Call me biased, but I think Indian food is one of the world’s great cuisines. From sumptuous curries to airy yet chewy breads to zingy chutneys, Indian food has a depth and complexity of flavor that you can’t find anywhere else.
Indian food has a reputation for being complicated and difficult, but once you understand some basics, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Sure, there are some recipes that can take 3 hours (like this vegan dal makhani – so worth it, by the way), but there are many others that be made in under 45 minutes (like my red lentil curry).
Below I’ve rounded up over 40 fantastic vegan Indian recipes from yours truly and other fabulous South Asian bloggers, along with a few tips you can use to veganize almost any Indian dish.
Table of Contents:
1. How to Veganize Indian Recipes
2. Condiments
3. Soups, Appetizers and Side Dishes
4. Bread
5. Rice Dishes
6. Main Dishes
7. Desserts
How to Veganize Indian Recipes
Many Indian recipes are naturally vegetarian, so making veganized versions is often easy. With a few ingredient substitutions, you’ll be on your way to veganizing many of your favorite Indian dishes.
Substitute Ghee with Vegan Butter. Ghee is a type of clarified butter that originated in India (and is used frequently in Indian cuisine). I’ve substituted vegan butter for ghee in many recipes, always with good results. And some Indian home cooks, like my mom, often just use oil instead of ghee, depending on the recipe.
Substitute Meat with Pulses. Pulses are a huge part of Indian cuisine (think lentils, chickpeas, beans, split peas), and are a great substitution for meat in curries, dals, soups, and even appetizers.
Substitute Cow’s Milk Yogurt with Plant-Based Yogurt. Plant-Based Yogurt is widely available these days and is a great substitute in most recipes that call for yogurt. Where yogurt is used as a sauce or condiment (think raita) or just used as an accompaniment to a spicy dish, substituting with a plain, unsweetened plant-based yogurt is super easy.
If the recipe itself requires yogurt (e.g., naan or dhokla), some experimentation might be necessary to see which yogurt works the best. In my experience, a tangy coconut yogurt is usually the best option. My favorite brands include Culina, CocoJune, GT’s CocoYo, Kite Hill Foods, and Coconut Collaborative (available in the UK).
Substitute Cream with Cashews or Coconut Milk. When an Indian dish calls for cream, blended raw cashews (i.e., cashew cream) usually work amazingly well. That’s what I do in my Dal Makhani, Vegan Palak Paneer, and Malai Kofta, all with spectacular results! Blended cashews are commonly used in Indian cooking so it’s a harmonious substitution.
Full-fat coconut milk or cream is often a good substitute for milk or cream because most Indian dishes are boldly flavored enough to mask any taste of coconut.
If a dessert calls for condensed milk, you can try sweetened condensed coconut milk, available at many grocery stores these days.
Substitute Honey with Maple Syrup or Agave. If a dessert uses honey, try agave nectar (it has a somewhat similar thick and viscous texture) or maple syrup.
Condiments
Vegan Raita (Indian Yogurt Dip)
Raita is made with unsweetened full-fat yogurt (if you try using Greek yogurt in raita, every Indian aunty I know will give you a disapproving glance). Of course, my version is vegan and uses a plant-based yogurt!
Check out this recipe
Coconut Chutney 2 Ways
This Coconut Chutney by Dassana’s Veg Recipes is a delightful South Indian condiment that pairs beautifully with breakfast, snack dishes like idli, dosa and medu vada.
Check out this recipe
Cilantro Chutney
Homemade Cilantro Chutney by Eva of The Curious Chickpea tastes so fresh and amazing! Enjoy with any Indian dish—Eva’s favorite ways include with samosas and pakoras.
Check out this recipe
Easy Sweet and Spicy Indian Lemon Pickles
Here’s a delicious and easy recipe for sweet and spicy lemon pickles made in the Instant Pot by Vidhya’s Vegetarian Kitchen. This recipe makes lip-smacking lemon pickles made with Meyer and Persian lemons that’s perfect with both rice and paratha.
Check out this recipe
Walnut Chutney
This Spicy Walnut Chutney by Sophie of My Dainty Soul Curry goes well with Indian rice crepes or dosas, fritters, and even idlis. And this versatile chutney can be used as a spread on pitas, sandwiches and wraps.
