What Vegetables Go Well with Indian Food?

Have you ever wondered what vegetables would go best in your Indian food recipes?

If so, you’re in luck!

We’ve created this fun little guide to help you choose the best veggies to use with your favorite Indian dishes.

We’ll show you how to combine veggies and spices in a way that will make your entire family (even the kids, who are typically veggie haters) say “Wow”!

Read Also: Indian Food Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Indian Food

What Vegetables Go Well with Indian Food?

Indian food is one of our favorite cuisines.

There’s something undeniably special about the complex, tantalizing flavors in each dish that just can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

But when it comes time to cook your own Indian food at home, it can feel a little overwhelming.

With so many fantastic spices and ingredients to choose from, how are you supposed to know which veggies are right for your recipes?

Don’t worry—we’re here to help!

Check out these vegetables that go best with Indian food:

1. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is excellent in Indian dishes because it is a very mild vegetable that soaks up many spices and flavors.

It can also be used in soups and curries as it blends well with other vegetables and meats, or even on its own!

2. Carrots

Carrots are a nice root vegetable that go well with Indian cuisine because they are sweet and can complement the spicy flavors of Indian food.

They also absorb the flavors of many spices, making them perfect in an Indian dish.

3. Green Beans

Green beans (See also these best canned green beans recipes) are great to use as they have a neutral flavor that pairs well with spicy foods like those found in India’s cuisine.

They also work nicely as an addition to soups or curries because they won’t overpower other ingredients yet still add freshness when cooked correctly!

4. Broccoli

Broccoli is a great option because it’s super easy to cook with, and it holds up well to the spices and textures of traditional Indian food.

It’s also got a nice crunchy texture that compliments the creaminess of many Indian dishes.

You can also get broccoli in bulk at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets, so you’ll never run out!

5. Spinach

Spinach softens the blow of intensely spicy dishes by cooling your mouth down with its crisp freshness.

It also goes really well with paneer (Indian cottage cheese).

See Also: 12 Paneer Recipes without Tomato

Try tossing some sautéed spinach into your next dish with paneer for a twist on a classic pairing!

6. Peas

Peas add a pop of bright green color to any dish, and the sweetness of them complements the spiciness of Indian food perfectly.

They’re also great at soaking up all that yummy sauce!

7. Kale

Kale is another great choice because of its versatility—you can chop it up and add it to your stir-fry or sauté, or add it whole as a garnish on top of your favorite curry dish.

In addition to being delicious and easy to prepare, kale is full of fiber and vitamin C, so your body will thank you for adding this leafy green into your diet!

8. Tomato

Tomatoes are great for adding flavor and acidity to any dish, so they’re another excellent choice when making an Indian meal at home.

You can use them raw or cooked in your recipes—whichever way you prefer!

9. Okra

Okra is a flowering plant native to Africa.

It’s got a dense consistency and a pretty mild flavor, which makes it an excellent addition to stews and curries.

Cut it into even slices for the best results—don’t cut it too thin or too thick!

10. Eggplant

Eggplant is another vegetable that originated in India, so it’s no surprise that it’s commonly used in Indian cooking!

It can be eaten raw—for example in salads or side dishes—but its flavor really comes out when cooked.

Try cutting it into rounds and frying it until golden brown!

You’ll get a crispy exterior with a soft interior that provides an interesting contrast to other components in your dish.

11. Squash

Squash is also one of our favorite vegetables for cooking with Indian food because it’s naturally sweet—which complements the savory flavors found in many traditional dishes.

Squash is also super versatile: you can roast it with olive oil (or ghee), salt/pepper/garlic powder/onion powder etc!

12. Onions

Onions are classic sidekicks to Indian food, and they’re a great place to start if you’re looking for a vegetable to pair with an Indian recipe.

They have a mild flavor that complements many spices and sauces in Indian cuisine, but they can also stand up to robust combinations of ingredients.

They add a great deal of texture to dishes, whether you use them as a base for curry or sauté them in oil before adding other vegetables.

Try using onions in the following recipes:

• Gobi matar masala – This is a vegetarian dish that uses cauliflower, green peas, and potatoes simmered in a rich sauce of cream and tomato. Onions are the base of this recipe, so they provide depth to the sauce while helping it stick to the veggies as they cook.
• Shahi paneer – This dish combines paneer cheese with a creamy tomato-based sauce starring onions along with garlic and ginger. The onions help balance the sweetness of the tomatoes while providing a mild backdrop for the rest of the spices in this recipe.

