5 Dairy Free Indian Foods

Looking for vegan Indian dishes? You're in luck! This blog post will teach you how to make some of your favorite Indian dishes without any dairy products. Whether you are lactose intolerant or just trying to cut down on dairy, these recipes are perfect for you. We'll show you how to make delicious curries, flatbreads, and desserts that everyone will love. So get ready to explore the world of Indian cooking!

By
Alice Johnson
November 20, 2024

One of the great things about vegan Indian food is that it is naturally free from all the spices and reliably dairy free. Many of the staples of the Indian diet, such as rice, lentils, and beans, are vegetarian dishes. This means that you can easily enjoy Indian cooking by simply avoiding products like ghee, clarified butter, and yogurt. However, there are still some dishes that traditionally contain dairy. For these dishes, we will show you how to substitute non-dairy ingredients so that you can still enjoy your favorite foods.

Dairy Free Indian Dishes

Curry

Let's start with one of the most popular Indian dishes: curry. Curries, like chana masala, or butter chicken are typically made with a base of onion, ginger, and garlic cooked in oil. Then, spices like cumin, turmeric, and chili powder are added. Finally, the protein and vegetables are added to the pot. For a dairy free curry, simply substitute coconut milk for the dairy milk or yogurt. This will give your curry a rich and creamy texture without any of the lactose.

Flatbread

Next up is flatbread. Flatbreads are a staple of Indian cuisine and can be found in many different forms across the subcontinent. They are typically made with wheat flour, water, and salt, but some recipes may also call for oil or yogurt. To make a dairy free flatbread, simply omit the yogurt from the recipe or substitute it with non-dairy yogurt. The dough should still come together nicely and you'll end up with delicious and healthy bread.

Dessert

Finally, let's talk about dessert. Indian desserts are often very sweet and heavy on dairy. But don't worry, there are still plenty of options for those of us who want to enjoy a delicious treat without any dairy products. One great option is to make a vegan version of gulab jamun, which are fried dough balls soaked in syrup. To make these without dairy, simply substitute the milk for plant-based milk and use vegan butter in the dough. You'll still get that same sweet and sticky dessert that you love without any of the dairy products.

5 Dairy-Free Indian Food Recipes

Vegan Gulab Jamun

Ingredients:

- Plant based milk

- All-purpose flour

- Baking powder

- Vegan butter

- Sugar

- Rose water (optional)

- Oil for frying

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and vegan butter. Mix until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Add in the sugar and rose water (if using) and mix until well combined. Slowly add in the plant based milk until a dough forms. The dough should be soft but not too sticky. If it is too sticky, add more flour; if it is too dry, add more milk.

Form the dough into small balls and set aside. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the dough balls until they are golden brown and cooked through. 

Remove from the oil and let drain on a paper towel.In a small saucepan, heat sugar and water until the sugar has dissolved. Add in the fried dough balls and let soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Serve warm or cold with a drizzle of syrup. Enjoy!

Dairy Free Curry Dishes

Ingredients:

- Onion

- Ginger

- Garlic

- Cumin

- Turmeric

- Chili powder

- Salt

- Coconut milk

- Protein (chicken, beef, tofu, etc.)

- Vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peas, etc.)

Instructions:

Start by cooking the onion, ginger, and garlic in oil until softened. Then add the spices and salt and cook for a minute more. Add in the coconut milk and protein of your choice. Give it South Indian cooking essence by adding garam masala or a speedy chicken tikka masala. Finally, add in the vegetables. Cook until everything is cooked through and heated through. Enjoy!

Dairy Free Flatbreads

Ingredients:

- Wheat flour

- Water

- Salt

- Non-dairy yogurt (I used coconut yogurt)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the wheat flour, water, and salt. Mix until well combined. Then add in the non-dairy yogurt and mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour; if it is too dry, add more water. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for about five minutes. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

To cook the flatbreads, heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Place the dough on the griddle and cook for two to three minutes per side, or until golden brown. Enjoy!

white rice, steamed okra, grilled eggplant, and salted egg

Dairy Free Flatbread

Ingredients:

- Wheat flour

- Water

- Salt

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the wheat flour, water, and salt. Mix until well combined. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for about five minutes. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

To cook the flatbread, heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Place the dough on the griddle and cook for two to three minutes per side, or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Coconut Chutney

Ingredients:

- Fresh grated coconut

- Cilantro

- Green chili pepper

- Garlic cloves

- Salt

- Lemon juice

Instructions:

In a blender or food processor, combine the fresh grated coconut, cilantro, green chili pepper, garlic cloves, salt, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy!

Conclusion

I hope you found this guide on amazing dairy free Indian dishes to be helpful. Dairy free Indian cuisine is great for lactose intolerant people who want to eat Indian food.

There are so many delicious dairy free recipes out there! With a little creativity you can still enjoy all of your favorite foods without any dairy products. Bon appetit!

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