10+ Dinner Recipes Vegetarian Indian for Flavorful and Healthy Meals

Exploring vegetarian Indian dinner recipes opens up a world of flavors and satisfying meals. Indian cuisine uses a vibrant mix of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients, making it perfect for anyone wanting a hearty vegetarian diet.

You will find dishes that nourish and excite your taste buds.

Whether you are a seasoned chef or just starting out, these recipes suit all skill levels. From rich curries to colorful rice dishes, there’s something for everyone.

Enjoying a vegetarian Indian dinner is about more than just food; it brings people together around the table.

1) Daal Makhani

Daal Makhani is a beloved Indian dish you can make at home. It features black lentils and kidney beans cooked slowly for a rich, creamy texture.

Butter and cream add a wonderful taste. You can serve it with rice or naan for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup black lentils (whole urad dal)
• 1/2 cup red kidney beans (rajma)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• Spices (cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak lentils and kidney beans in water overnight.
2. Cook them in a pressure cooker for about 20 minutes.
3. In a pan, heat butter and sauté onions until golden.
4. Add ginger-garlic paste, then stir in the tomato puree and spices.
5. Combine the cooked lentils and kidney beans with the mixture.
6. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Stir in cream before serving.

2) Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a favorite in many Indian homes. This dish has soft paneer cubes in a rich, creamy tomato sauce.

Spices like garam masala and cumin make the sauce tastier. Use basic ingredients like paneer, tomatoes, butter, and cashews.

It pairs well with naan or rice for dinner.

Ingredients

• 250 grams paneer
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• Spices: garam masala, cumin, chili powder, salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a pan on medium heat.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomato puree and cook until thick.
5. Blend cashews with a little water into a paste and mix in.
6. Add spices and salt, then add paneer cubes. Cook gently for 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot with naan or rice.

3) Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable Biryani is a flavorful rice dish you can make at home. It combines basmati rice with mixed vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Choose vegetables like carrots, peas, and potatoes. Add spices such as saffron and garam masala for aroma.

This dish is both tasty and colorful.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 pinch saffron
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice and soak it for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pot and sauté the sliced onion until golden brown.
3. Add the ginger-garlic paste and mixed vegetables. Cook for a few minutes.
4. Stir in garam masala and saffron, then add salt.
5. Add soaked rice and 2 cups of water (about 475 mL).
6. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked.
7. Fluff the rice and garnish with cilantro before serving.

4) Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi is a tasty Indian dish featuring potatoes and cauliflower. It is popular for its warm spices and comforting flavors.

You can enjoy it as a main dish or a side. Use vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, and onions, and season with turmeric and cumin.

Fresh herbs like cilantro add brightness.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
4. Mix in tomatoes, turmeric, and salt. Cook until soft.
5. Add potatoes and cauliflower. Stir to coat.
6. Cover and cook for 15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
7. Sprinkle garam masala and cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

5) Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala is a flavorful Indian dish made with okra, also called bhindi. It combines sautéed onions, tomatoes, and spices for a delicious meal.

Serve it with rice or warm rotis. Use fresh okra cut into pieces and season with cumin, coriander, and garam masala.

You can prepare this stir-fry in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 250 grams okra
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Stir in coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
6. Add okra pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender.

6) Lemon Rice

Lemon rice is a bright and flavorful dish perfect for any meal. You can enjoy it as a side or main course.

This South Indian recipe is simple and delicious. Fresh lemon juice, spices, and nuts create a tangy and nutty flavor.

It’s also a great way to use leftover rice. Serve lemon rice warm or at room temperature.

It pairs well with curries or on its own.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
2. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3. Stir in urad dal and peanuts; cook until golden.
4. Add green chili and turmeric; mix well.
5. Add cooked rice and salt; mix gently.
6. Squeeze lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve warm.

7) Chana Masala

Chana Masala is a flavorful vegetarian dish that highlights chickpeas. This North Indian recipe combines spices, tomatoes, and herbs for a delicious curry.

You can serve Chana Masala with rice or flatbreads for a satisfying meal. The blend of spices creates a warm, inviting flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden.
3. Stir in ginger, garlic, and green chili; cook for 1 minute.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Mix in chickpeas, garam masala, cumin, and salt.
6. Cook for 5-10 minutes, adding water for desired consistency.
7. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

8) Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a tasty Indian dish made with spinach and paneer, a type of Indian cheese. This dish features a smooth, creamy spinach sauce that is both flavorful and nutritious.

Start by cooking fresh spinach, then blend it into a puree. Combine the puree with spices and cubes of paneer.

It pairs well with naan or rice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 200 grams paneer
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cool and blend into a puree.
2. In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
4. Stir in garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. Cook until soft.
5. Add spinach puree and garam masala. Mix well.
6. Add paneer cubes and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot with naan or rice.

9) Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a popular street food from Mumbai. It features spiced mashed vegetables served with soft buttered buns called pav.

This dish works well for dinners or gatherings. To make Pav Bhaji, gather potatoes, tomatoes, peas, bell peppers, and pav bhaji masala.

Cook and mash the vegetables together to create a flavorful mix. Serve with butter, onions, and fresh cilantro.

Enjoy it hot with warm buns on the side.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons pav bhaji masala
• Butter
• Pav (buns)
• Cilantro and lime for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes and mixed vegetables until soft.
2. Mash the boiled veggies.
3. In a pan, sauté chopped onion until golden.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Mix in the mashed veggies and pav bhaji masala.
6. Cook for a few minutes and serve with butter on top.
7. Toast the pav with butter and serve alongside.

10) Rajma Masala

Rajma Masala is a dish made with kidney beans. It’s perfect for dinner and tastes great with rice.

This North Indian dish has rich flavors from spices and herbs. To prepare Rajma Masala, use kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, and spices.

Ingredients

• 1 cup kidney beans (soaked overnight)
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the soaked kidney beans.
2. Heat oil in a pot and add cumin seeds.
3. Add chopped onions. Cook until they turn golden.
4. Stir in ginger-garlic paste. Add chopped tomatoes.
5. Add kidney beans, water, and salt. Cook until the beans become tender.
6. Mix in garam masala. Simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot.