Easy Indian Recipes: Curries, Biryani, Soups & More

Whether you’re looking for a comforting curry, fluffy naan, hearty lentils or a refreshing mango lassi, there’s something here for every cook. You’ll also discover plenty of meal prep friendly options that reheat beautifully, making it easy to enjoy flavorful homemade Indian food all week long.

Easy Indian Recipes with four recipe photos.

Whether you’re simmering a curry on the stove or roasting vegetables in a sheet pan, these Indian dishes make an easy recipe for both busy weeknights and special occasions. They’re organized by course so you can quickly find appetizers, soups, curries, rice dishes, flatbreads, sides, drinks and more.

These Indian recipes are the ones readers have rated the most. They’re the recipes that have earned the strongest engagement over time, so they’re a great place to start if you’re exploring Indian cooking at home.

Red Lentil Dal Recipe
Indian Red Lentil Dal
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to make Indian Dal. This Red Lentil Dal recipe makes the perfect plant-based Indian meal! Rich, fragrant, and packed with protein for a meal you can feel good about.
4.46 from 3723 votes
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Indian Chicken Korma
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
Discover the rich and creamy goodness of a time-honored Indian classic, and turn a simple dinner into an exotic feast with the velvety, spiced layers of this Chicken Korma recipe.
4.48 from 1333 votes
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This fragrant Indian Mulligatawny Soup recipe is spiced with curry and made from creamy red lentils, carrots, apples, and coconut milk. Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers!
Indian Mulligatawny Soup
Total Time: 55 minutes
This fragrant Indian Mulligatawny Soup recipe is spiced with curry and made from creamy red lentils, carrots, apples, and coconut milk. It is ready in an hour, with only 15 minutes of real work! Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers!
4.43 from 1274 votes
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Indian Vegetable Korma
Creamy Indian Vegetable Korma
Total Time: 40 minutes
This delectable Indian Vegetable Korma recipe is loaded with potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans and is ready in 40 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of naan to dip in the creamy coconut sauce!
4.49 from 1237 votes
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Mango Lassi drinks on a table.
The Best Mango Lassi
Total Time: 15 minutes
How to Make Mango Lassi – everyone's favorite creamy, dreamy Indian restaurant classic and ready in just 15 minutes
4.49 from 1005 votes
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Perfect white rice in a bowl.
How To Cook The Perfect White Rice
Total Time: 30 minutes
Discover the secret to cooking the perfect White Rice every time! Say goodbye to mushy grains or hard, uncooked pieces. Master the art of flawless rice with our foolproof rice recipe!
4.51 from 693 votes
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Indian Appetizers and Snacks

Start your Indian feast with flavorful appetizers, chutneys and snacks. These recipes are perfect for sharing before the main course or adding to a larger Indian-inspired spread.

Mango chutney in a jar.
Super Simple Mango Chutney
Total Time: 40 minutes
Experience the bold fusion of flavors in our Mango Chutney, featuring ripe mangoes, onion, garlic, and ginger root. Create a culinary masterpiece with this easy-to-make recipe, perfect for freezing leftovers!
4.35 from 469 votes
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A jar and a bowl with Curried Carrot and Cauliflower Pickles on a table.
Curried Carrot and Cauliflower Pickles
Total Time: 20 minutes
Add a zesty twist to your meals with this Curried Carrot and Cauliflower Pickles recipe! It's a simple, flavorful way to liven up your refrigerator pickles.
4.32 from 51 votes
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Baked beef samosa on a plate paired with mango chutney.
Baked Beef Samosa
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Dive into the flavors of our Baked Beef Samosa! They're a perfect combination of juicy beef, aromatic spices, and crisp pastry – an appetizer that's both satisfying and delicious.
4.25 from 8 votes
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Chicken Curry Skewers on a plate.
Chicken Curry Skewers with Pineapple
Total Time: 45 minutes
You’ll love making these Chicken Curry Skewers with Pineapple. They’re quick, tasty, and pair so well with the cool cucumber yogurt dip.
4.80 from 5 votes
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Paneer tikka cheese skewers on a plate.
Paneer Cheese Tikka
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weeknight dinners feel special with Paneer Cheese Tikka on the table—perfectly grilled paneer with veggies that soak up every bit of the flavorful, spiced marinade.
5 from 4 votes
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Indian Soups and Stews

Warm up with hearty Indian soups and stews made with aromatic spices, lentils, vegetables and creamy coconut milk.

