Indian-Inspired Recipes

Staff Picks

Broccoli-and-Potato "Samosa" Pie

Inspired by Indian samosas, here’s an appetizer to feed a crowd and—most importantly—avoid a vat of oil. Store-bought puff pastry crisps up beautifully in the oven, and a mixture of cumin, mustard seeds, and coriander spices up a basic potato and broccoli filling. The pastry is formed into a long rectangular package so there is plenty of surface area for maximum crunch.

Kitchari

The main ingredient in this good-for-you savory porridge is yellow mung dal, split mung beans that break down and thicken as they cook.

Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala

No cream here! This healthy take on the Indian takeout classic—Chicken Tikka Masala—relies on yogurt for its rich texture. Broiling the chicken thighs before braising gives the meat a hint of smokiness.

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

This instant winner recipe puts a delicious chicken curry on the table in about 30 minutes—as much time as it would take a (speedy) takeout order to be delivered. Made with chicken thighs, warm spices like coriander and cumin seeds, and zippy fresh garlic and ginger, this dish packs a lot of flavor into just one pot. Before starting, put on a pot of fluffy rice to serve on the side, and the whole dinner will be ready at the same time.

Spicy-Sweet Chicken Wings

This great recipe for spicy-sweet chicken wings is courtesy of Suvir Saran and can be found in "American Masala." They make for a delicious appetizer.

Quick Chickpea Curry

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This fiber-rich, meatless, and low-sodium meal is delicious with rice or warm whole-wheat pitas.

Curried Chicken with Coconut Rice

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All you need with this one-pot dish is a quick salad. Toss sliced cucumber and tomato with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Chicken Biryani

Popular throughout India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, this chicken dinner varies depending on the region but typically consists of rice layered with lavishly spiced meat or vegetables. Our take calls for toasting and grinding herbs such as cloves, peppercorns, cardamom, cumin, and coriander for depth of flavor.

Shrimp Tikka Masala

One pot, family-friendly, and under one hour? Sign us up for this flavorful recipe inspired by the Indian-American classic. This recipe can also be made with one pound of sliced skinless chicken breasts. Both variations pair well with a bright and juicy mango chutney.

Spicy Indian Chicken Soup

Onion, ginger, and garlic -- a classic flavor trio in Indian cuisine -- form the base of this soup, which takes on a pleasing spiciness when finished with cumin, coriander, and chile. A squeeze of orange juice adds a touch of natural sweetness.

Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro

One of the world's oldest health foods, lentils are nutritional powerhouses. Their high protein and fiber content steadies blood sugar, staving off hunger. Create this Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro for a tasty and nutritious meal.

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

This is a hearty Indian-style stew without meat but chock full of protein.

Inspiration and Ideas

20 Easy Indian Recipes That Make Delicious Weeknight Dinners, from Curry to Tandoori

It's easier than you think to recreate the inspiring Indian flavors you love at home. Our recipes for curry, tandoori, and more are delicious and come together fast.

Slow-Cooker Indian-Style Fish Curry

The best part about making curry in a slow cooker? No stirring! Give it a couple of hours to thicken and to let the flavors meld, then add your favorite white fish 20 minutes before serving. This recipe appears in our cookbook "Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker" (Clarkson Potter).

Chicken Curry

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Chai Tea with Soy Milk

Indian-Spiced String Beans

Serve these spicy string beans with our Shrimp in Coconut Curry.

All Indian-Inspired Recipes

Golden Dal with Gingered Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes mingle with ginger, shallots, and cumin atop this Indian-inspired red-lentil stew spiced with sunny turmeric.

Simple Vegetable Curry

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This warmly spiced dish is quick and satisfying. Who knew vibrant flavor could be such a cinch? Try adding cubed extra-firm tofu or chicken breast along with the vegetables if you like.

Samosas with Potatoes and Peas

Our homage to the savory Indian pastries calls for a cumin-studded dough and a hearty potato-and-pea filling. Serve fresh out of the fryer with a duo of homemade chutneys.

