Egg Ghee Roast Masala

Servings: 4 Total Time: 45 mins Difficulty: Intermediate
Egg Ghee Roast pinit

Ever tasted a dish that’s spicy, aromatic, slightly sweet, and deeply comforting, all at once?
That’s exactly what Egg Ghee Roast Masala brings to your plate.

This is not your everyday egg curry. It’s rich, robust, and unapologetically flavorful, perfect when you want something indulgent with roti, neer dosa, appam, or even plain rice. If you love South Indian masala-forward dishes, this one will win you over fast.

The Roots: Where Egg Ghee Roast Comes From

Ghee Roast dishes trace their origins to Coastal Karnataka, especially Mangalorean cuisine, where spices are roasted patiently and cooked down in generous amounts of ghee.

Traditionally made with chicken or prawns, this egg version is a brilliant home-style adaptation, keeping the soul of the dish intact while making it:

  • Faster
  • More affordable
  • Perfect for weeknight cooking

The signature of a good ghee roast?
👉 Deep red color, thick masala, slow-cooked onions, and a balance of heat, tang, and sweetness.

Why This Egg Ghee Roast Works So Well

  • High-protein, filling side dish
  • Pairs beautifully with both rice and rotis
  • No grinding shortcuts—real roasted masala flavor
  • Customizable spice level
  • Great alternative to egg curry or egg masala

This dish solves the “what to cook with eggs today?” problem in the most delicious way possible.

Ingredients Breakdown:

The Masala Paste

  • Byadgi Chillies: Give that deep red color without overpowering heat.
  • Coriander Seeds: Form the earthy, nutty backbone of the masala.
  • Peppercorns: Add sharp heat that lingers (very Mangalorean).
  • Fennel & Cumin Seeds: Bring subtle sweetness and warmth.
  • Fenugreek Seeds: Used sparingly, they add bitterness that balances richness.
  • Tamarind: Cuts through the ghee and spice with tang.
  • Garlic: Adds body and that unmistakable roasted aroma.

Pro Tip💡: Always grind chillies first before adding other spices—it gives you a smoother, richer paste.

Egg Coating Mix

The dry spice rub ensures the eggs don’t taste bland inside the heavy masala.

  • Salt for seasoning
  • Turmeric for warmth
  • Kashmiri chilli powder for extra color and mild heat

Lightly cracking the eggs helps them absorb flavor better.

Final Ghee Roast

  • Ghee: This is non-negotiable. It carries the masala and defines the dish.
  • Onions: Slow-cooked till golden, this adds natural sweetness and thickness.
  • Tomatoes: Balance spice and help form the gravy.
  • Jaggery: A small amount brings harmony between spice, tang, and richness.
  • Curry Leaves: Add freshness and that unmistakable South Indian aroma.

How the Dish Comes Together

You start by dry-roasting the spices in a little oil—low flame, patience, and aroma are your cues. Once cooled, grinding them with garlic gives you a bold, fiery paste that already smells restaurant-worthy.

The eggs are boiled, lightly cracked, and rubbed with spices so they don’t stay plain inside the gravy.

In a pan, ghee is heated and onions are sautéed until golden, not rushed. The masala paste goes in next and is cooked until the raw spice smell disappears and the ghee starts separating slightly. Tomatoes follow, breaking down into the masala and forming a thick base.

A little water helps everything simmer and come together. Jaggery is added for balance. Finally, the eggs are gently added and spooned with masala so they soak up all that flavor without breaking.

Diet & Custom Versions

  • Low spice: Reduce peppercorns and Byadgi chillies
  • No onion: Skip onions and add extra tomatoes + cashew paste
  • Dairy-free: Replace ghee with coconut oil (flavor changes but still delicious)
  • Gluten-free: Yes
  • Nut-free: Yes

What Goes Along With Egg Ghee Roast

This dish shines when paired with:

Add a simple cucumber salad or onion raita to balance the spice.

How to Serve

Serve hot with masala clinging to the eggs, not watery.
Finish with fresh coriander and a drizzle of ghee for that authentic touch.

Packing for Lunchbox

  • Cool slightly before packing
  • Pack rice or roti separately
  • Add a little extra ghee to prevent dryness

Flavours deepen by lunchtime, perfect for office meals.

Party or Bulk Preparation Tips

  • Make masala paste ahead and refrigerate
  • Boil and coat eggs in advance
  • Finish cooking just before serving for the best texture

Great for small house parties or weekend family lunches.

