Last updated on August 19th, 2018
Besanwali simla mirch recipe is a simple vegan stir fry with a splendid concoction of green bell pepper(simla mirch) and gram flour(besan). This side dish recipe is from Karnataka. Just after getting married we lived in Bangalore for an year before moving to Chennai and the owner pf the house,where we stayed used to stay would treat us with many delicacies she prepared. I think she took pity on me as I did not even know to cook rice properly by then,she used to send some or the other kind of food very often. I still remember those days,two dishes that I could decently manage were vatha kuzhambu and potato roast,no wonder they were repeatedly featured in the menu :). I used to call mom repeatedly for even very simple recipe and I would also note it down,thus I got the habit of writing down recipes and it continues till date.It is only from that house owner lady I got to taste some authentic Karnataka dishes like mundiri murukku,corn vada,this besanwali simla mirch etc. She once gave me this stir fry and I was totally amused by the flavor and taste of this humble looking stir fry.The gram flour in this besanwali simla mirch is the star of the recipe and it tastes very delicious.It will be as if like you are eating onion pakoda,only little softer along with green bell peppers. I got the recipe from her and have made this dish many a times.She even told me this dish is also known as zunka in northern parts of India. Though this besanwali simla mirch tastes delicious with rotis,I personally love to have this with rice and simple dal. I have seen many recipes for this dish,while the spices and proportions vary,the basic method remains the same every where. The one I am blogging here,uses minimum spices,letting the gram flour shine at its best. In some places they roast the gram flour beforehand but I generally add it in batches directly to bell pepper and it tastes great and also saves time. Another popular besanwali recipe is besanwali bhindi (okra with gram flour)
Few other capsicum recipes that you might like are paneer capsicum masala, stuffed capsicum, capsicum curry, capsicum chutney.
How to make besanwali simla mirch
1.Wash and chop the bell pepper.Slice the onions.
2.Heat 3-4 teaspoons oil in a kadai and temper with cumin seeds.Add curry leaves,green chillies.Add the sliced onions and saute till translucent.
3.Add the chopped bell peppers and saute for 7-8 minutes.Once the sin starts to shrink,add the chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.Mix well and saute for 5-6 minutes.
4.Add 1 tablespoon gram flour and stir well till is absorbed.Make sure to stir well to avoid lumps. Same way add the remaining 3 tablespoons after 2 minutes interval,gram flour should be well cooked and fragrant.Once done,remove from flame and serve hot with rice/roti.
Besanwali simla mirch recipe card below:

- 2 large firm green bell peppers
- 2 small or 1 big onion
- 4 tablespoons gram flour
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 green chillies
- 10-12 curry leaves
- Salt
- 4 teaspoons oil
- Wash and chop the bell pepper.Slice the onions.
- Heat 3-4 teaspoons oil in a kadai and temper with cumin seeds.Add curry leaves,green chillies.Add the sliced onions and saute till translucent.
- Add the chopped bell peppers and saute for 7-8 minutes.Once the sin starts to shrink,add the chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.Mix well and saute for 5-6 minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon gram flour and stir well till is absorbed.Make sure to stir well to avoid lumps. Same way add the remaining 3 tablespoons after 2 minutes interval,gram flour should be well cooked and fragrant.Once done,remove from flame and serve hot with rice/roti.
1.You can use cabbage instead of capsicum in this recipe
2.Make sure to add gram flour in batches for even cooking.
3.While sauteing bell peppers do it in high flame to retain its crunch,but after adding gram flour cook in low flame.
lovely fry…me also cook like this way…
Shimla mirch with besan touch looks delish 🙂
Thats a new dish for me. Sounds wonderful with the addition of gram flour.
Thank you Taurana
Can I make this without onions? Have you tried that version? Will the taste be significantly different?
I have not tried it and though it will not hurt making without onions I would suggest you add onions
I find that if you sift the besan through a fine strainer you don’t get lumps. I love this besanwali simla mirch recipe.