20+ Authentic Indian Curry Recipes to try

If you love Indian food, you've most likely tried one of these Authentic Indian Curry Dishes and want to try making one at home. Or, you're looking to discover something new! You'll find popular recipes, like Butter Chicken, as well as recipes that you'll never find at an Indian restaurant.

Each region in India has it's own distinct type of cuisine. I've included family recipes from both North and South India so that you can discover a new curry or a desi blogger to follow for more delicious, authentic recipes to try.

This roundup only begins to scratch the surface of all the different popular Indian curries out there, but I hope you try and fall in love with something new.

20+ Indian Curries, vegetarian and non-veg recipes with a collage of Indian curries.

If you're looking for more ideas, be sure to check out these Indian Potluck Party Recipes!

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What is an Indian Curry?
Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
Non-Veg Recipes
More Roundups to Check out

What is an Indian Curry?

An Indian curry refers to a variety of saucy dishes made with spices, vegetables, and usually a protein like lentils or meat. The term "curry" is derived from the Tamil word kari, meaning "sauce".

There are dozens of different types of curries, much like there are several different pasta shapes and sauces to toss them in. Curries vary from region to region within India. While some curries share the same base, there are several that are unrecognizable from the next one because they use entirely different techniques, ingredients, and combinations of spices.

Curries are best served with basmati rice, naan, roti, or paratha with a side of raita and a light vegetable-focused sabji like aloo methi. Cilantro-mint chutney is also a must in my household.

Indian curries are not to be confused with other curries you may see in Thai, Japanese, Caribbean, and other cuisines that may start off with a paste, seasoning blend, or curry powder.

Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes

A majority of Indian curry dishes are vegetarian. They are typically made with a base of beans, lentils, or paneer as a protein. Otherwise, they focus on filling vegetables such as potatoes, leafy greens, jackfruit, etc.

A lot of Indian curries are actually naturally vegan and gluten-free. If not, it's easy to substitute paneer for tofu, ghee for neutral oil, and asafoetida for fresh onion and garlic.

They're often served with roti and a sabji like Aloo Methi, which is a dry spiced mixture of vegetables.

Lentil and Bean Recipes

This collection of curries are made with a variety of beans and lentils. They're best served over Basmati Rice or with an Indian bread like roti or puri.

A serving bowl of chole garnished with cilantro and red onions.

Chole (Indian Chickpea Curry)

5 from 3 votes

Chole is a delicious vegetarian Indian curry made with chickpeas. It can be made in under an hour in an Instant Pot and meal prepped for the week! Serve it alongside bhatura or rice.

Chole 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.

Whole Masoor Dal Recipe

kala chana masala in a serving bowl with a gold serving spoon

Kala Chana Masala (Black Chickpea Curry)

5 from 4 votes

Kala Chana Masala is a delicious vegan Indian curry made with a unique ingredient, black chickpeas! Black chickpeas are nuttier and firmer than traditional garbanzo beans, making this a one of a kind dish. Serve it spicy with plenty of serrano peppers with basmati rice!!

Kala Chana Recipe

Black-Eyed Peas Curry

5 from 1 vote

An easy to prepare curry for a meal, this Instant Pot Black-Eyed peas curry is super delicious. Enjoy with roti, rice or parathas.

Black-Eyed Peas Curry Recipe

Kashmiri Rajma

Kashmiri rajma masala by Simple Sumptuous Cooking is a delicious and nutritious dish prepared with dry kidney beans simmered in an aromatic tomato puree base.

Kashmiri Rajma Recipe

Dosakaya Pappu (South Indian Cucumber Dal)

Dosakaya pappu by Flavours Treat - a hearty and comforting south Indian dal made with toor dal, cucumber, and a few basic staple Indian spices. It is a vegan one-pot curry perfect for a weekday meal and pairs wonderfully with rice.

Dosakaya Pappu Recipe

Dal Makhani

Here's the ultimate recipe for luscious Dal Makhani by My Food Story with instructions to make it on the stovetop, in a traditional pressure cooker & instant pot.

Dal Makhani Recipe

Traditional Sambar Recipe

This Sambar recipe by Dassana's Veg Kitchen made easy and gives you a perfect South Indian taste. Serve this sambar with steamed rice, idli, dosa or vada.

Sambar Recipe

Vegetable and Paneer-Based Curries

This collection of curries use paneer, potatoes, or vegetables as their main ingredient.

Saag Paneer

5 from 6 votes

A fan favorite, this Saag Paneer is made with a unique ingredient - Swiss Chard! Enjoy this Indian dish made with lightly-spiced, creamy leafy greens and fried paneer. It's best when served with basmati rice or roti.

Saag Paneer Recipe

Mattar paneer over rice in a pasta bowl.

