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Indian recipes

107 Indian recipes for a home kitchen, from 5 minutes. Have some of the ingredients already? Match them to what you have.

Dinner

Chickpea flour pancakes (chilla) with mint chutney, photographed from above 15 min

Indian · dinner

Chickpea flour pancakes (chilla) with mint chutney

Quick, protein-packed besan crepes studded with onion, tomato, chili and herbs, cooked until crisp-edged and served with a fresh mint-cilantro chutney.

Cinnamon and curry leaf ghee crab, photographed from above 20 min

Indian · dinner

Cinnamon and curry leaf ghee crab

Cooked crab warmed in ghee scented with cinnamon, chile and crisp curry leaves, then brightened with lime. Fast, fragrant and rich.

Chile peanut rice, photographed from above 20 min

Indian · dinner

Chile peanut rice

South Indian-style tempered rice with roasted peanuts, curry leaves, chilies and lime.

Coconut chickpea curry, photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Coconut chickpea curry

Chickpeas and spinach simmered in a coconut and tomato sauce flavored with curry powder, served on rice.

Jeera rice, photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Jeera rice

Light, separate-grained basmati rice fragrant with toasted cumin seeds.

Roti pizza with cilantro chutney, photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Roti pizza with cilantro chutney

Crisp flatbread pizzas spread with green chutney, topped with spiced paneer, onion and cheese.

Rasam (tamarind pepper soup), photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Rasam (tamarind pepper soup)

Thin, tangy South Indian soup of tamarind, tomato, black pepper and cumin—sipped or poured over rice.

Jeera aloo (cumin potatoes), photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Jeera aloo (cumin potatoes)

Boiled potatoes stir-fried with toasted cumin, green chili, amchur and cilantro—a quick everyday side.

Indian curried mussels, photographed from above 25 min

Indian · dinner

Indian curried mussels

Mussels steamed open in a fragrant coconut, tomato, ginger and curry leaf sauce—a 20-minute dinner.

Chickpea and coconut curry, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Chickpea and coconut curry

Two tins, one onion and a spoon of paste. Better the next day, if it lasts.

Kerala-style coconut fish curry, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Kerala-style coconut fish curry

A mild, fragrant curry: white fish gently poached in coconut milk with ginger, turmeric and curry leaves.

Mushrooms in fennel and ginger yogurt gravy, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Mushrooms in fennel and ginger yogurt gravy

Browned mushrooms in a gently spiced, creamy yogurt sauce. Serve with rice or warm flatbread.

Spiced chickpeas with warm flatbread, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Spiced chickpeas with warm flatbread

A chana masala-style weeknight curry from two tins and a spice blend, scooped up with flatbread.

Lamb keema matar, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Lamb keema matar

Ground lamb cooked down with onion, ginger and cumin, then simmered with tomatoes and sweet peas until thick enough to scoop.

Red pepper and potato sabzi, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Red pepper and potato sabzi

A dry Indian vegetable stir-fry of potatoes and red bell peppers with cumin, turmeric, amchur and chili.

Kerala fish curry with green mango, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Kerala fish curry with green mango

Firm white fish gently poached in a coconut milk broth with sour green mango, ginger and turmeric. A South Indian-style curry that is tart, creamy and quick.

Caramelized pineapple coconut curry, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Caramelized pineapple coconut curry

Seared pineapple simmered in a gently spiced coconut sauce flavored with mustard seeds, turmeric and green chile.

Chickpea tikka masala, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Chickpea tikka masala

Chickpeas in a creamy tomato and coconut sauce spiced with garam masala and fresh ginger.

Lobster with Goan-style coconut sauce, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Lobster with Goan-style coconut sauce

Lobster simmered gently in a coconut sauce of onion, ginger and turmeric, finished with a squeeze of lime.

Bhindi masala (okra stir-fry), photographed from above 30 min

Indian · dinner

Bhindi masala (okra stir-fry)

Okra pan-fried until crisp-edged and non-slimy, then tossed with onion, tomato and dry spices.

Quick potato dosa, photographed from above 35 min

Indian · dinner

Quick potato dosa

A crisp rice-and-semolina crepe that needs no fermenting, rolled around a mustard-seed potato filling.

Garlic-ginger chicken, photographed from above 35 min

Indian · dinner

Garlic-ginger chicken

Chicken thighs cooked in a heap of garlic, ginger and green chili with tomato and a little garam masala until saucy. A quick Indian home-style curry.

Aloo gobi, photographed from above 35 min

Indian · dinner

Aloo gobi

Potatoes and cauliflower cooked with cumin, turmeric and tomatoes, finished with a sprinkle of garam masala.

