Find this 40+ best collection of easy Indian lunch recipes that ranges from authentic Indian curries to raitas to parathas to Indian halwas- all are Vegetarian and simple to prepare, making them ideal for your everyday meals!
I will be totally unbiased when I say that Indian food is the best! Whether you are looking for a light brunch, a hearty meal, the healthy lunch, Indian recipes have got everything covered. The Indian spices and the cooking style makes even a beginner learn quickly and enjoy the flavors too!
I started my cooking journey very late and food blogging was never on my list! I have curated more than 200 recipes so, there is no good time to start cooking and eating fresh food.
Enjoy this collection of Best Indian Lunch recipes that are easy to prep, full of Indian addictive flavors, and are ideal for everyday cooking.
Find More Indian Vegetarian Recipes here: Indian Breakfast Recipes, Gluten Free Indian Recipes, Indian Dinner Recipes.
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Why Would You Love This Collection?
- Simple and quick to prepare for busy days.
- Authentic Indian flavors.
- Wholesome vegetarian meals packed with nutrition.
- Variety of light and hearty meals for everyone
- Kids Friendly.
- Perfect for everyday cooking with minimal effort.
- The Best Indian Lunch Recipes Ever!
40+ Best Indian Lunch Recipes
Indian Curries
Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe
If you are looking for a Indian restaurant styled Paneer curry, you can't go wrong with this easy recipe of Paneer Tikka Masala. Simmered over slow flame, tawa-fried marinated paneer cubes, dunked into spicy onion tomato gravy, this classic paneer curry goes best with paratha or naan!
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Mushroom Stir Fry
20-Minute Easy Mushroom Stir Fry With Peas
Mushroom Stir Fry with Peas is a delicious and versatile dish that combines the earthy flavor of mushrooms with various vibrant vegetables. Made in ghee in one pot in Indian style and loaded with vegetables of the season, this recipe of Mushroom is a mild twist to the classical recipe.
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Chana Saag
Easy Chana Saag (Indian Chickpea Curry with Spinach)
Chana Saag, made with dry chickpeas and fresh leafy greens is a popular Indian recipe. Simmered in coconut milk, onion, garlic, tomato gravy, and Indian warm spices, this is a comfort meal with rice or paratha for busy weeknights!
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Paneer Jalfrezi
Best Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe (Easy Restaurant Style Recipe)
Paneer Jalfrezi is a healthy recipe of paneer blended with vegetables like peppers, pumpkin, carrots and broccoli by simmering them in onion and tomato gravy. A homemade paneer recipe that resembles the restaurant styled one.
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Palak Chana Dal
Easy Chana Dal Palak Recipe (Spinach Daal)
Could you believe that making Winter Greens would be an easy task?This Palak Chana Dal Recipe is a one-pot Spinach Recipe made super easy for busy you. A popular recipe from North India, this Spinach Chana Dal is a total comfort meal when teamed with jeera rice, Paratha or Chapati.
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Bathua Aloo Saag
Bathua Aloo Ki Sabji- Potato Bathua Saag
This Bathua Aloo Sabi made using fresh Bathua leaves is a simple Indian Winter Curry that can be made easily using a stovetop. Flavored with fresh Bathua leaves and green chili, cooked slowly in a wok with potatoes, this classic Indian recipe is packed with flavor and nutrition.
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Palak Paneer
Easy & Healthy Palak Paneer Recipe Without Cream| Paneer in Spinach Gravy
This Healthy Palak Paneer Recipe is gentle twist to traditional palak paneer and is made using fresh spinach or palak leaves (boiled and blended in a paste) with paneer added to this palak gravy, all without adding any cream. It is one of the most popular main courses of Indian cuisine made in winter. Winters are absolutely dull without green leafy vegetables like methi, palak, saag, and bathua.
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Aloo Methi
Aloo Methi Subji: A healthy Recipe
Aloo methi subji is made using aloo (potatoes) and methi leaves (also called fenugreek). An amazing observation made here is that the time to sort leaves is much more than cooking it and getting done with it.
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Aloo Sem (Green Beans)
Green Beans And Potatoes {Vegan Quick Recipe}
These Elegant Green Beans and Potatoes, rich in savory flavors, topped with tangy tomatoes and, made spicy with green chilies, is a perfect vegan side dish. Simmered over stove top in a wok, the potatoes and green beans cooked slowly become really flavorful and can make a hearty meal!
