42 Best Indian Recipes to Try at Home

Welcome to our guide on Indian recipes! India is a diverse country with a rich culinary history, and each region has its own unique styles and flavors. In this guide, we will introduce you to a variety of Indian dishes from different states, ranging from classic staples like roti and rice to more specialized dishes like chicken tikka masala and lamb vindaloo. We'll also include some refreshing drinks like mango lassi and chai, as well as some tasty snacks like samosas and pav bhaji.

We'll start with some popular breakfast options, like appam, rava dosa, rava idli. These dishes are popular in southern India and are made with rice flour or semolina. Upma and semiya upma are also popular breakfast choices, made with semolina and vermicelli, respectively.

Collection of Indian Recipes — *Indian Recipes*

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Ven pongal, vada and khichdi are hearty dishes often eaten for breakfast or lunch, made with rice and lentils. To wash it all down, try a glass of mango lassi, a popular yoghurt-based drink that can be sweet or savory. Or, if you prefer something hot, chai is a must-try – this spiced tea is a staple in Indian culture and can be enjoyed at any time of day.

For those looking for a flavorful and satisfying main course, we have a range of options. Palak paneer, paneer tikka masala, are all dishes made with paneer, a type of Indian cheese. Vegetable korma, chole, bhindi masala, are all vegetarian options, while egg curry, chicken pakora, and chicken curry offer delicious options for those who prefer meat.

Butter chicken, chicken vindaloo, tandoori chicken, are some of the most popular chicken dishes in India, while lamb vindaloo and rogan josh are delicious options for those who prefer lamb. Fish curry and various types of biryani, including vegetable, chicken, fish, and mutton, are also popular choices.

When it comes to snacking, samosas and samosa chaat are hard to beat. These fried pastries filled with spiced vegetables or meat are a popular street food in India and make for a delicious snack any time of day. Pav bhaji, a popular street food from Mumbai, is another tasty option – it's a spicy vegetable curry served with soft, buttery buns.

We hope this guide has given you a taste of the wide variety of Indian recipes and drinks available. Bon appetit!

You can also find different collection of recipes below and more at recipe collections.

Appam

Appam is a traditional South Indian dish made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk. It is a popular dish in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and also in the country of Sri Lanka. It is also called Vellayapam or palappam in the same region. The appam recipe shared here is an instant, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free dish and it is usually served for breakfast and dinner. It tastes great with tomato chutney, veg kurma, egg curry, chicken curry, and similar other side dishes.

Roti (Chapati)

Roti / Chapati is an Indian soft flatbread made with wheat flour, water salt, and oil. The roti dough is usually rolled into a circular shape which is cooked in tawa and puffed to soft roti. It is one of the staple food of India and it is typically served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And it tastes great with veg korma, chicken korma, tikka masala, paneer masala, salna, and similar dishes.

Rava Dosa (Suji Ka Dosa)

Rava or Suji Ka Dosa is a traditional and popular South Indian instant crepe made of semolina, maida, rice flour, onion, Indian spices, and herbs. It is a perfect vegan-friendly dish and it is usually served for breakfast, dinner with tomato chutney, coconut chutney, and similar other dishes.

Instant Rava or Sooji/Suji Dosa Restaurant Style

Rava Idli (Suji Ki Idli)

Rava Idli or Suji Ki Idli is a traditional South Indian savory dish. It is prepared with seasoned Rava mixed with Yogurt and a leavening agent which is then steamed into a cake. It is usually served for breakfast and dinner with coconut, tomato, and coriander chutney or just as it is.

Upma Recipe (Rava Upma)

Rava upma is a flavorful, delicious, soft, and fluffy South Indian breakfast dish. The traditional upma recipe is prepared by roasting and simmering the rava in spicy tempering water. This dish can be served as breakfast or dinner with chutney, sambhar, and sugar.

Semiya Upma (Vermicelli upma)

Semiya upma or vermicelli upma is a simple and healthy popular south Indian dish made with Indian vermicelli, veggies, and garnished with peanuts, cashew nuts, and coriander leaves. It is served for breakfast or dinner with coconut chutney, idli podi, or jaggery powder.

