Masala and Chai

menu icon
subscribe
search icon
×

15+ Indian Vegetarian Curry Recipes

Headshot of Shweta in a kitchen with a floral dress.
Modified: · Published: by · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

This roundup features 15+ Authentic Indian Vegetarian Curry Recipes from across the subcontinent - each with step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and ideas for serving. Whether you're planning a weeknight dinner, hosting guests, or simply craving something cozy, these curries will bring the flavors of India straight to your kitchen.

15+ Vegetarian Indian Curries with a collage of vegetarian Indian curries.

If you love the bold spices, creamy gravies, and comforting warmth of Indian food, you're in for a treat. Vegetarian curries are the heart of Indian home cooking - deeply flavorful and often naturally gluten-free and even vegan. You'll find curries made with fresh produce, eggs, legumes, lentils, or paneer.

In Indian cuisine, vegetarian food isn't an afterthought - it's a celebrated tradition rooted in centuries of culinary heritage. From fragrant dals to rich paneer gravies, from quick weeknight sabzis to elaborate festive dishes, there's a vegetarian curry for every cooking mood, i.e. quick and easy or deeply flavorful.

Jump to:

How to Use This List

  • All recipes are vegetarian, and many are vegan or can be adapted with simple swaps.
  • Serve with rice, roti, naan, or parathas and side dishes such as dahi for a complete meal.
  • Most curries can be made ahead and taste even better the next day.

Paneer Curries

Mattar paneer over rice in a pasta bowl.

Mattar Paneer (Paneer and Peas Curry)

5 from 3 votes
A creamy North Indian curry with paneer and green peas in a spiced tomato-onion base. Ready in about 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe ‣
a bowl of swiss chard saag paneer with tomato onion salad

Saag Paneer

5 from 6 votes
Use up your leafy greens in this typically spinach-based curry with paneer; a classic regional favorite.
Check out this recipe ‣
Paneer Butter Masala topped with cilantro in a kadhai.

Paneer Butter Masala

5 from 1 vote
A rich, restaurant-style creamy tomato gravy with cubes of paneer; a beloved vegetarian staple.
Check out this recipe ‣

Legume-Based Curries

chole in a white bowl with lemon wedges

Chole (Indian Chickpea Curry)

5 from 3 votes
A tangy, vegan-friendly chickpea curry made in under an hour using an Instant Pot. Perfect for meal prep and weeknight dinners.
Check out this recipe ‣
kala chana masala in a serving bowl with a gold serving spoon

Kala Chana Masala (Black Chickpea Curry)

5 from 4 votes
A hearty, nutritious vegan curry featuring a unique ingredient - nutty black chickpeas and warming spices.
Check out this recipe ‣
Cooked black eyed peas curry in a cocotte.

Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Peas Curry)

5 from 1 vote
A flavorful and comforting black eyed peas-based curry. It's both vegan and hearty, making it extremely cravable.
Check out this recipe ‣

Lentil Curries (Dal)

A bowl full of chana dal.

Chana Dal

5 from 1 vote
A traditional dal made with split chickpea with comforting and rustic flavors that you'll only get at home.
Check out this recipe ‣
whole masoor dal in a bowl with rice and a gold spoon

Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils)

5 from 16 votes
Lentils are an incredible way of eating a high fiber and protein diet! Masoor Dal is one of the easiest, most flavorful dump-and-go vegan lentil recipes that pairs well with rice, naan, paratha, or by itself with vegetables.
Check out this recipe ‣
khichdi in a bowl with a spoon garnished with fresh vegetables

Khichdi

5 from 4 votes
The simplest dish can also be the most comforting. Masala Moong Dal Khichdi is an easy one pot dish made with rice, lentils, and a few basic spices that is ready in under 30 minutes. It's arguably India's most classic, hearty dish rooted in Ayurvedic traditions.
Check out this recipe ‣

Vegetable Curries

A bowl of food with potatoes, eggplant and tomatoes served with roti and dahi.

Aloo Baingan (Potato and Eggplant Curry)

5 from 2 votes
A comforting, vegan one-pot curry with potatoes and eggplant that's light, flavorful, and budget-friendly.
Check out this recipe ‣
aloo methi in a tray

Aloo Methi Sabji

5 from 3 votes
A simple dry, spiced potato and fenugreek leaf sabzi that makes a sturdy side or a light main. Perfect for when fresh fenugreek is in season.
Check out this recipe ‣
Roasted stuffed eggplant in a platter with fresh tomatoes, rice, and dal.

Indian Stuffed Eggplants (Bharwa Baingan)

5 from 1 vote
Indian-style Stuffed Eggplant is a bold, comforting, and satisfying vegetarian side dish. Packed with aromatic spices and a savory filling, Bharwa Baingan is both hearty and perfect for weeknight dinners served with a dal, rice, and roti.
Check out this recipe ‣
a bowl of arbi sabzi with paratha and a gold spoon

Dahi Wali Arbi Sabzi

5 from 1 vote
This homestyle Dahi Wali Arbi is a sabzi with pan-fried taro root in a tangy dahi-based gravy. It's mild, yet hearty and comforting. Have it ready in under 30 minutes and serve it with stuffed paratha in a spread of Indian dishes for a delicious dinner.
Check out this recipe ‣

Specialty & Regional Curries

Two bowls of curry with bread and vegetables.

Kadhi Pakora

5 from 1 vote
Crispy pakoras (fritters) simmered in a tangy, yogurt and chickpea-based curry. The ultimate comforting dish.
Check out this recipe ‣
macro shot of curd rice in a white bowl with curry leaves and pomgranates

Curd Rice

5 from 5 votes
Curd rice, or thayir sadam, is a savory comforting South Indian dish made with basmati rice, curd (yogurt), tempered spices, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It's typically served as a cooling dish during the summer, at weddings, or as an offering to god at temples. Serve it with papad or achaar!
Check out this recipe ‣

Tips for Making the Best Vegetarian Curries

  • Toast spices for a minute in oil or ghee to unlock their full aroma or top the curry with a fresh tadka.
  • Use fresh ginger and garlic for depth and flavor. If you don't eat garlic and onions, consider using asafoetida as a substitute.
  • Adjust spice levels to your taste - Indian cooking is all about balance.
  • Follow the key cooking techniques for each recipe, looking for indicators such as the fat separating.
  • Batch cook curries and freeze in trays for easy future meals.

Whether you're a lifelong vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals to your week, these Indian vegetarian curry recipes will inspire you to cook with color, spices, and vegetables. Each one brings a taste of a home-cooked Indian food to your kitchen!

Find More Recipes to try

You may love this roundup of more Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries to explore!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *