Looking for Vegan Indian recipes? Check out these 65+ amazing vegan Indian dishes. This collection has everything from breakfast, sides, mains, and desserts that you’ll love.
When it comes to vegetarian and vegan recipes, Indian food is the best. Many Indian dishes are naturally vegan and healthy and don’t need meat substitutes to taste amazing.
Here, you will find all the popular curry recipes that you might have enjoyed at your favorite Indian restaurant, as well as authentic dishes that Indians most enjoy at home. They are flavorful, tasty, and quick to make!
All of these recipes are, of course, dairy-free, and most of the dinner recipes below are also gluten-free. If you are looking for more gluten-free ideas, check out these 50+ Gluten-free Indian Recipes.
Check out 200+ vegan recipes on Piping Pot Curry.
Table of Contents
Success Tips for Indian Cooking
Indian food can seem daunting to many with the number of ingredients, spices and steps involved. Here are some of my tips and meal prep ideas that will make Indian cooking much easier for you.
Fill your pantry with these basic spices
Here I share the must-have spices to get started with Indian cooking. I cook most of the regular Indian meals with just these 5 spices.
- Cumin Seeds
- Turmeric
- Red Chili Powder
- Coriander Powder
- Garam Masala
For a comprehensive list of spices that can be a part of your pantry, check my Indian Spices post.
Prep these basic Ingredients
Some of the other often used ingredients in Indian cooking can be prepared ahead. Here are some of them, along with ways to use and store them.
If you love to meal prep, check out my Bhuna Masala recipe. This basic curry sauce is a base for many indian dishes and can make everyday cooking much easier.
How to Veganize Indian Recipes?
You will find that many indian dishes are naturally vegan. However many Indian dishes are vegetarian, which means they might include ghee, yogurt, paneer, cream or milk.
Let’s see how you can replace these ingredients in Indian dishes to make them vegan:
- Ghee: One of the most popular ingredients used in India, Ghee, is basically clarified butter. You can replace it with vegan butter or plant-based oil of your choice.
- Yogurt/ Curd: Yogurt is used as a condiment in raita or in marination in many Indian dishes. You can replace it with the plant-based yogurt of your choice.
- Milk: Use your choice of plant milk to replace dairy milk in Indian dishes.
- Paneer: It is a popular choice for vegetarians. Firm tofu is a great substitute for Indian curries.
- Cream: Often used to give curries a creamy texture, I suggest replacing cream with full-fat coconut milk.
Main Dishes (Lentils & Curries)
Baingan Bharta (Roasted Mashed Eggplant)
Baingan Bharta is a popular smoky and zesty dish from North India. It is made with roasted mashed eggplant sauteed in onion, garlic, tomatoes, and Indian spices. It is vegan and gluten-free.
Chana Masala
Punjabi Chole Masala or Chana Masala is an Indian favorite chickpea curry. This one-pot recipe for authentic Chana Masala is a healthy, protein-rich vegan and gluten-free recipe.
Vegetable Korma
Easy and creamy Vegetable Korma made in the Instant Pot. This restaurant-style creamy vegetable korma curry is a perfect blend of vegetables with a creamy coconut-based sauce. It is vegan and gluten-free and pairs perfectly with naan or rice.
Red Lentil Curry
Quick and easy Red Lentil Curry, also known as Masoor Dal. This super delicious, healthy, and budget-friendly vegan meal can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Roasted Aloo Gobi
This Roasted Aloo Gobi is so good! Toss cauliflower and potatoes in spices and roast in the air fryer or oven, and you have the perfect Indian veggie dish. There is no mushy cauliflower, and it takes less than 20 minutes to put together!
Green Moong Dal
Wholesome Green Moong lentils simmered in a classic Indian dal are a protein-rich dish. Enjoy it as lentil soup with a side of rice.
Saag Aloo
Saag Aloo is a popular, delicious North Indian Curry made with spinach and potatoes cooked with ginger, garlic, onions, and aromatic spices. This is a simplified one-pot version of the authentic Saag Aloo, which takes just 30 minutes to make.
Dal Tadka
A simple yet flavorful yellow dal tempered with cumin, curry leaves, and spices. This is an everyday Indian lentil enjoyed with rice.
Aloo Matar
Aloo Matar is a quick and easy potato and pea curry. This vegan and gluten-free Aloo Matar Masala is perfect for a delicious warm weeknight dinner!
