Vegan Indian Recipes
For more than half of my life, I have regularly spent time in India for sadhana, spiritual pilgrimage, and study of cooking.
I share my faves here from the North and South India. From chaats such as kanda bhaji, breads like Amritsari kulcha, spicy pickles like hari mirch ka achar and classic sabjis like aviyal, vegan butter chicken, and peerkangai kootu. I hope that your family loves these vegan Indian recipes as much and mine does!
⭐️ My most popular vegan Indian recipes
🍛 My Most Popular Sattvic Recipes
These sattvic Indian recipes are made without onions and garlic. I offer them as bhoga to our murtis of Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra, and serve their remnants at prasadam.



Curry in a Hurry - Vegan Indian Recipe Club! 🍲💌
This 6-day program is 100% FREE. Let me help you to master plant-based Indian cooking!
🛕 Ekadasi Recipes
There are varying levels of observing Ekadasi vrata, and I am not the most renounced person for sure. Generally I just avoid cooking with grains (other than buckwheat which is technically a seed) and legumes during this time, unless observing nirjala ekadasi.

🌶️ Indian Pickle Recipes
🤷♀️ Vegan Indian Cooking FAQs
Yes, vegan Indian food can make for a very healthy diet when prepared with a balance of legumes, grains, vegetables, and healthy fats. The problem is, like any diet, you can be vegan and eat nothing but deep fried jalebi, which is partially why diabetes is so prevalent now in India.
Everything is about balance, right?
But in general things like vegan dal makhani, and veganized Indian curries that normally contain curd, are just as nourishing, without any of the cholesterol (or avoidable violence to animals).
Traditional dishes often include nourishing and wholesome natural ingredients like lentils, whole grains, and spices with medicinal and digestive properties
Because bacteria and parasites are very prevalent in India, even in many sources of drinking water, things like salads that don't require cooking aren't super common in Indian cooking.
Good thing there are some of the best fruits (and affordable fresh juices) in India! My faves are chikoo, custard apple, jamun (aka black plum) and of course, the best jackfruit and mangoes found anywhere on earth!
Dishes made with lentils (dal such as my arhar dal tadka), chickpeas (like my chana masala), kidney beans (rajma chawal), and tofu (like my vegan tikka masala) provide substantial protein. Combining legumes with grains like rice or whole wheat roti creates a complete protein profile rivaling meat, and without the cholesterol.
Begin with simple recipes like masoor dal (red lentil stew), aloo gobi (potato-cauliflower stir-fry), and tamarind chutney. These dishes rely on foundational techniques and commonly available ingredients.
Keep staples like lentils, chickpeas, basmati rice, spices (cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, coriander), garlic, ginger, onions, and canned tomatoes. Fresh curry leaves, green chilies, and coconut milk are also useful for regional variations.
There are a few spices that I think really make for more authentic Indian cooking, and those include kasoori methi (dreid fenugreek leaves), Kashmiri red chili powder, and asafetida (aka hing).
I think its important to keep some high-quality premixed masala blends on hand too. The most common ones for me to use are achar masala, chana masala, Madras curry powder, and garam masala.
I find having a quality canned coconut milk on hand is super-helpful too as a dairy-replacement in creamier curries. I soak and blend raw cashews to make a thicker cream that makes a good replacement for curd, khoa, or yogurt in some recipes.

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Masala Phool Makhana (Roasted Fox Nut Masala Recipe)
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Lauki Ki Sabji recipe (Indian lauki sabzi Recipe)
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Easy Kerala Parotta recipe (Flaky Kerala Paratha)
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Punjabi Bhindi Dry Recipe (North Indian Fried Okra)
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Rajma Chawal (Vegan Rajma Masala Recipe)
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Hyderabadi Veg Biryani (Easy Restaurant Style Rice Recipe)
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Chana Palak (Vegan Spinach Chickpea Curry)
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Madras Curry Powder Recipe
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Vegan Aloo Tikki Chaat
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Bhel Puri Recipe (Indian Puffed Rice Chaat)
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Daliya (Vegan Bulgur Khichdi)
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Vegan Aloo Papri Chaat
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Dhaniya Pudina Sauce (Indian Cilantro Mint Chutney)
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Tamarind Date Chutney (Imli Chutney Recipe)
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Arbi Ki Sabji (Indian Dry Taro Curry Arbi Sabji)
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Red Dahl Recipe (Sattvic Masoor Dal)
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The Meatiest Vegan Butter Chicken in the Galaxy
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Turai Sabzi (Gujarati Ridge Gourd Curry)
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Achar Masala Recipe (Indian Pickle Spice)
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Chatpata Amlaki (Indian Gooseberry Candied Amla)
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Chana Dal (Sattvic Vegan Bengal Gram Curry)
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Shakarkandi Ki Chaat (Indian Sweet Potato Street Food)
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Phool Makhana Sabzi (Ekadashi Lotus Seed Curry )
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Amritsari Kulcha Recipe (Punjabi Aloo Naan)
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Gluten-Free Medhu Vadai (Vegan and Ulundu Vada)
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Lightning Fast Chana masala (Chickpea Curry, Punjabi Chole)
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Easy Onion Bhaji Recipe (Gluten-Free Vegan Kanda Bhaji)