31 Best Indian Side Dishes To Serve With Your Meals

Indian food is an all-time favorite amongst many people, and when it comes to side dishes, Indian cuisine has a slew of different options.

From dips to salads, breads, and even vegetable stir-fries, if you’re looking for a tasty side dish, you’re sure to find something you’ll love among Indian dishes. 

So, whether you’re looking for something to pair with your favorite Indian curries or simply need a unique side dish to pair with dinner. In this post, you’ll find some seriously amazing Indian side dishes.

No matter your preference, there’s sure to be something you’ll love on this list, as each one is super delicious and quite easy to make. 

Quick Table: Indian Side Dishes

Recipe	Calories Per Serving	Preparation Time
Indian Spiced Potatoes	144	20 Minutes
Indian Cabbage Stir-Fry	100	20 Minutes
Indian Carrot Salad	105	10 Minutes
Carrot Peas Stir Fry (Gajar Mutter)	155	30 Minutes
Saag Aloo (Potatoes And Spinach)	246	20 Minutes
Indian Cucumber Salad	191	15 Minutes
Indian Spiced Potatoes And Cauliflower (Aloo Gobi)	304	30 Minutes
Bhindi Masala	192	30 Minutes
Chapati Flatbread With Cumin	147	25 Minutes
Cucumber Raita	141	10 Minutes
Masala Onion Salad	24	5 Minutes
Vegan Naan Bread	252	1 Hour 30 Minutes
South Indian Tomato Raita	126	20 Minutes
Tarka Dhal	196	55 Minutes
Cumin Rice	205	32 Minutes
Samosa	164	1 Hour 50 Minutes
Dahi Chana Chaat	1274	20 Minutes
Crispy Okra Fry	272	15 Minutes
Onion Paratha	158	50 Minutes
Stuffed Eggplant (Bharwan Baigan)	223	30 Minutes
Stir-Fried Spinach And Coconut (Palak Thoran)	140	20 Minutes
Mango Chutney	161	1 Hour 15 Minutes
Stuffed Chili Fritters (Mirchi Vada)	242	40 Minutes
Bombay Potatoes	210	30 Minutes
Mushroom Bhaji	113	30 Minutes
Cottage Cheese Stir-Fry	127	20 minutes
Paneer Tikka	270	40 Minutes
Spiced Samosa Patties	267	25 Minutes
Dry Green Peas	175	20 Minutes
Fire Roasted Eggplants ( Baingan Bharta)	114	30 Minutes
Spinach Rice	214	20 Minutes

1. Indian Spiced Potatoes

Fragrant and loaded with flavor, Indian spiced potatoes are a super easy dish you can whip up with basic ingredients and little effort.

This delicious dish consists of boiled potatoes tossed in a toasted spice mix of mustard seeds, cumin chili powder, pepper, coriander, and turmeric.

If you have leftover roasted or cooked potatoes lying around your fridge, this is another great way to use them.

Calories Per Serving: 144

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

2. Indian Cabbage Stir-Fry

This tasty cabbage stir-fry with its sauteed combo of cooked cabbage slice, cumin, turmeric, pepper, and moong dal is the perfect dish to make if you’ve been looking for something to make with cabbage other than coleslaw.

It is super easy to make and can be customized to suit your preference, so feel free to add other vegetables like peas, tomatoes, or even carrots. 

Calories Per Serving: 100

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

3. Indian Carrot Salad

Indian carrot salad is a super easy side dish that is loaded with flavor and goes well with almost any meal.

This delicious salad starts with a base of steamed carrots, peanuts, cilantro, and Spice field or mixture.

You then have the option of making a tangy variety by adding lemon juice or opt for a creamy slaw-like version by mixing in some yogurt.

Calories Per Serving: 105

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes 

4. Carrot Peas Stir Fry (Gajar Mutter)

Want an easy low-carb side dish you can make with very few ingredients? Carrot peas stir-fry is the perfect dish for you.

It is simple yet tasty and consists of carrots and peas fried in a fragrant oil filled with turmeric, cumin, chili, and coriander. Feel free to add a squeeze of lemon juice to this stir fry before serving to add a zesty flavor.

Calories Per Serving: 155

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

5. Saag Aloo (Potatoes And Spinach)

If you are looking for a side dish loaded with flavor and could easily double as lunch on a lazy day, this potato and spinach combo is the perfect dish for you.

It features a rich aromatic mix of garlic, chili, mustard seeds, turmeric, garam masala, and onions, all fried in ghee and cooked along with potatoes and spinach.

If you don’t have ghee, you can easily use sunflower oil if you prefer.

Calories Per Serving: 246

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

6. Indian Cucumber Salad

Also known as kachumber salad, This refreshing cucumber salad is an easy side dish perfect for summer.

It has just the right amount of crunch and a spicy kick from a combination of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, green chili, coriander, cumin, chili powder, and fresh lemon juice.

Feel free to toss some avocados into the salad to add a creamy texture to this delicious salad.

Calories Per Serving: 191

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

7. Indian Spiced Potatoes And Cauliflower (Aloo Gobi)

Potatoes are a common favorite in Indian food, and aloo gobi is another delicious potato side dish loaded with flavor and spicy deliciousness.

