Foodism: Is Indian Food Vegan?

Is Indian Food Vegan?

Indian cuisine is known for having some of the best vegetarian dishes around. Love eating Indian food because it tastes like home — spicy, flavorful, comforting and delicious.

But did you know that many restaurants offer vegan options too? In fact, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group, about half of India’s population eats meatless meals every day. And while most people think of Indian food as being heavy on the spices, there are actually lots of ways to eat healthy without sacrificing flavor. Here are some tips to help you enjoy vegan Indian food.

If you’re looking for a vegan dish at a vegetarian establishment, you may have to ask a server or look for an indication on the menu as to what’s vegan and what’s not.

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Is Indian Food Vegan?: Is Indian Food Vegan Friendly?

Vegetarians might want to consider trying out some Indian cuisine. While there are many vegetarian options, it can be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. In fact, most restaurants don’t even offer a list of vegan options. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Indian food without meat. There are plenty of ways to make Indian food vegan friendly, and we’ll show you how.

Ingredients to Check

Vegetarian Indian cuisine is often confusing because there are many different types of meatless dishes. In addition to avoiding beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and seafood, vegetarians must watch out for clarified butter (ghee), yogurt sauces, and cheese. Here are some tips to help you navigate the menu.

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee, or clarified butter is most commonly used in curry dishes and vegetable dishes such as potato, cauliflower, peas, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, etc., for sautéing or pan frying. But many restaurants use oil instead. In India, ghee is considered sacred and is used in religious ceremonies. Ghee is also used in cooking sweets.

Vegetarian food is easily found due to the religious belief shared by many Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists living in India.

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If you want to make sure you’re getting real ghee, look for the word “clarified.” This means that the milk solids have been removed from the butter. You’ll see the word “ghee” written next to the words “butter,” “margarine,” and “vegetable shortening.”

You can find ghee in supermarkets, grocery stores, and even some health food stores. Some brands of ghee come in glass jars, while others come in plastic containers. Look for the word “pure” on the label. Pure ghee contains no additives or preservatives.

Yogurt

If you’re looking for a sweet snack, try some of these delicious options. Yogurt is usually served with dessert, but you can order it as an appetizer or side dish.

It’s great when mixed into salads, omelets, sandwiches, and wraps. Dairy-free yogurts are becoming more popular by the day.

Cheese

Is Pretty Easy To Avoid In Indian Food. In India, there are many different kinds of cheese. Some are mild, some are strong, and some are even hard enough to crack open like a nut. But one type of cheese stands above the rest — paneer. This soft, white curd cheese is used in countless dishes throughout the subcontinent, including dal makhani, a creamy lentil dish; aloo gobi, a potato and cauliflower curry; and bhindi masala, a spicy vegetable stew.

Is Indian Food Vegan?

But while paneer is delicious, it isn’t always easy to spot in a restaurant menu. Many restaurants use the term “cheese” to describe paneer, and the word “mattar,” meaning peas, is sometimes added to the description. So, how do you know what you’re eating? Here’s everything you need to know about paneer.

Is Indian Food Vegan?: Common Vegan Indian Dishes

The following dishes are common in Indian cuisine, and some of them are even vegan-friendly!

1. Sambhar.

2. Dhal.

3. Idli/Vada.

4. Dal.

5. Chana Masala.

6. Saag Paneer.

7. Raita.

8. Avial.

9. Aloo Tikki.

10. Bajji.

11. Kofta Curry.

12. Makhaniya Ke Tikkie.

13. Khichdi.

14. Upma.

15. Thali.

16. Sabzi.

17. Bhindi

18. Palak Paneer.

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