This fragrant Indian Mulligatawny Soup recipe is spiced with curry and made from creamy red lentils, carrots, apples, and coconut milk. Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers!
Indian Mulligatawny Soup
Total Time: 55 minutes
This fragrant Indian Mulligatawny Soup recipe is spiced with curry and made from creamy red lentils, carrots, apples, and coconut milk. It is ready in an hour, with only 15 minutes of real work! Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers!
4.43 from 1274 votes
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Indian Chickpea Stew with cilantro and cashews.
Indian Chickpea Stew
Total Time: 30 minutes
In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy Indian Chickpea Stew, a hearty blend of spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and carrots, enriched with spinach, raisins, cashews, and a splash of lemon juice.
4.41 from 104 votes
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Vegan sweet potato soup served in a bowl.
Vegan Sweet Potato Soup
Total Time: 25 minutes
Experience the magic of our Vegan Sweet Potato Soup! With its rich spices and wholesome ingredients, it's the ideal quick-fix for a hungry family, bringing creamy comfort to your table in 25 minutes.
4.85 from 20 votes
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A bowl with Indian Lentil Soup Slow Cooker.
Indian Lentil Soup Slow Cooker
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
After trying countless soup recipes, this Indian Lentil Soup Slow Cooker with coriander yogurt has become a favorite—a little bit of spice, a lot of comfort.
5 from 3 votes
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Indian Main Dish Recipes

Indian main dish recipes are rich, comforting and full of bold spice. This section includes creamy chicken curries, vegetarian curries, dal, tikka masala and other Indian main dishes.

Red Lentil Dal Recipe
Indian Red Lentil Dal
Total Time: 30 minutes
How to make Indian Dal. This Red Lentil Dal recipe makes the perfect plant-based Indian meal! Rich, fragrant, and packed with protein for a meal you can feel good about.
4.46 from 3723 votes
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Indian Chicken Korma
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
Discover the rich and creamy goodness of a time-honored Indian classic, and turn a simple dinner into an exotic feast with the velvety, spiced layers of this Chicken Korma recipe.
4.48 from 1333 votes
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Indian Vegetable Korma
Creamy Indian Vegetable Korma
Total Time: 40 minutes
This delectable Indian Vegetable Korma recipe is loaded with potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans and is ready in 40 minutes. Make sure you have plenty of naan to dip in the creamy coconut sauce!
4.49 from 1237 votes
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Madras lentils served in a bowl.
Madras Lentils
Total Time: 2 hours
This Madras Lentils recipe is so good you will want to whip up a big pot and stock your freezer with a week's worth of lunches!
4.46 from 380 votes
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A serving of vegan Chickpea Tikka Masala and basmati rice.
Chickpea Tikka Masala (Vegan)
Total Time: 45 minutes
Savor the flavors of India with this mouth-watering Chickpea Tikka Masala! Perfectly vegan, it's a dish with a delightful blend of spices served over rice, topped with fresh cilantro for an unforgettable meal.
4.43 from 302 votes
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Indian Cilantro Chicken garnished with cilantro in a bowl.
Indian Cilantro Chicken
Total Time: 30 minutes
Feast on the bold and beautiful flavors of Indian Cilantro Chicken. Every mouthful is a delightful symphony of fresh cilantro, zesty tomatoes, and exotic spices!
4.40 from 235 votes
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Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala on a white plate with rice.
Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala in Slow Cooker
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Get ready to fall in love with this slow cooker Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala! Bursting with flavor and low on calories, it's the perfect combination of health and taste.
4.42 from 205 votes
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Creamy cashews add a velvety richness to this flavorful Cashew Chicken Curry. It's a delicious Indian dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Cashew Chicken Curry
Total Time: 30 minutes
Creamy cashews add a velvety richness to this flavorful Cashew Chicken Curry. It's a delicious Indian dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes!
4.17 from 87 votes
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Vegan Palak Paneer served in a bowl.
Vegan Palak Paneer
Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes
Reimagine traditional Indian cooking with our Vegan Palak Paneer. Swapping cheese for tofu, this recipe offers a mouthwatering vegan alternative that's both wholesome and delicious.
4.54 from 62 votes
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A pot of Sweet Potato and a pot of rice on a table.
South Indian Sweet Potato Curry
Total Time: 40 minutes
Elevate your taste buds with our Sweet Potato Curry. It's a South Indian delight that harmoniously blends the sweetness of sweet potatoes with the fiery kick of bold spices.
4.47 from 56 votes
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Mixed Vegetable Curry
Total Time: 30 minutes
This Mixed Vegetable Curry recipe is a delicious mix of sweet potatoes, cauliflower, yellow onion, tomatoes, and chickpeas in a tasty curry sauce.
4.58 from 14 votes
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A bowl of Garam Masala Chicken Curry.
Garam Masala Chicken Curry
Total Time: 45 minutes
Spice up your evening with Garam Masala Chicken Curry, combining flavorful chicken, tomatoes, and onions with a rich, spiced coconut milk for an unforgettable dinner.
5 from 4 votes
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Indian Pepper Chicken in a metal bowl.
Pepper Chicken
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Shake up dinner with this Pepper Chicken—tender chicken, zesty tomatoes, and a fiery peppercorn twist that keeps things exciting.
4.75 from 4 votes
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This Vegan Chickpea Curry offers a harmonious blend of spices, textures, and flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
Vegan Chickpea Curry
Total Time: 1 hour
This Vegan Chickpea Curry offers a harmonious blend of spices, textures, and flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
5 from 3 votes
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Indian Rice and Flatbread Recipes

Rice and flatbreads are the foundation of many Indian meals. These recipes are perfect for pairing with curries, dals and saucy main dishes.

