For me, Indian cuisine is pure comfort. From the deliciously strong aromatics to the powerfully warming spices, you just can’t beat an Indian-style feast with friends and family! Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Hurry the Food Up. But most Indian dishes are made using ingredients such as cream, butter, and ghee, making it difficult for those with a vegan lifestyle. But with our vegan Indian meals, we have thought of all your needs. From veggie-loaded meals full of Indian spices to comforting meals for that grey day and even to traditional Indian desserts. We’ve also included vegan Indian recipes and ideas for breakfast, mains (lunch or dinner), and plenty of sides and desserts, too!
And now on to our list of Vegan Indian Recipes!
So get scrolling, get creating and get munching!
Breakfasts
Bonus: very tasty, quick, and spicy breakfast dish A savory pancake begging to be eaten with pickles and chutneys, or cooling yogurt. East meets West with this beautifully, wonderfully healthy dish. Ready in: 20 minutes Recipe by: EndOfTheForkBonus: quick, fluffy, tangy, and a little spicy Light and fluffy, this tasty Gujarati dish made from chickpea flour is protein-rich and takes just 20 minutes to make from scratch. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: PepperBowlBonus: super simple, versatile and so tasty Bombay toast sandwich recipe is an easy Indian-style breakfast that does not require any cooking – perfect for hurried mornings! Ready in: 25 minutes cook and prep + overnight soakingRecipe by: ThisThatMoreBonus: fragrant, delicious Sabudana Khichdi (or Tapioca Pearls or Sago) is a popular Indian breakfast dish that is vegan and gluten-free. It is incredibly moreish and makes for a very filling meal. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: ProfusionCurryBonus: also good as a tea-time snack Bread Upma is an easy and quick Indian breakfast recipe. It’s a delicious way to use up leftover bread. Just cut up old bread into small pieces, toss through some yum flavors, and off you go!
Mains
Bonus: fast oven dish, spicy, delicious and so good! We guarantee you’ve never eaten curried potatoes this good – they’re the perfect fusion of Indian curry and Irish ingenuity. They will not be beaten! Bonus: healthy, tasty, and mega nutritious; can be stored for a while in the fridge Vegan Chickpea Curry. Our popular take on the insanely popular dish. Ridiculously tasty and nutritious – just look at all that protein, fiber, and iron. Bonus: easy, tasty, and full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge. Sooooo easy. This coconut curry is the easiest one we’ve ever made but mixes it up with the top brass. You won’t find a better effort vs taste curry ANYWHERE! Bonus: healthy, delicious, and full of flavor 🙂 An exciting fusion of Pakistani spices combined with crunchy roasted cauliflower in this classically cooked dish. Bonus: great taste, easy and quick meal 🙂 Our stress-free take on the cauliflower classic. Sweet yet punchy, spicy yet smooth. Perfection is here. Bonus: rich flavor, creamy texture Follow our fool-proof simple cooking steps for the perfect coconut curry lentil soup. Packed with protein, fiber, and a high-summer taste! Bonus: goes perfectly with rice or roti This vegan tikka masala is our plant-based take on a classic curry, featuring chickpeas, cauliflower, carrots, and coconut milk. A mild, creamy, and fragrant dish, this is sure to be your new go-to vegan curry recipe. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: ElephantasticVeganBonus: easy, mega delicious, and creamy Aloo Palak is an Indian Potato Spinach curry. There are different ways to make it. This is my creamy, non-traditional, vegan, and delicious version with baked potatoes! Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: TheFieryVegetarianBonus: tasty, healthy, filling, and cheap-to-make curry Tired of paying a fortune for takeaways, or just fancy something healthier? Try this tasty healthy chickpea spinach curry, with a tomato and onion spiced gravy and a touch of coconut milk for richness. Ready in: 45 minutesRecipe by: TheVegSpaceBonus: deliciously light, creamy and healthy curry This creamy courgette curry is delicately spiced but packed with flavour. A great way to use up a glut of courgettes. