34 Impressive Indian Recipes You (Yes, You!) Can Make At Home

The real standout in this timeless recipe is the use of a masala-yogurt marinade that coats the chicken throughout the cooking process, making it exceedingly juicy and extra flavorful. You can marinate the chicken in the morning, then roast it for just 30 minutes (!) when you’re ready for dinner.

Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.

Vegetable biryani usually contains yogurt-coated, spiced vegetables that are then layered between rice and steamed all together. A saffron liquid is poured over, then the dish is topped with caramelized red onions. Spices such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and cloves will complement the dish too, which we’ve included in the recipe—but you can also choose your own adventure and use up what you have on hand.

Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.

This robust curry is a staple in many Indian restaurants. With a manageable ingredient list, ours is easy to re-create at home. It's the perfect vegetarian meal for a weeknight (you could even try and make it vegan using extra-firm tofu and canned coconut milk).

Get the Saag Paneer recipe.

A classic Indian takeout dish, chicken tikka masala is not as difficult to make at home as you may think. Packed with flavor, the creamy, spiced sauce covers tender pieces of chicken, just waiting to be served with homemade naan and perfect basmati rice.

Get the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.

Papdi chaat can take on many variations, but this particular version is a monster of a delight with two chutneys, tender potatoes and chickpeas, tangy yogurt, a medley of eye-catching red onions, pomegranate seeds, diced tomatoes, and finished with a generous snowing of crunchy sev noodles. 😍

Get the Papdi Chaat recipe.

Homemade samosas don't need to be intimidating! The spiced potato filling is fast and easy, and the dough comes together quickly using melted ghee. You may need to hunt down some spices and seeds, but it's well worth it for the best, most authentic-tasting samosas.

Get the Homemade Samosas recipe.

In India, where chutneys hail from, the word can refer to many different spiced dishes made with fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs. This mango version, which is spiced with fennel, mustard, cumin, and coriander seeds, plus a kick from fresh ginger, is similar to a jam or jelly, and will add flavor to nearly anything you pair it with.

Get the Mango Chutney recipe.

If you love spice, you’ve got to try this chicken Madras recipe. Spiked with a potent blend of freshly ground spices and soothed with rich coconut milk, this chicken curry is equal parts spicy, creamy, and downright delicious.

Get the Chicken Madras recipe.

With roots in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England, there are endless iterations of Mulligatawny soup, a brightly colored blended lentil and chickpea soup with the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and sour with a hint of sweetness. This protein-packed version is completely vegetarian and can easily be made vegan too!

Get the Mulligatawny Soup recipe.

Naan is a traditional South Asian flatbread that is usually cooked in a tandoor oven. The yogurt-based bread quickly bubbles up and yields a soft bread with slightly crisp edges. It's perfect for soaking up all of that extra sauce from chicken tikka masala or served as an Indian appetizer along with garlic hummus or any of your favorite dips.

Get the Homemade Naan recipe.

Like a cross between a milkshake and a smoothie, mango lassi is a simple pleasure: All you need is about equal amounts of sweet mangoes and creamy full-fat yogurt, a little ice, and a high-powered blender to force the two ingredients into one drinkable treat.

Get the Mango Lassi recipe.

Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes at most Indian restaurants, and for good reason. This chicken recipe uses deeply flavored chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. Spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan for the perfect dinner.

Get the Indian Butter Chicken recipe.

This curry is typically served with baskets of hot buttered naan and white basmati rice. Indian restaurant goers almost always request slices of raw onion, fresh green chiles, and wedges of lime to go with a bowl as well, but feel free to keep things simple.

Get the Lamb Curry recipe.

There are many versions with varying amounts and ratios of ingredients, but at its core, masala chai is black tea brewed with fresh ginger, crushed spices, milk, and sugar. Make a pot at the beginning of your day, and it's sure to keep you feeling cozy and warm all day long. Want a chai latte instead? Simply froth some milk for the top, and you'll be good to go.

Get the Masala Chai recipe.

Shaak is a Gujarati term that refers to bhajis, or as the Western world would call it, “curry.” Bateka nu shaak is a quick, comforting, homestyle meal made with a handful of spices, tomatoes, and potatoes. If you’re new to Indian cooking, this is a great starting-off dish to make.

Get the Bateka Nu Shaak recipe.

One of the things we love most about this recipe is that you can cook the eggs to your desired level. Want a jammy soft-boiled egg with a yolk that will melt into the curry? Amazing! Want a substantial and perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg? Even better.

Get the Egg Curry recipe.

The term dal refers to both this soup-like Indian dish and the word for split lentils. For this version, red lentils are simmered down in a tomato broth with lots of warm, bold spices. The spiced oil that gets drizzled over top is optional but highly encouraged (even if you don't love heat!). The yogurt will help balance out the spiciness and the acidity of the dish.

Get the Lentil Dal recipe.

Coconut burfi is an Indian mithai (sweet) made from shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk with a touch of cardamom. The combo of chocolate and coconut is so magical, and the ground cardamom just makes it even more special.

Get the Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites recipe.

The process for making gobi Manchurian is three-fold: The cauliflower is steamed until knife-tender, fried until crispy and golden, then coated in sauce. There are two main types of gobi Manchurian: dry and crispy, or served in gravy. This version walks the line: It’s got sauce, but not drowning in it (perfect for pairing with rice).

Get the Gobi Manchurian recipe.

For this recipe, we were inspired by the Hyderabadi-style of biryani, where rice and a curry filled with veggies and/or a protein are cooked separately, then layered and baked into an aromatic, harmonious, and hearty dish. Serve alongside a fresh cucumber raita for a perfectly balanced meal.

Get the Chicken Biryani recipe.