55+ Best Ever Vegan Indian Dishes

If you’ve been reading our blog for any time at all, you’ll know that we’re obsessed with vegan Indian dishes! 

Maybe it’s down to my West Midlands upbringing, or just the fact that Brits love curry and all things Indian food, but it's just the best. 

That’s why we cook so many vegan Indian recipes. The flavours are amazing, it's a comforting food and often so much easier to make than you might think. And yes, we even eat curry in the summer!

However, it’s not just curries on offer. There's Indian style breads, chutneys, raita, and even snacks like pakoras and samosas. The list of vegan Indian dishes to try is basically endless.

Before we get into the best ever vegan Indian dishes on the internet, here are some of our pro tips:

🔪 How to make vegan Indian food: pro tips

Of course, every vegan Indian recipe is different. But if you follow the tips below, you’ll have all the basic ingredients needed to make a lot of vegan Indian dishes, just waiting for you in the pantry! You can then add niche ingredients as and when you need them.

Spices

We’d recommend keeping a load of spices – whole and powdered – in your spice drawer. 

Not just because having a full spice rack makes us happy like you wouldn’t believe, but they’re very useful too, of course! And you’d be surprised at how quickly they run out when you’re cooking vegan Indian recipes. Here are the basics:

Ground spices:

Cumin powder
Coriander powder
Chilli powder (spicy and mild)
Curry powder
Turmeric powder
Garam masala powder
Cayenne Powder

Whole spices:

Cumin seeds
Black peppercorns
Mustard seeds
Whole coriander
Cardamom pods
Cloves

Once you have these in your cupboard, you can start adding to your collection as and when recipes call for different spices. 

Things like fennel powder, star anise and cinnamon sticks (to name just a few) are great to have in your spice rack, but aren’t as commonly used. Managing your spices like this also helps to spread the cost!

🍅 Core ingredients

It’s also worthwhile mentioning a few more core ingredients. These are items that will be used again and again in a number of different recipes. We recommend keeping them in the cupboard (or pantry) and adding them to your weekly shopping list!

1. Passata – canned tomatoes can be a little bitter sometimes. Using passata instead of chopped tomatoes creates a sauce that’s smooth and delicate. We’re not saying tinned tomatoes aren’t good – they are (read the next point below) – but if you want a sauce that’s smooth and creamy, go for passata instead. This is my favourite curry ‘trick’! If it can be called a ‘trick’ that is...
2. Tinned tomatoes – the base of so many curries! We recommend buying chopped tinned tomatoes, as they spread out in the sauce a lot easier than whole tomatoes. If you want a chunky sauce with bits of tomatoes throughout, go for tinned tomatoes. It's a key ingredient in so many vegan Indian dishes.
3. Tomato puree – enhance the flavour of your sauces, and it creates deep richness in sauces. Lots of supermarkets now offer double strength tomato puree, so the tube goes twice as far!
4. Cashews – not a traditional ingredient, but when soaked and blended up, it makes the most perfect cream alternative. A shop bought vegan cream also works well, but if you can’t find that, cashews are the next best thing, or better, some might say.
5. Vegan yoghurt – used to make creamy kormas, cooling sauces and fluffy naans, so you’ll need a good (plain and unsweetened) vegan yoghurt on hand.
6. Onions – the base of many great vegan Indian dishes. If you’re not in a hurry, cooking onions down for around 20-25 minutes until brown creates the greatest base for curries.

So here it is, our favourite vegan Indian dishes from the internet. Featuring bloggers from all over the world!

🍛 Main Dishes

1. Vegetable Tikka Masala

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5 from 4 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Vegetable Tikka Masala is a perfectly creamy curry with a hint of spiciness and warming flavours. Bake the marinaded cauliflower in the oven to really bring out the delicious flavours! It’s rich, creamy and slightly spicy. No wonder it’s a crowd pleaser. Top with vegan yoghurt and fresh coriander for a banging dinner. We also made this dish live on the Veganuary Instagram page.

2. Easy Vegetable Bhuna

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 45 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This easy Vegetable Bhuna is comforting and delicious. Featuring a rainbow of vegetables, as well as tofu for some added protein, this could be your new go-to curry recipe. For lovers of fakeaways, this one really hits the spot, and is a great replica for the classic curry house dish. 

3. Jackfruit Curry in under 60 Minutes

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4.88 from 8 votes

Ready in: 55 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This jackfruit curry features a rogan josh style sauce, so it’s tomatoey, rich and on the mild side. Just chuck all the ingredients in and leave to simmer for 30 minutes – easy. Plus, there’s a lot of sauce for you to get stuck into with a fluffy naan! One of our favourite vegan Indian dishes. Give it a go!

4. Zero Waste Quorn and Veg Jalfrezi in 30 minutes

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This delightful Vegetable Jalfrezi is made in two parts – to make sure the flavours infuse in the sauce, and that the vegetables remain nice and crunchy. The base of coconut yoghurt and passata makes for a silky smooth sauce that is hard to resist. Plus, this is a zero waste recipe.

5. Deliciously Creamy Mushroom Korma

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Korma is one of the OG vegan Indian dishes. This Mushroom Korma is deliciously creamy, full of fragrant Indian spices and mild. We're sure it will become a weekly favourite! Try mixing it up with seasonal vegetables to keep it fresh!

6. Red Lentil Curry

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4.80 from 5 votes

Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Red lentil curry is a hearty, tasty and comforting meal, that's easy to make and absolutely delicious. Also known as cauliflower and spinach dal, it's made in just one pot and takes only 30 minutes. The cauliflower adds a great texture and the spice mix is heavenly. What’s not to love?

7. Vegan Cauliflower Curry with Madras Sauce

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5 from 3 votes

Ready in: 45 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Our madras-style cauliflower curry satisfies a takeaway craving like no other! Rich, spicy and tomatoey, it’s everything a curry should be. The area this curry comes from was previously called Madras, but is now Chennai.

8. Falafel Curry

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Falafel Curry?! No we haven’t gone mad! The creamy korma sauce in this curry, paired with the traditional Moroccan falafel is a match made in heaven. Similar to koftas, but the cheat’s version.

9. Creamy Vegetable Pasanda

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Vegetable Pasanda is silky smooth, creamy and full of flavour. It's great for all the family as it's a mild curry, but you can always add chilli flakes on your plate if you'd like yours to be a bit spicier! Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to make.

10. Vegan Butter Chicken

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5 from 5 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This is our take on the classic butter chicken but using tofu. Made in just 30 minutes, it’s creamy tomato sauce pairs wonderfully with a chilli pepper kick. Not to be missed.

11. Vegan Dahl with Red Lentils

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5 from 3 votes

Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

The classic dahl! Using mostly store cupboard ingredients (including swaps for what to use if you haven’t got some of the ingredients), this is one of our most popular recipes on Instagram. Remade by followers and readers alike, and it never disappoints because it’s low effort and super delicious.

12. Palak Tofu

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

The fragrant spinach based sauce, paired with curry and kala namak crusted tofu is a perfect match! For fans of Palak Paneer.

13. Kothu Parotta in 30 Minutes

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Kothu Parotta ia a South Indian dish that's made with torn bread (parotta), veg and curry sauce! Try our quick and easy version – it's ready in under 30 minutes.

14. Aubergine and Cauliflower Curry

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5 from 5 votes

Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Indian roasted aubergine and cauliflower curry is so delicious, easy to make and great for meal prepping. Featuring a thick tomato-y gravy, a fantastic (yet simple) spice blend and creamy coconut. We bet you’ll be reaching for seconds before you know it.

15. Seitan Curry in 20 Minutes

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5 from 4 votes

Ready in: 20 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Seitan curry, or vegan chicken curry, is a super easy recipe that only takes 20 minutes to make. It has lashings of thick and creamy sauce, great for mopping up with roti or naan.

16. Vegetable Rogan Josh In 30 Minutes

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Vegetable Rogan Josh is super easy to make, and so tasty! It’s a lot better than anything you can get in a jar. In just 30 minutes, you can make a delicious curry to rival any takeaway.