Butternut Squash Curry with Spinach
This Butternut Squash Curry is a creamy vegan curry filled with the goodness of squash, coconut milk, and spinach. This cozy and comforting curry is perfect for Fall dinners!
Black Eyed Peas Curry (Lobia Masala)
Black-eyed Peas Curry, or Lobia Masala, is a North Indian favorite. It consists of black-eyed peas cooked with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices.
Mumbai Pav Bhaji
An easy one-pot recipe for the most popular Indian street food, Pav Bhaji. It is a spiced mashed vegetable curry topped with chopped onions, cilantro, lemon and enjoyed with dinner rolls.
Potato Curry (Aloo Rasedar)
Easy and comforting Potato Curry in Tomato Gravy. This North Indian Potato Curry is popularly known as Aloo Rasedar. Aloo means potato, and Rasedar is a thin tomato gravy.
Dal Makhani
Authentic Punjabi Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils) made in a Pressure Cooker. This restaurant-style Dal Makhani is rich, creamy, and flavorful.
Mushroom Mutter Masala (Mushroom Green Peas Curry)
Green Peas and Mushroom curry made in creamy onion and tomato gravy. This restaurant’s favorite Mushroom Masala is easy to make in less than 30 minutes!
Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry)
Delicious Instant Pot Rajma Masala (Red Kidney Beans Curry) is a favorite comforting meal with rice for North Indians. Make it with pot-in-pot brown rice for a complete meal.
Aloo Baingan (Potato & Eggplant Curry)
Aloo Baingan Masala is an easy one-pot curry made with potatoes, eggplants, and aromatic spices. A vegan and gluten-free Potato & Eggplant Curry is a perfect dish with roti, naan, or parathas.
Cabbage & Peas Stir Fry (Patta Gobi Matar)
Cabbage and Green Peas cooked with garlic, tomato, and spices are a simple comfort dish you might not find in restaurants but are a regular in Indian homes!
Moth Dal (Moth Bean Curry)
A delicious, comforting, and wholesome Moth bean curry. Full of flavor and nutrition, this Punjabi-style Moth Dal can be made in just 30 minutes!
Aloo Gajar Matar
Aloo Gajar Matar is a simple, nutritious, and quick stir fry with potatoes, carrots, and green peas. This North Indian dry curry is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner!
Vegetable Sambar
Sambar, a flavorful South Indian Lentil Stew made with lentils, vegetables, tamarind, curry leaves and spices. Pair with dosa, idli, or rice for a comforting meal!
Pumpkin Curry
North Indian sweet and sour pumpkin curry is a delicious and healthy vegetable curry to add to your meal. It’s vegan and gluten-free!
Chana Dal
Easy & Delicious Chana Dal made in the Pressure Cooker. Split Chickpeas cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomato and flavorful spices, to make a comforting soup. Vegan & Gluten free.
Aloo Beans
Easy Aloo Beans or Indian Green Beans Curry recipe prepared with cumin, garlic, and spices in just 15 minutes. Vegan & Gluten-free vegetable side dish.
Chickpea Curry with Spinach (Chana Saag)
This easy one-pot Spinach Chickpea Curry, also known as Chana Saag, is a healthy vegan and gluten-free curry. Serve it with rice, quinoa, or naan for a perfect weeknight dinner!
Bhindi do Pyaza (Okra Stir Fry)
Okra Stir Fry is an Indian favorite. Okra is cooked with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices, and guess what? It is not mushy and is so delicious!
Kala Chana (Black Chickpeas Curry)
Kala Chana is a mildly spiced black chickpea curry. This is a simple everyday Punjabi curry, made in an onion-tomato gravy with ginger and garlic.
Spinach Dal (Dal Palak)
A comforting lentil dish with added spinach made in the Pressure Cooker. Enjoy with rice or as a soup.
Misal Pav
A delicious Maharashtrian dish, Misal Pav is made as a one-pot recipe. Misal is a spicy sprouts curry (usual) cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and coconut. This is then topped with diced onions, lemon juice, and farsan and enjoyed with pav (dinner rolls).
Mashed Pumpkin Curry
This Indian mashed pumpkin curry is a delicious and healthy vegetable curry that can be made in less than 30 minutes for a weeknight dinner.
Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils Curry)
Enjoy this delicious and healthy Whole Masoor Dal, also known as Brown Lentil Curry, made in the Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker. It is vegan and Gluten-Free.
Coconut Chickpea Curry
This Coconut Chickpea Curry is a creamy vegan curry, perfect for those busy weekdays. Made with staple pantry ingredients, this one-pot meal with pot-in-pot brown rice will make up for a perfect, wholesome meal.
Sprouts Curry
Sprouted green lentil curry is packed full of nutrition. Mung bean sprouts are cooked in an onion-tomato sauce with ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices. This curry goes perfectly with roti, paratha, or rice.
Rice Dishes
Khichdi
Moong Dal Khichdi, or Kitchari, is a simple dish made with rice and lentils, tempered in ghee with cumin seeds and turmeric. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is a perfect comfort meal for weeknights or when someone is under the weather!
Vegetable Biryani
One-pot Vegetable Biryani is so easy to cook with the same authentic flavors! Fragrant basmati rice is cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic whole spices and herbs. This delicious, flavorful Biryani is ready in less than 30 minutes and is perfect for a weeknight dinner with a side of raita or for special occasions.
Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
Perfectly cooked Basmati Rice flavored with cumin and whole spices. Enjoy these aromatic Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) with any curry or lentil.
Lemon Rice
Flavorful, tangy, and crunchy Lemon Rice from South India, made as a one-pot dish in a pressure cooker. Aromatic Basmati Rice is flavored with lemon juice, mustard seeds, ginger, and topped with roasted peanuts.
Spinach Rice
Aromatic basmati rice with spinach and spices makes this Spinach Rice flavorful and healthy!
Quinoa & Vegetable Pilaf
Easy and healthy quinoa with veggies made as a one-pot meal.
Beet Rice Pulao
A mildly flavored rice pulao with beets, green peas and aromatic spices. You will love the wonderful bright colors in this rice!
Vegetable Rice Pilaf
Veg Pulao, or Vegetable Pilaf, is an easy one-pot rice dish mixed with a variety of vegetables and mildly flavored with spices.
Ven Pongal
Made from rice and lentils, this satisfying South Indian breakfast recipe, Ven Pongal, is enjoyed with sambar and chutney. Deliciously seasoned with curry leaves, cumin seeds, and black pepper, this vegetarian and gluten-free recipe is a wholesome meal.
Bulgur Pilaf
A simple, healthy and delicious Bulgur or cracked wheat pilaf cooked with lots of veggies.
Lentil & Vegetable Khichdi
A one-pot dish made with lentils, rice, vegetables, simple spices, and ghee, it is the epitome of comfort food all over India.
Black eyed peas & Spinach Rice Pilaf
One-pot Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach Rice is a healthy and wholesome dish perfect for weeknight meals. This vegetarian and gluten-free dish is easy to make in the Instant Pot.
Breads
Paratha
Paratha, one of the most popular unleavened flatbreads from India, is perfect for breakfast with pickle and a hot cup of chai or alongside curry and yogurt raita for lunch or dinner.
Roti / Chapati
Roti, also known as Chapati or Phulka, is a staple in most Indian homes. This whole wheat Indian flatbread is typically enjoyed as a side with curries or lentils.
Dosa (Crispy South Indian Crepes)
Learn how to make the best crispy dosa from scratch with homemade dosa batter, along with all the tips and tricks to get the perfect crispy dosa every time!
Idli
Idli is the quintessential south Indian breakfast, which is also popular across India. Learn how to make the perfect soft and fluffy steamed idli!
Naan
Naan is a popular Indian leavened flatbread, which is mostly enjoyed at restaurants. This vegan version is just as tasty as the regular naan bread.
Salads, Chutneys & Condiments
Mint Cilantro Chutney
This cool, spicy, and tangy green chutney is a no-cook mint cilantro chutney that is a must-try accompaniment to Indian food such as samosas, chaat, kebabs, and sandwiches.
Tamarind Date Chutney
A delicious and easy dip that is both sweet and tangy at the same time, prepared with tamarind, dates, jaggery, and spices. This chutney is served along with appetizers such as samosa and many chaat dishes such as dahi puri or ragda patties.
