85 Indian Recipes to Try at Home

Poppadom is a crispy, crunchy, and easy-to-make Indian starter or appetizer dish. It is also called Pappadam, Appalam, or Papad in different parts of India. It is traditionally made with urad dal, chickpea, rice, or potato flour which is kneaded, rolled to a circular shape, and then dried in sunlight. The dried Poppadoms are then fried in oil and served as a starter or accompaniment for a meal.

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 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.

Medu vada or uzhunu vada is crispy, fluffy, soft, and delicious south Indian tea time snack or side dish for breakfast. This is also called Ulundu Vadai in that region. This Medu vada can be best served for breakfast with Idli, sambhar, chutney, or enjoyed as it is as a snack.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Sakkarai or Sweet Pongal is a traditional South Indian festival dish prepared especially during the Pongal and Sankranthi other festivals seasons. It is made with rice, moong dal, ghee, nuts, and cardamom powder. It is usually served with ripe banana and coconut pieces.

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.

Ragi kanji/porridge is healthy, filling, and a wholesome south Indian meal. It tastes best when served chill and can be consumed along with mor milagai(curd chili)/sundaikkai vathal(fried turkey berry), a typical village style side dish.

Ragi balls is a tasty, melt in the mouth, nutritious South Indian meal that can be enjoyed for breakfast/lunch or dinner.

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.

Masala pasta is a tasty, delicious, and easy one-pot dish prepared with Indian Masala, veggies, spices and herbs. This is one of the best kids friendly dish and can be served as a perfect snack, dinner, or lunch box food.

Maggi noodles is a popular Indian style dish made with fresh vegetables, Indian spices and herbs. This masala noodles is usually served as a quick snack, breakfast, kids lunch box and even for small parties. It tastes great with ketchup, chicken manchurian, chilli chicken, cauliflower fry and similar dishes.

Paneer masala is a simple and delicious Indian curry dish. It is an onion tomato-based paneer gravy dish popular across the country. It is made with basic ingredients like paneer, Indian spices, and herbs. And it can be served as the perfect side dish for roti, chapati, and most rice dishes.

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.

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.

Meal maker curry or Soya chunks curry is a protein-rich Indian dish made with soya or meal maker with spices which is a perfect substitute for meat. This curry can be served with roti, chapati, or rice dishes.

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.

Chana masala is a tasty, hot, and spicyIndian side dish prepared with white chickpeas, indian spices and herbs. It is typically served with rice, flatbread/roti, or just as a snack topped with crushed puri, onions, and cilantro/coriander leaves.

Gutti Vankaya curry or Kura is a stuffed brinjal curry authentic to Andhra, South India. Gutti vankaya curry is usually prepared with special peanut masala powder that is stuffed in brinjal and then simmered in onion tomato curry. It is a simple, rich, and vegan-friendly dish that makes a perfect side dish for roti, parotta, chapati, rice, and biryani.

Kadala curry is one of the popular Indian side dishes from the state of Kerala. It is a classical curry made with black chickpeas(chana), fresh ground garam masala paste that are seasoned in coconut oil. This kadala curry is a staple food prepared in most of the Kerala restaurants and households of the state. And it is a vegan-friendly side dish served with puttu, appam, idiyappam, Kerala matta rice, or vadi matta rice.

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.

Rasam is a tasty and tangy authentic South Indian soup-like dish made by simmering tomato water, garlic, Indian spices, and herbs. This rasam act as comfort food for cold, cough, and helps for easy digestion. It tastes best when served with white rice for lunch or dinner.

Vatha Kuzhambu or Vathal Kulambu is a tasty and authentic vegetarian curry dish from Tamilnadu, a South Indian state. It is usually prepared with special spice powder, Sundakkai (sundried turkey berries), Tamarind water, jaggery, and Indian spices. This vatha Kuzhambu is usually served as a side dish with steamed rice for lunch and dinner.

Scrambled eggs is an easy dish made with stirred or beaten eggs, cooked perfectly in even heat. This recipe has 3 types of scrambled eggs which are delicious, protein-rich, healthy and can be served specially for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Egg masala is a simple, rich, and creamy south Indian egg dish that can be prepared with minimal ingredients and can be served with rice, dosa, idli, or chapati.

Egg ghee roast is an exotic, creamy, and flavor-filled side dish famous in Kerala. This side dish goes very well with different main dishes like rice and similar dishes alike. And could be served from breakfast to dinner.

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.

Ginger garlic paste is one of the essential condiments in Indian cooking. It is usually prepared with fresh ginger and garlic that are ground into a smooth paste along with some natural preservatives. It is also naturally a vegan-friendly condiment that stays good for up to 1 month in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. This ginger garlic paste is traditionally used in Indian veg, nonveg curries, biryanis, and similar dishes to enhance the flavor, taste, and aroma of the food.

