Simple Arbi Fry

5 from 6 votes

Arbi (Taro root) cooked with Indian spices makes a simple side dish which is also vegan and gluten-free. Pair with dal, rice for a complete meal.

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Simple Arbi Fry made by boiling arbi (taro roots) and then stir-frying it with spices.

This stir-fry pairs well with dal and roti.

spiced arbi fry served in a brown bowl, garnished with cilantro and a twig of cilantro and curry leaves placed in the background

I don’t cook arbi as often as I would like to.

I think the reason behind that is that I can find arbi only at Indian stores and usually I don’t buy vegetables from there and hence arbi doesn’t make an appearance in my kitchen regularly.

Arbi for those who don’t know is the Hindi name for taro root. It has a subtle sweet taste and often used in savory recipes in India.

One of the things that my mom used to make with arbi was this simple arbi fry or arbi masala.

The arbi fry was simpler with just few ingredients while for the masala she added onion, tomatoes and more spices.

Today, I am sharing one of my favorite ways to cook arbi- this simple arbi fry.

It is a super simple recipe where arbi is first boiled and then pan fried and cooked with the spices.

This Arbi Fry

✓ is vegan and gluten-free

✓ makes a great side with rice and dal or roti

✓ makes a nice change when you are bored of eating the same veggies

My way of cooking arbi is a little elaborate. Meaning I boil the arbi first, then pan fry it and then mix it with the spices.

I like it this way. But you can definitely skip the pan frying stuff and directly toss the arbi with spices after boiling it.

Arbi is a starchy vegetable so I like to pan fry it first to make it brown and crisp, you can do whatever way you want.

If you don’t care about it being brown, simply skip the pan frying part.

The ingredients are pretty simple, I don’t add any onion, garlic or tomato to this arbi fry. It is just the spices tossed with ginger, curry leaves and then finished with cilantro.

This pairs so well with roti or paratha. I also love to eat it with rice and dal.

I always thought that this style of arbi was so similar to aloo bhujia which mom cooked way more often. The arbi definitely made for a nice change!

 

Method

1- First wash arbi nicely with water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Once it starts boiling, add the arbi to it.

Boil for 12 to 15 minutes until you are able to insert a fork inside the arbi. You want it boiled but not over-boiled (not mushy).

Time will depend on size of arbi, the smaller ones may boil in 10 minutes, since my arbis were large they took around 15 minutes.

2- Rinse under cold water and let it cool down. Then peel the skin and cut the arbi into slices. Some people cut them round, I prefer cutting them lengthwise- 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.

3- Heat 1.5 tablespoon oil in a pan. Once oil is hot, add the cut arbis to it.

4- Fry arbi on medium heat for around 10 minutes, 5 minutes each side until they are nicely golden brown. Remove the pan fried arbi from the pan and set aside..

step by step picture collage of making arbi fry

5- To the same pan now add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and then ajwain. Let the seeds sizzle.

6- Add the ginger, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the ginger starts changing color.

7- Add in the pan-fried arbi and mix. Now, add all the spices – turmeric, red chili, coriander, amchur, along with salt. Sprinkle very little water (like 1 to 2 teaspoons) just so that the spices stick to the arbi nicely. Toss to combine everything.

8- Let the arbi cook for 2 to 3 more minutes on low heat. Garnish with cilantro and serve Arbi Fry with roti and dal.

step by step picture collage of making arbi fry

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Simple Arbi Fry

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Arbi (Taro root) cooked with Indian spices makes a simple side dish which is also vegan and gluten-free. Pair with dal, rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients 

  • 12 large arbi taro root, around 700-800 grams
  • 2.5 tablespoon oil divided, I used avocado oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon ajwain carom seeds
  • 1 inch ginger finely chopped
  • 1 green chili chopped, or add more to taste
  • 6-7 curry leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon red chili powder or add more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon amchur dried mango powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • cilantro to garnish
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Instructions 

  • First wash arbi nicely with water. Bring a pot of water to boil. Once it starts boiling, add the arbi to it.
    Boil for 12 to 15 minutes until you are able to insert a fork inside the arbi. You want it boiled but not over-boiled (not mushy).
    Time will depend on size of arbi, the smaller ones may boil in 10 minutes, since my arbis were large they took around 15 minutes.
  • Rinse under cold water and let it cool down. Then peel the skin and cut the arbi into slices. Some people cut them round, I prefer cutting them lengthwise- 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
  • Heat 1.5 tablespoon oil in a pan. Once oil is hot, add the cut arbis to it.
  • Fry arbi on medium heat for around 10 minutes, 5 minutes each side until they are nicely golden brown. Remove the pan fried arbi from the pan and set aside..
  • To the same pan now add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and then ajwain. Let the seeds sizzle.
  • Add the ginger, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the ginger starts changing color.
  • Add in the pan-fried arbi and mix. Now, add all the spices - turmeric, red chili, coriander, amchur, along with salt. Sprinkle very little water (like 1 to 2 teaspoons) just so that the spices stick to the arbi nicely. Toss to combine everything.
  • Let the arbi cook for 2 to 3 more minutes on low heat.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve Arbi Fry with roti and dal.

Notes

  1. If you don't have amchur powder, just add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in the end. 
  2. You can skip the part of pan frying the boiled arbi first. After boiling the arbi, slice it and then proceed to the step of adding the oil followed by cumin seeds, ajwain and so on.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 355mg, Potassium: 1365mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 251IU, Vitamin C: 42mg, Calcium: 106mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Sides
Cuisine: Indian
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Hi, I’m Manali!

Bringing you easy, delicious vegetarian & vegan recipes! Eating veggies can be fun, you just need to get creative in the kitchen with the right set of ingredients!


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