Ven Pongal (Khara Pongal)

Ven Pongal or Khara Pongal is a delicious and flavorful South Indian savory dish. It is made with rice, moong dal, ghee and seasoned with Indian spices and herbs. It is usually prepared during the Pongal festival and also on regular days. It is served for breakfast and dinner along with sambhar and chutney.

Khichdi

khichdi is a tasty, quick and healthy one-pot Indian dish. It is prepared with dal, cracked wheat, Indian whole spices, tomato, ginger garlic paste, chili powder, and Indian herbs. This Khichdi is a perfect vegan-friendly dish and can be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Tomato Chutney

Tomato Chutney is a simple, tasty, and delicious South Indian sidedish or dips. It is prepared with onion, tomato, a few Indian spices, and herbs and it is usually served with South Indian breakfast dishes like Idli, dosa, upma, Pongal, and rotis. This can also be prepared with garlic, tamarind, coconut, peanuts, coriander leaves, mint leaves, and without onion.

South Indian Style Tomato Onion Chutney Output

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a smooth, creamy, and healthy Indian curry dish. It is usually made with fresh spinach, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), basic Indian whole spices, powders, herbs and with or without cream. This Spinach Paneer curry is one of the best side dishes that are popular across the globe. And it tastes great with roti, chapati, naan, rice, or pulao for lunch and dinner. The best part is it tastes similar to your favorite Indian restaurants around.

Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala is a rich, creamy, and classical Indian veg curry dish. It is usually prepared by grilling paneer cubes which are mixed in a spicy onion-tomato gravy. This Paneer Tikka Masala is one of the best Indian curry dishes that pairs great as a side dish with roti, naan, matar pulao, basmati rice, and similar others dishes. And it tastes similar to the curry from your favorite Indian restaurant and can be served for lunch and dinner.

Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka is a hot, smoky and authentic Indian appetizer dish. It is usually made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and veggies that are marinated in a flavorful yogurt marinade and traditionally grilled in a tandoor. This Paneer Tikka can be easily made in oven, air fryer or stove top and can be served as an appetizer, side dish or an entrée for lunch and dinner.

Vegetable Korma (Veggie Kurma)

Vegetable Korma or Veggie Kurma is a delicious and flavorful Indian side dish. It is usually prepared with fresh vegetables, Indian spices along with coconut and nut-based paste. This Vegetable korma is a popular and common dish across Indian restaurants and households. It is a perfect vegan-friendly and gluten-free side dish for naan, basmati rice, jeera rice, parotta, chapati biryani, poori, idli, dosa, idiyappam, and similar other dishes.

Hotel style vegetable kurma south indian style

Chole

Chole is a spicy, tangy, and flavorful Punjabi Style Indian curry dish. It is usually made with chickpeas, Indian spices, herbs, and flavor-bursting Chole masala powder. This homemade Chole Masala is one of the finger-licking curry dishes that taste great with bhatura, poori, roti, naan, or rice.

Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala is a popular and healthy Indian side dish made with okra (ladies fingers), onions, tomatoes, Indian spices, and herbs. It is one of the easiest and flavorful dishes that tastes great with roti, chapati, rice, or naan.

Aloo Gobi (Alu Gobi)

Aloo Gobi (Alu gobi) is a tasty and flavorful one-pot vegetarian side dish popular in most restaurants and households of India. It is prepared with minimal ingredients like cauliflower, potato, and Indian spices. This alu gobi is a perfect vegan-friendly side dish that be can be served with naan, chapati, roti, jeera rice, or ghee rice.

Indian Aloo Gobi Masala | Potato Cauliflower Dry

Sambar Recipe

Sambar is an authentic and tasty side dish from south India. It is usually prepared with varieties of vegetables, cooked dal, tamarind pulp, and a special spice blend called sambar powder. It is a healthy, protein-packed vegan-friendly dish that is usually served as a side dish with South Indian breakfast dishes like idli, dosa, Pongal, uttapam, and also part of a full-course meal with plain rice.

Egg Curry

Egg Curry is a creamy, aromatic, and mildly spiced Indian side dish. It is typically prepared with boiled eggs, Indian spices, coconut paste, and herbs. This Egg Curry is usually served for lunch and dinner and tastes great with roti, chapati, parotta, appam, dosa, and most rice dishes.