Mattar Paneer (Paneer and Peas Curry)

5 from 3 votes

Mattar Paneer, a classic North Indian dish, brings together the vibrant flavors of soft paneer and green peas in a creamy tomato and onion-based curry. This 30-minute vegetarian dish is a delicious blend of aromatic spices that pairs perfectly with roti or rice.

Mattar Paneer Recipe

Paneer Butter Masala

5 from 1 vote

Paneer Butter Masala is one of India's most popular paneer recipe. Make this restaurant style dish at home with my step-by-step guide.

Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

Echorer Dalna | Bengali Style Jackfruit Curry

Echorer Dalna or Bengali Style Jackfruit Curry by Motions and Emotions is a Bengali traditional dish in which raw jackfruit and potato are cooked in a spicy onion-tomato gravy with other spices. Unlike Kathal ki Sabji, this vegan dish is a gravy-based curry.

Echorer Dalna Recipe

Sarson Ka Saag

Sarson ka saag by Spice Up The Curry is a classic winter staple from North India. This saag is topped with white butter and served with makki ki roti and sides (jaggery, sliced onions, pickle).

Sarson Ka Saag Recipe

Punjabi Dum Aloo

Spicy and tangy Punjabi Dum Aloo by Cook with Manali is a flavorful curry made with baby potatoes, yogurt and spices.

Dum Aloo Recipe

Two bowls of curry with bread and vegetables.

Kadhi Pakora

5 from 1 vote

The ever-so-comforting Kadhi Pakora is a North Indian classic dish that combines spiced yogurt and besan (chickpea flour) into a velvety curry, simmered gently with crispy pakoras.

Check out this recipe ‣

Pumpkin Curry (Rasedar Kaddu)

Hearty, one pot indian pumpkin curry by Sinfully Spicy with creaminess of coconut milk and warmth of Indian spices.

Pumpkin Curry (Rasedar Kaddu) Recipe

Malai Kofta

Malai kofta by Whisk Affair is a delicious Indian curry made by dunking deep-fried potato and paneer balls (kofta) in a rich velvety smooth gravy.

Malai Kofta Recipe

Non-Veg Recipes

Eating non-veg Indian curries are just another level of deliciousness. The meats are marinated or braised in spices for maximum flavor.

You'll have to check out the queen of Indian non-veg recipes, Tanvi at Sinfully Spicy. I frequently use her recipes in my own home.

Chicken, lamb, goat, and fish are the most popular meats consumed by desis. However, you will find some Indo-Americans or Indian regional dishes that include pork. Cows are considered holy in Hinduism so there are far and few recipes, however beef curries like nihari are common in Pakistani cuisine.

Chicken Curries

Enjoy these popular, authentic chicken curry dishes!

You won't find Chicken Tikka Masala here. Why? While it's popular at Indian restaurants, it actually originated in Scotland! I want to focus here on curries you commonly find cooked in Indian households.

butter chicken in a bowl with garlic naan

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

5 from 52 votes

This Butter Chicken is the dreamiest creamiest Indian curry that you can make in the comfort of your own home, even down to the iconic bold orange-red color. It rivals your favorite restaurant's Chicken Makhani and is best when indulged with basmati rice or homemade garlic naan.

Butter Chicken Recipe

Traditional Chicken Korma

A recipe for traditional chicken korma by Mirchi Tales made in the Pakistani or North Indian style with chicken, yoghurt, whole spices and lots of fried onions. Serve with sheermal for the authentic Mughlai touch.

Chicken Korma Recipe

Coconut Chicken Curry

Easy & healthy Indian Coconut Chicken Curry by Piping Pot Curry made in an Instant Pot in just 30 minutes. Enjoy this dairy-free & gluten-free curry with rice or naan!

Coconut Chicken Curry Recipe

Fish Curries

We mostly see fish curries come from Bengali, Kashmiri, and Goan cuisines.

Indian Salmon Curry

Indian Salmon Curry by Sinfully Spicy consists of chunks of salmon cooked in a creamy, spicy, tangy sauce. It is an a healthy, flavorful & comforting dish.

Indian Salmon Curry Recipe

Fish Curry (Fish Masala)

An easy-to-follow Fish Curry recipe by Tea for Turmeric made with an onion-tomato masala and simple spices. Tender yet crispy fish is nestled in a perfectly spiced, deeply flavorful curry and topped with garnishing ingredients for texture and vibrance. Tested to perfection!

Fish Curry Recipe

Goat and Lamb Curries

Lamb (or mutton) and goat make for succulent Indian curries, especially when slowly braised.

Authentic Indian Lamb Curry

This authentic Indian lamb curry by Sinfully Spicy is cooked with lamb shoulder, spices, yogurt and aromatics. Prepare on stove top or with Instant Pot (no marination needed).

Lamb Curry Recipe