28 Indian Curry Recipes You Should Try

If you’re tired of ordering the same go-to curry takeout or sticking to what you know at Indian restaurants, why not try making some curry recipes yourself at home? 

There are so many Indian curry recipes to try, including meat-based dishes, fish curries, and vegetarian and vegan options. 

We’ve put together a list of our favorite Indian curry recipes, from classics you may have tried before to lesser-known recipes that will introduce you to a whole new way of thinking about curry! 

Without further ado, let’s check out 28 of the most delicious Indian curry recipes out there!

1. Chicken Tikka Masala

One of the most popular Indian curry dishes worldwide, Chicken Tikka Masala is a mild curry that’s suitable for people of all spice tolerances. 

This chicken tikka masala recipe uses heavy cream for extra richness, and the mixture of garam masala, turmeric and ginger packs a punch of flavor without making the dish too hot.

In our opinion, this is the perfect recipe for complete Indian curry novices to try.

2. Pork Vindaloo

For those who like their curries a little more on the fiery side, this recipe for pork vindaloo is an outstanding choice. 

Unlike Tikka Masala, this curry contains plenty of chili powder as well as turmeric, coriander, and garlic.

The base for the sauce is made from tomato paste, puree, and onions. For best results, the recipe suggests using either pork leg or shoulder for the meat.

3. Lamb Pasanda

Lamb Pasanda is a North Indian curry dish that comprises tender lamb chunks marinated in a mildly spicy sauce. 

If you’re interested in trying Lamb Pasanda, we recommend making this recipe because it’s one of the best we’ve come across. It uses delicious creamed coconut for the sauce, and like traditional Indian recipes, it also calls for ghee (clarified butter). 

4. Mangalorean Style Ambe Upkari

Any fans of mango and fruit-based curry dishes in general will absolutely fall in love with this recipe for Mangalorean Style Ambe Upkari (otherwise simply known as mango curry). 

This curry is usually served as a side dish, and it’s made with 6 ripe mangos, a cup of powdered Jaggery, green and red chilis, mustard seeds, white Urad Dal, ghee (or coconut oil), and asafoetida. 

5. Chicken Korma

Here is another classic curry recipe which is a firm favorite in the U.S. and many other countries worldwide. Perfect for those who prefer mild spice, chicken korma does not contain chili powder. 

Instead, this chicken korma recipe gets its flavor from ginger, turmeric, garlic, onion, garam masala, and coriander. The creaminess and sweetness of the sauce is the result of combining coconut milk with ground almonds. 

6. Aloo Gobi

We’ve recommended a few meat-based curry recipes so far, but this one is for our vegan readers (and anyone else who likes the idea of a potato and cauliflower curry). 

This is another mild curry, so don’t worry if you don’t have the highest spice tolerance – although the recipe recommends adding red chili paste to taste.

The other flavors in this dish include turmeric, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, mango powder, coriander powder, and cilantro.

7. Chana Masala

If you’re looking for more vegan Indian curry inspiration, we recommend this chana masala recipe. 

Based around chickpeas and chopped tomatoes, this curry is seasoned with ginger, garlic, cumin, mustard seeds, garam masala, lemon juice, turmeric, and coriander.

You can serve it with your choice of rice or roti – either way, it’s delicious and filling!

8. Butter Chicken

The good news for fans of creamy chicken dishes is that there are plenty of these to choose from when it comes to Indian curries. 

We adore this butter chicken recipe because it’s so easy to make in just 3 simple steps. Even if this dish took hours to prepare, though, we’d still put in the time because it tastes so creamy and indulgent with the perfect hint of spice from the chili powder. 

9. Chingri Malai

Contrary to a widespread misconception, curry dishes aren’t just based around either meats or vegetables. You can also make delicious seafood curries, like this Chingri Malai recipe. 

This Bengali curry is made with shrimp and is absolutely packed with flavor thanks to the coconut milk, chili powder, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, and all the other aromatic ingredients featured in the recipe. 

10. Lamb Madras

For lovers of red meat and powerful spice, you can’t go wrong with this lamb madras curry. You’ll find many recipes for lamb madras online, but we recommend this one every time. 

Described (accurately) as ‘hot and fiery’, this recipe requires you to prepare a leg of lamb and make both a madras powder and masala sauce to serve alongside the meat.

You’ll need to slow-cook the lamb for up to an hour, but the waiting will all be worth it in the end!

11. Smoked Pork Curry

Smoked pork is a particularly flavorful type of meat in itself, so when you add it to a curry, you can bet you’re in store for an incredible taste experience. 

This smoked pork curry is a traditional Naga dish and all you need to make it is some smoked pork, potatoes, green chillies, mejenga seeds, tomatoes, and salt to taste. It’s simple yet satisfying. 

12. Maharashtrian Amti Dhal

If you enjoy sweet and sour flavor combinations, this Maharashtrian Amti Dhal curry recipe is for you. 

The coconut in the recipe lends a real sweetness to the dish, which is complemented by the heat of the chili as well as the strong flavors of coriander, curry leaves, and mustard seeds.

Not only is this Indian curry vegan, it’s also gluten-free, and because it’s based around lentils, it’s packed with plant-based protein.

13. Keralan Pandi

It’s true that most Indian curries are highly aromatic, but this Keralan Pani curry is truly exceptional. 

Using coconut milk, fennel, and turmeric in addition to some juicy pork loin steak, Keralan Pandi smells and tastes amazing.

The texture is wonderful, too, thanks to the tenderness of the pork alongside the crunch of the green beans. 

14. Prawn Caldine

Another example of a seafood-based curry, Prawn Caldine is a dish that originated in Goa and is known for the freshness of its numerous flavors. 

