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    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Bengali Fish Curry in Instant Pot (Macher Jhal)

    Published: Jun 14, 2022 by Shilpa · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    5 from 24 votes
    Easy and delicious Bengali-style fish curry made using minimal spices is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Popularly known as macher jhal, it pairs very well with plain steamed rice. Gluten-free and suitable for keto and paleo diets.
    bengali fish curry.

    Bengali fish curry step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

    Jump to:
    • About this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Useful tips
    • FAQs
    • Bonus
    • Recipe card
    • Comments

    About this recipe

    Macher jhal is an easy and popular Bengali-style fish curry. If you are familiar with Bengali cuisine, you know that Bengalis are known for their love for fish and this is one of the most common dishes prepared in a bong household. It is a lunch staple and is paired with plain steamed rice.

    This fish curry is made without coconut milk or any fancy ingredients. Just a few basic ingredients and your Instant Pot is all you need to fix a delicious dinner in under 30 minutes. It is mostly prepared using Rohu fish (called rui maach in Bengali); however, I am using barramundi in this recipe.

    Read on for ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cooking time, and tips to make this easy curry with perfectly cooked tender, and flaky fish.

    fish curry with basmati rice.

    Ingredients

    bengali fish curry ingredient labels.

    Fish: Use fish fillets of your choice. In this recipe, I have used barramundi.

    Aromatics: We need onion, ginger, and garlic.

    Spices: I am using only powdered spices in my recipe - ground cumin, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. You can use panch phoron (Bengali five spice) in the initial tempering.

    Other ingredients: Green chili, tomatoes, and cilantro.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Rub 1 teaspoon of turmeric and ½ teaspoon of salt on the fish. Cover and set it aside (step 1).

    Heat oil and add onion, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until the onions soften (steps 2,3).

    Add tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, and salt (step 4).

    marinate fish and fry onions.

    Mix well and saute for 2 minutes. Add ½ cup of water and deglaze the pot (steps 5,6).

    Add the fish and mix gently. Secure the IP lid and set the Instant Pot on pressure cook mode on Low pressure for 5 minutes - see tips section below for cooking times (steps 7,8). 

    make masala base and pressure cook.

    Open the lid and add cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice.

    fish cooked on instant pot.

    Related: Spicy crab salad.

    Useful tips

    Use fresh and firm fish for this recipe. Also, make sure it is scaled and gutted.

    Rohu fish (rui mach) is the most common fish used for this dish; however, I am using barramundi. Other varieties like Asian carp, cod, tilapia, and halibut also work well for this dish.

    Macher jhal is made using the whole fish that is cut into small-sized pieces. This includes the head and tail of the fish. You may choose to use fish fillets instead.

    Rubbing the fish with turmeric and salt is an important step in making most Bengali fish dishes. It does not need any marination time. Just add turmeric and salt to the fish and keep it aside. You can start making the curry right away and use the fish.

    Traditionally, mustard oil is used in this dish; however, you may replace it with olive oil or any cooking oil of your choice.

    It is very important to adjust the cooking time according to the size of the fish. Check the thickness of the fish pieces - if it is 1 inch or less, pressure cook on Low for 5 minutes. If the thickness of the fish is between 1-2 inches, pressure cook on Low for 8 minutes.

    I am not using any whole spices to make this dish. However, you can use panch phoron, nigella seeds, or cumin seeds in this recipe.

    Also, try this easy Bengali-style shrimp coconut curry made in an Instant Pot.

    bengali fish curry in instant pot.

    FAQs

    What fish can I use in this curry?

    Rohu fish is the most common fish used in this dish. You can use barramundi, Asian carp, cod, tilapia, or halibut.

    Can I freeze fish curry?

    Yes. This dish can be frozen for up to three months. Cool and place it in a freezer-safe container and store it. To reheat, transfer the curry to a saucepan along with a small amount of water, and simmer for a few minutes.

    easy fish curry or macher jhal.

    Bonus

    This dish is:
    - very easy to make and uses minimal ingredients,
    - flavorful and delicious,
    - perfect for a weeknight dinner.

    mach bhaat or fish curry and rice.

    Recipe card

    bengali fish curry.

    Bengali Fish Curry in Instant Pot (Macher Jhal)

    Easy and delicious Bengali-style fish curry made using minimal spices is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Popularly known as macher jhal, it pairs very well with plain steamed rice. Gluten-free and suitable for keto and paleo diets.
    5 from 24 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: Shilpa
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 lb barramundi fish
    • 3 tablespoon oil
    • 1 large onion sliced
    • 1 inch ginger finely chopped
    • 1-2 cloves garlic finely chopped
    • 2-3 green chili slit
    • 1 medium tomato chopped
    • 2 teaspoon turmeric powder divided
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • Salt to taste
    • ¼ cup cilantro
    • ½ cup water

    Instructions

    Prep

    • Clean and prep the fish. Cut them into 1-2 inch thick pieces.
    • Rub 1 teaspoon of turmeric and ½ teaspoon of salt on the fish. Cover and set it aside.
    • Slice the onions. Chop the ginger, garlic, and tomatoes. Slit the green chili or serrano pepper.

    Making the curry

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil.
    • Add onion, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until the onions soften.
    • Add tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, remaining 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add ½ cup of water and deglaze the pot.
    • Add the fish and green chili. Mix gently.
    • Secure the IP lid and set the Instant Pot on pressure cook mode on Low pressure for 5 minutes (see notes).
    • Once the Instant Pot beeps, do a quick release of the pressure.
    • Open the lid and add cilantro.
    • Mix gently and serve warm with steamed rice.

    Video

    Notes

    Adjust the pressure cooking time depending on the thickness of the fish. For 1 inch or less thickness, cook for 5 minutes. For 1-2 inch thickness, cook for 8 minutes. 
    See the tips section above for useful tips to make this dish.
    Nutrition Facts
    Bengali Fish Curry in Instant Pot (Macher Jhal)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    228
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    76
    mg
    25
    %
    Sodium
     
    138
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    562
    mg
    16
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    31
    g
    62
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    283
    IU
    6
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    6
    mg
    7
    %
    Calcium
     
    29
    mg
    3
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Namaste and welcome to Easy Indian Cookbook, where you'll find simple and delicious recipes with an Indian flair! I'm Shilpa, and I'm passionate about bringing the flavors of my culture to your kitchen. Discover the convenience of wholesome and nourishing Indian cuisine with my recipes, crafted to be quick and hassle-free. So join me on this culinary journey, and let's create delicious, homemade meals that celebrate the vibrant and diverse flavors of India! Read More…

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