Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and complex spices. But what many people don’t realize is that Indian side dishes are just as delicious and versatile. From cooling chutneys to savory curries, there’s an Indian side dish to complement every main course.
PS – Don’t forget about these 25+ easy Indian Appetizers and delicious Indian Desserts too!
The BEST Indian Sides
Instant Pot Dal
This Instant Pot Dal comes together with minimal effort with the help of your electric pressure cooker. These delicious bowls of dal are topped with quick-pickled red onion and tangy yogurt for an unforgettable, vegetarian meal that’s perfect for Meatless Monday or any day of the week.
Instant Pot Dal
Easy Cucumber Raita
This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods.
Raita
Homemade Naan with Chutney
This Easy Homemade Naan & Chutney Recipe means that you can enjoy naan at home anytime with all your favorite dishes.
Homemade Naan
Coconut Lime Rice
This Coconut Lime Rice is fragrant, fluffy, and easy to make. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curries, stir fry, stew, and more. Rice cooker, Instant Pot, and stovetop directions included.
Coconut Lime Rice
Indian Tomato Soup
This Indian Tomato Soup is not your average tomato soup recipe! Made with warm and vibrant Indian spices and topped with homemade naan croutons and a Greek yogurt sauce, it’s a silky smooth vegetarian meal that comfort food fanatics will love.
Indian Tomato Soup
Chole Samosa Chaat – Masala and Chai
Street-style Chole Samosa Chaat is a hearty, tangy, and spicy snack that represents all the best parts of Indian cuisine! It’s perfectly balanced and absolutely comforting when shared with family.
Get the RECIPE from Masala and Chai
Chole Samosa Chaat
4 Street-Style Indian Chutneys – Sanjana.Feasts – Indian Cooking Basics
Here are 4 Street-Style Indian Chutneys. Each one is easy to prepare and so flavorful. Choose from mild, medium, hot and atomic levels of heat! Get the RECIPE from Sanja Feasts
4 Street-Style Indian Chutneys
Onion Bhaji
Onion Bhaji – Finely sliced onion smothered in a simple, fragrantly spiced batter and fried to crispy perfection.
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Sanctuary
Onion Bhaji
Saag Paneer over Turmeric Rice
Saag paneer is a spinach-based vegetarian dish combined which combines fragrant spices with paneer, a rubbery Indian cheese.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Saag Paneer
Plant-Powered Thali – Good Old Vegan
Here’s a mini everyday-thali, sans dessert – nothing fancy – just rice, dal, aloo gobi (stir-fried potato & cauliflower), eggplant-almond curry, paratha (whole wheat flat bread), salad & poppadoms.
Get the RECIPE from Good Old Vegan
Thali
Samosa
Samosa, an indian spicy potato and pea mixture wrapped in a flaky pastry and fried until crispy and delicious!
Get the RECIPE from Milk and Cardamom
Samosas
Dahi Vada (Dahi Bhalla Chaat) – Masala and Chai
Dahi Vada is deep fried, soft lentil fritters served with dahi, chutneys, and spices to make chaat! It’s a delicious dish for special occasions!
Get the RECIPE from Masala and Chai
Dahi Vada
Pop On Over for Papadum – BitterSweet
Perfectly crisp, brilliantly seasoned papadum are easy to make at home! Shiitake powder adds umami for a new level of snacking satisfaction.
Get the RECIPE from BitterSweet Blog
Papadum
Gol Gappay / Pani Puri
Puri (deep fried discs of dough that puff up and become crunchy) are, followed by the fillings typically found in Gol Gappay. I explained that there are tons of flavors and textures happening such as sweet, savory, and tangy, and also lots of crunchy, chewy, and soft textures. Basically a party in your mouth!Get the RECIPE from Chai and Churros
Pani Puri
Coconut Chutney Recipe in 3 ways – Cubes N Juliennes
Easy and the best South Indian coconut chutney recipe with step by step photos and video. Serve this delicious chutney with idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, pongal and many more south indian breakfast dishes.
Get the RECIPE from Cubes N Juliennes
Coconut Chutney
Earthy and Flavorful Aloo Gobi (Dry Potato and Cauliflower Sabzi)
A delicately spiced aloo gobi recipe that gets its flavors from an onion and tomato base with just a sprinkling of the big three spices of Indian cooking – turmeric, coriander and red chilli powders. It’s vegan, it’s easy and it’s tasty!
Get the RECIPE from Indian Ambrosia
Aloo Gobi
Easy Jeera Aloo Recipe in 30 minutes
Jeera Aloo is a spiced dish made with cumin, fresh herbs, and is gluten-free and vegan. Jeera aloo recipe is easy & gets under 30 minutes.