Chicken Pakora (Chicken Pakoda)

Chicken Pakora or Pakoda is a crispy and tasty Indian street-style snack dish. It is prepared with boneless chicken pieces that are marinated with Indian spices, herbs, and flours. This Chicken Pakora is usually served as a tea time snack, starter for any party or regular day meal.

Chicken Pakora | Indian Street Style Pakoda

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry is a thick, rich, flavorful, and silky smooth Indian dish loaded with bold flavors and tastes. It is usually made with chicken, spices, Indian herbs, and onion-tomato-based curry paste. This Homemade Chicken Curry is one of the best and easy-to-make curries and tastes great with flatbread such as naan, roti, chapati, and basmati rice, white rice, jasmine rice, and similar rice dishes for lunch and dinner.

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a rich, creamy, and mildly spicy Indian dish made with golden-fried boneless chicken, basic spices, herbs, and a homemade tomato-based curry sauce. This dish is one of the most popular and best-loved curries and pairs well with basmati rice, naan, roti, chapati, pulao, and biryani. It is a great option for lunch and dinner.

Chicken Korma

Chicken Korma is a rich, creamy, and flavor-bursting Indian dish that originates from Mughlai cuisine. It is typically made with bone-in or boneless chicken, traditional Indian spices and powders, and a flavorful korma curry paste. This homemade Chicken Korma is one of the easiest and best curries, similar to classic vegetable korma, it pairs perfectly with naan, roti, paratha, basmati rice, and biryani dishes, making it suitable for both lunch and dinner.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is an authentic and flavorful Indian chicken curry dish. It is usually prepared with fried or grilled boneless chicken that is simmered in tomato sauce, Indian spices, along with yogurt and herbs. It is served as a side dish for lunch and dinner along with roti, rice, and naan.

Chicken Masala

Chicken Masala is a flavorful and classic Indian dish cherished for its deliciousness. It's prepared with bone-in chicken, basic Indian whole spices, seasonings, and herbs. This Chicken Masala recipe offers an easy way to create a delectable meal that pairs perfectly with white rice, basmati rice, chapati, or naan for both lunch and dinner.

Chicken Vindaloo

Chicken Vindaloo is a spicy and tangy curry that has its origin in Goa, India. It is traditionally made with bone-in chicken pieces, freshly ground vindaloo paste, spices, and vinegar. This Chicken Vindaloo is typically served for lunch and dinner and tastes great with roti, rice, and similar other dishes.

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken is a smoky, spicy, and flavor-loaded classic Indian dish. It is usually made with chicken legs, drumsticks, thighs, or full chicken that is marinated overnight in a special yogurt spice marinade and grilled to perfection. This Tandoori Chicken can be baked or grilled in an oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop. It is usually served with different biryanis, pulao, and naan, or with dipping sauces like mint or coriander chutney. And the best part is you could serve it as an appetizer or main course for lunch and dinner

Chicken Karahi (Kadai Chicken)

Chicken Karahi or Kadai Chicken is a spicy, aromatic, and flavorful popular side dish from Pakistan and India. It is traditionally prepared with fresh tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spice powders. It is one of the popular dishes served in most Indian and Pakistani restaurants. It can be easily made in a skillet, pan, or instant pot. This Chicken Karahi is served for lunch and dinner and tastes great with jeera rice, naan, or roti/chapati.

Chicken Chettinad

Chicken Chettinad is an authentic and popular South Indian side dish from the Chettinad cuisine of Tamilnadu state. It is usually prepared with freshly ground Chettinad masala powder that gives a unique aroma and taste to the dish. It is served as a perfect side dish for parotta, chapati, idli, dosa, white rice, biryanis, and similar dishes.

Chettinad Chicken Curry/Gravy, Chicken Kulambu/Khulambu

Lamb Vindaloo (Mutton Vindaloo)

Lamb Vindaloo also called Mutton vindaloo in India is a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet Indian restaurant-style curry. It is a popular dish from Goan cuisine that has its influence from Portuguese. Vindaloo refers to meat soaked in vinegar and garlic. It is traditionally prepared with special vindaloo paste, vinegar, sugar, and tender lamb meat. And it is a perfect gluten-free and paleo-friendly dish that can be made on a stovetop, instant pot, or slow cooker. This curry pairs great with naan, Goan Pav bun, chapati, or rice.