17. Mixed Veg Curry [Zero Waste]

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Mixed veg curry is so easy to make and versatile too. Make it with whatever you have in the fridge, to reduce food waste! It’s similar in flavour to a Balti, with a thick tomato-ey sauce, a slightly spicy flavour and a similar spice mix that would be found in a veg balti.

18. Simple Mushroom Biryani In 40 Minutes

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 45 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This mushroom biryani is a vegan take on the Indian classic that only takes 40 minutes to cook! It's a quicker version in comparison to traditional methods, but it's still packed full with flavour.

19. Perfect Biryani Gravy in 7 Easy Steps

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4.50 from 2 votes

Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Serve this biryani gravy with your favourite biryani for a fragrant and sumptuous sauce that will really bring the meal together! Ready in just 35 minutes and 7 easy to follow steps.

20. Creamy Vegan Korma In Under 45 Minutes

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This recipe is a delicious, fragrant vegan korma that is completely fuss-free. Plus you can have it ready in under 45 minutes! We've even included variations and handy tips in the notes section below.

21. Palak Chana

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Palak Chana (or chickpea and spinach curry) is an incredibly satisfying and rich curry. It’s a great freezer meal, as well as packing in the flavour. With tender chickpeas, a tomato-rich gravy and earthy wilted spinach, it’s bound to be a winner.

22. Masoor Dal

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: My Goodness Kitchen

Masoor Dal or red lentil dal is an aromatic and delicious Indian curry. Simple to make and naturally gluten-free, it's a quick and healthy vegan dinner.

23. Pea, Tofu & Tomato Curry

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Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Rebel Recipes

The sweetness of the peas paired with a rich tomato sauce and delicately spiced tofu, this is sure to be something you’ll make again and again.

24. Whole Masoor Chickpea Dal

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Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Lucy and Lentils

This plant protein packed dal is sure to hit the spot. Featuring brown lentils (whole masoor), chickpeas and even tenderstem broccoli and a hearty blend of ginger, garlic and chilli, this will please dal lovers everywhere.

25. Dal-Tadka

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Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe by: Fiery Vegetarian

This vegan dal tadka is super easy to make and ready in just 25 minutes. Rich and decadent with restaurant-style taste meets convenience!

26. Ginger Dal

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Ready in: 1 hour

Recipe by: Whole Hearted Eats

This ginger dal is easy to make and comes together with simple pantry ingredients. It is the perfect meal for busy people who want something fast, nourishing, and simple to make.

27. Punjabi Chole

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Ready in: 1 day 40 minutes

Recipe by: The Belly Rules the Mind

The best Punjabi chole recipe you can find is right here! Straight from the author's grandmother’s kitchen to yours, there's unlikely to be a more authentic tasting recipe. One taste of this perfectly cooked chickpea dish and you won’t want to eat it any other way. Made in the instant pot.

28. Pumpkin Coconut Curry

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Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Sarah's Vegan Guide

This vegan pumpkin coconut curry is so simple to make yet so flavourful! Adding mashed pumpkin to this curry makes it ultra creamy.

29. Mushroom Matar

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Ready in: 45 minutes

Recipe by: Natural Cookery School

This creamy, indulgent Mushroom Matar (Mushroom and Pea curry) has a cashew cream base and a glorious spice mix that will hit the spot. Not too spicy, yet not too mild. Choose whether you’d like the gravy to be thick or thin by adding more or less water. It's a must try vegan Indian dish!

30. Garlic Urad Dal Fry

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Ready in: 1 hour

Recipe by: The Curious Chickpea

Made using urad beans that need quite a long cooking time, so the author recommends cooking this recipe in a pressure cooker. The urad bean actually turns soft and buttery, creamy and even sticky when cooked. That means you don’t need anything to make it creamy, other than the beans. Go on, give it a go!

🍚 Sides

It's all about the sides! When it comes to vegan Indian dishes, there's got to be sides. Let's not forget the bhajis, pakoras and rice!