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: MinistryOfCurryBonus: mega quick, spicy, high on flavors and so healthy Okra stuffed with ground peanuts, turmeric and red chili powder and pan fried over medium heat for a crispy flavor-bursting side dish to enjoy with fluffy roti’s. Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: EnhanceYourPalateBonus: mega delicious, flavourful and so healthy Sweet and sour Pumpkin Curry or Khatta Meetha Kaddu is an extremely delicious, healthy, vegan easy preparation that only requires common household spices and seasonings. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: CookiliciousBonus: simple, warm, delicious and so healthy Try this simple Sesame Flavored Green Beans Stir Fry recipe for lunch today. The sesame seeds masala gives an aromatic flavor to this Indian-style stir-fry! Eat with plain white rice for a simple and tasty meal. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: CookiliciousBonus: quick, tasty, creamy and comforting dish Cauliflower Tikka Masala is a creamy vegan gravy recipe made with cauliflower and Indian spices. This vegetable tikka masala is a budget-friendly comfort meal that can be made in 30 minutes (btw, if you like the sound of 30 minute meals, check out these easy vegetarian dishes!). Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: СassСlayСookingBonus: pantry friendly, delicious, high in protein This vegan take on an Indian food favorite, vegan butter chicken with chickpeas and cauliflower is a hearty and delicious meal. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: CrunchAndCreamBonus: quick and easy, spicy, healthy and delicious These quick, easy and simple vegan masala vegetables are the perfect healthy Indian dinner for one! It’s mild but full of delicious flavor and is best served with fluffy basmati rice or naan. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: JollyHomeMadeRecipesBonus: simple, comforting, delicious Potato or Aloo has been one of the common staple food of India. This is a very simple, comforting, and easy-to-make dish. This recipe has boiled potatoes cooked with tomatoes along with spices. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: AMummyTooBonus: vibrant, delicious, low-calorie, and protein-rich meal You’ve got to try this black bean curry! It’s an incredibly tasty experience with a fabulous texture and a rich, delicious gravy. Bonus: tasty and punchy curry dish This virtually vegan mango curry is refreshing, tropical, super-quick, and soooooo easy (it’s actually one of our best easy mango recipes ever!)! Don’t miss out on this one. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: EatTheLoveBonus: easy and comforting, healthy side dish This easy vegetable side dish can be prepped in less than 10 minutes active time and on the table in 30 minutes later. I use coconut oil, which adds a subtle coconut flavor to the dish but feel free to substitute extra virgin olive oil if you don’t have any coconut oil in the pantry. Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: RachnaCooksBonus: quick, simple, tasty side dish This is a simple and easy homestyle karela sabzi recipe. This bitter gourd stir fry is easy to make and nutritious. Do try. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: SpeakingAloudBonus: easy, quick, tasty, perfect for lunch box Jeera Aloo aka Cumin Roasted Potatoes Recipe is the perfect example of a vegan and gluten-free Indian recipe (we’ve got 100 gluten-free vegetarian recipes for you here if you’re interested). With the earthy flavor of cumin seeds combined with the tang of lemon juice and the crunch of fresh coriander leaves, this dish would leave you craving for more. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: BlendWithSpicesBonus: delicious, healthy and easy curry Saag Aloo – A super quick, easy, healthy, and vegan Indian curry made with spinach, potatoes, and some Indian spices ( a great starter recipe for anyone looking for veganuary recipes ). Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: BlendWithSpicesBonus: quick, delicious, warming and simple dish Aloo Beans Sabzi Recipe, traditional potato and green beans stir-fry from the region of Punjab. With step-by-step photos and video. Ready in: 15 minutesRecipe by: LittleSunnyKitchenBonus: super easy, quick, uses basic ingredients and full of flavor Mushroom bhaji is a flavourful Indian dish made with very simple ingredients. Earthy and unctuous, it pairs wonderfully with roti or rice. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: PickyEaterBlogBonus: delicious, healthy and satisfying This healthy version of matar paneer (made with tofu) is so rich and creamy, that it pretty much melts in your mouth when you take a bite of it. Made with only five ingredients, you can enjoy gourmet, restaurant-quality Indian food at home in just 20 minutes! Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: HookedOnHeatBonus: simple, healthy, and amazingly delicious This Baingan Bharta is incredibly tasty, super simple to bulk up to make more servings and a definite crowd-pleaser. You can easily serve it a lip-smacking dip with some crackers for game night. Or if you’d rather go traditional, then serve along with rice or rotis in a proper Indian menu. Ready in: 20 minsRecipe by: RachnaCooksBonus: perfect for lunchboxes This is a super easy and healthy Indian side dish called aloo capsicum or aloo shimla mirch. Goes really well with rice, rotis, or parathas. Ready in: 35 mins (beans soaking time – 8 hours)Recipe by: YummyTalesOfTummyBonus: vegan and gluten-free Rajma masala is a Punjabi staple and is a rich, sumptuous curry made of red kidney beans. Can be eaten with rice or roti, with thin slices of onions to add the necessary oomph. Ready in: 30 minsRecipe by: MyCulexBonus: serve with finely sliced raw onions garnished on top. You’re welcome! Nothing is more traditional than a Punjabi chole. The tangy and spicy gravy brings the bland chickpeas to life, infusing them with an unforgettable flavor. Ready in: 30 mins (beans soaking time – 8 hours)Recipe by: YummyTalesOfTummyBonus: use frozen peas for quicker prep time Mushrooms and green peas come together in a tomato-onion gravy to make a delicious dish. Jeera rice or roti, anything goes with this yummy number. Ready in: 25 mins (chickpeas soaking time – 8 hours)Recipe by: CookWithRenuBonus: rich in iron A traditional dish from Maharashtra, this amti is perfect for breakfast. Pair it with dosa or idli for a great balance of flavors. Ready in: 50 minsRecipe by: FlavoursTreatBonus: can be served as a soup too It is a spicy hot dish made with cooked toor dal water, tamarind, tomato, and flavored with spices making it an extremely appetizing dish. Pairs really well with plain rice. Ready in: 1 hour 30 mins (plus dal soaking time)Recipe by: MasalaHerbBonus: vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie friendly A super flavorful and easy recipe to prepare South Indian Sambar at home, with vegetables from your grocery store or garden. Eat with rice and stir-fried veg for max flavor.
Dals, the Indian Proteins
Ready in: 45 minutesRecipe by: TheFieryVegetarianBonus: easy and delicious This easy creamy dreamy vegan Dal Makhani is cheap as chips to make, full of protein and iron, and will beat out any takeaway, hands down. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: MyGoodnessKitchenBonus: quick, healthy, aromatic and so easy to make After a quick, healthy, gluten-free (gluten-free recipes here FYI) vegan meal? This Masoor Dal with Roasted eggplant is beautifully aromatic, flavorsome, and simple to prepare. Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: GlobalKitchenTravelsBonus: rich and creamy This Bengali dal is simple and easy with just chilies, kalonji (black onion seed), and tomatoes. Just 20 minutes and you have dal to eat with all of your Indian meals. Ready in: 25 minutes (plus 1 hour soaking time)Recipe by: MasalaAndChaiBonus: pairs well with rice, naan, paratha, or by itself with vegetables Lentils are an incredible way of eating a high fiber and protein diet! Whole Masoor Dal, or brown lentils, is one of the easiest, most flavorful dump-and-go vegan lentil recipes that can be made stovetop or in an Instant Pot. Ready in: 50 mins Recipe by: IFoodRealBonus: high in protein and fiber Green Lentil Curry is hearty, wholesome, and comforting with a delicious blend of lentils, coconut milk, and warming spices for a naturally vegan, protein-packed meal. Cook on the stove, in an Instant Pot, crockpot, or even prepare it as a freezer meal!