Kachumber (Indian Cucumber Salad)
This healthy, satisfying kachumber salad is so easy and refreshing. Made with chopped veggies and seasoned with spices, serve it as a side with any Indian food. It is vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.
Peanut Chutney
Super easy Peanut or Groundnut Chutney. It is a delicious and nutritious accompaniment to South Indian favorites, such as idli and dosa.
Ginger Chili pickle (Adrak ka achar)
An easy ginger chili pickle that tickles your tastebuds with its wonderful flavors. This fresh ginger chili pickle can be made within minutes with staple ingredients in your home.
Kala Chana Chaat (Black Chickpea Salad)
A nutrition packed Black Chickpea Salad made with black chickpeas, crunchy onions, tomatoes, avocado and spices. This refreshing salad has fresh and tangy flavors and can be enjoyed as a great protein-rich breakfast or snack.
Appetizers & Snacks
Onion Bhaji
Learn how to make this traditional fried Indian snack called Onion bhaji (or Kanda Bhaji). These crispy onion fritters are made with gram flour, onions, and spices from your pantry. These vegan & gluten-free onion pakoras are so delicious!
Potato Fritter Sliders
Potato Fritter Sliders is a game day twist of the humble Mumbai street food, Vada Pav. A fried potato fritter is stuffed in between dinner rolls, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney.
Spicy Bombay Potatoes
Baby Potatoes cooked with aromatic spices in a one-pot dish are perfect as an appetizer or a side dish. These delicious and easy Bombay Potatoes take just 20 minutes to make.
Sev Puri
A popular Mumbai street food, Sev Puri is a sweet, spicy, and tangy chaat. It is made with crispy puri (whole wheat crackers) topped with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of chutneys and finished with sev (thin gram flour noodles). This no-cook chaat recipe is a favorite snack to enjoy with your evening tea!
Khaman Dhokla
Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla are delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes. They are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect for breakfast or snacking!
Kurkuri Bhindi (Crispy Fried Okra)
Kukuri Bhindi called Kurmure Bhendi Bhaja in Bengali, is sliced okra coated in spices and fried until crunchy. This crispy fried okra is so good you cannot stop eating it!
Breakfast
Moong Dal Chilla
Moong Dal Chilla is a delicious protein-packed Indian breakfast made with yellow moong dal, along with simple spices and herbs, including chilies and onions. These savory lentil pancakes are nutritious, vegan, and gluten-free.
Poha
Poha is an easy and delicious Indian breakfast recipe popular in western and central India. Made with flattened rice, onion, and potatoes and seasoned with mild spices, curry leaves, peanuts, and cilantro, this recipe also makes up for a quick mid-day snack.
Semiya Upma (Vermicelli Upma)
This Semiya Upma is a traditional South Indian breakfast. Made with vermicelli and vegetables, it is mildly spiced and an easy one-pot recipe. You can make it on the stovetop or in the instant pot in less than 25 minutes!
Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)
Masala Oats is a savory oatmeal breakfast porridge cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. It’s a healthy and delicious vegan breakfast recipe.
Sabudana Khichdi
A healthier Sabudana Khichdi recipe – Tapioca pearls/Sago cooked with potatoes, carrots, green peas, and crushed peanuts. This popular vegan and gluten-free dish is like a pilaf or upma made with tapioca pearls. Enjoy it for breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea.
Rava / Sooji Upma
An easy and popular South Indian breakfast. Upma made from dry roasted semolina, cooked along with various seasonings and vegetables, perfect for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
Desserts
Coconut Pumpkin Halwa
Coconut Pumpkin Halwa, also called Kaddu ka Halwa, is an Indian pumpkin dessert made with pumpkin, sugar, ghee, coconut, and nuts. It can be cooked in a pressure cooker on the stovetop or Instant Pot, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make this delicious dessert!
Zarda Sweet Rice
Meethe Chawal, or Zarda Rice, is a sweet and rich rice preparation loaded with dry fruits, sugar, and ghee. This aromatic, sweet saffron-flavored rice is a royal dessert made on special occasions and festivals.
Wow…so many wonderful vegan Indian dinner recipes. I hope you add these to your menu. If you are planning an Indian dinner party for your family and friends, check out this post for Indian Dinner Party Menu Ideas.
Let us know which one you’re most excited to make, and share this roundup with your friends. When you make any of these Indian dishes, don’t forget to tag #pipingpotcurry.
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