31. Aubergine Bhaji

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5 from 15 votes

Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Aubergine bhaji, or brinjal bhaji, is a classic Indian side dish that pairs the rich, creaminess of aubergines with classic spices like garam masala and cumin. This recipe will serve 2 as a main and 4 as a side.

32. Vegan Saag Aloo in 25 Minutes

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Our 25 minute saag aloo recipe is a potato lovers dream! We think you’ll love this because it’s just like the restaurant version, but is probably healthier and is so quick to make. While it’s maybe not the most traditional recipe, it is delicious.

33. Mushroom Bhaji

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Another restaurant classic, and something we always order from Indian restaurants. It’s so simple, it only needs 9 ingredients and 15 minutes to make, so we’d say it’s well worth the effort!

34. How To Make Easy 15-Minute Pilau Rice

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5 from 2 votes

Ready in: 15 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

This easy pilau rice recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and only needs 6 ingredients. It will help take any curry to the next level!

35. Potato & Pea Pakoras

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Ready in: 1 hour

Recipe by: Happy Skin Kitchen

With a soft and spicy potato and pea mixture inside, and a crispy, flaky outside, these pakoras will level up snack time.

36. Cabbage Stir Fry

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Ready in: 20 minutes

Recipe by: Ministry of Curry

Cabbage stir fry is a simple and delicious side dish served with Indian meals. Cooked in 10 minutes, this humble “Gobhi Ki Sabzi” or 'sautéed cabbage' is healthy, vegan and gluten free. A versatile recipe that can be easily jazzed up with ingredients such as tomatoes, carrots, peas or potatoes! 

37. Bombay Aloo

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Ready in: 20 minutes

Recipe by: Veggie Desserts

Bombay Aloo (or Bombay potatoes) is a simple and delicious Indian side dish. The easy recipe is ready in just 20 minutes and is perfect alongside a curry. Naturally vegan and gluten-free too. This dish is from an area in India previously known as Bombay, now it's Mumbai.

38. Batata Vada (Indian Potato Fritters)

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Speaking Aloud

Batata Vada is Indian style potato fritters with a spicy filling of garlic and peanuts. This Maharashtra delicacy is perfect as an evening snack with chai or tea. Plus it is a great crowd-pleaser. Once prepped, fry it in a huge batch and serve immediately.

39. Aloo Pakora

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Ready in: 35 minutes

Recipe by: Spice up the Curry

Aloo pakora or aloo bhaji consists of thin potato slices that are coated with besan, rice flour batter, and then deep fried until crispy. You can call this potato fritters or batata bhajia.

40. Onion Pakoda

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Rachna Cooks

These onion pakoda or bhajis are delicious served with masala chai. There’s even a healthy version included in the recipe!

41. Potato & Pea Samosas

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Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe by: My Cooking Journey

Samosa is a very popular street food in India, known for its traditional potato and peas filling. But it can be made with any stuffing! These are usually served with some green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney.

42. Masala Grilled Cheese (Vegan)

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Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe by: Shivani Loves Food

Masala grilled cheese is an Indian upgrade on the childhood classic. This tasty recipe features spiced onions and is served alongside a quick coriander chutney. Maybe one of the lesser known vegan Indian dishes out there, but one we think will be a hit! Make it with your favourite vegan cheese.

43. Bread Pakora

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Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe by: Veg Recipes of India

Bread Pakora is a much loved snack of deep fried, savoury bread fritters from Northern Indian Cuisine, especially Punjabi Cuisine.

44. Vegetable Pakora

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Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe By: Flavour Streat

Vegetable Pakora is one of the most popular snacks to go with tea or masala chai in India. It's gluten-free as well as vegan and are made with assorted vegetables.

45. Leek & Celeriac Pakoras

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe By: The Vegan Larder

These pakoras are crunchy and delicious, made with the finest British grown pulse flour (but you can just use chickpea / gram flour) and seasonal vegetables. Served with a fresh vegan raita including fresh herbs and spices for the perfect contrast.

