Indian Side Dishes

The thin pancake known as dosa is one of the most famous Indian dishes. It is made with soaked rice and black gram beans, which are ground into a paste and mixed to create a thick batter, usually left to ferment overnight. The mixture is enriched ... READ MORE

Dal tadka or tadkewali dal is a traditional legume-based dish originating from the northern parts of India. Although there are variations, the dish is usually prepared with toor dal (split yellow pigeon peas), garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, gar... READ MORE

Papadum is an Indian snack made with either gram, rice, or chickpea flour that is baked into a thin, crispy cracker bread. It can be consumed on its own, with pickles, or served with other dishes such as curries, when it's used as a utensil for sc... READ MORE

Raita is a popular Indian side dish or a condiment made by combining thick yogurt with different fruits, vegetables, and spices, so it can be either sweet or savory and spicy. The color of raita also depends on the ingredients used, but m... READ MORE

Indian saag paneer is a famous vegetable curry which incorporates diced paneer cheese doused in a creamy mixture of fresh leafy greens, also known under the name saag. It is typically made with mustard, fenugreek, spinach, bathua... READ MORE

Puri is an unleavened, fried Indian bread made with water, finer or coarser wheat flour, and occasionally cumin seeds. The dough is rolled into flat round shapes and fried in copious amounts of vegetable oil or ghee. During frying, the dough absor... READ MORE

Dahi vada is a popular Indian snack that can also be served either as a main dish or as an accompaniment to vegetable or meat dishes. The dish originates from North India and consists of savory lentil-based fried balls (vadas) that are so... READ MORE

Aloo matar is a traditional North Indian dish consisting of sautéed potatoes (aloo) and green peas (matar) combined with tomato sauce and numerous spices such as garlic, ginger, coriander, onion, and cumin. It is usually s... READ MORE

Putu mayam is a popular street food dish with origins either in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu or Kerala. Although it is south Indian in origin, it is also extremely popular in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Indonesia. The dish consists of ri... READ MORE

Jeera rice is a simple Indian dish made with rice and cumin seeds. Basmati rice is typically mixed with cumin seeds which have been fried in ghee, and the dish can be additionally enriched with cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, cloves, and coriander... READ MORE

Masala papad is a traditional snack and a version of papadum flatbread that’s topped with a mix of tangy and spicy ingredients. The flatbread is roasted or fried and it’s usually made with lentil, chickpea, or rice flour. After it&rsqu... READ MORE

Aloo palak is a traditional dish originating from the northern parts of the country. Although there are many ways of preparing the dish, it’s usually made with a combination of potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, dried hot peppers, t... READ MORE

Churma is a north Indian dish that is mainly prepared with various types of crumbled bread. It is especially popular in Rajasthan where it is made with baati (bati) bread, and Haryana, where the locals opt for roti, paratha,<... READ MORE

Baingan bharta is a vegetarian side dish that is very popular in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh due to its rich aroma and flavor. It consists of minced and grilled eggplants that are combined with coriander, onion, chilies, and mustard oil, makin... READ MORE

Boondi raita is a version of raita (yogurt-based side dish) originating from North India. This version of raita can also be enjoyed as a snack on its own – it's made with a combination of dahi, coriander, red chili powder or chopped chili pe... READ MORE

Sanna is a savory and spongy Indian rice cake that is traditionally steamed before consumption. It is especially popular in Goa and Mangalore. These soft and fluffy rice cakes are typically served with pork vindaloo or sarapatel stew. Jaggery is s... READ MORE

Undrallu is a traditional dish originating from Andhra Pradesh. These steamed rice balls are made with a combination of rice, water, Bengal gram (chana dal), and salt. The rice is washed, dried, ground, and boiled in water, then seasoned with salt... READ MORE

Ishtu is a traditional dish originating from Kerala. This simple stew with a soupy consistency is made with a combination of onions, potatoes, ginger, green chili peppers, curry leaves, black peppercorns, and coconut milk. The ingredients are simm... READ MORE

Paruppu sadam is one of the most popular side dishes from Tamil Nadu, consisting of rice and dal lentils which are seasoned with various spices and herbs such as garlic, chili, cumin, turmeric, and curry leaves. The whole dish can be made in a sin... READ MORE

Hailing from North India, dal puri is a variety of puri, a type of round-shaped Indian bread that is deep-fried until crispy, puffy, and golden. This version of the bread consists of puri dough that’s kneaded with a lentil-based mix... READ MORE

Jeera aloo is a traditional dish originating from the western parts of the country. The name of the dish is Hindi for cumin potatoes. The dish is usually made with a combination of potatoes, cumin seeds, oil, chili peppers, red chili powder, turme... READ MORE

Gobi matar is a traditional stir-fry originating from North India. The dish is usually made with cauliflower, peas, turmeric, onions, ginger-garlic paste, oil, lemon juice, coriander, and red chili powder. The vegetables are stir-fried in oil, the... READ MORE

Gola kebab is a traditional meat dish originating from India. It consists of meatballs that are usually skewered when served. The meatballs are made with a combination of mutton, onions, and a variety of herbs and spices such as red chili powder, ... READ MORE

Murgh shorba is a traditional chicken soup originating from North India. Although there are variations, it’s usually prepared with a combination of chicken pieces, ghee, onions, ginger-garlic paste, coriander, mint, garam masala, cinnamon, c... READ MORE

Bharwan karela is a traditional dish originating from the northern parts of the country and consists of stuffed bitter melon. Although there are many versions, the dish is usually made with a combination of bitter melon, red chili powder, garam ma... READ MORE

Arbi masala is a unique vegetarian dish from North India. Its main ingredient is arbi (taro root), filled with dietary fibers and nutrients. Closely linked to potatoes, only with much more starch, it is widely available in Indian markets during th... READ MORE

Cheera thoran is a traditional side dish originating from Kerala. It's usually made with a combination of spinach, onions, garlic, cumin, hot peppers, mustard seeds, grated coconut, red chili powder, turmeric, coconut oil, and curry leaves. The in... READ MORE

As the name suggests, this version of the popular Indian kadhi is distinguished by the use of fresh mango pulp, which is combined with the choice of yogurt or fresh curd and besan (gram flour) to create the base of the dish. Whil... READ MORE

Karuveppilai sadam is a traditional dish originating from Southern India, and it's also known as spiced curry leaves rice. The dish is prepared with a combination of rice, curry leaves, lentils, salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, chili peppers, musta... READ MORE

Aloo pitika is a traditional dish from the Indian state of Assam, a simple and flavorful mashed potato preparation commonly served as a side dish in Assamese meals. Aloo pitika is made by boiling potatoes until they are soft, then mashing them and... READ MORE

Mushroom do pyaza is a traditional dish that’s especially popular in northern parts of the country. This semi-dry dish is made with a combination of button mushrooms, onions (double the amount of mushrooms), tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, ch... READ MORE

Urulai kizhangu podimas is a traditional dish originating from Kerala. It’s made with a combination of potatoes, oil, mustard seeds, urad dal, onions, green chili peppers, ginger, curry leaves, and turmeric powder. The ingredients are fried ... READ MORE

Methi kishmish is a traditional dish originating from Rajasthan. It's usually made with a combination of fenugreek seeds, raisins, amchur, asafoetida, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, oil, and salt. The seeds are soaked in milk overnight, then m... READ MORE