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Punjabi Saag Paneer
Authentic Punjabi Saag Paneer (Best Indian Palak Recipe)
Bursting with the amazing flavors of mustard greens, spinach, and aromatic Indian spices, this Saag Paneer is a popular Indian Winter Recipe. Cubes of Paneer dunked in this green color gravy made from fresh leafy greens taste heavenly and is a perfect Dinner or lunch recipe for cold winters.
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Mushroom Matar
Matar Mushroom Recipe- Indian Mushroom Matar Curry
Matar Mushroom recipe is a vegan recipe of matar and mushrooms made in one pot in rich tomato masala. The best thing I love about mushrooms is that they blend easily with the spices and other vegetables, yet are amazingly delicious. This recipe of mushroom matar is made as dry masala and can be easily converted to gravy dish.
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Punjabi Chana Masala
Punjabi Chana Masala Recipe | Indian Chickpea Curry | Healthy Chole Curry Masala
Made in spicy onion tomato gravy and flavored with Indian spices, this Punjabi Chana Masala Recipe is heavenly and perfect for a weeknight healthy meal! This traditional Indian Chana Masala made with chickpea is one of the popular companion of street food- Chole Bhature.
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Mushroom Masala
Easy Mushroom Masala Recipe {Indian Style}
This one-pot Easy Mushroom Masala Recipe is vegan low calorie recipe of mushroom curry and is bursting with the flavors of Indian spices and can you believe all that gathers in less than 15 minutes?
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Dal Daliya
Dal Daliya Recipe (Broken Wheat Green Split Moong Dal Dalia)
This Dal Daliya is my family recipe and is a total comfort meal that gathers quickly and is perfect for all age groups. Made in Desi Ghee, this savory and simple recipe of Green Moong Dal Daliya is a versatile and nutritious dish that can be served as a lunch or dinner
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Bitter Gourd Curry (Karela Pyaz)
Bitter Gourd Curry | Hare Karele aur Pyaz
Bitter Gourd Curry, made with fresh bitter gourd, caramelized onions, and Indian spices is a classic Indian curry that goes well with Paratha and Poori- A simple yet amazing side dish.
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Indian Breads
Indian Poori Recipe
Poori Recipe- Indian Puffed Bread
Made with just 3 main ingredients, this Poori Recipe is perfected over the years and is an authentic Indian unleavened bread. Team it with Aloo Subji or Chickpea Curry for a hearty Indian Meal!
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Pumpkin Paratha
Pumpkin Paratha | Kaddu Ka Paratha | Indian Pumpkin Flatbread Recipe
This utterly delicious and crispy Pumpkin Paratha or flatbread, made with kneading fresh dough of wheat flour, gram flour(besan), spices, grated pumpkin and green chilies is amazingly packed with bold and savory flavor! Team these Pumpkin flatbread with curd, pickle or any curry of your choice!
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Bathua Paratha
Bathua Paratha Recipe- Indian Winter Breakfast
Bathua Paratha is one of the most popular parathas (flat-breads) of Indian cuisine. I believe we all wait for winters to show as we get amazing choices of greens to include in our daily meals.
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Ragi Roti
Easy Ragi Roti Recipe (Healthy Nachni Paratha Recipe)
Ragi Roti are flat unleavened bread made using ragi flour, gram flour (Besan) and wheat flour. They are made using desi ghee and are not just healthy but delicious too. Ragi or Finger Millet is gluten free flour and is calcium and protein rich food grain and I would call it a super Indian food. The best way to have ragi flour in your daily meals is to make chapati, parathas or poori. As ragi is healthy for kids as well, introducing new flour to them would be safe when made hot chapati using it.
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Rice Recipes
Indian Lemon Rice
Indian Lemon Rice
This Lemon Rice made in ghee is bursting with flavors of tangy lemon, earthiness of curry leaves and cumin seeds along with crunchy veggies like onion and tomato!
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Vegetable Rice
Vegetable Rice Recipe {uses Left-over rice}
Vegetable Rice is a delicious and versatile dish that combines the goodness of vegetables with the boiled rice. While one may use the same recipe with few added steps to make vegetable rice from scratch, this recipe uses left-over rice.
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Tomato Rice
Tomato Rice Recipe | Easy, Gluten-free Indian Recipe
Healthy Tomato Rice is a comfort easy recipe for rice lovers and if you are left with a bowl of rice, then its a super easy under 5 min recipes.