Rice & Indian Breads
Bonus: healthy food is delicious food! Dal khichdi is a great weight loss dinner! It’s healthy, light but still filling, and a source of complete protein. Try it now! Bonus: simple, delicious, and versatile dish Flavourful Pea Pulao with Lemon. A zesty yet sweet, light but filling rice dish handed down through generations. Ready in: 25 minutesRecipe by: MrsJonesKitchenBonus: simple, healthy, and versatile flatbread This quick and easy chapati recipe with just 4 ingredients makes soft and chewy flatbreads, perfect for mopping up the last of that curry sauce. Ready in: 1 hour (just 15 minutes prep)Recipe by: SpicyTamarindBonus: healthy, spicy, tangy dish Puliyogare or tamarind rice is a rice preparation famous in South India. In Karnataka, it is prepared by making “gojju” or a spice mixture which is then mixed with cooked rice. Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: GoHealthyEverAfterBonus: simple, nutritious, and versatile This easy recipe for lemon rice combines the amazing flavors of the Indian staple with the healthier brown rice and crunchy vegetables to give you a delicious vegan one-pot meal in about 30 minutes (if this sounds good, check out our vegetarian one pot meals too!). Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: WarriorInTheKitchenBonus: easy, healthy and delicious one-pot meal This Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani is a clean, low carb recipe that combines the rich flavors of traditional spices with vegetables and prepared by layering the spiced vegetables with quinoa (and if you like this, you need to try our vegetarian keto Indian recipes too!). It is a delicious one-pot vegan and vegetarian meal that provides a great balance of plant-based protein and healthy carbs, uses seasonal vegetables and is gluten-free! Ready in: 1 hour 35 minutesRecipe by: HomeCookedRootsBonus: tasty, versatile, and easier to make 😉 Homemade vegan naan that’s dairy- and oil-free and basically foolproof. All you’ll need are seven ingredients! Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: GlobalKitchenTravelsBonus: freezer-friendly Tahiri Vegetable Pulao is a flavorful rice dish that belongs to the Awadhi cuisine of Uttar Pradesh. This vegan version of tehri is loaded with complex carbs, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: YummyTalesOfTummyBonus: easy one-pot dish Studded with your favorite vegetables and cooked with aromatic Basmati rice, a pulao is a staple for every special meal. Serve any of the main dishes from here, with raita, to round it off. Ready in: 60 minutesRecipe by: ZardyPlantsBonus: vegans needn’t feel left out next time it’s biryani night! Ultra delicious, Loaded with veggies, and packed with flavor, this Vegan Biryani is sure to become a new favorite meal. Surprisingly easy to make, this delicious Indian-inspired dish is healthy and nutrient-dense without compromising on taste. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: CookWithRenuBonus: perfect for cold, winter nights Vegan and Gluten-Free Bajra Methi Paratha is a healthy and delicious winter favorite flatbread. It is made using Gluten-Free Bajra flour, gram flour, fresh fenugreek leaves, and a few spices. Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: BlendWithSpicesBonus: tasty, flavorful, and healthy dish How to make kasoori methi paratha recipe with step-by-step photos and video. Healthy Indian flatbread with dried fenugreek leaves.
Salads and Appetizers
Ready in: 20 minutesRecipe by: MinistryOfCurryBonus: colorful salad, healthy, tasty, and super easy Crunchy Cabbage Salad with bell peppers, onions, and carrots tossed in spices and fresh lemon juice. Ready in: 45 minutesRecipe by: CaramelTintedLifeBonus: crispy, spiced, and nutritious patties Beet and potato tikkis – Super crispy, spiced vegan patties with the goodness of beets, corn, and peas. A delicious Indian appetizer, enjoy them on their own with a side of chutney or ketchup. Ready in: 5 minutesRecipe by: TheFieryVegetarianBonus: easy, tangy, spicy, fresh, and healthy salad Tangy, spicy, and crunchy, if you’ve never had these easy five-minute 7-ingredient Indian spicy peanuts you are definitely missing out! Make them today and enjoy as a light snack, an appetizer, or with friends and some cold beers and cocktails or mocktails. Ready in: 15 minutesRecipe by: PepperBowlBonus: mega easy, delicious, and healthy salad This Indian carrot salad is a vegan, vegetarian, guilt-free condiment recipe. The easiest salad ever and easy to put together, it’s delicious to eat.
