Top 10 Sides Dishes To Serve With Food In India

Looking for tasty side dishes to complement your Indian meals?

Check out these easy-to-make and delicious options that will enhance any main course.

Raita

It is a cool and creamy side dish made with yogurt. It often includes cucumbers, mint, and spices. You mix yogurt with chopped cucumbers and fresh mint leaves. Add a pinch of spices like cumin or coriander. Raita helps balance spicy and hot main dishes. It’s refreshing and easy to make. You can serve it chilled. It’s a great way to add a cool touch to your meal. Many people enjoy raita with rice or flatbreads. It’s simple but tasty, making it a popular choice in Indian meals.

Papadam

It is a thin, crispy cracker made from lentil flour. It is light and crunchy. To make this, you roll out lentil dough and then dry it. Once dry, it’s fried or toasted until crispy. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish. It adds a nice crunch to meals. You can enjoy it plain or with dips and pickles. It’s simple to prepare and goes well with many Indian dishes. You can also buy masala aam papad online.

Pickles

They are tangy and spicy condiments made from fruits or vegetables. In Indian cuisine, they come in many varieties, like mango or lime. Pickles are made by soaking the fruits or vegetables in spices and oil. They are left to ferment for a while, which gives them a strong, bold flavor. Pickles add a lot of taste to meals. They are often eaten with rice, bread, or curries. Pickles can be hot, sour, or a mix of both.

Salad

It is a fresh and healthy side dish. It usually includes raw vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. You chop the vegetables into small pieces. A simple dressing of lemon juice or yogurt is often added. The salad can be seasoned with a pinch of salt or spices. It is light and refreshing. Salad balances out heavier or spicier main dishes. It’s easy to make and can be served cold. Many people enjoy it with their meals for a crisp and fresh taste.

Aloo Gobi

It is a tasty side dish made with potatoes and cauliflower. The vegetables are cooked together with spices. Common spices include turmeric, cumin, and coriander. First, you cut the potatoes and cauliflower into small pieces. Then, you cook them in a pan with the spices until they are tender. It is warm and flavorful. It goes well with rice or flatbreads. This dish is easy to make and adds a nice mix of flavors to your meal.

Bhindi Masala

It is a flavorful side dish made with okra. Okra is cut into small pieces and cooked with onions and spices. Common spices include cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The okra is stir-fried until it’s tender and slightly crispy. Bhindi Masala has a spicy and savory taste. It pairs well with rice or flatbreads. This dish is easy to make and adds a nice texture to your meal. It is a favorite in many Indian homes.

Chole

It is a spicy chickpea curry. It is made with chickpeas cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce. The sauce includes ingredients like onions, tomatoes, and various spices. Common spices are cumin, coriander, and garam masala. You cook the chickpeas until they are soft and the sauce is thick. It is often enjoyed with rice or flatbreads. It is a hearty and filling dish.

Dal Tadka

It is a tasty lentil dish. It is made with yellow or red lentils cooked in water. After cooking, it is mixed with spices and a special tempering. The tempering is made with ingredients like onions, garlic, and cumin seeds. These are fried in oil and then added to the lentils. It has a warm, spicy flavor. It is often served with rice or flatbreads. This dish is comforting and full of protein.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

It is a simple and refreshing side dish. It includes chopped cucumbers and tomatoes. Sometimes, onions and herbs like cilantro are added. A dressing of lemon juice or vinegar is used. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper. This salad is light and cool. It balances spicy or heavy main dishes. It’s easy to make and can be served cold. This salad adds a fresh, crisp taste to your meal. You can also buy mukhwas online.

Vegetable Kachumber

It is a crunchy and tangy salad. It includes chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. Sometimes, you add carrots or bell peppers. A dressing of lemon juice or vinegar is used. It also has salt, pepper, and spices like cumin. The salad is mixed well and served fresh. It adds a crispy and tangy flavor to your meal. Kachumber is a great side dish with rice or flatbreads. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for adding a fresh taste.