18 Must-Try Kerala Dinner Recipes

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Kerala is famous for its wonderful food. The traditional dinner recipes there are full of lovely flavours and smells. The coastal land and green plants of Kerala shape these dishes. They mix spices like turmeric, red chillies, and mustard seeds. Many meals are cooked in coconut milk or coconut oil.

Kerala cuisine offers many different tastes. You have to try dishes like the popular Puttu and Kadala Curry. There is also the tasty Fish Curry and the aromatic Malabar Parotta with Beef Curry. Each dish gives you a chance to explore unique flavours.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the best Kerala dinner recipes to try with a blend of spices.

Explore 18 Must-Try Dinner Recipes from Kerala

Kerala cuisine contains wonderful spices, fresh ingredients, and tasty seafood.

In this food journey, we will show you 18 Kerala dinner recipes you must try. These dishes will take your taste buds right to God’s Own Country. Let’s explore the wonderful flavours and spices that make Kerala’s cooking special.

1. Puttu and Kadala Curry: A Classic Combo

Puttu and Kadala Curry are a wonderful combination. They show just how delicious and easy Kerala food can be. Puttu is a steamed rice cake made with grated coconut. It has a slight sweetness and a special texture.

The Kadala curry is a great match for Puttu. This dish is made from black chickpeas cooked in a spicy, tangy sauce with coconut milk.

This easy and hearty dish is a popular breakfast in Kerala. Its tasty flavour also makes it a good option for dinner.

Read the complete recipe of Kuzha Puttu at home.

2. Appam with Stew: The Fluffy Delight

Appam with Stew makes a delicious food pair. This dish shows Kerala’s love for coconut flavours. Imagine soft and fluffy pancakes with crispy edges. These pancakes, known as Appam, are made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk.

They are perfect for scooping up the tasty stew.

The stew has many flavours. It includes chicken or vegetables cooked in creamy coconut milk. It is also seasoned with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

3. Kerala Style Fish Curry: Coastal Flavors

Kerala has a long coast and is known for its fresh seafood. A favourite dish here is the Kerala-style fish Curry. This dish uses tender fish cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce made with tamarind, coconut milk, and a blend of fresh spices.

Fish like kingfish or seer fish absorb all the flavours from the gravy, making every bite tasty and full of flavour.

Kudampuli, also known as Malabar tamarind, gives the curry a unique tang that sets it apart from other fish curries.

Know how to make Kerala Fish Curry at home.

4. Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (Spicy Chicken Fry)

Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu is a popular dish from Kerala. It is a tasty and spicy chicken fry made with a special mix of red chillies, turmeric powder, and curry leaves. Many Keralites love it for its unique taste and smell.

To get the best flavour, cook with coconut oil and add spices like mustard seeds and garam masala. This dish shows the rich food traditions of Kerala.

5. Malabar Parotta with Beef Curry

Malabar Parotta with Beef Curry is a wonderful dish from the Malabar area in Kerala. The star of this meal is the Malabar Parotta, a soft and flaky layered flatbread made from maida flour.

Next to the Parotta, you will find the beef curry. This dish is packed with flavour. It has a mix of spices, including garam masala, turmeric powder, and red chilli powder. The addition of coconut milk makes it even richer.

This dish is a real treat and great for a satisfying dinner.

6. Thalassery Biryani: Aromatic and Flavorful

Thalassery Biryani is from the Malabar area in Kerala. It shows off the rich food culture of this region. This biryani is unique because it uses fragrant ghee rice. The rice is fluffy and cooked perfectly. It has a great aroma from spices like star anise, cardamom, and cloves.

Biryani consists of soft pieces of meat, often chicken or mutton, soaked in yogurt and mixed with spices.

What makes Thalassery Biryani special is its preparation method. The rice and meat are cooked separately and then layered together. This way, all the flavours combine and taste incredible.

7. Erissery (Pumpkin and Lentil Stew)

 

Erissery is a well-loved dish from Kerala. It combines pumpkin and lentils in a delicious stew. Coconut milk, turmeric powder, and mustard seeds give the dish a special flavour. Curry leaves add the perfect finish. Many Keralites enjoy this hearty stew with a nice mix of textures and spices.

You can eat it with rice ada or ghee rice. Everyone should try it to experience Kerala cuisine. The warm aroma of this dish will make your next dinner gathering feel special.

Read the complete recipe of Erissery here.

8. Kerala Prawn Curry: A Seafood Treat

Kerala Prawn Curry, or Chemmeen Curry, is a delight for seafood lovers. It captures the rich flavours of Kerala’s coastal cuisine. This curry features juicy prawns cooked in a zesty and spicy sauce made with coconut milk, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and various warm spices.

The prawns cook well and absorb the sauce’s flavours. Coconut milk gives the curry a creamy feel. This creaminess balances the spice and creates a nice mix of tastes.

Know how to make Kerala Prawn Curry at home.

9. Palada Payasam: A Sweet Finale

No meal in Kerala feels finished without something sweet. Palada Payasam is everyone’s favourite dessert. This dish is made with rice ada, which are thin rice flakes. It also has milk and jaggery. It’s flavoured with ghee, cardamom, and nuts. The outcome is a rich and delicious dessert.

To make it, cook the rice until soft. Then, slowly mix it with milk and jaggery, keeping stirring until it turns creamy. Finally, add ghee for extra richness and a nice aroma.

Palada Payasam is a popular treat during festivals and special occasions. Many people love its comforting flavour.

Also Read: Thirupullani Payasam Recipe

10. Ela Sadya: The Grand Feast

Ela Sadya is more than just a meal; it is a large feast showcasing varioust vegetarian dishes from Kerala. It is traditionally served on a banana leaf. This feast has more than 20 tasty dishes, each with a unique flavour and its meaning.