46. Aloo Tiki

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Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Indian Ambrosia

Aloo tikki is every chaat (snack) lover's delight and the perfect evening snack. Learn how to make these golden and crisp potato discs and serve them with a sweet and spicy tamarind chutney for an extra burst of flavour!

47. Onion Pakoda

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Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Whisk Affair

Crispy Onion Pakoda is one of the most popular Indian snacks during Monsoon season or Winter days. These fritters taste even better when served with some delicious Indian Chutneys.

🇮🇳 Indian Bread

The ultimate dipping item for vegan Indian dishes! A lot of Indian bread – like naan or roti, would use some form of dairy item. None of these do though!

48. Ultimate Vegan Naan Bread

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5 from 3 votes

Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

Soft, fluffy and chewy, this is the best vegan naan recipe ever. It's everything that naan should be and more. Dan loves naan, so he spent months perfecting this recipe. All of our family, friends and readers have approved. What will you think to it?

49. Easy 3 Ingredient Vegan Roti

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

These 3-ingredient vegan roti are a breeze to make! They're so easy and can often be made while a curry is simmering. They'll be ready just in time for serving a curry. Making these are also a great activity to do with kids.

50. Indian Chapati

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Ready in: 25 minutes

Recipe by: Mrs Jones Kitchen

This quick and easy chapati recipe with just four ingredients makes soft and chewy flatbreads, perfect for mopping up the last of that curry sauce.

51. Chickpea Flour Pancakes

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Ready in: 40 minutes

Recipe by: Go Dairy Free

These healthy chickpea flour pancakes are the perfect accompaniment to Indian meals. They're fragrantly spiced, sturdy, and naturally vegan and gluten-free.

52. Poori

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Ready in: 55 minutes

Recipe by: Culinary Shades

Poori is a deep fried puffy Indian bread. It is vegan and goes well with curries, but isn't very healthy!

🥭 Chutneys and Condiments

It's not just curries and dals when it comes to vegan Indian dishes! Let's not forget about the all-important condiments. What would you dip your poppadoms in otherwise?

53. Simple Vegan Raita In 5 Minutes

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5 from 1 vote

Ready in: 5 minutes

Recipe by: Jess & Dan

With only 5 ingredients, this delicious vegan raita is easy to make and totally delicious. It tastes just like the refreshing condiment served in Indian restaurants. However, this is one is better because it’s plant based!

54. Mango Chutney

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Ready in: 55 minutes

Recipe by: Nutriciously

This sugar-free mango chutney is naturally sweet, tangy, slightly spicy and so easy to make! Made with fresh ingredients and fragrant spices, it's the perfect Indian dipping sauce or vegan appetizer (when served with poppadoms).

55. Tomato Chutney

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Hurry the Food Up

Taking the best from both Indian and British chutneys, this Anglo-Indian recipe is the easiest, quickest and tastiest tomato chutney you’ll find on either continent.

56. Coconut Chutney

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Ready in: 10 minutes

Recipe by: Mr Ishtanna

Coconut chutney is the perfect pairing primarily for South Indian breakfast recipes such as dosa or idli.

57. Coriander Sauce

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Ready in: 10 minutes

Recipe By: Get Set Vegan

This easy homemade coriander sauce adds a spicy fresh kick to any of your meals! Coriander gives this sauce an intense flavour and deep green colour, and fresh green chilies take the heat up a notch. Make this easy sauce ahead of time, store in a tightly sealed glass container and refrigerate to have on hand to serve as a sauce with many different Indian snacks. It's oil-free, nut-free and raw.

58. Sweet Tamarind Chutney

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Ready in: 30 minutes

Recipe by: Lathi's Kitchen

Here is an easy version of Sweet Tamarind Chutney, which is a must for any chaats (snacks).

There you have it! A jam packed list of over 50 vegan Indian dishes to inspire you to cook vegan Indian food. It has been an absolute joy to compile this list.

If we've missed your favourite vegan Indian recipe, let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to pin this list for later if you're on Pinterest. You never know when you'll need some fresh dinner inspiration.