Rogan Josh (Lamb Curry)

Rogan Josh is an authentic Indian curry made with lamb or mutton. To prepare the curry, the meat pieces are slow-cooked in an onion-tomato and yogurt-based gravy along with Indian spices and herbs. This lamb rogan josh is typically served with rice, roti, or naan for lunch, dinner, or parties.

Fish Curry

Fish curry or Meen Kulambu with fresh fis is a definite treat for one who craves for a spicy home food that can be enjoyed with different main dishes from breakfast to dinner. The fish curry can be stored and served for two days. And the best part is that the taste of the fish curry gets even more tastier when it gets old.

Basmati Rice

Basmati Rice is aromatic, and long-grained rice that is popular in Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is widely used to make biryani, pulao, and other flavored rice. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to perfectly cook Basmati Rice with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home. The method shared here to cook Basmati Rice delivers fluffier, light, and long-grained rice. It pairs perfectly with Indian curries and side dishes for lunch and dinner. And the best part is it comes in under 30 minutes.

Matar Pulao (Peas Pulao)

Matar or Peas Pulao is a simple yet delicious one-pot Indian vegetarian meal made with basmati rice, green peas, and a few Indian whole spices and herbs. It is an easy and tasty dish that can be done in under 30 minutes and can be served for lunch, dinner, or a party.

Matar pulao/green peas pulao prepared in pressure cooker

Vegetable Biryani (Veg Biryani)

Vegetable or Veg biryani is a spicy, aromatic, and protein-rich rice dish which is popular in Indian subcontinent and other neighboring countries. This vegetable biryani is tasty, flavorful and nutrition rich one pot wholesome meal for biryani lovers and can be served for lunch/dinner.

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani is one of the age-old, delicious, and authentic dishes from Mughals. This chicken Biryani is prepared with basmati rice, indian spices and herbs. It is an aromatic and flavorsome dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or on a regular day!

Fish Biryani

Kerala style fish dum biryani is a delicious and aromatic South Indian seafood meal. It is prepared by layering Kaima or Seeraga samba rice with smear fried fish and biryani masala gravy in a dum cooking process. It is usually served as a main course meal for lunch and dinner.

Fish fry dum biryani recipe Kerala style

Mutton Biryani (Lamb Biryani)

In this one-pot south Indian mutton biryani, tender goat meat is slow-cooked with onion, tomato, and Indian spices and seeraga samba rice.

Samosa Recipe

Samosa is a delectable, flaky, and crispy Indian snack dish that originates from Punjabi cuisine. It is typically made with a special pastry dough filled with potato(aloo), meat, or vegetables and then fried. This homemade Samosa is one of the most popular snacks across India and tastes great with samosa sauces such as tamarind sauce and mango chutney. It is perfect with a cup of tea like masala chai for parties, get-togethers, or when a craving hits you. It can also be used to make samosa chaat, another popular Indian snack.

Samosa Chaat

Samosa Chaat is a spicy, tangy, and flavorful Indian street style snack. It is usually prepared with samosa topped with chole or chana masala, samosa sauces like tamarind sauce, fresh veggies, herbs, and sev. This Samosa Chaat is one of the best chaat recipes that can be served as an appetizer, or snack.

Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a traditional and flavorful Indian street food dish from Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a thick and buttery-rich vegetable curry also called Bhaji is served with Pav buns or dinner rolls. It is a perfect snack for evenings or a meal for dinner, parties, or get-togethers.

Mango Lassi

Mango lassi is a thick, sweet, and creamy refreshing Indian yogurt drink. It is made with fresh ripe mango, yogurt, and flavored with cardamom powder. This mango lassi is one of the delicious and refreshing drinks that can be served as an after-meal dessert or as a summer drink.

Masala Chai (Masala Tea)

Masala Chai or Tea is an authentic Indian drink popular across the world for its spicy flavor and taste. It is traditionally made with black tea powder, freshly crushed spices, ginger, milk, and sugar. This Masala tea is a perfect refreshing drink and is typically served hot in the morning and evening.

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