25 Easy Vegan Indian Recipes – Plant-Based Cooking with Authentic Spices
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Is Indian Food Naturally Vegan?
Yes — Indian cuisine is one of the most naturally vegan-friendly food traditions in the world. Centuries of vegetarian cooking, driven by Ayurvedic principles and religious traditions, have produced an extraordinary range of plant-based dishes that are deeply flavourful, nutritionally complete, and anything but boring.
The secret to great vegan Indian cooking isn't complicated techniques — it's quality spices. The right spice blend transforms simple lentils, vegetables, and grains into dishes that are rich, aromatic, and satisfying.
At Phoran, founder Deepa Shah built the brand on the belief that authentic Indian cooking starts with honest, unadulterated spices. Read her story here.
Essential Spices for Vegan Indian Cooking
Before diving into the recipes, stock your pantry with these essentials:
- Premium Garam Masala — The finishing spice for curries, dals, and rice dishes
- Pure Turmeric Powder — Anti-inflammatory, adds colour and earthiness
- Premium Cumin Seeds — Essential for tempering (tadka)
- Panch Phoron — Bengali 5-spice blend, perfect for dal and vegetable dishes
- Indian Spice Starter Kit — Complete bundle for beginners
Vegan Dal Recipes (Protein-Packed Lentils)
Dal is the backbone of vegan Indian cooking — high in protein, fibre, and iron, and endlessly versatile.
1. Classic Yellow Dal Tadka
Creamy split yellow lentils tempered with cumin seeds, garlic, and turmeric. One of India's most comforting everyday dishes, naturally vegan and ready in 30 minutes.
2. Dal Makhani (Vegan Version)
Rich black lentils and kidney beans slow-cooked with tomatoes, coconut cream, and garam masala. Replace butter and cream with coconut oil and coconut cream for a fully plant-based version that loses nothing in flavour.
3. Bengali Cholar Dal
Sweet and aromatic chana dal with coconut, raisins, and garam masala. A festive Bengali dal that's naturally vegan and gluten-free.
4. Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Curry)
Quick-cooking red lentils with turmeric, tomatoes, and a cumin-garlic tadka. Ready in 20 minutes — the ideal weeknight vegan meal.
5. Panchmel Dal (Five Lentil Mix)
A nutritious Rajasthani blend of five lentils seasoned with garam masala and whole spices. Excellent for meal prep — it keeps well and tastes better the next day.
Vegan Vegetable Curries
6. Aloo Gobi (Potato Cauliflower Curry)
Classic North Indian dry curry with potatoes, cauliflower, turmeric, and garam masala. Naturally vegan, simple to make, and deeply satisfying.
7. Baingan Bharta (Smoky Eggplant Mash)
Roasted eggplant mashed with tomatoes, onions, and aromatic spices. The charred, smoky flavour makes this one of the most distinctive vegan Indian dishes.
8. Bhindi Masala (Okra Curry)
Crispy okra cooked with onions, tomatoes, and garam masala. The key is cooking the okra on high heat without covering — this prevents sogginess and gives it a satisfying texture.
9. Palak Aloo (Spinach Potato Curry)
Nutritious spinach and potatoes in a mildly spiced gravy with cumin and turmeric. Iron-rich and naturally vegan.
10. Mixed Vegetable Curry
Seasonal vegetables in a coconut-tomato gravy with garam masala. Use whatever vegetables you have — this is one of the most flexible vegan Indian recipes.
Vegan Rice & Grain Dishes
11. Vegetable Biryani
Fragrant basmati rice layered with vegetables and whole spices. Use our Biryani Spice Kit for authentic flavour without measuring individual spices.
12. Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
Simple basmati rice tempered with cumin seeds and whole spices. The perfect vegan side dish for any curry — ready in 15 minutes.
13. Vegetable Pulao
One-pot rice dish with mixed vegetables and garam masala. Quick, easy, and nutritious — a great weeknight vegan meal.
14. Lemon Rice (South Indian Style)
Tangy rice with turmeric, peanuts, and curry leaves. A refreshing South Indian vegan dish that's also great for lunchboxes.