This Indian side dish features boiled potatoes and cauliflower fried in ghee along with onions, ginger, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garam masala, cumin, and a host of other spices. Serve with rice for a filling meal you’ll love.

Calories Per Serving: 304

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

8. Bhindi Masala

If you are looking for a delicious vegan and gluten-free side dish you can enjoy at any time of the day, bhindi masala is the perfect meal to make.

It is an okra stir-fry consisting of chopped okra, garlic, ginger, chili powder, coriander, mango, and cumin seed. Feel free to add some chickpea flour and lemon juice to make this taste even better.

Calories Per Serving: 192

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes 

9. Chapati Flatbread With Cumin

Chapati is a crisp and flaky Indian flatbread that’s great to serve with curries and soups.

This tasty bread is made from an easy dough mixture of wholemeal wheat flour, cumin seeds, and salt. It is then cooked in a hot pan until browned and puffed up.

Calories Per Serving: 147

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

10. Cucumber Raita

Indian dishes can often be spicy, which is why they have raita, a refreshing creamy side meant to cool down the palate. This cucumber version is the ideal dish to make if you need a refresher when eating a spicy meal.

It is super easy to make and consists of a mix of grated cucumbers, plain yogurt, and mint. Feel free to add a pinch of freshly ground cumin to add an incredible aroma to this creamy raita.

Calories Per Serving: 141

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

RELATED: 20 Best Indian Air Fryer Recipes

11. Masala Onion Salad

Masala onion salad is a unique and super easy side dish you can pair with rice or serve with tortilla wraps.

It features freshly sliced red onions, mint, and coriander leaves tossed in lemon juice and a spice mixture of black pepper, chili, and cumin.

Feel free to use shallots in place of red onions if you’re not a fan of the strong, pungent scent of red onions.

Calories Per Serving: 24

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes 

12. Vegan Naan Bread

Vegan Naan bread is a pillowy soft flatbread Indian classic, and this vegan version will seriously knock your socks off. This Indian bread can be served with sauces, stews, meats, and veggies.

These delicious pan-cooked flatbreads are made from a leavened dough of flour, soy milk, yeast, sugar, and salt. They are made even better with a coating of garlicky coriander butter brushed on the exterior.

Calories Per Serving: 252

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

13. South Indian Tomato Raita

This tomato raita is a tangy and creamy dish that’s really easy to make and great for serving with rice and potatoes or even paired with chips if you want a unique dip.

It consists of sauteed and spice-filled tomatoes combined with curd, grate coconut, green chiles, and cumin seeds.  Feel free to use plain yogurt or heavy cream if you can’t get curd where you are.

Calories Per Serving: 126

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

14. Tarka Dhal

With a creamy base of cooked lentils combined with a fried mixture of chilies, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and tomatoes, Tarka dhal is a mouthwatering side dish that’ll turn you into a lentil fanatic. 

It is a great side dish to pair with any bread or rice to make a filling meal, or you could easily enjoy it plain if you need a light keto-friendly meal.

Calories Per Serving: 196

Preparation Time: 55 Minutes 

15. Cumin Rice 

Cumin rice is a delicious dish brimming with a sweet and spicy aroma. It is the perfect canvas for creating an amazing dinner as it goes with a variety of different curries and soups.

It is super easy to make and consists of basmati rice cooked with a sauteed mixture of ghee, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, and cumin seeds. Feel free to use a combination of equal parts butter and oil if you can’t get your hands on ghee.

Calories Per Serving: 205

Preparation Time: 32 Minutes 

16. Samosa

Samosa is a widely popular pastry dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or served alongside dinner on special occasions.

These flaky fried pastry triangles consist of a filling of potatoes, peas,  ginger, coriander, garam, masala, and a host of different spices.

You’ll need to make a samosa dough from flour, oil, and salt, but if you’re pressed for time, feel free to use spring roll wrappers instead.

Calories Per Serving: 164

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes 

17. Dahi Chana Chaat

Dahi chana chaat is an indulgent salad bursting with savory and tangy deliciousness.

It is quite easy to make and features a combination of cooked chickpeas, tomatoes, yogurt, lemon juice, onions, tamarind chutney, coriander chutney, pomegranate seeds, green chiles, coriander, and cumin. 

You’ll need to make fresh tamarind chutney and coriander chutney for this salad, but you can make them a day ahead to save time.

Calories Per Serving: 1274

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

18. Crispy Okra Fry

Crisp and brimming with spices, crispy okra fry is like the healthy-ish alternative to french fried you never knew you needed.

These tasty bites feature okra slices coated in a breading mixture of chickpea flour, turmeric, chili, and pepper and then fried to crispy brown perfection.

Calories Per Serving: 272

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes 

19. Onion Paratha

Flatbreads are a common favorite in Indian cuisine, and onion paratha is another delicious bread dish you can serve with curries.

It features a wheat flour dough combined with a mixture of onions, green chili, coriander, and garam masala before being rolled out and fried into flaky brown perfection.

