Indian Vegetarian Recipes

Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure filled with nutritious ingredients, bold spices, and the joy of creating good meals for you and your family.

Note: Not all recipes on this list are authentic as you would see them in India, but every recipe will expressly state if it’s an interpretation of a recipe.

1. Vegetable curry

We start this list with the rich flavors of a 30–minute vegetable curry, a quick and effortless vegetarian and Indian–inspired dinner combining vibrant vegetables and aromatic spices.

This one–pot curry is perfect for busy evenings or meal prep when you crave something aromatic and satiating without the fuss.

2. Aloo gobi

There’s something comforting about a warm, spicy, and flavor-packed bowl of Indian potato and cauliflower curry.

This aloo gobi recipe is the essence of Indian home cooking (in this case, Northern India, Punjab, and up to Pakistan), where simple ingredients combine to create a satisfying dish.

Serve it with fresh cilantro, lemon, basmati rice, or roti bread.

3. Tofu tikka masala

Tofu tikka masala is a vegetarian and vegan recipe inspired by the famous Indian chicken tikka masala.

It’s made with slightly chewy marinated and oven-baked tofu pieces cooked in a rich, creamy, and aromatic tomato-based sauce.

4. Chana saag

Chana saag is an easy and nutritious Indian curry with chickpeas, spinach, and tomatoes simmered with aromatic spices like cumin and coriander.

It’s a delicious and fulfilling recipe you can serve with basmati rice or breads like roti or naan. It’s excellent for a weeknight vegetarian dinner and meal prep.

5. Chickpea curry

This chickpea curry is a creamy and flavorful Indian-inspired dish that combines chickpeas’ wholesome nuttiness with coconut milk’s luscious creaminess.

We developed this vegetarian chickpea curry so you can make it with easy-to-find ingredients in less than 30 minutes without compromising flavor and texture.

6. Chana masala

This one’s an easy vegetarian one-pot recipe you can make in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a quick and healthy dinner or meal-prepping as it gets better as it sits in the fridge.

Chana Masala (channay, chole masala, chhole masala, or chole) is an excellent way to invite Indian flavors and aromas into your kitchen with a tasty, healthy meal that will nourish your body and soul.

7. Curry lentil soup

Our curry lentil soup is an Indian-inspired recipe where the lentils are simmered in a rich tomato sauce enriched with spices and vegetables.

If you love healthy soups with plant–based protein, you will enjoy this 30-minute meal.

8. Creamy potato curry

This potato (aloo curry) is a creamy, warm, and comforting dish inspired by southwestern Indian cuisine, where vegetables are simmered in a rich coconut-based sauce.

For a healthy and satisfying dinner, serve with warm naan or basmati rice.

9. Potato frittata

An egg–free potato frittata with an Indian twist combines the heartiness of spiced potatoes with a flavorful chickpea flour batter.

This savory, protein–rich dish offers a delightful alternative to traditional frittatas and a satisfying option for those seeking a vegan Indian–inspired meal.

10. Naan bread

Naan is a beloved Indian leavened flatbread made from flour and water (sometimes yogurt) and showcases a perfect blend of chewiness and fluffiness.

Typically baked in a tandoor or hot oven, naan develops a delightful char on its surface, enhancing its distinct flavor.

When served warm, this versatile bread complements many Indian dishes and is a delicious vessel for scooping up flavorful curries and sauces.

11. Eggplant curry

This roasted eggplant curry is made with a classic Indian flavor base of onion, garlic, ginger, and a combination of spices to add beautiful colors and bold flavors.

The charred and tender eggplant pairs perfectly with nutty chickpeas in a creamy sauce. It’s an excellent way for the whole family to try Indian flavors.

12. Lentil curry

Our lentil curry is an Indian-inspired dahl with split red lentils cooked in a rich, savory sauce with fragrant spices, coconut milk, and canned tomatoes.

It’s a tasty, nutritious, and satisfying meatless meal, perfect for those who love rich and harmonious South Asian flavors.

13. Roasted curry chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a simple and delicious way to add a healthy crunch to soups, salads, and other dishes.

They are packed with flavor and nutrition, with a good amount of plant protein, and pair well with many Indian–inspired dishes.

14. Red lentils with tadka

Split red lentils, often referred to as red lentils, are a delicious, protein-rich, quick-cooking legume excellent for soups, stews, curries, and dal.