Get the RECIPE from Veg Recipes of India
Jeera Aloo
Vegetable Paneer Jalfrezi – Under 15 minutes – Carve Your Craving
Vegetable Paneer Jalfrezi is a simple Indian vegetarian curry made with vegetables, paneer and Indian spices.This stir fry is low carb and keto recipe too.
Get the RECIPE from Carve Your Craving
Vegetable Paneer Jalfrezi
Malai Kofta Recipe (Restaurant Style Paneer Kofta)
Malai Kofta are delicious fried balls of potato and paneer in a rich and creamy mild gravy made with sweet onions and tomatoes.
Get the RECIPE from Dassana’s Veg Recipes
Malai Kofta
Easy Bhindi Masala (Spicy Okra Stir Fry)
This bhindi masala recipe will convert any bhindi hater! It’s a punjabi style recipe & is full of flavor. Just follow the recipe & it won’t be slimy.
Get the RECIPE from My Food Story
Bhindi Masala
Pakora (Indian Vegetable Fritters)
Pakoras – spiced Indian vegetable fritters, a popular Indian street food snack or starter for an Indian meal. Or pass around as a canapé!
Get the RECIPE from Recipe Tin Eats
Pakora
Cauliflower 65
This crispy gobi 65 recipe is irresistibly delicious, perfectly cooked with crunchy layer makes it better than restaurant style, you will love this fried cauliflower recipe over and over again! Get the RECIPE from Nithi's Click & Cook
Cauliflower 65
Hara Bhara Kabab Crispy & Healthy Vegan Kabab | Cook Click N Devour!!!
Hara bhara kabab is a crispy, easy to make vegan kabab recipe with spinach, green peas, potatoes & chickpea flour. Best filling snack!
Get the RECIPE from Cook Click N Devour
Hara Bhara Kabab
Papdi Chaat ( Vegan Gluten-Free Healthy ) – Carve Your Craving
Make the popular Indian street food dahi papdi chaat at home with easy ingredients like baked tortilla papri, potato, yogurt and chickpea.
Get the RECIPE from Carve Your Craving
Papdi Chaat
Aloo Paratha | Indian Potato Stuffed Flatbread
This Aloo Paratha recipe is a delicious pan-fried Indian potato stuffed flatbread that is easy to make with a simple 3-ingrendient dough and vegan filling.
Get the RECIPE from Bianca Zapatka
Aloo Paratha
Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice
Fragrant Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice, a healthy alternative to white rice. Learn to make this vibrant rice on the stovetop or instant pot.
Get the RECIPE from Piping Pot Curry
Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice
Indian-Spiced Potatoes and Zucchini
This simple dish of Indian-spiced potatoes and zucchini is a total flavour bomb! Two main ingredients and a handful of spices make up this tasty vegan dish.
Get the RECIPE from Cilantro and Citronella
Indian-Spiced Potatoes and Zucchini
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these Indian side dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
Wine Pairings for Indian Food
- Indian dishes are heavily spiced and rich with complex flavors and aromas. The key is pairing the complexity with a fruity, cold wine like a sweet Riesling or a floral Rosé.
- A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc also pair well with the spicy, savory flavors.
More Indian Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Indian Food Sides?
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Full Recipe
25+ EASY Indian Side Dishes
Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and complex spices. But what many people don't realize is that Indian side dishes are just as delicious and versatile. From cooling chutneys to savory curries, there's an Indian side dish to complement every main course. Try this Instant Pot Dal. It comes together with minimal effort with the help of your electric pressure cooker.
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Serves 4 people
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (finely grated)
- 1 2-inch piece ginger (peeled and finely grated (about 2 tablespoons))
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne (more if you like your indian food spicy)
- 1½ cups dried split peas (rinsed)
- 3 cups water
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Serving:
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped + extra for garnish)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cooked basmati rice
Quick Pickled Red Onion:
- 1 small red onion (very thinly sliced into rounds, rinsed)
- 1 lime (zested and juiced)
- Pinch of sugar
- Large pinch of salt
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to SAUTE, add heat the oil. Add onions and a pinch of salt and sauté until softened, 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Hit the CANCEL button and add split peas, water, tomatoes, salt and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Cover and seal the lid – turn the vent to sealing. Press the MANUAL (high pressure) button and set the timer to 10 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for Instant Pot to come to full pressure, then the display will show a countdown timer.
- Meanwhile, make your toppings.
- In a small bowl, combine lime zest and juice, red onion, sugar, and a large pinch of salt. Massage the onion for 1 minute to help it soften.
- Mix yogurt and 2 Tbsp. water in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Once the 10 minutes are up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, stir in the cilantro and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve dal over rice drizzled with yogurt and topped with pickled onion and additional cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 993mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 17.9mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 4.1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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