Coconut snapper curry with mustard seed, photographed from above 35 min

Indian · dinner

Coconut snapper curry with mustard seed

Snapper simmered gently in a turmeric and ginger sauce of coconut milk and tomato, started by popping mustard seeds in oil. Lime juice goes in last.

Kadai paneer, photographed from above 35 min

Indian · dinner

Kadai paneer

Paneer and bell peppers in a spicy tomato gravy with freshly ground kadai masala of coriander and dried chilies.

Red lentil dal with spinach and lime, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Red lentil dal with spinach and lime

Lentils cooked down with onion, garlic and turmeric until soft, then brightened with spinach and lime.

Tandoori masala lamb chops, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Tandoori masala lamb chops

Lamb chops marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic and warm spices, charred hot on a grill for a smoky, tandoor-style finish.

Charcoal-grilled seekh kebab, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Charcoal-grilled seekh kebab

Old Delhi-style minced goat (or lamb) kebabs seasoned with ginger, garlic, chilies, garam masala and fresh herbs, pressed onto skewers and grilled fast over blazing charcoal.

Everyday dal with spiced ghee, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Everyday dal with spiced ghee

Split lentils simmered soft with turmeric, then finished with a sizzling tadka of ghee, cumin, mustard seeds, garlic and chili.

Weeknight pork vindaloo, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Weeknight pork vindaloo

Cubes of pork tenderloin simmered in a tangy sauce of onion, garlic, ginger, Kashmiri chile, cumin, coriander and cider vinegar. Hot, sour and ready in 40 minutes.

Weeknight butter chicken, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Weeknight butter chicken

Browned chicken thighs simmered in a smooth spiced tomato sauce, finished with cream and butter for a rich, glossy sauce.

Kadhi (yogurt and chickpea flour curry), photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Kadhi (yogurt and chickpea flour curry)

Tangy, silky yogurt soup thickened with chickpea flour and tempered with spices.

Roasted aloo gobi, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Roasted aloo gobi

Cauliflower and potatoes roasted with turmeric, cumin and garam masala until browned.

Shrimp pulao, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Shrimp pulao

Fragrant basmati cooked with whole spices, shrimp and peas.

Anda masala (egg curry), photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Anda masala (egg curry)

Dhaba-style egg curry: boiled eggs fried with turmeric and simmered in a spicy onion-tomato gravy.

Matar paneer, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Matar paneer

Homestyle curry of paneer cubes and green peas in a lightly spiced tomato-onion gravy.

Vegetable pulao, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Vegetable pulao

Fragrant one-pot basmati cooked with whole spices, mixed vegetables and fried onions.

Paneer butter masala, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Paneer butter masala

Paneer in a silky, mildly sweet tomato-cashew gravy finished with butter, cream and kasuri methi.

Shahi paneer, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · dinner

Shahi paneer

Royal Mughlai paneer in a pale, fragrant yogurt-cashew-onion gravy with cardamom and saffron.

Pav bhaji, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · dinner

Pav bhaji

Mumbai street-style buttery mashed vegetable curry with toasted soft rolls.

Baingan bharta (smoky mashed eggplant), photographed from above 45 min

Indian · dinner

Baingan bharta (smoky mashed eggplant)

Eggplant charred over a flame until smoky, mashed and cooked with onion, tomato, ginger and chilies.

Saag paneer, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · dinner

Saag paneer

Golden paneer cubes in a creamy, spiced purée of spinach and mustard greens.

Maska paneer with spinach and fenugreek, photographed from above 50 min

Indian · dinner

Maska paneer with spinach and fenugreek

Gujarati-style dish of soft homemade paneer in a buttery, spiced spinach and fenugreek sauce.

Chettinad pepper chicken, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Chettinad pepper chicken

A South Indian chicken curry built on deeply caramelized onions, ginger, garlic and curry leaves, with lots of black pepper and a light tomato gravy.

Egg paratha chicken tikka kati rolls, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Egg paratha chicken tikka kati rolls

Delhi-style street rolls: flaky paratha cooked with a layer of beaten egg, filled with smoky chicken tikka, onions, chutney and a drizzle of buttery tomato gravy.

Murgh makhani (butter chicken), photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Murgh makhani (butter chicken)

Double-marinated chicken charred under the broiler, simmered in a silky tomato, butter and cream sauce scented with fenugreek.

Chicken tikka masala, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Chicken tikka masala

Yogurt-marinated chicken charred under the broiler and simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato-onion masala.

Tandoori chicken, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Tandoori chicken

Yogurt-spice marinated chicken roasted hot until charred at the edges.

Sambar (lentil and vegetable stew), photographed from above 60 min

Indian · dinner

Sambar (lentil and vegetable stew)

South Indian toor dal stew with tamarind, vegetables and sambar powder, tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Malai kofta, photographed from above 75 min

Indian · dinner

Malai kofta

Fried potato-paneer dumplings with a nut center in a creamy, rich onion-tomato-cashew gravy—a festive vegetarian centerpiece.

