Bombay Aloo Recipe (Bombay Potatoes)

Open my fridge at any given time, and you’ll find boiled potatoes ready and waiting. That way I can whip up this Bombay aloo (Bombay potatoes) recipe stat. These spiced potatoes are so easy to make that they regularly fit into my midweek meals. 

There is a common misconception that Indian cuisine is laborsome and complicated. This Bombay aloo recipe is the perfect example of a classic Indian dish that’s quick and easy to make. After boiling the potatoes, the recipe comes together in a flash.

Bombay potatoes (also known as Bombay aloo or masala aloo) is traditionally a dry (“sookha” in Hindi) dish filled with spices like cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. However, there are a lot of variations to this recipe. I kept my recipe traditional and easy to whip up at home.

How I Serve Bombay Potatoes

The best way to serve this dish is steaming hot with fresh cilantro, cold yogurt, and hot rotis. Bombay aloo also pairs well with jeera rice (cumin rice), raita, and papadam. I have enjoyed these potatoes with grilled chicken breast and salad to make a quick wholesome meal. 

For a simple hot appetizer, serve the potatoes with thick Greek yogurt, mint chutney, and chopped roasted peanuts (with toothpicks for easy access). 

Tips for Making the Best Bombay Aloo

• Choose your potatoes wisely. This recipe uses baby potatoes for convenience. Growing up in Bombay, we almost never had access to baby potatoes, so we would cut large potatoes into quarters. That works, too! 
• Don’t overcook the potatoes. Just parboil them; they will finish cooking in the pan with the masala later.
• Adjust the spiciness to your taste. if you do not like spice, avoid the green chili and reduce the Kashmiri chili powder by half. You can swap the Kashmiri chili with cayenne pepper.
• Fresh lime juice and cilantro are a must. These fresh, vibrant ingredients cut through the spice and add freshness to the potatoes. You can use a combination of mint leaves and dill with the cilantro if you like. If you don’t have lime handy, swap for lemon.

Potato Party