38 of the Best Indian Recipes You’ll Ever Make
Updated: Jun. 06, 2024
These satisfying Indian recipes will become staples in your weekly repertoire. You'll find everything from hearty mains like slow-cooker butter chicken to handhelds like samosas and naan.
With soul-warming curries, fluffy breads and hearty vegetarian mains, Indian cuisine has something for every palate. Herbs like coriander and cilantro and spices like garam masala and turmeric will soon become staples. And though you might need to start out with a guide to Indian cooking, these comforting recipes will soon be second nature.
The Indian recipes below show off the incredible depth of flavor you can achieve at home with just a few ingredients and sometimes 30 minutes or less. From a rich and creamy North Indian Mughlai chicken to new twists on classics, like vegan butter cauliflower, these recipes can impress a crowd (or your family) without too much effort. Don’t forget the drinks, either. Mango lassi, homemade chai and turmeric tea are a few of our favorites to enjoy while we cook.
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Chicken Korma
We love any ideas that switch up typical chicken breast recipes. This rich, deeply flavorful curry transforms the basic white meat into a showstopping dinner that’s perfect over rice. To up the heat, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or make your own curry powder using Kashmiri chili powder—it’s typically hotter than the mild chili powders found in U.S. grocery stores.
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Mughali Chicken
The food processor is your best friend when making this healthy, beautifully spiced dish. Blending cardamom with garlic, cloves, ginger, almonds, cashews and cinnamon makes the perfect sauce for chicken and serves as a wonderful introduction to Indian spices and herbs. Serve with naan or basmati rice.
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Samosas
Recipe contributor Soniya Saluja says samosas are one of her family’s “absolute favorites.” You can make these savory fried pastries ahead of time (before frying) by freezing them in a freezer-safe bag. Once cooked, they’ll last for three to five days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Brown Rice Mulligatawny
We can’t get enough of this hearty, healthy soup whenever there’s a chill in the air. The recipe calls for a dollop of sour cream atop the finished soup, but full-fat Greek yogurt works just as well.
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Chapati Breads
Mixing all-purpose and whole wheat flour helps chapati breads achieve a satisfying, chewy texture—making them the perfect accompaniment to dishes like chickpea and potato curry. Double the recipe so you can use them for sandwich wraps the next day.
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Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken
This no-fuss slow-cooker butter chicken is perfect for anyone who loves a creamy curry. This version of the classic gets most of its creaminess from coconut milk, and it’s even better the next day. For those who like freezing food to meal prep, butter chicken will last in your freezer for up to three months.
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Red Lentil Dal
We promise the effort is worth the payoff with this aromatic, nourishing lentil dish. You can make this dal in the Instant Pot or in a stovetop pressure cooker or saucepan. Soaking the lentils in advance helps reduce the cook time (and aids digestion).
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Mango Lassi
There’s nothing more refreshing than sweet mango lassis—especially because this popular beverage comes together in just 10 minutes. You can customize the yogurt drink by swapping in other fruit (like banana or pineapple) and upping the mint or cardamom.
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Tandoori Chicken
“A hand-mixed spice rub makes ordinary chicken worthy of a special occasion,” says recipe contributor Dena Leigh of her flavor-packed tandoori chicken dish. The spiced yogurt marinade transforms chicken thighs into a restaurant-worthy entree. Serve with naan or chapati and plenty of basmati rice.
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Grilled Garlic Naan
Upgrade store-bought naan with garlic and butter to make the perfect savory bread for scooping up curry. Sprinkle the breads with chopped cilantro for a pop of color and brightness.
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Madras Curried Eggs with Rice
You probably already have all the ingredients for this classic curried eggs dish, which is a protein-packed and meat-free entree that you’ll want to make again and again. Even better, it comes together in about 30 minutes. Make sure to serve with long-grain rice.
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Kulfi
One of our favorite Indian desserts is kulfi, and this sweet frozen treat doesn’t even require an ice cream machine. Be generous with toppings like saffron, cardamom and pistachios.
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Chickpea & Potato Curry
Chana masala is a classic Indian curry starring chickpea, potatoes and tomatoes. This rich, tomatoey pantry recipe develops a wonderful depth of flavor in the slow cooker.
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Ceylon Chicken Curry Noodle Soup
This soul-warming noodle soup packed with spices and aromatics is about as comforting as it gets. Make it vegetarian by swapping out the chicken for any plant-based protein.
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Coconut Garlic Naan
Smeared with garlic confit and salt, these fluffy homemade naans will impress everyone at your dinner table. Double the recipe to use for sandwiches the next day.
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Chicken Tikka Masala
Cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts get super tender and flavorful in the slow cooker thanks to fresh ginger, garlic, tomato puree and lots of spices. Control the heat level with how much fresh jalapeno you add. If you do use the pepper, make sure to wear disposable gloves when chopping, and don’t touch your face.
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Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish
The bright, sweet relish makes the perfect topping for these succulent chicken breasts, which get their flavor from a richly spiced yogurt marinade. For more great texture, sprinkle with sliced almonds before serving.
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Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & Tomatoes
This delicious skillet dinner comes together in just 30 minutes and is one of our favorite uses for canned chickpeas. You can throw in chopped green peppers for even more color. We like to serve this over nutty, hearty brown rice.