Sadya meal offers a mix of tasty and crunchy foods. You can enjoy tangy pickles and crispy banana chips. You will also find yoghurt-based dishes like olan and other delights. The sambar is fragrant and spicy, adding a nice kick. To finish, the sweet payasam gives a rich and delicious end to this journey through Kerala’s cuisine.

11. Karimeen Pollichathu: Marinated Fish Delicacy

Karimeen Pollichathu shows Kerala’s strong love for seafood. This dish features Karimeen, a pearl spot fish found in the backwaters of Kerala.

To prepare the fish, soak it in a spicy mix made from red chillies, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste, and other spices. After marinating, wrap the fish in a banana leaf. You can either pan-fry it or bake it.

The banana leaf adds a unique, natural flavour to the fish and helps keep it moist and tender.

12. Kappa with Meen Curry: Tapioca and Fish Curry

Kappa with Meen Curry is a popular dish from Kerala. It mixes the soft taste of tapioca, called kappa, with the spicy flavour of fish curry. Kappa is an important root vegetable in Kerala cuisine. It is boiled until it’s soft. People usually eat it with a spicy and tangy fish curry.

The fish curry usually contains fish such as sardines, mackerel, or kingfish. It is made with a sauce that includes coconut milk, tamarind, and different spices. This combination provides a strong flavour in every bite. Read the recipe to make Meen Curry at home.

13. Avial: A Vegetarian Medley

 

Avial is a dish you have to try if you visit Kerala. It is a creamy blend of vegetables, yoghurt, and coconut. This vegetarian meal commonly includes many vegetables, such as ash gourd, drumsticks, carrots, and potatoes. These are cooked with turmeric and a bit of green chilli for a mild spice.

The best part is the coconut yoghurt sauce. It is mixed until it becomes smooth and creamy.

In the end, we add fresh curry leaves and coconut oil, which makes Avial smell amazing and taste better.

Read the recipe for Avial preparation at home.

14. Idiyappam with Egg Curry

Idiyappam, or string hoppers, is a well-loved breakfast dish in Kerala and a wonderful dinner option. This meal is made from rice flour shaped into thin noodles. The noodles are light and delicate, making them a perfect match for a flavorful curry. Know how to make Idiyappam at home.

Egg Curry is a popular dish in many homes in Kerala. It pairs well with the mild taste of idiyappam. The curry is made with boiled eggs in a rich coconut milk sauce. It is flavoured with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and different spices. This mix of ingredients creates a lovely blend of flavours.

Read the steps for preparing Egg Idiyappam at home.

15. Banana Fritters: A Crispy Dessert

Banana Fritters, known as Pazham Pori in Kerala, is a popular snack and dessert. They are both crispy and sweet. To prepare them, ripe bananas are sliced lengthwise or into rounds. Next, they are dipped in a batter made from all-purpose flour, rice flour, and a dash of turmeric powder for colour. Finally, they are deep-fried until they are golden brown.

The fritters are crunchy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside.

People often like to serve them with powdered sugar on top or a drizzle of jaggery syrup to sweeten them.

16. Plum Cake (No Egg, No Whole Wheat)

Plum Cake is a tasty dessert that is great for people with dietary limits. It is moist and rich, filled with the flavours of dried fruits and nuts, making it a wonderful treat for any occasion. Since it doesn’t have eggs and uses whole wheat, it is good for vegans and those with special diet needs. Everyone can enjoy this classic dessert.

Serve it with tea or coffee to make each bite feel even more special.

17. Malabar Biryani (Rich Keralite Spices Rice)

The smell of Kerala spices fills the air and draws you in as Malabar Biryani stands out on the dinner table. This tasty rice dish is packed with a special mix of Kerala spices.

Each bite is a burst of flavour. It combines soft meat or vegetables with fragrant basmati rice and spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Malabar Biryani is a true joy for your taste buds and spirit.

It shows the rich cooking tradition of Kerala in every mouthful. Read the recipe for Malabar Biryani preparation.

18. Puttu veggie (Indian Rice Cake)

Puttu is a special dish from South India. Many people love its unique taste and feel. The smell of steamed rice cakes fills the air, making you feel cosy and warm. They are carefully made in round moulds. Puttu is made from rice flour and coconut. It has a mild sweetness that goes well with many sautéed veggies.

Every bite offers a mix of textures and tastes. That is why Puttu Veggie is a favourite dish at any Kerala dinner.

Conclusion

Kerala dinner recipes will take you on a delicious journey through South Indian flavours. You can enjoy famous dishes like Puttu and Kadala Curry. There’s also the lovely Thalassery Biryani to try. If you love spicy food, do not miss the Chicken Fry. For dessert, make sure to have the sweet Palada Payasam.

Each bite will connect you to the lively streets of Kerala. Enjoy the warmth of traditional cooking with these 15 must-try recipes.

They promise a blend of great tastes and textures on your plate. Bring the feel of Kerala into your home with these tasty dishes!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the staple ingredients in Kerala dinner recipes?

Coconut, both as milk and oil, is essential in Kerala food. Other key ingredients are turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chillies. They bring unique flavours and aromas to the dishes.

Can these Kerala recipes be made vegetarian?

Many curries and stews from Kerala are vegetarian. You can quickly modify them if you want. Instead of meat, you can use tofu, paneer, or various vegetables. This way, you will still enjoy the true flavours.

What are some must-have spices for cooking Kerala dishes?

A good spice rack for cooking Kerala food should include some important items. Turmeric powder, red chillies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, black peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander powder, and fenugreek seeds would help. These spices are the foundation for many dishes in Kerala.