Welcome to this recipe comparison. The jalfrezi is a curry dish originating in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a mixture of vegetables, including okra, onion, and bell pepper. The masala used for this recipe is “jalma”, the word for a number of different spices, including turmeric, chilis, and coriander seeds. It is very popular in Maharashtra, especially in Pune and its surrounding areas.
Which is your favorite Indian dish? That’s what we set out to discover in this Indian Food Comparison Guide, which is a quick rundown of the most popular Indian dishes that are used for comparison based on the region and country of origin.
Jalfrezi and Vindaloo are two of the most famous Indian dishes, which are traditionally made by mixing a number of spices, vegetables, and meats. If you are looking for something different and unique than usual, these dishes should be a part of your cooking arsenal. They are extremely popular in Indian cuisine and are very easy to make.
Jalfrezi and Vindaloo are two of the most popular curries in India. But what are the differences and which one is best for you? We have put together this comparison guide, highlighting the similarities and differences between these two delicious and tasty dishes.
What is the difference between Jalfrezi and Vindaloo?
Jalfrezi and Vindaloo are hot, thick and full of spicy flavors. However, green chillies and peppers are often added to jalfrezi to give it a fresh, slightly sweet taste. Vindaloo is spicier in flavor and is prepared by braising it in a sauce rather than frying it.
Frequently used ingredients
Jalfrezi is a curry dish in which marinated meat is fried in oil with vegetables and spices such as garlic, ginger, cumin and cloves. Fresh chillies are added to the thick sauce, making it a hot and spicy dish.
Vindaloo is a spicy curry made from a mixture of aromatic ingredients such as chillies, jalapenos, cumin and garam masala. The meat, poultry or pork is marinated, cooked briefly and then simmered in a sauce.
What can vindaloo curry and jalfrezi curry be compared to?
Vindaloo and Jalfrezi are Indian curries with a thick consistency, which can be medium spicy or incredibly hot. Both curries go well with basmati rice and with many ingredients like meat, chicken, paneer, fish.
Although different restaurants use their own spice blends, cumin, chili, garam masala, turmeric and garlic are almost always used in both curries.
Jalfrezi curry on a plate.
Which is hotter, Jalfrezi or Vindaloo?
While there are different answers to this question, most agree that vindaloo is hotter than jalfrezi. It should be noted that the degree of spiciness of each of these curries depends on factors such as the manufacturer of the dish, the choice of ingredients and the addition of yogurt or crème fraîche.
Also read:
Thai and Indian curry – which is better?
Read our in-depth comparison of Japanese and Indian curries.
Comparison of origin
Jalfrezi is a cooking method and means frying (or searing). All this changed during the British Raj in India. Indian cooks warm up leftover meat and vegetables, for example. B. Potatoes, by the Jalfrezi method. Over time, chefs in Bengali restaurants have developed their own version of jalfrezi. It consists of onions, chillies and green peppers fried with beef, lamb, chicken, paneer, fish or lots of vegetables.
Vindaloo curry, which has become popular worldwide, has its origins in Goa, India. In the 1600s, Portuguese traders came to India and brought a new ingredient, chili. This enabled Indian cooks to increase the spiciness of the dishes. Vindaloo is one of the recipes based on Portuguese influences.
Vindaloo curry is usually spicy or very spicy.
Interesting reading:
Get a handy comparison of butter chicken and tikka masala.
What is the difference between saag and palak paneer?
Summary comparison table
| Factor | Yalfresi | Vindaloo |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Thick dry sauce | Thick dry sauce |
| Popular spices | Garlic, green chili, red chili, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala. | Chili, ginger, garlic, garam masala, paprika, turmeric. |
| Perfume | A spicy and aromatic curry, often with the addition of paprika and green chillies for freshness. | Curry ranging from spicy to hot, sometimes accompanied by potatoes. |
| A popular ingredient for heroes | Beef, lamb, chicken, paneer, fish, vegetables | Beef, goat, lamb, chicken, fish, vegetables |
| Served with | Basmati rice, cucumber, naan bread, chapati, raita | Basmati rice, cucumber, naan bread, chapati, raita |
| Popular vegetables | Peppers, onions, tomatoes, cabbage | Tomatoes, potatoes (non-traditional) |
| Spice levels | From hot to very hot | From hot to very hot |
| How it is made | The marinated meat is pan fried, then a sauce of fresh chilies and peppers is added. | The meat is cooked with aromatic spices and then simmered in coconut milk. |
| Origin | Bengal, India | Goa, India |
What can I serve with a vindal or jalfrezi curry?