Check out this recipe
Soups, Appetizers and Side Dishes
Indian-Spiced Black Beluga Lentils
Give lentils an upgrade with Indian spices and aromatics! My recipe calls for you to sauté onions, garlic, ginger, chile peppers and Indian spices before adding black Beluga lentils to the Instant Pot. The lentils remain somewhat firm but they’re cooked in a soft, gravy-like mixture so you get the best of both worlds.
Note: This recipe is the second in my blog post!
Check out this recipe
Note: This recipe is the second in my blog post!
Kachumber (Indian Cucumber Salad)
This healthy and satisfying Kachumber Salad by Meeta of Piping Pot Curry is incredibly refreshing. It’s made with chopped veggies & seasoned with spices and can be served with any Indian food. It’s vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Potato Salad with Turmeric and Green Peas
Try this refreshingly different vegan Indian Style Potato Salad with Turmeric and Green Peas by Vaishali of Holy Cow Vegan, for a vibrant take on an old favorite. The dressing sparkles on your tastebuds and is made of ginger, turmeric, mustard seeds, and coconut milk.
Check out this recipe
Aloo Matar Samosas
Make these crispy and flaky vegan samosas with melt-in-your-mouth filling at home any time of the year by following this simple samosa recipe by Kushi of Cook with Kushi. These samosas can be served as an appetizer or snack with chutney or tomato ketchup/sauce.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Spiced Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup
My creamy Indian-spiced soup is naturally creamy from red lentils and sweet potatoes, and made super simple thanks to the Instant Pot. With warming spices like garam masala and turmeric, this is a healthy yet hearty meal that’ll give you all the cozy vibes.
Check out this recipe
Jalfrezi Fries
This is a hot & spicy Indian masala fries recipe in restaurant-style Jalfrezi sauce by Sanjana Feasts. They make for an extremely tasty side for fry lovers!
Check out this recipe
Vegetable Pakora
Pakora are an Indian crisp fried snack, and this recipe from Swasthi’s Recipes is super quick to make. They’re deep-fried snacks that are extremely delicious with a great aroma of gram flour and spices.
Check out this recipe
Bread
Vegan Naan
Naan is a popular Indian flatbread, and this vegan naan is just as good if not better than Indian restaurant naan. It's fluffy and pillowy, soft and chewy yet crisp and flaky in some spots. It melts in your mouth and is the perfect bread for scooping up delicious Indian curries. Plus, it requires just a handful of simple ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Dosa
Dosa is the ever-popular South Indian breakfast of crispy crepes made with fermented rice and lentil batter. With just a handful of ingredients and the help of Dassana’s Veg Recipes, learn to make the classic Dosa recipe from scratch with Dassana’s step-by-step video and photos.
Check out this recipe
Roti (Indian Flatbread) – Vegetarian Gastronomy
Whether you’re an expert or new to Indian Flatbreads, this easy Roti Recipe by Anjali of Vegetarian Gastronomy has great tips and tricks on how to save time and make the perfect roti at home!
Check out this recipe
Puri (Indian Puffed Flatbread)
This Puri by Manjula’s Kitchen is a whole wheat fried bread usually made on special occasions and is especially popular with children!
Check out this recipe
Soft Gujarati Thepla
Sanjana Feasts shows us how to make her Soft Gujarati Thepla in this recipe! Thepla are a staple any-time-of-the-day flatbread in Indian homes. Fresh fenugreek leaves give them their signature bitter caramel flavour.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Whole Wheat Parathas
Learn how to make everyday Indian flatbreads from Archana of Ministry of Curry. Unleavened dough is layered & rolled thin before cooking on a hot griddle to a golden brown perfection.
Check out this recipe
Rice Dishes
If you have my cookbook, be sure to check out the vegetable biryani recipe in Chapter 5!
South Indian Style Instant Pot Lemon Quinoa
This South Indian style Lemon Quinoa by Cook with Manali is flavored with ginger, mustard seeds, curry leaves and cooked in the Instant Pot. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Vangi Bath (South Indian Eggplant Rice)
This Vangi Bath by Vaishali of Holy Cow Vegan is a one-dish South Indian preparation of creamy eggplants melting into rice with a few simple spices, peanuts and coconut.
Check out this recipe
Masala Fried Rice with Turmeric Onion Raita
Here’s a recipe for Indian Spiced Masala Fried Rice with Turmeric Onion Raita by Vegan Richa! Use up leftover rice or grains to make this quick spiced fried rice. Vegan, Gluten-free and Soy-free!
Check out this recipe
Main Dishes
For an absolutely delicious and hearty Indian-inspired braised stew, head to the bottom of this post!