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Jeera Rice
Jeera Rice | Cumin Rice Recipe
Jeera Rice is a popular Indian rice made in Desi Ghee and tempered with Cumin or jeera. The earthy flavor of Jeera, the aromatic bayleaf and pepper make this recipe of rice special and my daughter looks forward to having this rice at any time of the day!This cumin rice recipe makes rice that are perfect in every sense- Separated, not soggy or overcooked, flavorful, made in pressure cooker, goes well with Curd, Lentil or any curry dish.
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Fried Brown Rice
Easy Vegan Fried Brown Rice
This vegan fried brown rice is a hearty and comfortable meal that is packed with flavor and nutrition. A mild twist to classic fried rice by using brown rice and trust me you won't know the difference!6
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Brown Rice Pulao
Healthy Veg Brown Rice Pulao {Pressure Cooker + Instant Pot}
Veg Brown Rice Pulao is a simple recipe of brown Rice cooked with a variety of vegetables and is a healthy twist to classical White rice Pulao. Flavored with Indian spices and tempered in ghee, each bite of this Brown Rice Pilaf is bursting with deliciousness.
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Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana Khichdi Recipe for Vrat
Sabudana Khichdi is one of the popular recipes for the fast/ vrat like Navratri, Ekadashi or Shivratri in which people avoid taking any grains or cereals. Usually eaten grains like wheat, rice or millet are replaced by Sago(Sabudana), Samak( barnyard millet), Kuttu (Buckwheat), Singhara (Chestnut), etc.
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Sides (Pickle/ Chutneys)
Amla Achar
Amla Pickle - Indian Gooseberry Pickle Recipe
This Amla Pickle recipe is flavored with Indian spices- dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, Fennel seeds and Turmeric and is super easy recipe that helps you create a Instant Amla Achar.
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Sweet Amla Achar
Sweet Amla Achar- Instant Indian Gooseberry Pickle
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a powerhouse of nutrients and a staple in Indian cuisine. This sweet amla pickle is a delicious blend of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
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Sweet Lime Pickle
Easy Sweet Lime Pickle Recipe | How To make Indian Lemon Pickle
Lemon or Lime Pickle or Nimbu ka Achar (as we call it) is an easy oil-free recipe that is a popular Indian condiment and goes well with several Indian dishes.This gluten-free vegan recipe does not need any addition of oil and can be easily made with very few ingredients.
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Kala Chana Chaat
Kala Chana Chaat Recipe - Black Chickpea Salad
This Kala Chana Chaat, a popular Indian Chana Chaat made with Black Chickpea is a healthy appetizer rich in savory flavors of onion, tomato, spices and lemon juice. This Black Chickpea Salad recipe gathers in no time and is a high protein salad fused with tangy and spicy flavors and can be had as a light breakfast or an evening meal.
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Coriander Mint Chutney
Cilantro Mint Chutney (Indian Green Dip)
Cilantro Mint Chutney is a popular Indian green dipping sauce that uses fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and green chilies. A perfect dip served with Indian snacks like onion fritters, samosa, or bread pakora!
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Indian Onion Chutney
Easy Indian Onion Chutney Recipe (No-Cook Dip For Poppadoms)
Made with crunchy chopped red onions, this recipe of Indian Onion Chutney is a no-cook recipe that gathers quickly. Bursting with mild sweet and tangy flavors from raw onions and tomato ketchup, this Indian Onion Chutney is a perfect accompaniment dip for poppadoms!
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Amla Chutney
Amla Chutney Recipe- Indian Gooseberry Chutney
Amla Onion Chutney is a tangy and flavorful Indian dip made with raw and fresh Indian gooseberry, onion and garlic. Easy to make, this spicy green dip pairs well with snacks and meals.
Check out this recipe
Tomato Chutney
Tomato Chutney Recipe For Dosa With Garlic
Tomato Garlic Chutney is a quick recipe of tomatoes roasted in pan/kadai with garlic and whole red chilly, that goes well with dosa, idli, rice and even parathas.
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South Indian Recipes
Upma
South Indian Upma Recipe With Tomato
Try this South Indian Upma Recipe that can be quickly made and tickles your taste buds! This Healthy Upma Recipe is super easy and every bite of it is indulging and bold in savory flavors of desi ghee, Curry leaves and tomato!
