Use up leftover rice and make it into something delicious with this healthy Indian recipe. Because cooked rice refrigerated overnight dries out a little, it’s better suited to absorb all the flavors in this dish without getting sticky or mushy. In a pinch, use frozen or shelf-stable precooked basmati rice, available in many stores. Urad dal and roasted chana dal add texture and authenticity to the rice–look for both types of dal in Indian markets or online.

Made with convenient canned beans, this quick and healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want an additional vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.

The paneer cheese in this fast and easy dinner doesn’t melt when it cooks. It browns instead, giving a toothsome texture to this Indian classic packed with spinach and spices. Serve over brown basmati rice to round out this healthy meal.

Butter or even heavy cream usually gives butter chicken its rich, satisfying quality. In this healthy version of a butter chicken recipe, cashew butter creates an equally luxurious texture. Chickpea flour thickens the sauce, but is optional if you don’t have it on hand. For weeknight speed, marinate the chicken ahead of time and you can have this dish on the table in about 30 minutes. Serve with steamed spinach and basmati rice.

Using a slow cooker for this dal curry recipe is brilliant–the lentils cook until they’re perfectly tender. For the creamiest results, use whole urad dal (versus split), which you can get online or at Indian markets. This particular bean breaks down beautifully, giving the dish its rich, creamy texture. For a stovetop variation, see below. Serve it over rice with Indian-style green chutney and a side of plain yogurt.

To avoid the sliminess that turns many people off okra, Indians cook it over high heat in a lot of oil. In this healthy okra recipe, we get similar results with less oil using a nonstick pan. For an authentic taste, use a hot, smoky Indian chili powder, such as reshampatti. Serve with brown basmati rice and yogurt.

This mildly spiced Indian scrambled egg recipe makes a great light lunch or light dinner. Tuck the curried eggs into a warm whole-wheat tortilla or an Indian flatbread, like paratha, which can be found in the freezer case at Indian markets. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Indian chutneys (or chatnis) are savory, vibrant and exploding with flavor, with a thin, saucy consistency. In this green chutney recipe, cilantro creates the basic sauce that serves as a condiment for many Indian snacks, street foods and sandwiches. The serrano chile gives it quite a blast of heat, so use less if you like a tamer sauce. Try this chutney in place of your favorite hot sauce.

Indian handvo are savory quick breads traditionally made with lauki (also called calabash), a large, mild squash found in India. In this healthy recipe, we use easier-to-find zucchini and bake them in a muffin tin so they all get delightfully crispy edges.

This curried potato and shrimp kebab recipe cooks in less than 5 minutes on the grill and packs plenty of flavor thanks to a generous amount of curry powder, garlic and cilantro.

A tandoori-inspired spice rub and smokiness from the grill flavor these tofu “steaks.” While you’re there, grill some vegetables, too, to serve alongside. Serve with: Grilled eggplant and cherry tomato skewers and brown basmati rice.

Make a perfect summer supper: grill spice-rubbed chicken breasts and tuck them into whole-wheat pitas along with fresh vegetables and a tangy yogurt sauce. Serve with: Grilled vegetables and a pilsner.

A dal is traditionally a lentil side, often the accompaniment for curry. Here, combined with roast chicken (or rotisserie chicken), it moves from the side of the plate to its center for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.

In this vegetarian tikka masala recipe, we combine crisp tofu pieces and vegetables in a spiced tomato sauce to make a healthy and flavorful dish. If you like spicy food, increase the amount of crushed red pepper. Serve with steamed brown rice for a healthier take on a classic takeout dish.

One of the most popular Indian dishes in the U.S. and the U.K., chicken tikka masala usually involves several steps including marinating and grilling the chicken before simmering in a curried tomato cream sauce. We’ve simplified it to a one-skillet dish and lightened it by increasing the vegetables, omitting the butter and using less cream. Serve with brown basmati rice and, for dessert, dates.

Indian Food Recipes to Make Amazing Meals in 2022

We’ve all had those cravings for our favorite neighborhood Indian food, whether it’s the curry, tikka masala, or paneer, samosas, or the tandoori naan. Sure there are options in the frozen food aisle for Indian cuisine, but have trying to bring to life Indian food recipes at home can be intimidating at first. Keep calm and curry on because there are plenty of healthy Indian food recipes, including meatless meals, that are easy Indian recipes great for beginners.

 

Indian Spiced Veggie Burgers

 

Spice up dinner tonight with a twist on the classic veggie burger. (via Brit + Co)

Instant No Yeast Naan

 

This improvised meal shows how incorporating a few Indian ingredients into your meals can make them a little more exciting. Mango chutney and curry powder bring to life a simple dish of sautéed shrimp and rice in this recipe.

Vegan “Cheesy” Bread With Chickpea Curry Dip

 

These comforting, “cheesy” bread pockets will warm you right up, along with the spiced curry dip. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Chickpea Curry

Loaded with protein, this vegan chickpea curry is mostly made with pantry staples. Throw in fresh or frozen spinach for a pop of green, and you’ve got dinner.

Veggie-Loaded Butter Chicken Curry

 

This lightened up butter chicken curry relies on yogurt instead of coconut cream to make a luscious sauce, and it’s loaded with extra veggies for added nutrients and fiber.

Healthy Indian Food with Carrot Chickpea Curry

 

Carrots lend an earthy sweetness to this simple vegan curry made with chickpeas. Serve with fluffy basmati rice to soak up all of the sauce.

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Chicken Curry

Think of this recipe as a guide to help you make a cozy curry in your slow cooker using whatever you have in the fridge. Add sweet or white potatoes, chicken, pork, or lamb, and some green veggies to your slow cooker along with the other ingredients, then serve with a grain or flatbread once it’s done cooking.