10 Easy North Indian Lunch Recipes

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Enjoy the tasty flavours of North Indian food with these simple lunch recipes. This North Indian lunch menu list will definitely please your taste buds. North Indian dishes are famous for their strong smells, rich flavour, creamy textures, and bold spices. Be it the lavish North Indian thali or the humble moong dal rice cooking a pressure cooker, they provide warm and fulfilling meals for any day! Whether you like creamy curries, fluffy rice, or tasty flatbreads, these North Indian recipes are perfect for you. They are simple to follow and will impress your friends and family. So, get your apron on and start a fun cooking journey in your kitchen.

1. Rajma chawal (Kidney beans with rice)

Rajma chawal is a classic North Indian comfort food where kidney beans are cooked in a spicy, tangy tomato-based gravy and served with steamed basmati rice. It’s a hearty, protein-rich veg meal, perfect for a wholesome lunch.

Recipe for rajma:

• Soak 1 cup rajma overnight and pressure cook until soft.
• Sauté onions, ginger, and garlic in oil.
• Add tomatoes, salt, and spices (turmeric, red chilli, garam masala).
• Simmer the rajma in the gravy until thick.

Recipe for rice:

• Wash 1 cup basmati rice and cook with 2 cups water.
• Fluff with a fork and serve with rajma.

2. Jeera rice and dal fry

 

Jeera rice is a simple rice dish flavoured with cumin, while dal fry is a thick, spiced lentil curry. Together, they create a light yet flavorful lunch option with balanced nutrients.

Recipe for jeera rice:

• Heat ghee, add cumin seeds, and let them crackle.
• Add soaked rice and water, and cook until done.

Recipe for dal fry:

• Pressure cook 1 cup of lentils (toor or masoor dal).
• Sauté onions, tomatoes, cumin, and garlic in oil.
• Add spices (turmeric, red chilli, garam masala) and cooked dal.
• Simmer and garnish with cilantro.

3. Roti and butter chicken

 

Butter chicken is a rich, creamy tomato-based curry made with marinated chicken pieces. Paired with a roti or phulka, this meal is a deliciously indulgent lunch, offering a balance of protein and carbs.

Recipe for butter chicken:

• Marinate chicken in yoghurt, ginger, garlic, and spices.
• Grill the chicken or cook in a pan.
• Prepare a tomato-based gravy with butter, cream, and spices.
• Add grilled chicken and simmer until cooked.

Recipe for roti:

• Knead whole wheat flour with water and salt.
• Roll into thin circles and cook on a hot pan until puffed and golden.

4. Chapati and palak paneer

 

Palak paneer combines soft paneer cubes in a flavorful spinach puree. Paired with chapathi, this dish is rich in protein, iron, and fibre, making it a nutritious lunch.

Recipe for palak paneer:

• Blanch spinach and blend into a smooth puree.
• Sauté cumin, garlic, and onions; add the spinach puree and spices.
• Add paneer cubes and simmer for 5 minutes.

Recipe for chapati:

• Mix whole wheat flour with water and salt to form a dough.
• Roll out and cook on a hot tawa.

5. Kadhi chawal

 

Kadhi chawal is a soul-soothing combination of tangy yoghurt-based curry thickened with gram flour and served with steamed rice. It’s a light, comfort-filled lunch perfect for warm days.

Recipe for kadhi:

• Whisk yoghurt with gram flour, turmeric, and water.
• Temper with mustard seeds, cumin, and dried red chillies.
• Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Recipe for rice:

• Wash and cook basmati rice in 2 cups water until fluffy.

6. Veg pulao and paneer makhani

 

Paneer makhani is a creamy, mildly spiced paneer dish made in tomato-butter gravy. Paired with fragrant pulao, this meal is perfect for those who love rich, indulgent flavours.

Recipe for paneer makhani:

• Sauté onions and tomatoes with ginger-garlic paste.
• Blend into a smooth gravy, then cook with butter, cream, and spices.
• Add paneer cubes and simmer.

Recipe for pulao:

• Sauté whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom) in ghee.
• Add basmati rice, vegetables, and water. Cook until fluffy.

7. Aloo paratha

 

Aloo paratha is a popular stuffed flatbread filled with a spiced mashed potato mixture. It’s served with yoghurt or pickle, making it a filling and delicious lunch.

Recipe for aloo paratha:

• Boil and mash potatoes with cumin, coriander, green chillies, and salt.
• Roll out the dough, place potato filling inside, and seal.
• Cook on a hot tawa with ghee until golden brown on both sides.

8. Poori and aloo subzi

 

Poori and aloo subzi is a beloved North Indian meal. The deep-fried pooris are fluffy and soft, served with a spiced potato curry, perfect for a festive or weekend lunch.

Recipe for poori:

• Knead whole wheat flour with water and a pinch of salt.
• Roll into small discs and deep-fry until puffed and golden.

Recipe for aloo subzi:

• Sauté onions, tomatoes, and green chillies in oil.
• Add boiled potatoes, turmeric, cumin, and coriander.
• Simmer with water until thickened.

9. Chicken biryani

 

Chicken biryani is a flavorful, spiced rice dish where marinated chicken is layered with basmati rice and cooked together. This dish is a complete meal on its own, offering bold flavours in every bite.

Recipe for chicken biryani:

• Marinate chicken with yoghurt, ginger, garlic, and spices.
• Partially cook rice with whole spices.
• Layer marinated chicken and rice in a pot, and cook on low heat until done.

10. Navratan pulao and shahi paneer

 

Navratan pulao is a mixed vegetable and dry fruit rice dish, while shahi paneer is a creamy, nut-based paneer curry. Together, they make a royal and flavorful lunch.

Recipe for navratan pulao:

• Sauté onions, vegetables, and nuts in ghee.
• Add basmati rice and water, and cook until fluffy.

Recipe for shahi paneer:

• Sauté onions, ginger, and garlic.
• Add tomato puree, cashew paste, and cream.
• Add paneer cubes and simmer for a rich, creamy texture.

Conclusion

As you can see from this North Indian lunch menu list, every dish is full of different flavours and textures. Whether you cook a lot or are just starting, these dishes bring the true essence of North India to your table. Enjoy this culinary journey and taste the traditional ingredients that people love about North Indian food.  For more such North Indian recipes, check out Awesome Cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes North Indian cuisine distinct?

North Indian cuisine is famous for using lots of dairy products. These include curd, ghee, and cream, which create creamy textures and gravies. This food also uses warming spices. Some common ones are turmeric, cumin, coriander, and garam masala. These spices add rich flavors and variety to the dishes.

Can North Indian recipes be made vegan?

Many North Indian dishes can be made vegan easily. For example, you can use vegan butter or oil instead of ghee in recipes like dal tadka and dal makhani. When it comes to sides like raita, you can find plant-based yogurt options. These will help you make tasty vegan versions of traditional dishes.

What are the quickest North Indian lunch options?

For a quick North Indian lunch, you can prepare dishes like aloo paratha (stuffed potato flatbread), vegetable pulao, or dal tadka (lentil curry). These are flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for a balanced meal.

What are the essential ingredients for North Indian lunch recipes?
Key ingredients for North Indian lunch recipes include spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and red chili powder. Other staples are onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a variety of lentils, vegetables, or paneer (Indian cottage cheese).