Vegan Red Lentil Curry
My Vegan Red Lentil Curry is a fan favorite and the BEST lentil curry you will ever try! It’s easy and quick, making it a perfect weeknight dinner! Plus, it’s creamy and indulgent but made with wholesome vegan ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Tofu Tikka Masala
In this Tofu Tikka Masala, tofu chunks get marinated in a homemade spice blend and creamy yogurt, then broiled until charred and coated in a rich tomato-onion gravy. It's a plant-based spin on chicken tikka masala and one of the most delicious Indian dishes you'll ever taste!
Check out this recipe
Jackfruit Tacos with Pickled Onions & Cilantro Chutney
These Vegan Jackfruit Tacos by Cook with Manali are cooked with aromatic spices and served with cilantro chutney and pickled onions! They are jam packed with flavors and made in the Instant Pot!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Palak Paneer with Tofu
Enjoy gourmet restaurant-style Indian food at home with my Vegan Palak Tofu Paneer! A fragrant, creamy spinach curry made healthier with tofu instead of cheese. An easy yet impressive vegan Indian dinner!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Instant Pot Chana Masala
My vegan Instant Pot Chana Masala is packed with authentic Indian flavor and rivals any restaurant dish, but is easy and quick to make!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Mattar Tofu Paneer
Try this Vegan Mattar Tofu Paneer recipe by Eva of The Curious Chickpea is a must-try! A garam masala spiced tomato sauce is made creamy with cauliflower and coconut milk and is simmered with tofu and green peas for a delicious, medium spicy, Indian dish reminiscent of mattar paneer.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Dal Makhani
My vegan remake of the classic Indian Dal Makhani that is creamy, buttery, and perfectly spiced. It’s the best thing you’ll eat all year!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Vegetable Korma
This restaurant style creamy vegetable korma curry from Meeta of Piping Pot Curry is a perfect blend of vegetables with a creamy coconut based sauce. A vegan & gluten free curry that pairs perfectly with naan or rice.
Check out this recipe
Restaurant-Style Vegan Malai Kofta
My Restaurant-Style Vegan Malai Kofta is the ultimate Indian comfort food! Crispy dumplings in a creamy, spiced curry that will excite your tastebuds! I’ve included detailed instructions for frying and baking, metric and imperial measurements, a soy-free option, and an in-depth cooking video with lots of tips!
Check out this recipe
Gujarati Eggplant and Potato Curry
This dish by Aayushi of The Whisk Addict is a deliciously rich concoction of a tomato based curry, flavored delicately with garlic, peanuts and roasted gram flour.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu
My Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu pairs authentic Indian flavors with a creamy pumpkin-coconut sauce made from whole pumpkin! It’s protein-packed and hearty, vegan and gluten-free, and nourishing.
Check out this recipe
Restaurant-Style Vegan Dal Tadka
My Restaurant-Style Vegan Dal Tadka is the most flavorful dal and inspired by my childhood! A deeply spiced Indian lentil stew that’s healthy, vegan, and gluten-free, yet pure comfort food. Stovetop and Instant Pot directions.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Rajma Chawal
This Instant Pot Rajma Chawal by Anvita & Soniya of The Belly Rules the Mind is a delicious meal your whole family will love. The Instant Pot makes preparing this hearty recipe easy for a busy night.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Jackfruit Curry
An easy vegan Instant Pot curry that is bursting with flavor! Made with warm and aromatic Indian spices, jackfruit, sweet potatoes, and coconut milk, my Instant Pot curry is both vegan and Paleo and incredibly creamy! Plus, it’s quick to make and perfect for those busy weeknights.
Check out this recipe
Chickpea Cauliflower Coconut Curry
This Cauliflower Chickpea Coconut Curry by Ashley of My Heart Beets is a pour and cook recipe made with wholesome, everyday ingredients and is very straightforward to make! You can make this recipe in an instant pot (Ashley’s preference) and on the stovetop.
Check out this recipe
Indian Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew
A hearty, filling meal that’s 100% wholesome, my Indian Chickpea Sweet Potato Stew is the best of healthy comfort food. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and made with whole foods like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, warming Indian spices, and greens, but it feels like a cozy hug in a bowl!
Check out this recipe
Desserts
Vegan Rasmalai Cake
Vegan Richa shares a dairy-free spin on the popular Bengali dessert Rasmalai, which is is typically served for Diwali. Moist almond and cashew flour cake squares are immersed in a rich and creamy cashew pistachio “milk” scented with saffron and cardamom.
