We've all had those cravings for our favorite neighborhood Indian food. Whether it's for curry, tikka masala, paneer, samosas, or tandoori naan, no other meal hits quite as hard as Indian food. The craving could even be for something sweet like ice cream, or a decadent mango lassi!
Sure, there are options in the frozen food aisle for Indian cuisine, but they're not the best options, and trying to bring to life Indian food recipes at home can be intimidating at first. Keep calm and curry on, because there are plenty of healthy Indian food recipes, including meatless meals!You can make these for lunch, dinner, snacks, or all of the above. Scroll down for some easy Indian food recipes that are great for beginners.
Instant No-Yeast Naan
This improvised meal shows how incorporating a few Indian ingredients into your meals can make them a little more exciting. Mango chutney and curry powder bring to life a simple dish of sautéed shrimp and rice in this Indian food recipe. (via Masala & Meatballs for Brit + Co. / photo via Alanna Taylor-Tobin)
Indian-Spiced Veggie Burgers
Spice up dinner tonight with a twist on the classic veggie burger in this delicious Indian food recipe. The spice heats things up a bit, breaking up the monotony of flavors you may be rotating through during the week. (via Brit + Co.)
Vegan “Cheesy” Bread with Chickpea Curry Dip
These comforting, “cheesy” bread pockets will warm you right up, along with the spiced curry dip. This vegan Indian food recipe is perfect to bring to a party! (via Brit + Co.)
Vegan Chickpea Curry
Loaded with protein, this vegan chickpea curry is mostly made with pantry staples. Throw in some fresh or frozen spinach for a pop of green, and you’ve got dinner done in an instant! (via Brit + Co.)
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
From The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook by Archana Mundhe, this 30-minute butter chicken recipe is ideal when you want a low-effort, high-reward Indian meal. (via Brit + Co.)
Garlicky Smashed Potatoes with Harissa Yogurt
Get your spud on with these Indian-inspired smashed potatoes. They're infused with curry spices, then made to dip into a creamy, punchy harissa yogurt sauce for the ultimate appetizer. (via Two Spoons)
Veggie-Loaded Butter Chicken Curry
This lightened-up butter chicken curry relies on yogurt instead of coconut cream to form a luscious sauce, and it’s loaded with extra veggies for added nutrients and fiber! Easy meals can also be super healthy, and this recipe proves it. (via Drizzle & Dip)
Jackfruit Butter Chicken
Vegans, rejoice in this fully plant-based butter chicken recipe! Pair your creation with rice and fluffy naan for a rounded out weeknight meal. (via Chef Bai)
Coconut Dal
This coconut dal dish gets us pretty close to heaven. It's filling, and overly aromatic to satisfy every craving. (via Allo Simone)
Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
This Indian chickpea curry is like one big hug in a bowl. It's sweet, but spicy, and will always make you feel satisfied. (via Two Spoons)
Mouthwateringly Delicious Indian Food Recipes For Beginners
Healthy Indian Food with Carrot Chickpea Curry
Carrots lend an earthy sweetness to this simple vegan curry made with chickpeas. Serve this dish with fluffy basmati rice to soak up all of the yummy sauce. (via Krumpli)
Indian-Spiced Veggie Burgers
Sink your teeth into these tender burgers, filled with the sweet-spicy aromas of Indian food! (via Crowded Kitchen)
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Curry
Think of this Indian food recipe as a guide to help you make a cozy curry in your slow cooker, using whatever you have in the fridge. Add sweet potatoes, chicken, pork, or lamb, and some green veggies to your slow cooker, along with the other ingredients, then serve with a grain or flatbread once it’s done cooking. (via The Real Food Dietitians)
Indian Meatball Curry
Enjoy these tender meatballs drenched in a spicy curry sauce as an appetizer, or a main course. No matter which way you choose to serve them, they're guaranteed to be delicious. (via The Endless Meal)
Instant Pot Dal
Prepping this Indian food in the Instant Pot lets the rich flavors soak in all the way, forming a mouthwatering bite every single time. (via The Edgy Veg)
Vegan Curried Carrot Soup
Creamy and fragrant, with curry powder and coconut milk, this Indian aoup is one of the tastiest ways to use up that bunch of carrots that’s been languishing away in your produce bin. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
The “slow and low” cooking time helps the spices in this dish (garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder) blossom. (via The Girl on Bloor)
Palak Paneer
Form a creamy, greens-filled sauce for rice and tofu to soak up the Indian flavors you're crafting in the kitchen! This recipe is delicious and healthy for any day of the week. (via No Eggs Or Ham)
30-Minute Indian Pumpkin Butter Chickpeas
Pumpkin and chickpeas replace poultry in this butter chicken-inspired meal that's a cozy dinner for fall. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Dig In To These Easy Indian Food Recipes For Dinner
Butter Cauliflower Bowls
Swap chicken for cauliflower to make a meatless version of this classic Indian food recipe and savory dish. The switch will supply you with loads more nutrients that are super good for you! (via Damn Delicious)
Vegetable Biryani with Baked Tofu
Biryani is a rice dish that’s spiced with cloves, ginger, and star anise, and usually filled with ingredients like cashews and raisins. Here, it gets turned into a complete meal, thanks to a hearty topping of marinated baked tofu. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