Plain Basmati Rice

Madhur Jaffrey shares the easiest way to cook basmati rice, also known as saaday basmati chawal. Salt is generally not added, as it is meant to be eaten with well-seasoned food, such as Jaffrey's Chicken with Roasted Coriander in Coconut-Curry Sauce.

Madhur's Spiced Basmati Rice

Martha's friend Madhur Jaffrey, author of numerous Indian cookbooks, shares her secret for perfectly cooked rice. Washing the rice minimizes the starchy powder left over from the milling process, while soaking allows each grain to absorb water so that it sticks less to the next grain during cooking.

Homemade Chai

Our version of the popular spiced tea is more flavorful and far healthier than what you'd get at a coffee house.

Chai Tea with Milk

Chai tea is a blend of black tea, milk, and spices. This recipe was first published in Martha Stewart Living, September 2003.

Spinach Sauteed With Indian Spices

This side dish has all the flavors of traditional Indian cooking.

Stir-Fried Carrots with Coconut

This simple dish, also known as carrot poriyal, complements most Indian meals. Leftovers can be added to salads. Urad dal are small lentils that have been skinned and split; they can be found at Indian markets or kalustyans.com. This recipe is courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey.

Basmati Rice with Onion and Ginger

Try serving this aromatic side dish with Tandoori Chicken Kebabs.

Quick Chicken Curry with Spinach and Peas

This easy Indian-inspired weeknight dinner comes together in under an hour. Save leftovers for lunch the next day, as the flavor only gets better.

Wild-Salmon Kedgeree

Here's an easy and healthy one-pot dinner with salmon fillets. Stateside there isn't much name recognition for kedgeree, but across the pond it is a beloved dish with Anglo-Indian roots. In this version, basmati rice steams with curry powder, onion, and garlic; halfway through, the salmon is nestled on top to cook with the rice. Garnish bowls with hard-cooked eggs, parsley, and paprika for a weeknight meal.

Tandoori-Spiced Grilled Chicken

An Indian-inspired entrée that will give you a newfound love for chicken halves. They take on the same juiciness and smoky flavor as a whole or spatchcocked bird, but are much easier to move around the grill. A spiced yogurt marinade tenderizes without turning the meat mushy, so you can slather it on well in advance.

Curry Oil

Potatoes with Sesame Seeds

Til ke aloois another of those easy, delicious dishes you might enjoy with both Indian meals and simple dinners of roasted and grilled meats. You can use leftover potatoes or cook them fresh; just be sure they're completely cool before you start. This recipe is courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey.

Easiest Indian Stew

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A thick vegetarian stew made from pantry staples, such as rice, spices, and canned chickpeas, is enlivened with a bit of yogurt and lime.

Barfi

Barfi (or burfi) is a fudge-like Indian candy that's typically served at celebrations, from birthdays to Diwali. Our homage to the classic confection starts with ricotta cheese and butter instead of the traditional condensed milk and ghee, then adds cardamom for flavor and pistachios for crunch.

Easy Tandoori Chicken with Yogurt Sauce

Making your family's favorite take-out Indian food is easier than you think -- and much healthier.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Garam Masala

Garam masala -- a blend of Indian spices -- gives these succulent lamb chops a lovely flavor and aroma.

Red Lentil and Squash Curry Soup

Butternut squash and lentil soup is a simple light meal or a first course.

Giant Roasted Carrots

Large carrots take center stage in this side dish, their size perfect for sustaining the high heat of roasting. They won't shrivel and their nutrition profile is top-notch.

Curried Eggs

Serve this easy-to-prepare dish right from the pan: Cut it into wedges, and spoon a little of the piquant sauce over each piece. The garnish of cilantro and chopped chiles adds color and heat.

Delhi-Style Green Beans

This recipe for sem ki sabzi, courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey, flavors green beans with fresh ginger and fiery green chiles. Beans in India are generally fully cooked and rarely crisp. They absorb the spices much better this way. If you wish to steam the beans instead of parboiling them, do so for about 12 minutes.

Cardamom-Coconut Rice

Mild and creamy coconut milk mellows this spice-infused side dish.

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