Calories Per Serving: 158

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

20. Stuffed Eggplant (Bharwan Baigan)

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish to serve at a dinner party or enjoy on a regular day when you’re feeling indulgent, these Indian style stuffed eggplants are the way to go.

It features caramelized eggplants stuffed with a spice-filled mixture of onions, tomato, ginger, coriander, cumin, chili, turmeric, and mango powder. These incredible eggplants can be served with rice or your favorite potato dish.

Calories Per Serving: 223

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

RELATED: 10 Most Traditional Drinks In India

21. Stir-Fried Spinach And Coconut (Palak Thoran)

Palak Thoran is an easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for those on a vegan or low-carb diet. It is loaded with flavor and features a mixture of stir-fried spinach, onions, grated coconut, green chiles, cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric powder.

Serve with your favorite rice dishes for a filling meal, or enjoy it plain right out of a bowl.

Calories Per Serving: 140

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

22. Mango Chutney

Mango chutney is a sweet and spicy dish that can be served with a wide variety of meals like rice, roasted meats, or even paired with crackers as a light snack.

It consists of chopped mangoes slow-cooked along with ginger, vinegar, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper, cardamom, and turmeric.

Calories Per Serving: 161

Preparation Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

23. Stuffed Chili Fritters (Mirchi Vada)

Mirchi vada is a popular street snack in India, and its crispy fried exterior and flavorful filling make it a great side dish to serve with any meal.

It features hollowed green chiles filled with a spicy potato filling and dipped in a rice flour batter before being fried to golden brown perfection.

If you’re a fan of spicy food, this is definitely the ideal dish for you to make.

Calories Per Serving: 242

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

24. Bombay Potatoes

As you can already tell by now, Indians love their potatoes, and Bombay potatoes are another tasty potato dish. 

It is a restaurant popular in the UK and features baby potatoes fried with a combination of garam masala, green chili, onions, curry leaves and a host of other spices.

If you need a flavor-filled vegan side dish, you can make it without much hassle, this is the perfect meal for you.

Calories Per Serving: 210

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

25. Mushroom Bhaji

Mushroom bhaji is a mouthwatering side dish that is easy to make and brimming with spice and flavor.

It is a quick stir-fry you can whip up in minutes and consists of mushrooms, onions, tomato puree, garam masala, and coriander.

Feel free to use any type of mushroom you can get. Portobello, button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms are all great options for this dish.

Calories Per Serving: 113

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes 

26. Cottage Cheese Stir Fry (Paneer Bhurji)

Got extra cottage cheese you don’t know what to do with? This cottage cheese stir fry is the perfect way to use them.

It is a delicious dish that features crumbled cottage cheese fried in ghee along with green chiles, tomatoes, onions, turmeric, garam masala, bell peppers, and a variety of other spices. Serve it plain or enjoy it with rice as a delicious dinner.

Calories Per Serving: 127

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

27. Paneer Tikka

Looking for an easy side dish to serve at a bbq party? Paneer tikka might just be what you’re looking for.

It features cottage cheese cubes (paneer), onions, and bell peppers, all marinated in a tart and spicy marinade and then baked on skewer sticks.

Calories Per Serving: 270

Preparation Time: 40 Minutes

28. Spiced Samosa Patties

Samosas are famous for their deep-fried flaky dough, but if you’re looking for a low-carb and healthier alternative, spiced samosas are a great option to try.

These pan-fried patties are formed from a mashed mixture of cooked peas, baked potatoes, curry powder, and pepper.

Calories Per Serving: 267

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes 

29. Dry Green Peas

Dry green peas are a great way to include veggies in your diet if you’re not a typical fan of eating vegetables. 

These spiced peas are fried with a spice mixture of turmeric, fennel, garam masala, coriander, chili, cumin, and mango powder.

Calories Per Serving: 175

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

30. Fire Roasted Eggplant Mash (Baingan Bharta)

With a smoky taste and rich blend of flavors, baingan bharta is an eggplant dish that even the pickiest eaters will love.

It consists of roasted eggplants cooked with sauteed onions, garlic, ginger, green chile, tomatoes, and coriander.

Calories Per Serving: 114

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

RELATED: 25 Indian Appetizers Recipes Popular For Vegetarians!

31. Spinach Rice

Spinach rice is the perfect way to add leafy greens to your meals without even noticing the taste.

This instant pot dish features rice cooked with spinach puree, cumin, garam masala, ginger, butter, green chili, and cardamom.

Calories Per Serving: 214 

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Side Dishes Go With Curry?

Curry goes really well with different side dishes. Some common options you can serve with curry include basmati rice, flatbreads like naan, or fresh salads.

What Is Garam Masala?

Garam masala is a spice blend commonly used in Indian cooking. It is often used to season meats, stews, curries, and many other dishes.

Although there can sometimes be a variety of different garam masala, the spice blend commonly includes coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, and nutmeg. 

What Is The Most Famous Indian Dish?

Indian food is very popular around the world, so a large variety of the country’s dishes are favorites with many people. However, the most well-known dishes include samosa, curries,  naan bread, and tandoori chicken.