Rajma chawal (kidney bean curry with rice), photographed from above 90 min

Indian · dinner

Rajma chawal (kidney bean curry with rice)

Punjabi Sunday-lunch staple: creamy kidney beans simmered in a gingery onion-tomato masala, served over basmati.

Aloo mattar satpura (seven-layer potato and pea pastries), photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Aloo mattar satpura (seven-layer potato and pea pastries)

Ghee-layered, crackling flaky pastry wrapped around a cumin, ginger and mango-powder potato and pea filling, fried until shatteringly crisp.

Skillet garlic naan, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Skillet garlic naan

Soft, blistered naan from a wet yogurt dough, cooked in a very hot cast-iron pan and finished under the broiler, brushed with garlic butter.

Chicken dum biryani, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Chicken dum biryani

Spiced yogurt-marinated chicken layered with saffron basmati and crispy onions, steamed sealed.

Dal makhani, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Dal makhani

Slow-simmered black lentils and kidney beans in a creamy, buttery tomato sauce.

Lamb korma, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Lamb korma

Mild Mughlai curry of lamb braised in yogurt, cashew and cardamom with a fragrant, creamy sauce.

Lamb rogan josh, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Lamb rogan josh

Kashmiri lamb curry, deep red from Kashmiri chilies, slow-cooked with yogurt, fennel and ginger.

Home-style mutton curry, photographed from above 120 min

Indian · dinner

Home-style mutton curry

Sunday mutton (goat) curry slow-cooked with onions, tomatoes and whole spices until the meat falls off the bone.

Pork rib vindaloo, photographed from above 150 min

Indian · dinner

Pork rib vindaloo

Pork ribs marinated in a tangy, fiery vinegar-chili-garlic curry paste and slow-cooked until falling off the bone.

Goat (or lamb) dum biryani, photographed from above 180 min

Indian · dinner

Goat (or lamb) dum biryani

Spiced, yogurt-marinated goat on the bone layered with par-cooked saffron basmati, fried onions and herbs, then sealed and slow-steamed so the rice takes on all the flavor.

Dough-baked stuffed chicken with almond yogurt sauce, photographed from above 180 min

Indian · dinner

Dough-baked stuffed chicken with almond yogurt sauce

A home take on Punjabi atta chicken: spiced chicken stuffed with a boiled egg, part-roasted, coated in a rich almond-cashew yogurt sauce, sealed in whole wheat dough and baked.

Hyderabadi haleem, photographed from above 300 min

Indian · dinner

Hyderabadi haleem

Ramadan and Eid specialty: meat slow-cooked with wheat and lentils, beaten into a silky porridge and topped with fried onions and ghee.

Lunch & snacks

Quick chickpea chaat, photographed from above 10 min

Indian · lunch

Quick chickpea chaat

A fresh chickpea salad with cucumber and tomato, dressed with lemon, cumin, and olive oil.

Cucumber and cumin raita, photographed from above 10 min

Indian · lunch

Cucumber and cumin raita

Cool, creamy Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, mint and a little cumin.

Kachumber salad, photographed from above 10 min

Indian · lunch

Kachumber salad

Indian chopped salad of cucumber, tomato, onion and chili with lemon and chaat masala.

Cumin yogurt crackers with tamarind, photographed from above 15 min

Indian · lunch

Cumin yogurt crackers with tamarind

Thick cumin-spiced yogurt spooned onto crisp crackers, dotted with sweet-sour tamarind chutney and cilantro. A two-minute snack.

Lemon rice, photographed from above 15 min

Indian · lunch

Lemon rice

South Indian chitranna: cooked rice tossed with a crackling turmeric, mustard, curry leaf and peanut tempering and lemon.

Dahi toast, photographed from above 20 min

Indian · lunch

Dahi toast

Crispy pan-fried bread sandwiches filled with spiced yogurt and vegetables.

Curd rice (thayir sadam), photographed from above 20 min

Indian · lunch

Curd rice (thayir sadam)

Cooling South Indian comfort food: soft rice mashed with yogurt and topped with a mustard-curry leaf tempering.

Chickpea-battered fish pakoras, photographed from above 25 min

Indian · lunch

Chickpea-battered fish pakoras

Cubes of firm white fish coated in a spiced chickpea-flour batter and shallow-fried until crisp. Cumin and turmeric flavor the coating, and lemon finishes it.

Onion bhaji / pakora, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · lunch

Onion bhaji / pakora

Crispy tangles of sliced onion in spiced chickpea-flour batter—monsoon and party snack with chai.

