12 Popular Vegetarian Dishes in Indian Cuisine

India is a large, diverse country with a rich history and a delicious variety of food. Indian cuisine is typically spice-forward and extremely flavorful. Many people may associate Indian food with meat, but that isn’t always true.

It is estimated that up to 40% of the Indian population is vegetarian. There are a few theories for this. One is the abundance of fresh vegetables and grains growing in India. Secondly, the cost of meat in India is high. The most common belief for the high prevalence of vegetarianism in India is its religious origins. Buddhism and Hinduism alike encourage vegetarianism as an act of compassion and non-violence.

When you try vegetarian Indian food for the first time, you likely won’t find yourself missing the meat. Vegetarian dishes in Indian cuisine are hearty, varied, and mouth-watering. From appetizers to main courses to drinks, there will always be a lot of choices for vegetarians. Here are 12 popular vegetarian Indian dishes that are not to be missed on your next trip to an Indian restaurant.

Chana Masala

Chana masala is a popular chickpea curry that originated in Northern India. The main ingredients you will find in any chana masala are chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and lots of spices. It is often eaten with rice and/or an Indian bread like roti, naan, poori, or paratha.

Saag Paneer

Saag is a vegetable dish consisting of any combination of leafy greens like spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, or other greens as well as spices. A popular variation of saag is saag paneer, which has a non-melting soft cheese called paneer added.

Mattar Paneer

Mattar paneer is a dish made of green peas and paneer cheese in a spiced tomato sauce. Like many other Indian curries, it is often served with rice and/or bread.

Aloo Gobi

Aloo gobi is a spiced potato and cauliflower curry. It is known for its yellow appearance, which is due to the addition of the spice turmeric.

Pakoras

Pakoras are a delicious, crispy snack often sold by street vendors in India. They are typically made of a combination of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, eggplant, spinach, and/or cauliflower, coated in a gram (chickpea) flour batter, and deep fried. They can be eaten on their own or with a dipping sauce like chutney or raita.

Rajma

Rajma is a protein-rich dish made of red kidney beans in a thick gravy. It is often served with rice. Rajma is popular in Northern India as well as in Nepal and Pakistan.

Dal Chawal

Dal chawal is a simple lentil curry accompanied by basmati rice. Dal is a common dish across most regions of Southeast Asia. There are many variations of dal chawal.

Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable biryani is a rice-based dish with mixed vegetables. It can be eaten as a side dish or a main course. Like dal chawal, there are many different recipes for vegetable biryani– no two Indian restaurants will make it the exact same way.

Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji is an Indian street food with origins in Mumbai. It consists of a thick vegetable curry accompanied by a soft bread roll. It is affordable and highly popular in India and abroad.

Samosas

Vegetable samosas are a savory fried or baked pastry filled with various spiced vegetables and/or lentils. They are often accompanied by chutney. They can be made into any shape, but are commonly found in the shape of a triangle.

Mango Lassi

Mango lassi is a sweet mango and yogurt drink similar to a milkshake. There are many types of lassi, but mango is the most common type you’ll likely see offered at an Indian restaurant.

Masala Chai

Another popular Indian beverage, masala chai is a traditional drink made with black tea steeped in milk and flavored with aromatic spices and herbs. Some of the spices traditionally found in masala chai include green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Within recent years, this comforting beverage has gained popularity across the world, being featured on the menus for many coffee shops.

Between the plentiful vegetables and the beneficial spices like turmeric and ginger, Indian food is a healthy and tasty option when going out to eat. Most Indian restaurants have a wide variety on their menus, so whether you’re a vegetarian, a die-hard carnivore, or somewhere in between, there is always something for everyone.