snacks to cook from Southern India.
The healthy quick & easy recipe can be served as a snack on its own or as a side dish as part of a larger Indian feast.
If you’re hosting a large Indian-themed dinner party buffet you may want to serve the dish alongside Pitod Ki Sabji Vegetarian Indian Chickpea Dumplings, Vegetarian Malai Kofta, Vegetarian Shahi Paneer, Vegan One Pot Indian Thakkali Tomato Biryani, Chanachur Chivda Bombay Mixture Namkeen, Parippu Vada, Chingri Malai Curry, Pepper Milagu Rasam Vegan South Indian Soup, Creamy Vegetarian Indian Paneer Soup, Chicken Manchow Soup, Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Indian Cake, Chicken Shahi Korma, Vegetarian Shahi Paneer and Indian Crepes.
You May Also Enjoy These Potato Recipes…
- Vegan Spicy Crispy Roasted Harissa Potatoes
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- Kartoffelknödel German Potato Dumplings
- Healthy Vegan Pkaila Tunisian Butter Bean Stew
- Chupe de Quinoa Gluten Free Peruvian Soup
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- Oven Baked Sweet Potato
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How To Make Vegetarian Aloo Fry Turmeric Potatoes
Aloo Fry Indian Turmeric Potatoes
Equipment
- Large Nonstick Skillet
- French knife
- Microwave
- mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes cut into 1 inch chunks
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 Medium Red Onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Crunchy Chow Mein Noodles
- 1/3 cup Coriander or Mango Chutney
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, toss the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and microwave on high until tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Toss the potatoes with turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- In a large non-stick skillet, melt the butter. Add the potatoes and cook without stirring until well browned. Stir and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Add the onions and cook, stirring, until slightly softened. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the fried noodles. Serve with chutney.
Nutrition
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