Snacks and Dips
Ready in: 35 minutesRecipe by: SpoonsOfFlavorBonus: zingy, tasty, and incredibly more-ish Ghugni or curried white or yellow dried peas recipe is native to India and a hugely popular street food snack in Eastern India. It is a dish that is light, filling, and pocket-friendly. Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes (including soaking time)Recipe by: EarthToVegBonus: vegan, gluten-free, and high protein These crispy chickpea fritters are similar to falafel but have their origins in South Indian cuisine. Seasoned with flavourful spices, they’re a perfect snack to make for a picnic, party, potluck, or just a nibble between meals. Ready in: 40 minutesRecipe by: CaramelTintedLifeBonus: simple, crispy, delicious, healthy snacks Crunchy, delicious vegetable pakoras made from potatoes, onions, and carrots. With tips to make crispy, light pakoras! Ready in: 45 minutesRecipe by: PickyEaterBlogBonus: tasty, healthy, and nutritious! This Pav Bhaji is the perfect Indian-inspired street food, but it has a healthy and nutritional twist that is insanely good. Munching on this Indian spiced vegetarian sloppy joe style sandwich will keep the entire family happy and makes for an easy dinner idea. Ready in: 15 minsRecipe by: SpoonsOfFlavorBonus: smokey and flavorful A tangy, spicy chutney prepared with fire-roasted tomato, garlic, and green chili that goes well with rice & dal or idli/dosa. Recipe by: MrishtannaBonus: flavorful, fresh and authentic recipe Mouthwatering and nutritious Mint chutney is served best with South Indian breakfast and snacks. Ready in: 1 hour 35 minsRecipe by: MasalaAndChaiBonus: perfect for parties Packed with Indian spices for a burst of flavor and fried or baked until crispy and golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re best served with fried curry leaves and homemade ranch. Ready in: 20 minsRecipe by: RachnaCooksBonus: serve with masala chai for the perfect teatime A delightful and popular street food from India, Bhel Puri is highly versatile and can be modified as per your taste and liking. This recipe is all about balance. It is sour, salty, slightly sweet, and spicy. Ready in: 5 minsRecipe by: ZardyPlantsBonus: the perfect accompaniment to spicy mains Creamy, flavorful, and refreshing, this Vegan Raita is the perfect side to a spicy meal. Made in just 5-10 minutes, this simple dish complements Indian-style dishes perfectly. Ready in: 40 minsRecipe by: SplashOfTasteBonus: serve with coffee, for an authentic South Indian feel Crispy mashed potato balls, full of Indian spice flavor are a delicious snack! Bursting with flavor, these are potato balls like you’ve never tasted – you’ll be hooked! Ready in: 50 minsRecipe by: JCookingOdysseyBonus: has a long shelf life, so can be stored in an airtight container for months Crispy and flaky kachoris are filled with a sweet and spicy dry masala of ganthia, mixed chopped nuts, and spices. Perfect for tea time. Bonus: quick, easy, healthy and so satisfying sauce 🙂 Taking the best from both Indian and British chutneys, this Anglo-Indian is the easiest, quickest and tastiest tomato chutney you’ll find on either continent. Here is the recipe:
Desserts
Ready in: 30 minutesRecipe by: HookedOnHeatBonus: quick, delicious and healthy dessert It’s fairly simple to make – much easier than the traditional version, and with the use of a food processor can surely be done at the drop of a hat. Try it, I promise you won’t regret it! Ready in: 32 minutesRecipe by: CassClayCookingBonus: restaurant quality, authentic, delicious Kheer Indian rice pudding is a delicious authentic dessert recipe that tastes just like what you get at an Indian restaurant (more easy plant based desserts over here). This recipe is vegan-friendly and simple. Unlike most Indian dishes, it only requires one spice, cardamom. The total time does not account for the 2-hour rest required for the sauce to thicken.
And that’s it for vegan Indian recipes!
After scrolling through this bunch of recipes some questions might have come up. Here are the most frequently asked questions when it comes to vegan Indian recipes.
What Indian dishes are vegan?
Indian breakfast is predominantly vegan. South Indian staples of idli (or dosa or Pongal) that are eaten with chutney/sambar, the Gujrati dhokla, and north Indian favorites such as poori etc are vegan. The same goes for vegetable side dishes, lentil-based dals, pulaos, and Indian breads. Just skip the dairy (ghee, butter, or cream)!
Is Indian food mostly vegan?
No. Less than 10% of India can be categorized as pure vegan. But many Indian vegetarian dishes can be made vegan-friendly with a quick switcheroo – animal meats can be substituted with lentils like chickpeas or kidney or soybeans, and heart-healthy oil substituted for butter or ghee. Even the usual vegetarian proteins like paneer can be substituted with firm tofu or textured protein or soya chunks.
Is vegan Indian food healthy?
Yes. The most unhealthy parts of a takeaway are the added fats and the quality of the ingredients used. When cooked at home, these problem areas can be kept under tight control, making for totally lip-smacking and healthy dishes. I know what you’re thinking – that’s a pretty impressive collection of vegan Indian recipes! With so many vegan options full of plant-based protein, we hope to show you a variety of recipes for Indian food that really can accommodate everyone! Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just want to try something new and tasty, there is always something for YOU! So get cooking, experimenting and showing off to your friends and family. I bet everyone will ask you for the delicious vegan Indian recipe!