Of course, you have the king prawns, but the real flavor is in the sauce, which contains coconut milk, ginger and garlic pastes, coriander, turmeric, chili, and white wine vinegar. This is a low-calorie curry recipe with just 326 calories per serving.

15. Vegetarian Mushroom Curry

Mushrooms may not be a common ingredient in traditional Indian curry recipes, but one of the best ways to make your favorite curries vegetarian is to substitute the meat for mushrooms. 

You can prepare this mushroom curry in a single pot in just 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce uses ingredients found in traditional Indian curries such as coconut milk, coriander, tomatoes, and ginger.

16. Instant Pot Egg Curry

Another curry ingredient that might surprise you is eggs, but this instant pot egg curry is a traditional Awadhi dish. 

The curry sauce base is made from tomatoes and onions and there’s additional flavor from the mint, cilantro, chili powder, garam masala, black pepper, turmeric, and cumin.

The boiled eggs are added whole to the sauce for a satisfying 20-minute dinner.

17. Chicken Jalfrezi

Jalfrezi is a popular Indian curry dish, and you can add various types of meat to the traditional Jalfrezi sauce, but we highly recommend following this recipe for the perfect Chicken Jalfrezi.

This Chicken Jalfrezi features chicken breast in a sauce comprising garam masala, chopped tomatoes, chili flakes, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, and garlic.

It also contains delicious bell peppers and is best served with pilau rice and your choice of chutney. 

18. Dhansak Curry

Dhansak curry was actually a Persian dish originally, but it migrated to India and is now a part of traditional Indian cuisine. 

Dhansak sauce is known for its thickness, which is thanks to the lentil base.

The herb and spice mix provides a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors, and the best thing about this particular recipe is that you can prepare it in just 25 minutes. 

19. Vegan Split Pea And Spinach Dhal

One of our favorite vegan curry recipes, this split pea and spinach Dhal curry is so nutritious! 

The split peas, spinach, tomatoes, and vegetable stock in the sauce itself will get you well on your way to your 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, especially if you follow the serving recommendations for in the recipe, which advises serving with roasted butternut squash and cauliflower. 

20. Malvani Fish Curry

Malvani Fish Curry originated from Western India. The coconut and tomato-based curry sauce contains chilis, which you can deseed or not depending on your personal spice preference. 

You have a few options for which fish to add to your curry, but the recipe recommends either red snapper, kingfish, or pomfret, which should be cut into small pieces before adding to the sauce.

21. Eggplant Dhansak

Another variation of the Dhansak curry that we love is this eggplant Dhansak. Not only is it yet another delicious vegan option, but it’s completely gluten-free as well. 

Like all Dhansak recipes, this curry has a lentil and tomato base, but it’s also full of delicious chunks of eggplant, and thanks to the garam masala, coriander, cumin, and cardamom pods, it’s absolutely bursting with flavor, which is exactly what we look for in a good Indian curry. 

22. Kashmiri Chaman Kaliya

Love cottage cheese? In that case, you need to try this incredible recipe for Kashmiri Chaman Kaliya curry. 

To make this curry, you’ll need some paneer, milk, butter, saffron, cinnamon, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, bay leaves, cloves, and a few other highly flavorful ingredients that make this recipe one you’ll come back to again and again. 

23. Chettinad Chicken

You don’t need too many ingredients to make this Chettinad Chicken. The main ingredients needed are chilis, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, coriander, black pepper, and garlic for the sauce.

Then, of course, you’ll have the chicken and some other ingredients like kalpasi, cinnamon, turmeric, and sesame oil. 

Serve this chicken dish alongside your favorite rice for a wholesome and nutritious meal. 

24. Jackfruit Seed Curry

Jackfruit seed curry is an interesting and delicious way to use jackfruit in savory dishes. This curry recipe also includes mango, which makes for an adventurous flavor combination alongside the jackfruit and prawns. 

The only other ingredients you need are coconut oil, shallots, curry leaves, chili powder, turmeric, coconut, and salt. Although the seafood and fruit combination might seem a little out-there, we think you’ll love the end result. 

25. Rajasthani Lamb Curry

This Rajasthani lamb curry is a great dish to test out the flavor-infusing benefits of slow cooking.

It might be a bit of a time investment, taking over 2 hours to make, but the tender pieces of lamb are even more delicious when they soak up the flavors of the ginger, chili, tomato, garam masala, and bay leaves. 

The recipe recommends serving your finished curry alongside chapatis or, if you prefer, some naan bread.

26. Black Chana Masala

Black Chana Masala is a gluten-free and vegan curry recipe featuring black chickpeas, which are an excellent source of protein. 

Not only is this curry a healthy, plant-based dish, but it’s also an awesome flavor experience thanks to the number of herbs and spices included, such as fenugreek, garam masala, chili, ginger, cumin, and turmeric to name just a few.

27. Goan Fish Curry

Our final seafood curry recommendation for today is this amazing Goan Fish Curry. You can change up the fish you use in this curry if you like, but it’s best made using monkfish, kingfish, tuna, or halibut. 

When it comes to the sauce, the fresh coconut alongside the chilis, ginger, turmeric, and other spices create a creamy, tangy overall flavor that pairs beautifully with the fish. 

28. Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala, also known as Okra curry, is a Pakistani curry dish guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out. It’s completely vegan, too. 

You will, of course, need okra for this recipe, as well as ginger, garlic, chili peppers, cilantro, lemon juice, cumin, and yellow onion. The dish takes 40 minutes to prepare and cook in total.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Final Thoughts 

We hope you’ve found some recipes in this article to try next time you feel like a nutritious and flavorsome Indian meal. 

From vegan curries to gluten-free recipes and even Indian seafood curry dishes, this list of recipes proves that there’s so much variety in Indian cuisine.