Indian Food Recipe with Coconut Butter Cauliflower
Coconut butter is a rich spread that’s made by puréeing coconut flesh until it forms a paste-like texture. Adding a dollop or two to your next vegetable dish thickens the sauce and makes it totally creamy without needing any dairy. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Homemade Garlic Naan
You’ll want to scoop up your curry, dal, and soup with a piece of buttery garlic naan. If you can keep yourself from eating it plain right off the skillet, that is. (via Host the Toast)
Savory Indian-Spiced Steel-Cut Oats
You've never had Indian food like this before. Steel-cut oats get the savory treatment with curry powder, chickpeas, avo, and fresh mint for garnish! (via Crowded Kitchen)
30-Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
This easy-to-prep butter chicken recipe beats takeout any day! Top a grain bowl with this spicy bite, wrap it in a piece of naan, or just indulge in it by itself. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Indian Raita
Raita is an Indian condiment made of yogurt, chopped veggies, and herbs. It’s often served with spicy dishes, as the yogurt has cooling properties that can save your tastebuds from the fire of chilies. (via My Food Story)
Tandoori Chicken Patty Sandwiches
Not authentic, but inspired by classic Indian tandoori chicken, these sandwiches are loaded with some of your favorite Indian food recipe flavors. (via Host the Toast)
Instant Pot Chana Masala
Get ready to bite into this indulgent, fragrant bowl of chana masala. It's an easy Indian dinner that comes together with such ease, thanks to the Instant Pot. (via The Edgy Veg)
Indian Food Recipes To Keep You Full and Satisfied
Beef Kofta with Saag Aloo
Beef kofta (juicy spiced meatballs) are simmered in a creamy tandoori paste curry along with potatoes and spinach. This dinner will be like nothing you've ever tasted before. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)
Indian Style Baked Eggs with Green Harissa + Naan
Dippy dishes always have our heart. With this one, you get to dip soft naan bread into a bath of eggs and spice. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Easy Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowls
Get a good balance of crunch in with this easy Indian-inspired salad recipe. (via Averie Cooks)
Mango Chicken Curry
Mango curries are all about balance, and this tasty Indian food recipe achieves it. Mango is popular in Indian food because its sweetness is balancing to all the rich spices. (via Sweet Cayenne)
Red Curry Lentils
Red curry paste quickly transforms red lentils from lackluster legume to lick-the-plate-clean good. Plus, this dish gives you a beneficial serving of protein! (via Pinch of Yum)
Crunchy Tandoori Chickpea Wraps
These vegetarian wraps get a twist from kale slaw and a coconut-honey-lime drizzle. Talk about fresh! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Indian Curried Spinach and Chickpeas (Chana Saag)
This plant-based Indian dinner will deliver one of the best, most warming meals of your week. Save the leftovers to let all the flavor soak in, for another rockin' meal. (via Chef Bai)
Chicken Tikka Masala Casserole
Cook up a chicken tikka masala casserole, complete with meat, veggies, and rice, at home for the whole family. This recipe makes cooking Indian food easy for beginners who need to feed a crowd. (via Fit Foodie Finds)
Bharli Vangi
If you're a fan of eggplant, this Indian dish will satisfy any time. Baby stuffed eggplants mix in with spices and lentils, among peanuts and sesame seeds, to create a bite so delicious, you'll still be thinking about it the next day. (via Signature Concoctions)
Chicken Madras Curry
Technically a British invention, but inspired by the cuisine of southern India, this dish sees chicken cooked in a lightly spiced, slightly tangy tomato sauce. (via A Communal Table)
Kulfi Indian Ice Cream
Made with pistachios, cardamom, and saffron, this churn-free ice cream can be made using an electric mixer a whip attachment. Enjoy it in a bowl, on a cone, or frozen on a popsicle stick. (via A Spicy Perspective)
These Indian Food Recipes are The Best Warming Meals for Winter
Indian Shepherd's Pie
This British comfort food meets vibrant Indian spices using this easy recipe! (via Vikalinka)
Indian Recipe with Cauliflower Korma
This dish boasts the most immaculate combo. Cashews are cooked with spices, butter, cream, and chicken stock, then puréed to create a luscious, velvety sauce to fold into roasted cauliflower. (via Simply Delicious Food)
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Creamy, vegan cauliflower soup is always nourishing and comforting. It's best when paired with PJs and a rainy day. (via Cookie + Kate)
Super Simple Coconut Chicken Marsala
Ditch takeout for this lightened-up take on chicken tikka masala made with pantry staples. Make sure you have some naan on-hand to dip! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Chicken Coconut Korma
Hearty amounts of chicken get drowned in a flavorful sauce that you'll be dreaming about past mealtime. (via Completely Delicious)
Loving these Indian food recipes? Follow us on Pinterest for some more delicious foods, and join our newsletter for more recipes to try this year!
This article has been updated from a previous post published in March 2019.
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Chelsea Wagner
Chelsea is a 20-something lady who spends the better part of her waking hours thinking about food. Favorite things include yoga, spicy food and nature walks. Find her (mostly) healthy (mostly) vegan recipes at Eat With Chelsea.