Pani puri, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · lunch

Pani puri

Hollow crisp puris filled with spiced potato and chickpeas, then flooded with tangy mint-tamarind water.

Gobi Manchurian, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · lunch

Gobi Manchurian

Indo-Chinese crispy cauliflower tossed in a tangy soy-chili-garlic sauce with scallions.

Khaman dhokla, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · lunch

Khaman dhokla

Spongy, tangy steamed Gujarati chickpea-flour cake with mustard seed and curry leaf tempering.

Aloo tikki, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · lunch

Aloo tikki

Crispy spiced potato patties for chaat—topped with chole, yogurt and chutneys or eaten plain.

Loaded puri chaat with beet yogurt, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · lunch

Loaded puri chaat with beet yogurt

A home version of raj kachori: crisp puri shells loaded with potato, chickpeas, sprouts and soft lentil dumplings, then drenched in beet yogurt and tamarind and mint chutneys.

Crispy spiced yogurt patties, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · lunch

Crispy spiced yogurt patties

Thick yogurt bound with chickpea flour and spiced with ginger and cumin, coated in panko and shallow-fried until golden.

Paneer tikka (no tandoor), photographed from above 45 min

Indian · lunch

Paneer tikka (no tandoor)

Party starter of yogurt-spiced paneer, peppers and onions skewered and charred in a pan or oven.

Chicken 65, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · lunch

Chicken 65

Chennai's fiery fried chicken bites finished with curry leaves, chilies and garlic—a party favorite.

Indian onion-tomato curry base, photographed from above 50 min

Indian · lunch

Indian onion-tomato curry base

A make-ahead masala of slow-cooked onion, ginger, garlic, tomato and spices that starts almost any curry.

Mumbai vada pav, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · lunch

Mumbai vada pav

Spiced potato fritters in chickpea batter, tucked into soft pav buns with a fiery garlic chutney, green chutney and a fried green chili.

Dahi vada / dahi bhalla, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · lunch

Dahi vada / dahi bhalla

Soft lentil fritters soaked and served in sweetened yogurt with chutneys and spices—essential at Holi and Diwali.

Medu vada, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · lunch

Medu vada

Crispy, fluffy South Indian lentil doughnuts served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Potato and pea samosas, photographed from above 90 min

Indian · lunch

Potato and pea samosas

Crisp pastry triangles filled with spiced potatoes and peas, with chutney.

Moong dal khasta kachori, photographed from above 90 min

Indian · lunch

Moong dal khasta kachori

Flaky, puffed fried pastries filled with spicy moong dal—a festival and wedding snack.

Breakfast

Baking & sweets

Shrikhand, photographed from above 20 min

Indian · baking

Shrikhand

Maharashtrian and Gujarati festive dessert of hung yogurt sweetened with sugar, saffron and cardamom, eaten with puri.

Sooji halwa (rava sheera), photographed from above 25 min

Indian · baking

Sooji halwa (rava sheera)

Quick temple-style semolina pudding roasted in ghee and cooked with milk, sugar, cardamom and nuts.

Coconut barfi, photographed from above 30 min

Indian · baking

Coconut barfi

Soft, milky coconut fudge squares with cardamom—a quick festival sweet.

Kaju katli, photographed from above 40 min

Indian · baking

Kaju katli

Diamond-shaped cashew fudge, smooth and thin, often decorated with silver leaf for Diwali.

Shahi toast (shahi tukda), photographed from above 45 min

Indian · baking

Shahi toast (shahi tukda)

Ghee-fried bread soaked in cardamom syrup and topped with rich saffron rabri.

Soft roti / chapati, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · baking

Soft roti / chapati

Whole-wheat flatbreads that puff on the flame, brushed with ghee—the daily bread of Indian homes.

Besan ladoo, photographed from above 45 min

Indian · baking

Besan ladoo

Nutty Diwali sweets of chickpea flour slow-roasted in ghee and shaped with sugar and cardamom.

Jalebi, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · baking

Jalebi

Crisp spirals of fermented batter fried and soaked in saffron-cardamom syrup.

Rice kheer, photographed from above 60 min

Indian · baking

Rice kheer

Creamy slow-cooked rice pudding with cardamom, saffron and nuts for festivals and pujas.

Gulab jamun, photographed from above 75 min

Indian · baking

Gulab jamun

Soft khoya-milk dumplings fried golden and soaked in rose-cardamom syrup—the essential Diwali and wedding sweet.

Gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa), photographed from above 75 min

Indian · baking

Gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa)

Winter festive pudding of grated carrots slow-cooked in milk, ghee and sugar with cardamom and nuts.

Rasgulla, photographed from above 90 min

Indian · baking

Rasgulla

Bengali spongy cheese balls of homemade chhena cooked in light sugar syrup.

Drinks

More from South & Central Asia