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 65 is a flavorful, soft and crispy savory dish that is made of chicken and Indian spices and was first introduced by Hotel Buhari in Chennai, Tamilnadu. This tasty and crunchy dish is usually served as a snack or starter or side dish to any main course meal.

Andhra Chicken fry is a spicy and tasty chicken dish from Andhra cuisine from South India. It is traditionally prepared with special Vepudu masala, which makes this dish unique and rich. This Chicken fry or roast can be served as a starter and side dish with white rice, biryani, ghee rice, chapati, or roti, etc.

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.

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.

Pepper Chicken is a delicious, aromatic, and traditional side dish originated from South India. This pepper chicken is a perfect comfort food for cold and cough and can be served for lunch or dinner with Plain white rice or chapati.

Andhra Chilli Chicken is a tasty and spicy South Indian dish that has its origin from Bangalore, Karnataka. The dish got Andhra in its name for its spiciness that Andhra foods usually have. It is typically prepared with special ingredients like green chilli paste, Indian herbs and spices. This Green Chilli Chicken is best served as a side dish with rice, Ghee rice, Jeera rice for lunch and dinner.

Chicken Ghee Roast is a delicious chicken dish that is authentic to Mangalore, a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is prepared with chicken, Indian spices, tamarind juice, and jaggery powder that is perfectly roasted in ghee. This Mangalorean style dish is usually served as a side dish with neer dosa, biryani, pulao, or jeera rice.

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 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 Sukka or chukka is a delicious, aromatic, and spicy side dish that is authentic to Tamilnadu, South India. It is also called chukka varuval in the same region. This sukka can be served with rice, biryani, chapati, dosa, or roti.

Chicken Chinthamani is a spicy, juicy, and rustic flavored authentic side dish originated from Coimbatore, Kongunaadu the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This dish requires no chili, coriander, or garam masala powder and served with rice or roti.

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 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.

Mutton Chukka or Sukka is a delicious and aromatic nonvegetarian dish from Chettinad Cuisine from the state Tamil Nadu. It is traditionally prepared with freshly ground Chettinad spices which are unique from other nonveg dishes. This Mutton Chukka is usually served for lunch and dinner and tastes great with white rice, biryani, ghee rice, parotta, chapati, and similar other dishes.

Mughlai keema paratha is a popular Bangladeshi street food which is an absolute filling treat for street food lovers and it can be served as a lunch or dinner.

Pan fried fish fry is an aromatic seafood starter and a staple Indian non-vegetarian food that is crispy, juicy, and smells divine when prepared with the right ingredients. It also goes best with steamed rice along with fish curry or spiced tamarind and tomato soup(rasam). In south India, it is usually served in banana leaf which enhances the taste of the food.

Prawns fry or Shrimp fry is an easy and flavor-packed Indian seafood side dish. It is prepared with fresh prawns, basic Indian masala, spices, and herbs. This dry roasted prawns fry is a simple and easy dish and tastes best with rice, or as a simple starter for most non-veg meals.

Chepala/Fish Pulusu is a tasty and spicy South Indian Seafood dish authentic to Andhra Cuisine. It is usually prepared with freshly ground masala, Indian spices, tamarind water, and freshwater fish. This Fish pulusu is typically served as a side dish for lunch and dinner along with white rice, appam, roti, parotta, idiyappam, and similar dishes.

Meen Pollichathu is a traditional seafood recipe from the south Indian state of Kerala. In this recipe, the fried fish is wrapped with coconut milk, onion, and tomato masala gravy in a banana leaf and grilled. It is a flavorful and finger-licking food that can be enjoyed as it is or as a side dish for lunch and dinner.

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.

Prawn Masala gravy or thokku is a juicy, tasty, and finger-licking delicious south Indian seafood dish that is prepared with few ingredients and can be relished with rice, chapati, roti, idly and dosa, and main dishes alike.

Salmon Fish Tandoori is one of the crowd-pleasing and tempting Indian seafood dishes that can be served with jasmine/jeera/biryani rice or just as a starter.

Prawn eggplant curry is a spicy, juicy, and aroma-filled south Indian dish made without coconut. This curry can be served with rice, chapati, roti, idly, and dosa.

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.

Pudina rice or Mint pulao is a wholesome one-pot Indian meal. This rice dish is usually prepared with fresh mint leaves, ginger, garlic, Indian spices, and masalas. And it is a perfect vegan-friendly dish that can be served for lunch, dinner, and as a lunch box meal. This Pudina/mint rice tastes great with side dishes like vegetable korma, chicken Chettinad, egg curries, and similar other dishes.

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.

Mushroom Biryani or Kalan biryani is an aromatic and flavor-filled meal prepared with basmati rice and it is authentic to South India, especially in Chettinad cuisine from Tamilnadu. This tasty biryani is served for lunch or dinner with raita.

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!

Ambur biryani or Star Ambur biryani recipe is an authentic, unique, flavorful, delicious meal introduced by Arcot Nawab during their regime in Tamilnadu, South India. This unique and delicious meal prepared with Chicken and seeraga sambar rice can be served for lunch, dinner, or for parties.