How to Store Egg Ghee Roast

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat on low flame with:

  • 1–2 tbsp water
  • A little ghee

Avoid microwaving too long—it can dry out the eggs.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Over-roasting fenugreek: Makes the masala bitter.
  • High flame cooking: Burns spices and spoils the ghee flavor.
  • Skipping jaggery: The dish will taste sharp and unbalanced.
  • Too much water: Ghee roast should be thick, not runny.

Other Related Recipes You Might Like:-

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins
Servings: 4 Calories: 320

Description

This egg ghee roast masala is all about bold flavor and comfort in every bite. Boiled eggs are coated with warm spices, then simmered in a rich, roasted chilli and coriander masala cooked in ghee with onions and tomatoes. The result is a thick, spicy, slightly tangy gravy that clings beautifully to the eggs and tastes amazing with soft roti, flaky parotta, or simple steamed rice. It is filling, high in protein, and perfect when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, I promise this one will win hearts at the table.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

To make masala paste

To coat eggs with masala mix

To make egg ghee roast

Instructions

Prep Work

  1. Crack the eggs

    Gently make a few slits in the boiled eggs on all sides so they can absorb the masala later.

  2. Mix dry spices

    In a plate, mix salt, turmeric, and chilli powder until evenly combined.
  3. Coat the eggs

    Rub the spice mix all over the cracked eggs and keep them aside.
  4. Chop vegetables

    Finely chop onions, chop tomatoes, and keep curry leaves and coriander ready.
  5. Prepare roasting items

    Break the chillies and keep all whole spices and tamarind ready for roasting.

Method

  1. Roast spices

    Heat oil in a wide pan. Add chillies, coriander seeds, black pepper, fennel, and cumin. Roast until aromatic. Then, add fenugreek and tamarind, roast briefly for 2 minutes and turn off the heat.

  2. Cool and grind

    Let the roasted spices cool, grind chillies first, then add remaining roasted spices and garlic, grind to a smooth paste.
  3. Sauté onions

    Heat ghee in a pan, add onions and cook for 10 minutes until golden and soft.
  4. Cook masala

    Reduce the flame and add ground paste and curry leaves, cook till the raw smell disappears and the oil starts separating.
  5. Add tomatoes

    Add tomatoes and salt, cook till the tomatoes turn soft and mix well with the masala.
  6. Simmer gravy

    Add water, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the gravy thickens and flavors come together.
  7. Balance flavors

    Add jaggery and taste adjust salt if needed, mix gently so the gravy stays smooth.
  8. Add eggs

    Gently place eggs into the gravy and spoon masala over them.
  9. Final simmer

    Let the eggs simmer for 3 minutes, so they absorb flavour, then turn off the heat.
  10. Garnish and serve

    Finish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or roti.

Equipment

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Keywords: Egg ghee roast masala, egg ghee roast, Egg masala, Mangalorean style egg roast, egg side dish,
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Why should I crack the eggs before adding to the gravy?

Cracks help the masala soak into the eggs so they taste flavorful inside and out.

Can I coat eggs earlier and keep them in the fridge?

Yes, you can coat and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking.

Do onions need to be very fine?

Yes, finer onions blend better into the thick masala gravy.

Can I grind masala in advance?

Yes, you can make the paste a day before and store it in the fridge.

Is tamarind really needed?

It adds that gentle tang which balances the richness, so it is worth adding

Can I skip curry leaves?

You can, but they add nice aroma and that classic south Indian touch.

Can I use store bought masala instead?

Homemade paste gives best flavor, but store bought can work in a pinch.

Should tomatoes be fully ripe?

Yes, ripe tomatoes give better color and natural sweetness.

Is jaggery important?

It balances spice and sourness, so even a little makes a big difference.

Can I prep everything the night before?

Yes, chopping and grinding ahead saves a lot of time during cooking.

Why roast spices before grinding?

Roasting brings out deep flavor and aroma in the masala.

Should I stir after adding eggs?

Be gentle and spoon masala instead of stirring to avoid breaking eggs

What is egg ghee roast?

Egg ghee roast is a spicy South Indian side dish inspired by Mangalorean ghee roast, where boiled eggs are cooked in a rich roasted chilli and spice masala with ghee.

Which chillies are best for ghee roast masala?

Traditionally Byadgi chillies are used for color and mild heat. Kashmiri red chillies are a good substitute.

Hema Subramanian
Hema Subramanian Food and Lifestyle Blogger

I love to cook! And through Home Cooking Show, I hope to make cooking fun, easy, and approachable for everyone.

My way of sharing recipes is all about keeping it simple and delicious—no complicated steps, no fancy ingredients, just real home-cooked food that anyone can make. Cooking should be a joy, not a chore! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, you’ll find something here to inspire you. If you love good food made with love, then you’re in the right place!

- Hema Subramanian

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