Check out this recipe
Chewy Vegan Chai-Spiced Cookies
My Chewy Vegan Chai-Spiced Cookies are inspired by Indian masala chai as well as oatmeal cookies, and feature a homemade chai spice blend. They’re healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and have no added oil, making them the perfect cozy but healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Check out this recipe
Carrot Halwa Trifle
Veggiecurean’s Carrot Halwa Trifle is a modern take on a traditional Indian dessert made with shredded carrots that are roasted and simmered with nuts, spices, and milk. Gajar Halwa tastes like a moist and spiced Indian carrot crumble. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.
Check out this recipe
Paleo Kulfi (Indian Ice Cream)
This delicious cardamom-infused Indian ice cream by Ashley of My Heart Beets is about to become a summer staple. It doesn’t require an ice cream machine and is paleo, vegan and gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
As promised, here is my one of my favorite Indian-inspired recipes, a braised chickpea stew that combines Indian flavors and French techniques. Hope you enjoy!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
40+ Fantastic Vegan Indian Recipes: Braised Indian Chickpea Stew
This Indian-inspired chickpea stew features lots of warming spices, chickpeas, cabbage, and carrots. Everything gets braised in the oven and the result is a rich and hearty yet wholesome stew that will satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 medium carrots, sliced on the bias*
- ½ of a medium cabbage, roughly chopped (16-18 ounces or 450-510g)
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2- inch (5 cm) piece of fresh ginger, grated or minced
- Kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoons Indian red chili powder**
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup (180 mL) dry white wine***
- 1 1/2 cups (360 mL) vegetable broth (plus a little more as needed)
- 2 (15-ounce/425g) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/3 cup (55g) golden raisins (sultanas)
- 1 (14.5-ounce/410g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 mL) full-fat canned coconut milk, stirred well
Whole Spices
- 6 whole green cardamom pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 2 cinnamon sticks (2-3 inches long)
For finishing
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ¾ cup (9g) cilantro leaves chopped, plus more for garnish
- Lemon juice (a few squeezes)
- 1-2 teaspoons organic cane sugar, as needed
For serving
- Coconut yogurt or other vegan yogurt
- White rice, brown rice, or Indian flatbread such as naan or roti
Instructions
- Roughly grind the whole spices. Add the cardamom pods, cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds to a spice grinder or mortar or pestle. Coarsely grind (just a few pulses with an electric grinder) – you want some texture to remain. Remove the empty cardamom pod shells. Note: If you don’t have either of these tools, see the blog post section “Frequently Asked Questions“
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C.
- Heat a Dutch oven or stove-to-oven braising pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the roughly ground spices *and* the cinnamon sticks. Sauté for 60 seconds or until very fragrant, tossing frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Next, add the onions, carrots, and cabbage. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until the vegetables start to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and stir frequently for 2 minutes to coat everything. If things start to dry out or seem like they might burn, add a splash or two of water and scrape up the browned bits. Add in the Indian red chili powder, turmeric, and nutmeg, and stir frequently for 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping up the browned bits and fond from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine is mostly evaporated and the smell of alcohol has dissipated, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, chickpeas, bay leaves, raisins, tomatoes, and 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stir again, and then turn off the heat.
- Put the lid on the pan, or if it doesn’t have a lid, cover tightly with foil. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and braise for 1 hour, until the chickpeas and vegetables are soft.At the halfway mark, check to see if the liquid has evaporated somewhat. If so, add additional vegetable broth or water (about 1/4 cup).
- Pour in the coconut milk and return the pan to the oven to braise for another 10 minutes. Take out of the oven and discard the bay leaves and cinnamon sticks.
- Stir in the garam masala, cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt or pepper as needed. If it's slightly too acidic, stir in a teaspoon or two of sugar.
- Serve warm with Indian flatbread or over a bed of rice. Dollop on some vegan yogurt before serving or serve on the side.
Notes
* Don’t slice too thinly or thickly (see the ingredient photo in the blog post for a visual reference).
** Use less Indian chili powder for a milder heat; or use up to 2 teaspoons if you like it very spicy. If the latter, highly recommend pairing with yogurt to balance the heat.
*** A dry white wine such as Pinto Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works well. Use Barnivore.com to find vegan-friendly wines.
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 884mg | Potassium: 992mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 7576IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 6mg
Awesome!!
Hi Bhaveera, we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!