Mughlai chicken biryani is one of the delicacies of Mughlai cuisine and it is very popular for its authenticity and rich aromatic, taste and flavor. This biryani has variations introduced by people from different regions by altering the spices. This taste rich meal is perfect for lunch and dinner or as a party meal.

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.

Prawn or Shrimp biryani is a tasty and aromatic one-pot South Indian meal in which fresh prawns are cooked with basmati rice, Indian spices, and herbs. It tastes great on its own and even better when it is served with South Indian chicken curries. It is also called Eral Biryani in South India.

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

Biryani rice or Kuska rice is a flavorful one-pot vegetarian meal made with Seeraga Samba or Basmati rice, Indian spices, and herbs. It is a popular South Indian dish made without any veggies or meat and tastes similar to traditional Biryani. This biryani rice can be served with any veg or nonveg curries for lunch and dinner.

Egg fried rice is a quick and flavour filled indo-chinese dish which can be prepared under 20 minutes. This recipe was prepared with basmati rice, veggies, eggs, sauce, and Indian masala. This tasty fried rice can be best served for lunch and dinner.

Atho is a traditional Indo Burmese street-style food from Burmese cuisine. This Atho is one of the popular Chennai street foods that is simple, spicy, and can be relished as a filling meal.

Samosa is a tasty, flaky, and crispy street-style fried snack dish popular across India, Central Asia, and Middle Eastern countries. It is typically made with potato, vegetables, or meat. This samosa recipe shared here is a vegan-friendly snack dish that is served as a starter for parties, lunch buffets, or as a tea-time snack.

Samosa dipping Sauces are refreshing and flavor-bursting condiments made with fresh ingredients. These sauces are usually sweet, sour, and spicy and are found green, red, yellow, and brown in colors. These Dipping Sauces taste great with samosa and some can be stored for weeks in the refrigerator.

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.

Aloo chaat is a spicy, tangy, and tasty Indian street food that is very famous across the country and served as a snack, appetizer or lighter meal for any regular day.

Gobi 65 or Cauliflower fry is a crispy, crunchy, tasty, and lip-smacking snack/starter originated from the Indian subcontinent which can be served as an entree for a meal or for tea time.

Street style mushroom/kalaan is a hot/spicy, and creamy Coimbatore special street food dish which is a perfect snack served along with tea or coffee.

Gulab jamun is an Indian milk sweet prepared with milk powder or khoya. It is typically deep-fried in oil and then soaked in cardamom and rose flavored sugar syrup for great flavor. This is a soft, juicy, and melt-in-mouth sweet that is served on special occasions and festivals.

Doodh Peda or Milk peda is a delicious and exotic Indian sweet dessert prepared from solidified milk and paneer. It is widely prepared in all the parts of Indian regions. This milk peda and chocolate peda is a rich, delectable, and flavorsome dessert that can be nibbled over and over again.

Gulab Jamun cake is a mild sweet cake suitable for kids to adults and the best part is that it needs only the basic ingredients to achieve a great taste. It can be served as a quick after school snack or to satisfy your sudden sweet craving.

Coconut cookies are a tasty, crunchy, and simple sweet snack made with minimal ingredients. It is typically made with toasted coconut flakes, sugar, all-purpose flour, and butter. These coconut cookies taste great with milk, tea, or coffee and they can also be enjoyed as it is.

Wheat coconut cookie is a crumbly, tasty, and rich in flavor snack that can be enjoyed with any hot beverage or as a grab and go breakfast.

Karachi Halwa or Bombay halwa is a tasty and easy Indian sweet dish prepared with cornflour/starch, ghee, sugar, nuts, and cardamom powder. It is one of the popular sweet dishes served during festivals like Diwali, Holi, Ramadan/Ramzan, or even as a sweet snack on a regular day.

Rava laddu is an easy and tasty Indian sweet dish made with semolina, ghee, milk, and sugar syrup. It is one of the common and popular sweet dishes prepared during the festivals like Diwali, Holi, Pongal, and also as a regular day quick sweet snack. It is also called Rava Ladoo or or Suji Laddu in different parts of India.

kalakand is a rich, delectable, and flavorsome Indian sweet made with milk. It is typically served for special occasions, festivals, and on regular days.

Rava cake is also called semolina cake is a soft and spongy sweet dish. This cake is made from semolina or Rava batter combined with flour and other basic baking ingredients. This Rava cake can be served as a perfect snack for tea time or as a mild dessert for any party.

Coconut barfi is a delicious Indian sweet made with crunchy coconut and chocolate with pistachio layered on it. This dessert can be enjoyed on any festive season or just on a regular day.

Collection of best chicken, mutton/goat, seafood, vegetarian biryani recipes from south and northern part of India prepared with Basmati, Seeraga Samba rice in dum, pressure cooker, one pot, and instant pot method.