Indian Recipes

Collage of Indian dishes: chicken tikka masala, chicken biryani, saag paneer and garlic naan

Indian food is some of the most loved in the world, and much of it is easier to make at home than people expect. Here are the restaurant favorites, from chicken tikka masala and butter chicken to tandoori chicken and biryani, along with coastal fish and shrimp curries, a quick spiced ground beef keema, and the vegetarian dishes that are the heart of Indian home cooking: chana masala, saag paneer and dal. Garlic naan rounds out the table.

Most of these recipes use the same handful of spices: cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder and garam masala. Buy them once and you can cook your way through the whole page. Each recipe notes how to make it milder or hotter.

12 Indian recipes

  • Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)2 hr total | 4 to 6 servings

    Spiced yogurt-marinated chicken simmered in a velvety tomato, butter and cream sauce with garam masala and fenugreek. Serve with rice and naan. Serves 4 to 6.

  • Tandoori Shrimp56 min total | 4 servings

    Shrimp marinated in spiced yogurt with garam masala, paprika, ginger and garlic, grilled on skewers until charred, and served with mint chutney. Serves 4.

  • Chicken Tikka Masala2 hr 15 min total | 4 servings

    Yogurt-marinated chicken broiled until charred at the edges, then simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce. Serves 4 with rice and naan.

  • Tandoori Chicken4 hr 45 min total | 4 servings

    Bone-in chicken legs marinated in spiced yogurt and grilled until charred and juicy, with red onion and lemon. Serves 4.

  • Chicken Biryani2 hr 10 min total | 6 servings

    Layers of spiced, yogurt-marinated chicken and fragrant basmati rice with fried onions, saffron and mint, baked together in one pot. Serves 6.

  • Goan Fish Curry40 min total | 4 servings

    Firm white fish simmered in a tangy coconut curry with tomato, tamarind, chiles and spices, as it is made on India's west coast. Serves 4.

  • Kerala Coconut Shrimp Curry35 min total | 4 servings

    Shrimp simmered in a fragrant coconut milk curry with mustard seeds, curry leaves, ginger and turmeric, in the style of South India. Serves 4.

  • Keema Matar (Spiced Ground Beef and Peas)40 min total | 4 servings

    Ground beef cooked with onion, ginger, garlic, tomato and warm spices, finished with green peas: an easy weeknight Indian dinner. Serves 4.

  • Chana Masala40 min total | 4 servings

    Chickpeas simmered in a tangy, spiced onion and tomato sauce with ginger, garam masala and a squeeze of lemon. Vegan; serves 4.

  • Saag Paneer40 min total | 4 servings

    Golden cubes of paneer cheese in a creamy, gently spiced spinach sauce with ginger, garlic and garam masala. Vegetarian; serves 4.

  • Dal Tadka (Yellow Lentils)45 min total | 6 servings

    Yellow lentils simmered until creamy and finished with a sizzling tadka of cumin, garlic, chiles and tomato. Vegan; serves 6.

  • Garlic Naan1 hr 50 min total | 8 naan

    Soft, chewy yogurt flatbreads cooked in a hot cast-iron skillet until blistered and brushed with garlic butter and cilantro. Makes 8.

Common questions

What is garam masala?
A warm blend of ground spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper, used throughout North Indian cooking. It is sold in most supermarkets.
Where can I find paneer and curry leaves?
Paneer is sold in many supermarkets and at Indian grocers; curry leaves are sold fresh or frozen at Indian grocers. Our recipes say what to use if you cannot find them.
What should I serve with Indian food?
Steamed basmati rice and warm naan, with a cooling yogurt raita or sliced cucumber and onion on the side.
Are Indian recipes always spicy?
No. Most of the heat comes from fresh chiles and chili powder, which you can reduce or leave out.

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