Vindaloo and Jalfrezi are very spicy curries, so it’s important to serve them with a side dish that tempers the heat.
- Mango, beetroot, amla or carrot-cucumber are sweet and sour and soften the spiciness of the curry a bit.
- While any rice is suitable, basmati is particularly popular in Indian cuisine. The long, free-falling grains are perfect for absorbing sauce.
- A fresh garden salad is a colorful and healthy choice to enrich a meal.
- Any bread will do, but we recommend naan or roti, which are great for soaking up leftover sauce.
- Lassi is the Indian answer to the milkshake. A refreshing, sweet, yogurt-based drink that often contains mango.
- The cool white wine also counteracts the heat of Indian curries.
Jalfrezi against various curries
| Comparison with Curry | What is the difference? |
|---|---|
| Vindaloo | Jalfresi is usually a little less spicy and contains extra fresh ingredients. |
| Madras | Madras can be very spicy, like jalfrezi, but is more dominated by the flavours of fenugreek, cumin and coriander (cilantro). |
| Rogan Josh. | Rogan Josh is milder than Jalfrezi, but it uses Kashmiri chili, which gives the dish a delicious dark red color. |
| tikka masala | Tikka, which is native to northern India, has a lower temperature than jalfrezi and a unique flavor because it is prepared in a tandoor oven. |
| Power supply | The food is generally milder than Jalfresi and has a rich, creamy consistency. |
| Bhuna | The spiciness of bhuna varies from moderate to strong; it is often softer and contains fewer vegetables than jalfrezi. |
| Karahi | Karahi curry, also known as kadai, is usually medium to hot and contains more garlic, red chillies and ginger than jalfrezi. |
| Biryani | While Jalfrezi is a thick, salty curry, Biryani is a spicy rice dish with meat or vegetables. |
Related reading:
Comparison of jasmine and basmati rice varieties.
Pasta replaces food in the kitchen.
A substitute for Urad-dal, which is very tasty.
Debriefing
When it comes to curry comparisons, Vindaloo and Jalfrezi are not far apart. If you can tolerate spicy and hot foods, you will probably enjoy both. For those who like meat or chicken in a creamy sauce, vindaloo is a great option. If you like a sauce with chunky vegetables like bell peppers or green chilies, jalfrezi is a better choice.
As we always mention when we compare curry dishes, they vary by country, restaurant and chef. The spice blends and curry pastes sold in supermarkets are usually much milder than the versions offered by restaurants, which further complicates matters.
If you are cooking at home and don’t have much time, you can prepare a jalfrezi. This dish is quick to prepare and doesn’t take as much time as vindaloo.
Like ice cream, we think curry can be divided into two categories: good and great. Whether you choose the jalfresi or the vindaloo, you will find that both dishes are winners.Jalfrezi and Vindaloo are two of India’s most loved curries, and their ingredients are similar. Each type of curry is a blend of peppers, usually red, green and yellow, along with coriander, cumin, fenugreek leaves, garlic, ginger and tamarind. They differ in the addition of meat, vegetables or seafood..
Read more about tikka masala vs vindaloo and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vindaloo hotter than jalfrezi?
The answer is that they are both very hot.
What is the difference between Jalfrezi and Vindaloo?
Jalfrezi is a dish of Indian origin, while Vindaloo is a dish of Portuguese origin.
What Curry is similar to jalfrezi?
Jalfrezi is a dish of Indian origin that typically consists of meat, vegetables, and spices cooked in a sauce.
