Aloo Beans: Indian Potato and Beans Stir Fry

Super simple, yet loaded with flavor- this aloo beans recipe might just become your go-to Indian curry. 

Craving for some flavorful Indian curry to dig into, but don’t have a ton of curry ingredients? Aloo beans to the rescue! This mildly spiced North Indian curry is just what it sounds like- a simple curry made using potatoes and green beans. 

The next time you’re craving some Indian food, but don’t want to spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen, you might want to give this recipe a shot. 

Here’s a quick review of everything you need to know about it. 

Jump to:

• Ingredients For the Recipe
•  How to Make the Aloo Beans
• Tips & Tricks to Nail the Aloo Beans Recipe
• Aloo Beans: Indian Potato and Beans Stir Fry

Ingredients For the Recipe

Apart from the potatoes and beans, you’ll need some Indian spices. 

• Mustard oil: 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds: ½ tsp
• Dry Red chili: 1-2
• Garlic (minced): 1 tbsp
• Potatoes (small cubed): 1 cup
• Beans (chopped): 1½ cup
• Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
• Red chili powder: 1 tbsp
• Coriander powder: 1 tbsp
• Cumin powder: ½ tbsp
• Garam masala: ½ tsp
• Dried mango powder: 1 tsp
• Salt: 2 tsps or as per taste

 How to Make the Aloo Beans

Once you have all the ingredients ready, making the curry is super easy. Just follow these easy steps and you’re sorted. 

Heat oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chili, and let them crackle.

Next, add the minced garlic. Saute. 

Add the potatoes next and saute until they are half cooked. 

Add the beans next and mix well. Cook for about 10-12 minutes. 

Next, add the powdered spices and mix well. Cook for 1-2 minutes. 

Serve hot with steamed rice and curry or dal of your choice. 

Which Beans Should I Use?

String beans, cluster beans, and snap beans are three great options you can pick from. They are versatile, easy to cook, and available almost everywhere. 

When choosing beans, always opt for fresh ones over the frozen variety, since they tend to retain the best crunchy texture and color.

What Else Can I Add to the Aloo Beans?

Believe it or not, this aloo beans recipe is probably the most versatile Indian recipe you could try your hands at. You can add in more veggies of your choice, or use any veggie as a substitute for the beans, and still turn up with something that’s just as delicious and loaded with flavor. 

Here are a few good options to consider.

• Cauliflower 
• Green bell peppers 
• Spinach 
• Broccoli 
• Eggplant
• Okra 
• Carrots 
• Green peas
• Fenugreek leaves 
• Cabbage

What Can I Use Instead of Mustard Oil?

This recipe calls for the use of mustard oil specifically because of the strong and powerful fragrance that it lends. Plus, it is also thought to be packed with several medicinal properties. 

If you’re not too sure about using mustard oil, you could use any other cooking oil you prefer- olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil are excellent alternatives that have a subtle, mild flavor. 

How Do I Turn This Into a Gravy?

While the aloo beans recipe is typically supposed to have a stir-fry consistency and texture, you can still turn it into a curry with a nice gravy base too. All you’ll need to do is add some fresh tomato purée into the mix and allow it to simmer for 5-7 minutes. 

This gravy-style aloo beans curry can then be served with rice or any bread to mop up all that delicious and flavorful liquid.

How Do I Store the Leftovers?

Your leftover aloo beans can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Just remember to use an airtight container to preserve its freshness, and use a little water to get some moisture into the curry while reheating it. 

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Aloo Beans Recipe

Aloo beans is super easy to make, no doubt, but keep these tips in mind if you really want to get the recipe right in the first shot! 

• Remember to always use a heavy bottomed and well seasoned pan when you’re making stir fries and any other similar recipes. This will ensure that the veggies don’t end up sticking to the bottom of the pan. 
• Always use good quality, fresh potatoes- they will take less time to cook, and soak up less oil too. 
• To reduce the starch content in the potatoes and to help them get nice and crispy, cut them up, soak them in water for a few minutes, and then use them for the recipe. 
• To get the potatoes to cook faster, you can cover the pan with a lid and let them cook for an additional few minutes. Remember to keep the heat low when you’re doing this, to prevent the potatoes from burning. 
• Want this recipe to get a nice, rustic feel? Keep the potato peels on- just remember to wash the potatoes thoroughly before you cut them though. 
• Don’t miss out on adding the dry mango powder. It can add a nice tanginess to the dish. 
• If you don’t have dry mango powder, but still want to enjoy a bit of sourness and tanginess in the recipe, you can squeeze some lemon juice towards the end, and give it a quick toss. 
• You can also add a pinch of rock salt to the curry to lend it a bit of extra flavor. 
• Top the dish with a generous sprinkle of chopped coriander leaves. They can add a pop of green color and a lot of freshness. 

Serving Ideas & Tips

Aloo beans is typically paired with a bowl of rice and curry or some Dal Makhani to make it all a complete meal. You can also serve it with some chapatis (Indian flatbread). 

To make it all a complete meal, you can also team it up with a drink like a mango lassi or tamarind cooler (which is great during the warmer months of the year) and a nice, crunchy salad on the side. 

You can also serve it with some paratha and fresh yogurt. And since we’re already talking about yogurt, you can also pair this dish up with some cooling raita to balance out the flavors.