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Slow-Cooked Curry Chicken
For a perfectly balanced meal, serve this simple, satisfying curry chicken with Indian spiced potatoes and naan. If you’re tired of chicken breasts, swap in juicy chicken thighs for even more flavor.
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Chai Tea
What is chai tea, you wonder? It’s black tea prepared with spices, milk and sugar, and nothing will warm you up faster. This recipe calls for 2% milk, but dairy-free options like coconut milk work well too. If you’re expecting company, prep the chai ahead of time and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator until you’re ready to heat and serve.
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Cauliflower Tikka Masala
This vegetarian twist on the classic Indian recipe is packed with aromatic spices that transform cauliflower into the star of the show (and you won’t miss the chicken, we promise). Don’t forget to sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.
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Chicken Samosas
The dough and filling for these crunchy, satisfying chicken samosas can be made ahead of time, so you can assemble them quickly before guests arrive. We like to prepare a variety of dipping sauces, like green chutney and a mint and cilantro yogurt sauce.
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Vegan Butter Cauliflower
You would never know this hearty, creamy main dish was vegan. Layers of flavor from the coconut milk, tomato, garam masala and an array of other spices pack so much richness into the humble cauliflower.
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One-Pot Coconut Curry Lentil Soup
This lentil soup with coconut and curry powder is one of our favorite recipes to freeze and heat up on days we don’t feel like cooking. Make sure to have broth on hand to splash in if the stew becomes too thick. Round out the meal with naan.
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Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken
Cleanup could not be easier for this special-occasion chicken dish—it all comes together on a single sheet pan. The key to this recipe is marinating the chicken in the spiced yogurt for six to eight hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
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Easy Chana Masala
This quick, nutritious chickpea dish comes together in 30 minutes. Make sure to simmer the tomato mixture covered so it stays saucy. Serve with rice and top with yogurt and cilantro.
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Milk Turmeric Tea
One of our favorite ways to enjoy turmeric—and its health benefits—is in a creamy, sweet, hot beverage. You can make this with dairy or nondairy milk and control the sweetness level by adding more or less honey.
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Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken
Rich and savory slow-cooker curry is a breeze to prepare and a fantastic use for the can of coconut milk in your pantry. Serve the chicken with rice and a side of garlicky naan to soak up all the flavorful sauce.
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Indian Spiced Chickpea Wraps
These crunchy, spicy wraps pack a fantastic nutritional punch with lots of protein, whole grains and fruits and veggies. Feel free to customize the raita, a classic Indian yogurt condiment, with your favorite herbs and spices.
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Indian Ginger Potatoes
Potato lovers: This recipe is for you. Onion, ginger and a few pantry spices elevate the humble potato into main dish material. Add chili flakes for extra heat.
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Mango Chutney Chicken Curry
This wildly easy-to-prepare chicken curry should be a staple in your kitchen. The sweet-savory sauce comes together with just half-and-half, mango chutney, garlic and curry powder. We recommend doubling the recipe because people will probably want seconds.
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Vegetable Samosas
These nontraditional samosas use packaged frozen phyllo dough to cut down on prep time and effort—but not on flavor. Baking these beauties instead of frying them cuts down on oil without inhibiting flavor.
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Curry Chicken Stew
There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of this aromatic chicken stew that cooks low and slow in the slow cooker. The secret ingredient in this unusual take on curry? Cream of chicken soup.
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Roasted Curried Chickpeas and Cauliflower
We love a good sheet-pan dinner, and this delicious, warming tray of curried chickpeas and cauliflower hits the spot. If you’d like extra protein, you can easily add chicken to the mix. Serve with your favorite rice and herbs.
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Tandoori Chicken Thighs
These crowd-pleasing grilled chicken thighs become juicy with flavor after marinating in a spiced yogurt sauce. A crunchy salad makes the perfect complement to this tender chicken dish.
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Bread Machine Naan
Making naan is a breeze with your bread machine, which creates the perfect dough for a chewy, fluffy flatbread. These naan finish on a buttered skillet for maximum golden-brown goodness.
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Spiced Indian Rusks
Filled with warm spices, these irresistible cakes have endless variations. Add in nuts, dried fruits or even dark chocolate chips to take them to the next level. We can’t imagine a better companion to chai tea.
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Pressure-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
This satisfying and simple pressure cooker dinner channels all the wonderful flavors of Indian recipes without a tandoori oven. After a short time in the pressure cooker, the chicken comes out incredibly tender and flavorful.FAQs
What is the best Indian food for beginners?
Indian food recipes might look like they have a lot of ingredients, but it’s mostly herbs and spices, so don’t let the length fool you. We recommend curries like chana masala, desserts like kulfi and main dishes like butter chicken when you’re just getting started with Indian food.
What are some traditional Indian recipes?
While some of the dishes in this list are Indian-inspired, many of them are truly traditional. Butter chicken, chana masala, naan and tikka masala are traditional Indian meals. And, as with any regional cooking, using the right spices and herbs will make all the difference. The fewer things you substitute out, the closer your meal will taste to a true Indian recipe.
Originally Published: April 06, 2021