13. Gourds

These are not just “gourds,” but there are several different varieties that fall under this category, including lauki, dudhi, and kaddu.

They’re great for adding texture and nutritional value to any dish—plus they’re easily available in most major supermarkets.

14. Bell peppers

Bell peppers have a wonderful crispness that adds textural contrast to any Indian dish—and their vibrant colors really pop on the table!

They’re also available year-round in most parts of the world, and they come in many different colors and sizes.

Bell peppers are perfect to use in stir-fry dishes, curries, stews, and salads.

15. Ginger

Ginger is a root vegetable, so it’s not technically a vegetable by definition, but it is still an essential part of any Indian cuisine.

It’s used to add flavor and aroma to food, and it has many health benefits.

Ginger can also be used as an ingredient for making tea!

11 Easy Indian Vegetable Side Dishes

Looking to add a little something extra to your next big meal?

These easy, simple Indian vegetable side dishes are the perfect way to add variety, flavor, and texture to any menu:

1. Aloo Palak (Spinach and Potato)

This quick and simple dish is perfect for beginners.

All you need is spinach, potato, onion, and a few spices.

2. Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry)

This hearty chickpea curry is filling enough to be the main dish at any meal.

Serve it with rice or naan bread for a delicious, complete meal.

3. Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower)

Potato and cauliflower are the stars of this dish, but you can add any number of different vegetables or spices depending on your tastes.

Try adding peas!

4. Cauliflower Poriyal (Cauliflower Stir-Fry)

This simple stir-fry only takes 15 minutes to make.

It’s also one of the most versatile dishes on this list—you can make it with just about any vegetable in your fridge.

Try broccoli or carrots!

5. Green Beans Thoran (Green Bean Coconut Stir-Fry)

Try this nice, simple stir fry of green beans and coconut.

What makes this one special is that it has a hint of mustard seeds, which gives it an earthy taste in contrast to the sweetness of the coconut.

If you’re looking for a side dish that will add some crunch and a subtle flavor to your meal, you’ve come to the right place!

6. Sukhi Bhindi Masala (Dry Okra Curry)

This dish is best served with a starch like Indian flatbreads or rice, as it is very flavorful.

The okra is cooked until tender, then simmered in a spicy tomato-based gravy.

It’s savory and delicious, and we highly recommend serving it with something mild to balance out the bold flavor of this curry.

7. Bread Pakora (Bread Vegetable Fritters)

This dish is similar to the popular snack that you can find in many cities around the world, but instead of using regular white bread, this recipe calls for the use of leftover chapati or roti bread.

It’s fried in oil until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – delicious!

8. Cabbage Sabzi (Cabbage Curry)

Don’t know what to do with cabbage? Try this easy cabbage sabzi recipe.

It is a semi-dry dish made from shredded cabbage and mixed with onions, tomatoes, chilies, and flavorful spices.

It is best served with roti or paratha for a simple everyday meal.

You can also serve it with dal and rice for a complete Indian vegetarian meal.

9. Baingan Bharta Recipe (Smoky Eggplant Curry)

Baingan bharta is a staple in many Indian households, especially in North India.

It is an eggplant curry made by roasting eggplants on the stovetop until tender and charred all over, then peeling off the skin and mashing the pulp into a chunky texture.

As you might guess, the word “bharta” comes from the Hindi word meaning mashed or crushed.

Mashing the eggplants gives them a wonderful, smoky flavor that pairs well with ghee-soaked roti or paratha.

You can also eat it with dal and steamed basmati rice if you want something more filling.

10. Bombay Potatoes Recipe (Indian Spiced Potatoes)

Bombay potatoes are super easy to make at home.

They’re a popular side dish at Indian restaurants, but they’re so tasty you might end up eating them as your main course.

The recipe calls for coriander powder and curry leaves, but if you can’t find those spices in your local grocery store, feel free to substitute with cilantro and/or bay leaves.

11. Matar Paneer Recipe (Peas and Cheese Curry)

Indian cuisine is known for its blend of flavors and spices, which can be intimidating to the home chef.

But this simple matar paneer recipe proves that cooking a savory Indian dish doesn’t have to be complicated.

A classic, this peas and cheese curry has become a go-to side dish for many meals, whether you’re seeking a lighter option or looking to mix up your menu.