15 Easy Indian Dinners

A super-simple pan-fried dish that comes together in 20 minutes, this is one of our go-to weeknight dishes. All you need is shrimp and a jar of your favorite mango pickle.

Recipe: Shrimp and Spicy Mango Sauté

The smells coming off the grill are heavenly when you cook these delectable meat-and-vegetable skewers. If you’re not a lamb fan, use beef instead.

Recipe: Indian-Spiced Lamb Kebabs

This delightful, unusual twist on fish and chips takes some time to marinate, but it’s time well spent for a fine dinner. You can do most of it the day before.

Recipe: Indian-Spiced Sockeye and Grilled Potato Salad

Fresh, exciting cilantro-coconut chutney is often used for cooking mild white fish, but it’s great with chicken too, we’ve discovered.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Coconut Chutney

Indians are geniuses at cooking okra, and this crunchy, not-slimy dish is an excellent example. Have it as a vegetarian main course with rice, or as a side for grilled or roasted meat.

Recipe: Indian Spice-Stuffed Okra

Not only is this salad beautiful and tasty, it’s good hot or cold, making it very versatile. Oh, and did we mention how easy it is? And if you can’t find rainbow carrots, use regular orange carrots. It’ll taste just as good.

Recipe: Carrot and Dal Salad

In just three steps, you can make this supremely comforting meal-in-a-bowl—and fill your whole house with the fragrant smell of curry.

Recipe: North Indian-Style Spinach Chicken

What do you cook when you’re a meat-eater trying to eat vegan? Something hearty, nourishing, and full of exciting flavors and textures. Like this recipe.

Recipe: Spiced Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions and Spinach

Recipe: Tamarind Chickpea Curry

So simple, so good. Tangy, spicy, and sweet, this recipe got raves here at Sunset and has made its way into the repertoire of several staffers.

A Sunset reader of Indian heritage contributed this comforting, homey recipe. It only takes 20 minutes to make!

Recipe: Coconut Shrimp Curry

The mild Indian cheese called paneer makes for a wonderful vegetarian curry. You can find it at well-stocked markets, or use tofu—or even cubed cooked chicken, if you’re an omnivore.

Recipe: Curried Lentils with Paneer

Rich and substantial, this curry was developed for the fall and winter months—but it’s so good that we eat it throughout the year.

Recipe: Cashew, Coconut, and Squash Curry

Indian spices lend themselves to some delightful cross-cultural mashups, and this is a very tasty example. Sweet, mild broccolini and starchy chickpeas come together in a mild, comforting curry that works as a side dish or a main.

Recipe: Broccolini and Chickpea Dal

Tandoori chicken often comes with hot, steamy naan flatbread on the side. They’re perfect together, so it was only a matter of time before this brilliant (and easy) idea was born.

Recipe: Tandoori Naan Chicken Sandwiches

We developed our version of this fiery, tangy dish to pair with amber ale. But honestly, it tastes great with any light- to medium-bodied brew.

Recipe: Pork Vindaloo