10+ Indian Vegetarian Recipes for Delicious Home Cooking

Indian vegetarian recipes offer a delightful array of flavors and ingredients that cater to everyone, whether you’re a long-time vegetarian or just exploring meatless meals. These dishes showcase the rich culinary traditions of India, making them both nutritious and satisfying.

From vibrant curries to hearty rice dishes, the variety is endless. You can enjoy meals that are not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. This exploration of Indian vegetarian cooking will inspire you to try new recipes and flavors in your kitchen.

1) Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka Masala is a delicious dish that features grilled paneer in a rich, spicy tomato gravy. It’s a favorite in many Indian restaurants and easy to make at home.

To start, marinate cubes of paneer in yogurt and spices. This adds flavor and tenderness. You can also include onions and bell peppers for extra taste.

Cook the paneer and veggies on high heat until they’re nicely charred. Then, prepare the sauce using tomatoes, onions, and your choice of spices. Combine everything, and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Serve this mouthwatering dish with naan or rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 200 grams paneer
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, blended
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Spices (cumin, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, salt)

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the paneer, onion, and bell pepper in yogurt and spices for 30 minutes.
2. Grill or pan-fry the marinated paneer and veggies until charred.
3. In a pan, heat oil and sauté chopped onions until golden.
4. Add blended tomatoes and cook until thickened.
5. Stir in grilled paneer and veggies. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
6. Serve hot with naan or rice. Enjoy!

2) Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi is a delicious Indian dish made with potatoes and cauliflower. It’s known for its warm spices and comforting flavors. This dish is great as a side or a main meal.

To make Aloo Gobi, you’ll start by preparing your vegetables. Chop potatoes and cauliflower into small pieces, so they cook evenly. You can use onions and tomatoes to add more flavor.

The key to a good Aloo Gobi is the spices. Common spices include turmeric, cumin, and garam masala. These will give the dish its vibrant color and taste.

You can enjoy Aloo Gobi with rice or flatbreads like naan or chapati. It’s a favorite among many for its simplicity and taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups potatoes, cubed
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
4. Stir in turmeric and salt.
5. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
6. Mix in potatoes and cauliflower.
7. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Add garam masala and mix well.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

3) Chana Masala

Chana masala is a flavorful and hearty dish made with chickpeas, spices, and tomatoes. It’s a staple in Indian vegetarian cooking. You can enjoy it with rice or flatbreads like naan.

To make chana masala, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. The combination of spices gives it a rich taste. You can adjust the spice level to suit your preference.

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Sauté the chopped onion until golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
4. Stir in green chili, cumin, and salt.
5. Add Chickpeas and garam masala; cook for 5-7 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

4) Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable Biryani is a delicious and aromatic rice dish. It combines basmati rice with a mix of colorful vegetables and fragrant spices. This dish is perfect for any occasion and loved by many.

To make your Vegetable Biryani, start by cooking the rice until it’s fluffy. Then, sauté your choice of vegetables such as carrots, peas, and beans. Add spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala for flavor.

Layer the cooked rice with the sautéed vegetables. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint to enhance the taste. Serve hot with raita or your favorite chutney.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh herbs (cilantro or mint) for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice and soak it for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large pot. Add cumin seeds and sliced onions, cooking until golden.
3. Add mixed vegetables and spices. Stir for a few minutes.
4. Add the soaked rice and 2 cups of water. Season with salt.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve hot.

5) Gujarati Dal

Gujarati Dal is a delicious lentil dish that brings together sweet and tangy flavors. It’s a comforting meal that pairs well with rice or roti. You can easily make it vegan by using simple ingredients.

The main ingredient is toor dal, also known as pigeon pea lentils. You can enhance the taste with spices like cumin, coriander, and a bit of jaggery for sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon pea lentils)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons jaggery
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 4 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the toor dal under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, combine dal and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.
3. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and salt. Stir well.
4. Mix in jaggery and lime juice. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Serve warm with rice or roti.

6) Saag Paneer

Saag Paneer is a tasty Indian dish made with spinach and Indian cottage cheese called paneer. It is creamy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.

You will love how easy it is to prepare. The combination of spices and greens makes this dish comforting. It can be a great main dish or a side for rice or naan.

The dish is rich in vitamins and is a good source of protein. Enjoy the delicious flavors and bright colors on your plate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup paneer, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 cup cream
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and tomatoes. Cook until soft.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Blend the mixture until smooth.
6. Return to pan, add spices, and mix well.
7. Add paneer and cream. Cook for a few minutes. Enjoy!

7) Hyderabadi Baingan

Hyderabadi Baingan is a delicious vegetarian dish made with baby eggplants. The eggplants are cooked in a rich and flavorful masala curry. This dish is popular for its unique blend of spices and ingredients.

To make this dish, you will need tamarind, peanuts, sesame, and coconut. These add a wonderful taste and texture to the curry. It’s perfect to serve with rice or naan.

Ingredients

• 10 small eggplants
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add peanuts and sesame seeds, toast until golden.
3. Stir in grounded spices and tamarind paste.
4. Add eggplants and cook until tender.
5. Mix in coconut and cook for a few more minutes.
6. Serve hot with rice or naan.

8) Vegetable Korma

Vegetable Korma is a delicious and creamy Indian dish filled with various vegetables. It’s perfect for a comforting meal and easy to make at home.

You can use vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. The mix of spices adds great flavor to the dish.

To prepare, you’ll want to cook the vegetables in a rich, spiced sauce. This recipe is flexible, so feel free to adjust the veggies to your liking.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Stir in pureed tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
4. Add mixed vegetables and curry powder. Cook until vegetables are tender.
5. Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
6. Season with salt and garnish with cilantro before serving.

9) Matar Paneer

Matar Paneer is a popular North Indian dish made with green peas and paneer, which is Indian cheese. This curry has a rich tomato-based sauce and a blend of spices that makes it truly delicious.

To prepare Matar Paneer, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger. Then, add tomatoes and cook until they are soft. Mix in spices like cumin and garam masala for flavor. Finally, add the peas and paneer, and simmer everything together.

This dish goes well with rice or naan. It’s perfect for any meal and loved by many for its comforting taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup paneer, cubed
• 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Add cumin seeds, then onions. Sauté until golden.
3. Add garlic and ginger. Cook for another minute.
4. Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Add garam masala and salt. Mix well.
6. Add green peas and paneer. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve hot.

10) Tandoori Tofu

Tandoori tofu is a delicious and healthy twist on a classic Indian dish. You will marinate tofu in a blend of spices and yogurt for bold flavors. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a fun gathering with friends.

To start, press the tofu to remove excess water. Then, mix vegan yogurt with spices like garam masala, cumin, and paprika. Coat the tofu in this marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Next, bake the tofu at 400°F (200°C) until it’s golden and slightly crispy. If you want extra char, broil it for a few minutes. Serve with lemon herb couscous or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 1 cup vegan yogurt
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. To remove water, press the tofu.
2. Mix spices with vegan yogurt.
3. Coat the tofu in the marinade.
4. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. Bake the tofu for 25-30 minutes, or until golden.
7. For extra char, broil for a few minutes.