15. Tamarind Rice (Puliyogare)
Tangy-spicy rice with tamarind and South Indian spices. Naturally vegan, packed with flavour, and a staple in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Vegan Snacks & Street Food
16. Samosa
Crispy pastry filled with spiced potatoes and peas, seasoned with garam masala. One of India's most beloved street foods — and entirely plant-based.
17. Poha (Flattened Rice)
Light breakfast dish with turmeric, peanuts, and curry leaves. Add Chaat Masala for an Indori-style finish.
18. Bhel Puri (Puffed Rice Chaat)
Crunchy Mumbai street food with puffed rice, vegetables, and Chaat Masala. Tangy, crunchy, and completely vegan.
19. Aloo Tikki (Potato Patties)
Crispy potato patties spiced with garam masala. A popular vegan street food that works equally well as an appetiser or snack.
20. Masala Vada (Lentil Fritters)
Crispy South Indian fritters made with chana dal and spices. Naturally vegan, high in protein, and perfect with coconut chutney.
Vegan Breads & Sides
21. Roti / Chapati
Simple whole wheat flatbread — the everyday vegan accompaniment to any Indian curry or dal. Made with just flour, water, and a little oil.
22. Aloo Paratha (Stuffed Potato Flatbread)
Whole wheat bread stuffed with spiced potatoes and garam masala. A hearty vegan breakfast that keeps you full for hours.
23. Coconut Chutney
Creamy South Indian condiment with coconut, cumin, and curry leaves. The essential vegan accompaniment to dosa and idli.
24. Tomato Chutney
Tangy tomato chutney with turmeric and red chilies. A versatile vegan condiment that works with almost everything.
25. Vegan Raita (Cucumber Coconut Yogurt)
Coconut or cashew yogurt with cucumber, cumin, and mint. A cooling vegan side dish that balances spicy curries perfectly.
Tips for Perfect Vegan Indian Cooking
- Master the tadka (tempering) — Heat oil, add cumin seeds and whole spices, let them crackle before adding other ingredients. This is the foundation of Indian flavour.
- Add turmeric early, garam masala late — Turmeric goes in at the start of cooking; garam masala is a finishing spice added off the heat.
- Don't skip the aromatics — Ginger, garlic, and onions build the flavour base that spices attach to.
- Use coconut milk or cashew cream — For rich, creamy vegan curries without dairy.
- Quality spices make the difference — With plant-based cooking, the spice blend carries the entire flavour. Premium, fresh spices are non-negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indian food mostly vegan?
A significant portion of traditional Indian cuisine is naturally vegan or easily made vegan. Dal, most vegetable curries, rice dishes, chutneys, and many breads are entirely plant-based. Dishes that traditionally use ghee or yogurt can usually be made vegan by substituting coconut oil and plant-based yogurt without significantly affecting the flavour.
What Indian spices are vegan?
All pure spices are vegan — turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chilli powder, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and all other whole or ground spices are 100% plant-based. Phoran's entire spice range contains no animal products, additives, or preservatives.
What is the best protein source in vegan Indian cooking?
Lentils (dal) are the primary protein source in vegan Indian cooking, providing 18–25g of protein per cooked cup depending on the variety. Chickpeas (chana), kidney beans (rajma), and split peas are also excellent protein sources. Combined with rice or roti, they form a complete amino acid profile.
Can I make Indian curries without ghee?
Yes. Most Indian curries can be made with coconut oil, mustard oil, or any neutral vegetable oil instead of ghee. The flavour will be slightly different but equally delicious. For rich, creamy curries, coconut cream is an excellent vegan substitute for cream.
About Phoran's Vegan-Friendly Spices
Every spice in Phoran's range is 100% plant-based — no additives, no preservatives, no artificial colour. Founder Deepa Shah built Phoran on the principle that honest spices, sourced well and processed minimally, are the foundation of great cooking — vegan or otherwise.
Whether you're new to vegan Indian cooking or an experienced plant-based cook, Phoran's spices give you the authentic flavour foundation that makes these 25 recipes truly special.