Thanks for the blog!!! it is really useful
You’re welcome! :)
An absolute feast for the senses! This collection of 40 vegan Indian recipes is a culinary treasure trove that celebrates the vibrant flavors and rich traditions of Indian cuisine. From fragrant curries to crispy pakoras and indulgent desserts, each dish beautifully showcases the versatility of plant-based ingredients. The detailed recipes and mouthwatering photographs inspire and empower both seasoned vegans and those new to plant-based cooking to explore the delicious world of vegan Indian food. A true delight for food lovers everywhere!
Thanks for the lovely review, Debnath! Great to hear you’ve found value in the recipe roundup :)
Any non-alcoholic suggestions for what to replace the wine with? Quite a few of your recipes which I really want to try have wine, and I’m not sure how to replace it without ruining your lovely, flavourful recipes.
Hi SF, which recipe are you referring to? The Braised Indian Chickpea stew? We actually have a full blog post for this recipe you can read for a more in-depth look at the stew. In the section titled “substitutes for this chickpea stew” it says “Don’t cook with wine? Simply omit it and use 1/3 to 1/2 cup vegetable broth to deglaze the pot. Cook until it’s mostly evaporated/reduced.”
We always give a substitution for alcohol in our recipes, as many of our readers don’t drink. You can usually find the instructions for substitution in the substitutes or faq section and/or at the bottom of the recipe card. I hope that helped!
Ah, okay! Thank you so much for the kind and thorough reply. I’m sorry, I didn’t see the full blog post for that recipe where substitutions were explained in more detail. Appreciate the time you took to reply and to direct me to the full recipe.
You’re welcome, SF! We can’t wait for you to get cooking :) We know you’ll enjoy the recipes, even with the omission of alcohol!
Hi Nisha:
There are some yummy-looking recipes here that I can’t wait to try.
A question, if I may:
I need to lose weight, so how can I avoid full-fat coconut oil/cream and still enjoy richness & coconut taste?
Thanks very much.
Hi Gary,
When an Indian dish calls for cream, blended raw cashews (i.e., cashew cream) usually work amazingly well. You can check out Nisha’s Dal Makhani, Vegan Palak Paneer, and Malai Kofta, all made with cashew cream with spectacular results! Blended cashews are commonly used in Indian cooking so it’s a harmonious substitution.
Full-fat coconut milk or cream is often a good substitute for milk or cream because most Indian dishes are boldly flavored enough to mask any taste of coconut.
Hi Nisha!
I’m so glad YouTube introduced me to you. I love your wholesome and loving approach to cooking.
Would you create a video of the chickpea vegetable biryani in your cookbook? I’m a little overwhelmed by the ingredient list and would love a tutorial.
Thank you.
Best,
Monica
Thanks worthy content
Glad you love it, Teena!
There used to be a dish on this page that had almond butter in it… I can’t find it anywhere. Did the recipe get removed?
Here you go, Lauren! https://rainbowplantlife.com/vegan-red-lentil-curry/
Lol. Hi Nisha. In response to your comment at the beginning of the blog, You are not biased. I’m from Mexico and love my country’s food; nevertheless, since I tried curry for the first time, Indian food became my number one food. As much as I love my Mexican food, I don’t see myself having as many vegan options as I do with Indian food. So, that’s another point to indian food. Thank you for sharing wonderful recipes with us.
Great to hear you love the recipes, Linka! :)
Why is it that if th dish is from south, it’s specified as South Indian. Why not call other dishes like rajma, or paneer as north Indian paneer or North Indian rajma. Is south a diff country altogether
Hi Yaswanth, I found this interesting recipe about the difference between North and South Indian cuisines here: https://food52.com/blog/12848-the-differences-between-northern-southern-indian-food.
Nisha doesn’t specify whether a dish is North or South Indian but other food bloggers do, so we kept the title of their recipes in this blog post!
I’ve made the Red Lentil Curry dish many times and your Brownies at least 3 times. I absolutely love your channel and I agree Indian cuisine is the most tasty and delightful way to eat.❤❤❤😊
Leila, that’s so amazing to hear! Thanks for the comment!
What a fantastic collection, and your chickpea stew sounds delish. I love that it is so veggie-packed — a must try! Thanks for sharing, and also for including my recipes.
Thank you Vaishali! Also, thanks for creating all the wonderful Indian recipes! We are so happy to feature them :)
What a great post! So many great Indian recipes! Thanks for including my roti! It’s one of my favorite posts on how I can easily make them regularly.
Of course, Anjali! Thanks for making all of the awesome Indian recipes!