Quick sabzi · 25 minutes
Aloo Shimla Mirch Recipe (Potato and Capsicum Sabzi)
Potatoes first. Capsicum last. Dry finish.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenAloo shimla mirch is a quick, bright sabzi of potatoes and capsicum. The capsicum turns soft and dull when cooked as long as the potatoes. The fix is cooking the potatoes until almost done, then adding the capsicum for only a few minutes so it stays crisp and green.
The 3 laws of aloo shimla mirch
Why this recipe works
Together
Even cooking.
Early
Crunch and colour.
Gravy
Clings to roti.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Sabzi
The NineFoods capsicum gauge
Is the capsicum right?
Bite a strip.
Method · 2 stages
Step by step
Potatoes
- Crackle cumin, fry onion, add potatoes and spices; cover until almost tender.
Capsicum
- Add capsicum and tomato; toss uncovered. Use the gauge above.
- Finish with amchur.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Added early.
Fix next time
Add for the last 4 minutes.
Why
Thick batons.
Fix next time
Cut thin.
Why
Little salt.
Fix next time
Season well.
Why
Lid on.
Fix next time
Finish uncovered.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Capsicum | Main | Mixed peppers |
| Potatoes | Body | Paneer |
| Amchur | Tang | Lemon |
| Cumin | Tarka | Mustard seeds |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Roti and daal.
Store
Fridge 2 days.
Reheat
Hot pan.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio

Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 2 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the capsicum right) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Aloo Shimla Mirch FAQ
What is shimla mirch?
Capsicum or bell pepper.
How do I keep capsicum crunchy?
Add it at the end on high heat.
Can I add paneer?
Yes, it works well.
Is it vegan?
Yes.