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Green Moong Dal Uttapam
Green Moong Dal Uttapam (Mung Bean Pancake)
Green Moong Dal Uttapam, or Mung Bean Pancake, is a delicious and nutritious Indian dish. It's made from soaked and ground green moong dal (split mung beans) and spices. A perfect way to start your day with a high-protein breakfast!
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Tomato Rasam Soup
Authentic Tomato Rasam Soup Recipe
Rasam is a traditional South Indian soup known for its tangy and spicy flavors. Made with tamarind, tomatoes, and Indian spices, it’s a comforting soup that warms you from the inside out.
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Kerala Style Veg Stew
Kerala Style Vegetable Stew Recipe
Simple Vegetable Stew is an easy recipe of fresh stew made in Kerala Style using fresh veggies, yummy spices, and creamy coconut milk. Simmered over the stove-top, and flavored with bay leaf, this Vegetable Coconut Soup is hearty and wholesome!
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Curd Recipes
Beet Raita
Beetroot Raita Recipe {Indian Yogurt Beet Dip}
Try this flavorful, vibrant and refreshing Beetroot raita recipe that combines the earthy flavors of beetroot with the cooling properties of yogurt, resulting in a delightful and perfect accompaniment to any meal. This traditional Indian Beet Raita not only adds a burst of color to your plate but is a healthy side dish too!
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Bathua Raita
Bathua Raita | Bathua Curd Dip
This humble green Bathua Raita made with freshly sorted and boiled Bathua leaves is rich in savory flavors. Rich in Vitamin A, this Bathua ka Raita is made in winters in North India as these green leafy are for warming the body. Bathua Raita or Curd Dunked with Bathua leaves is a easy recipe to include nutritious leaves in your daily meals. Bathua is consumed during winters as it naturally keeps the body warm. In winters, I prefer consuming homemade fresh curd (not refrigerated ones).
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Indian Desserts
Mango Suji Halwa
Makhana Kheer
Makhana Kheer {Makhane Ki Kheer}
Makhana Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made using Makhana (FoxNut / Lotus seeds), desi ghee, sugar, and milk. Though made in fasts like Navratri, Ekadashi, or Shivratri, this decadent makhane ki kheer can be had any time of the year.This 10-minute quick recipe involves slowly roasting Makhanas in Ghee and then simmering them in dairy milk till the makhanas soften up. One may grind the crispy roasted makahnas before adding them to milk but I prefer chunks of them in this kheer.
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Wheat Halwa
Kaddu Halwa
Pumpkin Halwa | Kaddu Ka Halwa
Pumpkin Halwa or Kaddu Ka Halwa is an traditional Indian Vrat sweet made with raw Pumpkin, dry fruits and desi ghee by slowly cooking pumpkin. This easy recipe of kaddu halwa can be made on stove top or in pressure cooker and gathers in no time!
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Jaggery Saffron Rice
Easy Jaggery Rice- Gud Wale Chawal (Pressure Cooker)
Jaggery Rice, or Gur Wale Chawal, or meethe chawal (also called Vella Sadam) is a classic Indian dessert that combines the natural sweetness of jaggery with aromatic basmati rice flavored with ghee, saffron, coconut flakes, fennel seeds, green cardamom, and turmeric powder. It is a perfect festive treat and a comfort dessert that gathers quickly.
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Jaggery Paratha Churma
Jaggery Paratha Churma | How to make Churma using Paratha { Haryanvi Churma}
Churma is a pride of my family. Belonging to several states of India: Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, UP, churma has taken different variations by now. This Jaggery Paratha made as Churma is a popular Haryanvi Churma and varies a lot from the classic Rajasthani Churma.
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Wheat Gulgule
Wheat Gulgule Recipe
Whole wheat Gulgule or Pua are made by frying the smooth batter of wheat flour, sugar and milk flavoured with fennel seeds.
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FAQs
What should I eat for lunch in Indian?
For lunch in India, you could have Vegetable Pulao paired with raita, Paneer curry, Dal Tadka with steamed rice/ jeera rice, or a dry curry like Aloo Sem, Aloo methi, jeer aloo with roti.
What is a basic Indian meal?
A basic Indian meal typically includes dal (lentils), roti (flatbread), and sabzi (vegetable curry), often accompanied by rice, achar and yogurt.
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