Perfect white rice in a bowl.
How To Cook The Perfect White Rice
Total Time: 30 minutes
Discover the secret to cooking the perfect White Rice every time! Say goodbye to mushy grains or hard, uncooked pieces. Master the art of flawless rice with our foolproof rice recipe!
4.51 from 693 votes
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Lentils, rice, veggies and LOTS of herbs and spices make this One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice recipe a dinnertime champion!
One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice
Total Time: 45 minutes
Lentils, rice, veggies and LOTS of herbs and spices make this One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice recipe a dinnertime champion!
4.47 from 269 votes
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Quick and Easy Chicken Biryani
Total Time: 45 minutes
Turn dinnertime into a flavor-packed adventure with our Quick and Easy Chicken Biryani! Succulent diced chicken and zesty ginger paste create a delicious dinner in no time!
4.48 from 213 votes
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Indian Naan Bread
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Transform your kitchen into an Indian bakery with this effortless Indian Naan Bread recipe! Soft, tasty, and versatile, it's the perfect companion to countless meals!
4.48 from 70 votes
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Amp up your side dishes with this Turmeric Rice recipe. Made with pantry staples, it transforms ordinary rice into a fluffy and fragrant dish that everyone will love.
Turmeric Rice
Total Time: 20 minutes
Amp up your side dishes with this Turmeric Rice recipe. Made with pantry staples, it transforms ordinary rice into a fluffy and fragrant dish that everyone will love.
5 from 1 vote
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Indian Side Dish Recipes

Round out your meal with flavorful Indian side dishes. These recipes add color, texture and extra spice to a complete Indian-inspired dinner.

Bombay potatoes served on a plate.
Easy Roasted Bombay Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hour
Elevate your meal with our Bombay Potatoes! Crispy exteriors, fluffy interiors, and a burst of Indian spices make this side dish a perfect complement to any Indian meal.
4.45 from 434 votes
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Jaipur vegetables in a pot.
Jaipur Vegetables
Total Time: 1 hour
Let Jaipur Vegetables whisk you away to a world of rich flavors and textures. Every spoonful of tender vegetables drenched in a silky cashew sauce is a celebration of India's bountiful harvest.
4.18 from 39 votes
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Roasted Cauliflowers and Chickpeas in a bowl.
Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
Total Time: 45 minutes
Spice up your dinner routine with our Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas. This side dish blends robust spices with the earthy tones of roasted cauliflower with chickpeas for an unforgettable spice kick.
5 from 5 votes
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A bowl of curried carrots.
Curried Carrots
Total Time: 45 minutes
Who knew four ingredients and forty-five minutes could create such magic? These Curried Carrots are a delicious, easy-to-make treat, and these carrot fries will surely spice up any meal.
4.32 from 19 votes
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Indian Drinks

Cool things down with a sweet, creamy Indian drink that pairs beautifully with spicy dishes.

Mango Lassi drinks on a table.
The Best Mango Lassi
Total Time: 15 minutes
How to Make Mango Lassi – everyone's favorite creamy, dreamy Indian restaurant classic and ready in just 15 minutes
4.49 from 1005 votes
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Frequently Asked Questions

What spices are essential for Indian cooking?

Common spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, mustard seeds and chili powder. You’ll also see ingredients like ginger, garlic, fresh cilantro and sometimes curry leaves. Together, these ingredients create the warm, layered flavor Indian recipes are known for.

What are the most popular Indian dishes?

Some of the most popular Indian dishes include Chicken Tikka Masala, Biryani, Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer, Dal, Naan Bread and Vegetable Korma. This roundup includes many classic Indian favorites along with easy Indian recipes you can make at home.

What should I serve with Indian curry?

Indian curries are often served with basmati rice, naan bread, roti or other flatbreads. Popular side dishes include raita, chutney, samosas, lentils, roasted vegetables and simple salads to balance the rich flavors of the curry.

Can I adjust the spice level?

Absolutely. Indian cuisine ranges from mild to spicy depending on the region and recipe. You can make most Indian recipes milder by reducing chili powder, fresh chilies or cayenne, or add more heat if you like spicy food. Yogurt, coconut milk and cream can also help mellow the spice.

How do I make Indian food taste more flavorful?

Blooming spices in oil or ghee helps release their flavor, while aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and onion build depth. Be sure to taste as you cook and adjust the salt, heat, and acidity before serving.

I hope this collection of Indian recipes inspires you to cook more flavorful meals at home.

Want more inspiration?

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About the Author

Linda

Hi, I'm Linda! Welcome to The Wanderlust Kitchen, where I share recipes and travel adventures from all around the world. Here you'll find a world of recipes you can have confidence in. These recipes celebrate authentic food heritage as well as modern techniques and ingredients. Be adventurous and try a new recipe and travel somewhere you have never been before.  Bon Appétit! Bon Voyage!  

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