INDIAN VEGETARIAN RECIPES FOR A BUDGET-FRIENDLY, MEAT-FREE LIFESTYLE

Indian vegetarian recipes are vast, from veg tikka masala and matar mushroom masala to tandoori masala. These vegetarian dishes are a great alternative to chicken tikka or mutton masala with similar taste and flavor. Vegetarian recipes are more economical than meat-related meals.

There are simple Indian Vegetarian Recipes for vegetarians and vegans. These are easy to make and rich in nutrients. Anybody can enjoy these recipes and cut the intake of meat-based dishes.

Various Indian Vegetarian Recipes You Should Try

Vegetarian Tandoori Kebab

Kebabs are an essential dish for get-togethers, parties, and dinners. When you think of kebab, you mostly imagine chicken kebab or mutton kebab, but vegetarian tandoori kebab is no less than a chicken kebab in taste. All the exotic spices, along with tandoori masala, make this delicious.

Ingredients

For Marinating Tandoor,

• 1/4 Tsp- Alco Garam masala
• 1/4 Tsp- Alco Cumin powder
• 1 Pinch- Red chili flakes
• 1/4 Tsp- Alco Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1/4 Tsp- Kasuri Methi
• 1/2 Tsp- Alco Turmeric powder
• 1 Cup- Dahi
• 1 Tsp- Besan
• 1-inch- Grated Ginger
• 2- Cloves
• 1 Sprig- Mint leaves (chopped)
• To Taste- Salt
• 1 Tsp- Oil

Vegetables to use

• 1- Potato (boiled)
• 1- Capsicum (diced)
• 2- Onions (chopped)
• 1- Button mushrooms
• For Seasoning,
• 2 Tsp- Lemon juice
• 1 Pinch- Alco chaat masala

Instructions

• Mix marination garam masala, cumin powder, kasuri methi, red chili powder, etc., into a bowl.
• Add the vegetables- potatoes, capsicum, onions, and mushrooms and mix them well with the marinated ingredients.
• Let the vegetables marinate in the fridge for some time.
• After marination, put the vegetables on the skewers and arrange them on the stovetop of the oven or grill rack.
• Grill the vegetable tandoori kebabs for 20 -25 minutes, and keep the kebabs on a plate to serve hot.

Veg Tikka Masala

Vegetarian Tikka Masala is a delicious recipe where grilled and smoky vegetables are poured into a spicy and rich curry. Vegetables are marinated in exotic spices, curd, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, red hot chili powder, etc., to bring out the best flavor. You can have this delicious veg tikka masala with parathas, steamed rice, etc.

Ingredients

For Marination,

• 1- Capsicum (chopped)
• 1- Onion (cubes)
• 8-10- Baby corn
• 300 Gms- Paneer
• 20-25- Mushrooms
• 20-25- Cauliflower florets
• 3 Tbsp- Curd
• 4 Tsp- Ginger garlic paste
• 2 Tsp- Alco Kashmiri chili powder
• To Taste- Salt
• 4 Tbsp- Lemon juice
• 1 Tsp- Alco Garam masala
• 1 Tsp- Alco red hot chili powder
• 2 Tsp- Kasuri methi
• 4 Tsp- Oil

For Gravy,

• 4 Tbsp- Cooking oil
• 4 Tbsp- Ghee
• 4- Cloves
• 10-12- Black peppercorn
• 4- Black cardamom
• 1-Inch- Cinnamon stick
• 4 Tsp- Ginger garlic paste
• 6- Tomatoes
• 2 Cup- Onion
• 2 Tsp- Alco Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Turmeric powder
• To Taste- Salt
• 2 Tbsp- Lemon juice
• 2 Tsp- Honey
• Coriander for garnishing

Instructions

• Mix all the ingredients mentioned above for Marination and keep it aside for some time.
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Put the vegetables on wooden skewers and grill on tandoor till they turn smokey.
• Apply some oil when grilling.
• Keep them aside.
• Prepare Gravy by boiling water in a pan and add tomatoes.
• Remove the boiled tomatoes' skin and put it in the blender.
• Heat oil in a pan, and add black cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and cinnamon.
• Fry until they become aromatic, add onions, and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add ginger-garlic paste, and add tomato puree.
• Add the grilled vegetables and water.
• Cook until the oil gets separated.
• Add lemon juice and honey.
• Garnish with coriander leaves, and serve hot.

Matar Mushroom Masala

Matar mushroom masala is the gravy dish, or you can make it semi-gravy. It consists of mushrooms with green peas coated all around with exotic and flavorful spices that are pleasing to taste. This curry goes well with paratha, naan, or steamed rice. This recipe gets prepared in less time than many other gravy-based dishes.

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp- Ghee/oil
• 1 Tsp- Cumin seeds
• 1 1/2 Cups- Chopped onions
• 1 Tbsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Tsp- Green chili
• 2 Cups- Chopped tomatoes
• 1 Tsp- Salt
• 1 Cup- Green peas
• 350 Gms- Mushroom
• 2 Tsp- Alco Garam masala
• 1/4 Tsp- Alco Turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Coriander powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Red chili powder
• 2 Tbsp- Coriander leaves

Instructions

• Heat oil in a pan, and add cumin seeds.
• Add chopped onions, green chili, ginger-garlic paste, and after some time, tomatoes.
• Add green peas and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms, salt, garam masala, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder.
• Cook until the vegetables become soft.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with parathas, naan, or roti.

Chickpea Curry

Chickpeas are a great vegetarian dish to make curry. These are very popular in North India to make a pair with rice, kulchhe, etc. Chickpea curry is easy to prepare and has a delicious taste. There are spices used to increase the flavor of this curry.

Ingredients

• 100 Gms- Chickpeas
• 1- Onion (chopped)
• 2- Tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 Tsp- Cumin seeds
• 2-3- Green chilies
• 2 Cups- Water
• 1 Tsp- Salt
• 1 Tbsp- Alco Amritsari chhole masala
• 1 Tbsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Tsp- Alco Turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Coriander powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco red chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco garam masala
• 2 Tbsp- Coriander leaves

Instructions

• Pressure cook chickpeas with water for 2-3 whistles.
• Heat a kadhai/wok, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
• Add chopped onions, green chili, ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, and chickpeas.
• Add salt, turmeric powder, garam masala, red chili powder, coriander powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder.
• Let them cook well on a low/medium flame.
• Garnish with coriander leaves, and serve hot.

Summing Up

Indian vegetarian recipes are so comforting that you won't feel guilty about having them, which is not valid with nonvegetarian recipes. There are various Indian recipes you should try to be more economical and have a meat-free lifestyle.

The various Indian vegetarian recipes are veg tikka masala, matar mushroom masala, vegetarian tikka masala, etc. There are multiple recipes for budget-friendly and meat-free dishes. These recipes can be prepared in less time than any other nonvegetarian recipe.