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We are excited to share with you our collection of VEGAN Indian recipes. Yep, that’s right. Every single recipe below is a traditional Indian recipe using plant-based ingredients!

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!

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: EndOfTheFork
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: PepperBowl
Bonus: 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 soaking
Recipe by: ThisThatMore
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: ProfusionCurry
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: ElephantasticVegan
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: TheFieryVegetarian
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: TheVegSpace
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: MinistryOfCurry
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: EnhanceYourPalate
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: Cookilicious
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: Cookilicious
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: СassСlayСooking
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: CrunchAndCream
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: JollyHomeMadeRecipes
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: AMummyToo
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: EatTheLove
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: RachnaCooks
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: SpeakingAloud
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: BlendWithSpices
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: BlendWithSpices
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: PickyEaterBlog
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: HookedOnHeat
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: RachnaCooks
Bonus: 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: YummyTalesOfTummy
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: MyCulex
Bonus: 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: YummyTalesOfTummy
Bonus: 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: CookWithRenu
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: FlavoursTreat
Bonus: 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: MasalaHerb
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: TheFieryVegetarian
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: MyGoodnessKitchen
Bonus: 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.

Kalonji Dal

Check out the recipe here

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: GlobalKitchenTravels
Bonus: 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: MasalaAndChai
Bonus: 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: IFoodReal
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: MrsJonesKitchen
Bonus: 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: SpicyTamarind
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: GoHealthyEverAfter
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: WarriorInTheKitchen
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: HomeCookedRoots
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: GlobalKitchenTravels
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: YummyTalesOfTummy
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: ZardyPlants
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: CookWithRenu
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: BlendWithSpices
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: MinistryOfCurry
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: CaramelTintedLife
Bonus: 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.

Quick Peanut Chaat (Spicy Indian Peanuts)

Check out the recipe here

Ready in: 5 minutes
Recipe by: TheFieryVegetarian
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: PepperBowl
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: SpoonsOfFlavor
Bonus: 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: EarthToVeg
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: CaramelTintedLife
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: PickyEaterBlog
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: SpoonsOfFlavor
Bonus: 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: Mrishtanna
Bonus: flavorful, fresh and authentic recipe

Mouthwatering and nutritious Mint chutney is served best with South Indian breakfast and snacks.

Ready in: 1 hour 35 mins
Recipe by: MasalaAndChai
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: RachnaCooks
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: ZardyPlants
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: SplashOfTaste
Bonus: 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 mins
Recipe by: JCookingOdyssey
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: HookedOnHeat
Bonus: 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 minutes
Recipe by: CassClayCooking
Bonus: 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!