Add flavor to your red lentils with Indian cooking techniques and temper them (combine them) with a hot oil or butter-based liquid (tadka) infused with spices and herbs.

15. Sweet potato curry

Sweet potato curry is an easy one-pot recipe where sweet potatoes are simmered in an Indian-inspired curry until they are creamy, tender, and aromatic.

You can put this vegetarian curry in one pot with little effort, and it’ll be ready in about 30 minutes. The taste is bold and well-balanced.

16. Cauliflower curry

Our cauliflower curry is an Indian-inspired recipe in which tender cauliflower florets simmer in a rich, aromatic tomato and coconut milk sauce.

You can customize the intensity of this curry by adding more or less spices. Our recipe is mild, suitable for most palates, and an excellent starting point.

17. Lentil vegetable soup with turmeric

Here’s a delicious vegetarian lentil vegetable soup with a rich and hearty tomato base and nourishing green or brown lentils.

Add potatoes and cook them until beautifully tender and infused with turmeric flavor. Lentils and turmeric are an excellent match, so we are happy to strongly recommend this satiating soup.

18. Tofu curry

This tofu curry recipe with roasted cauliflower is vegan, using tofu cubes instead of meat. The South Asian cuisines of India and Nepal inspired this dish.

We use spices such as curry powder, turmeric, and black pepper to recreate those warm Indian flavors that make curries irresistible.

19. Vegan butter chicken

Butter chicken or murgh makhani is an Indian dish from New Delhi and is now famous worldwide.

Our vegan butter chicken, tofu butter chicken, or butter tofu, tries to stay as close as possible to the original Indian recipe. The sauce is milky and creamy, packed with flavors from the spices, tangy from the yogurt, and fresh from the lemon.

20. Carrot ginger soup

Carrot ginger soup is an excellent recipe to turn humble carrots left in the bottom drawer of your fridge into soup superstars.

This simple yet elegant and tasty recipe is easy to put together and the perfect appetizer for holiday meals and family dinners.

21. Vegan curry with bell pepper

Ours is Indian-inspired, which starts with a rich flavor base of onion, garlic, ginger, and spices.

Like most curry recipes, this one is forgiving and easy to adapt. You can use our spices recommendation or change the recipe using what you have in your pantry.

We recommend using firm tofu for the “meat” of this recipe. Here, we cook the tofu in the oven or an air fryer before adding to the curry.

22. Pickled red onions

Pickled red onions in Indian cuisine add tangy and vibrant flavor to various dishes.

Marinated in a blend of spices, vinegar, and salt, these pickled onions offer a zesty accompaniment, elevating the taste of chaats and wraps as a delightful side dish to Indian meals.

23. Pumpkin curry

Pumpkin curry combines tender pumpkin pieces with nutritious chickpeas and a rich, creamy, aromatic tomato and coconut-based sauce.

The recipe is easy to make in one pot in 30 to 40 minutes. Comforting and with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors, it’s ideal for a vegetarian weeknight dinner with friends and family.

24. Basmati rice

Basmati rice, renowned for its fragrant aroma and long grains, is a staple ingredient in countless Indian vegetarian recipes.

Whether steamed as a side dish or the foundation for biryanis and pilafs, its fluffy texture and subtle nutty flavor enhance other vegetarian creations in Indian cuisine.

25. Roti flatbread

Roti is a staple in Indian cuisine and is a traditional unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour.

We knead it into a soft, pliable dough, roll it into thin circles, and cook on a cast iron skillet and open flame.

This versatile bread complements various Indian dishes, serving as a wholesome accompaniment to curries or acting as a vessel for delicious fillings.

26. Navratan korma

Navratan Korma is the perfect dish to empty your fridge, freezer, and pantry.

It’s delicious all around, one of our favorite curries to date, and excellent for a family dinner and meal prep.

Here, we simplify the original Indian recipe for you so you can make it in your kitchen with little effort.

How to store Indian vegetarian recipes

• Make ahead: These Indian recipes are lovely to make ahead and keep in the fridge. They are perfect for meal prep because their flavor improves one or two days after making them. If you plan to use these recipes for meal prep, we advise slightly undercooking the veggies.
• Refrigerator: keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for four days.
• Freezer: let these recipes cool down completely, then transfer them to a freezer-friendly container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
• Thaw & reheat: defrost them in the fridge over several hours, or pop them in the microwave for a few minutes. Reheat in the microwave or on a pot on the stove. If it is too dense, add a dash of water.