40 recipes to make with basmati rice.

Here is my collection of the best vegetarian recipes that you can serve with basmati rice. These recipes range from and work for white and brown basmati rice.

a collage of 8 different vegetarian dishes that you can serve with basmati rice. - 1
  • Dal/Lentils/Beans Recipes
  • Curry recipes
  • Kadhi (Indian and Pakistani Spiced Yogurt Based Curry)
  • Raita, Pickle, Chutney

Indian style Fried Rice goes great with creamy raita and lassi.

The nutty flavor makes it the perfect side dish for so many recipes.

I tend to eat Indian basmati rice with Indian food like dal and curry recipes but you can definitely serve it with a veggie chilli or a Moroccan tagine too!

You can also serve basmati rice as a side for any recipe calling for long-grain rice.

Dal/Lentils/Beans Recipes

A warming bowl of dal or beans and rice is so comforting and delicious with rice.

Tarka dal served in a karahi. - 2 Dishoom black dal served in a bowl topped with butter and cream - 3 Dal makhni or instant pot slow cooked dal makhni served in a bowl with a spoon - 4 whole masoor dal in a pan with serving spoon - 5 Mixed dal served with rice and roti in the plate. - 6 chana saag curry served in a small bowl garnished with onion slices - 7 A bowl of Authentic Chana masala in a plate next to naan and rice bowl - 8 cooked green lentils dal in a pan. - 9 Instant pot easy Gujarati chana dal served in a bowl with roti on the side plate - 10 Mug nu saak served with rice and salad in a bowl with a spoon - 11 A bowl of rajma masala placed on a round tray. - 12 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 13 An overhead shot of spinach chana dal served with a wooden spoon in a pan - 14 khatta mag served in a bowl on the dining table. - 15 Vaal nu shaak bowl placed on the table next to kitchen napkin. - 16 dhaba style dal fry served in a small bowl garnished with chopped fresh cilantro - 17 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 18 image of a small black kadai with yellow daal garnished with a oil tempering - 19 A bowl of rice placed near Gujarati dal pan. - 20 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 21 aloo chana masala served in a cast iron skillet - 22 kidney bean curry in a pan on the table. - 23 Red kidney bean and sweetcorn curry placed in a bowl next to naan and salads - 24 A bowl of instant pot chickpea coconut curry placed next to rice bowl. - 25 A bowl of kala chana nu shaak placed in a plate. - 26 A bowl of Gujarati Dal Dhokli placed on a plate. - 27 masoor dal in a serving bowl. - 28

Curry recipes

What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 29 paneer kali mirch served in a copper serving bowl. - 30 Tofu Makhani or tofu butter masala in a pan with serving spoon. - 31 Tofu mango coconut curry served in a ceramic kadai with a spoon - 32 A bowl of paneer spinach kofta curry placed next to dinner plates on dining table - 33 Instant pot palak paneer served in a white dish with a servign spoon - 34 restaurant style paneer butter masala served in a metal bowl. - 35 A bowl of aloo tamatar ki sabji placed on a wodden board. - 36 Aloo gobi matar served with chapati and salad on the side on the dining table - 37 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 38 Navratan korma served in a kadai. - 39 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 40 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 41 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 42 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 43 aloo baingan in a pan garnished with freshly chopped coriander - 44 Aloo matar served in a big bowl with a serving spoon - 45 Fulavar bateta nu shaak in a serving bowl. - 46 a light airy image of a cream bowl filled with potato curry and served with naan on the side. there is a bowl of cubed butter in the corner - 47 Punjabi shahi paneer garnished with chopped coriander, saffron and cream - 48 sev tameta nu shaak served in a metal bowl with serving spoon - 49 A picture Niramish paneer served in a black serving bowl with a serving spoon - 50 Panch Phoran Paneer served in a serving bowl. - 51

Kadhi (Indian and Pakistani Spiced Yogurt Based Curry)

Kadhi is a yogurt based soup, sometimes called curry, and is perfect with basmati rice.

close up shot of a black bowl filled with white indian yogurt soup topped with fresh coriander or cilantro - 52 What To Eat with Basmati Rice (40+) - 53 a bowl of kadhi placed next to roasted papad and rice bowl on the table. - 54

Raita, Pickle, Chutney

Fruit raita served in a bowl with a serving spoon. - 55 A female hand is serving cucumber raita using a spoon - 56 sweet lassi served two serving glasses - 57

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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a collage of 8 different vegetarian dishes that you can serve with basmati rice. - 58

What To Eat with Basmati Rice

Equipment

  • Frying pan or kadai
  • Blender
  • Sharp knife
  • Pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 Plain Basmati Rice
  • 1 Jeera Rice Indian Cumin Rice
  • 1 Indian Fried Rice
  • 1 Dal Makhani
  • 1 Chana Masala
  • 1 Dal fry
  • 1 Aloo Tamatar
  • 1 Tofu mango Curry
  • 1 Matar Paneer

Instructions

  • Prepare your perfect fluffy Basmati Rice or Jeera Rice.
  • Click on your favourite dal, beans or curry dish recipe link above in the post.
  • Read through and prepare the side dish by following the instructions given in the post in recipe card and video or step by step pictures.
  • Serve and enjoy basmati rice with delicious sides.

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

a collage of 8 different vegetarian dishes that you can serve with basmati rice. - 59

What To Eat with Basmati Rice

Equipment

  • Frying pan or kadai
  • Blender
  • Sharp knife
  • Pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 Plain Basmati Rice
  • 1 Jeera Rice Indian Cumin Rice
  • 1 Indian Fried Rice
  • 1 Dal Makhani
  • 1 Chana Masala
  • 1 Dal fry
  • 1 Aloo Tamatar
  • 1 Tofu mango Curry
  • 1 Matar Paneer

Instructions

  • Prepare your perfect fluffy Basmati Rice or Jeera Rice.
  • Click on your favourite dal, beans or curry dish recipe link above in the post.
  • Read through and prepare the side dish by following the instructions given in the post in recipe card and video or step by step pictures.
  • Serve and enjoy basmati rice with delicious sides.

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

This easy Green Lentil Curry also known as Green Lentil Dhal uses Indian spices to create a flavourful and nutritious plant-based meal that’s easy on the pocket. Great for batch cooking and easy weeknight meals.

cooked green lentils dal in a pan. - 60
  • Ingredients for Green Lentil Curry recipe
  • How to make Green Lentils Daal Cooking the green lentils Making the green lentil curry
  • Serving suggestion
  • Storage
  • Other Lentils Recipe

This green lentil dhal recipe is made with cooked green lentils and a delicious tadka of onion, garlic, tomato and basic Indian spices. I finish it off with lemon juice and coriander leaves.

The green lentils hold their shape really well in this dal compared with red lentils which become mushy. You can also call this recipe green lentils curry because the texture is a bit firmer compared with a traditional dal. I have used in this lentil salad recipe .

It’s so delicious with naan, basmati rice or plain whole wheat paratha . My personal favourite is simple chapatis.

It can be served as a main dish or as a side with vegetable curries to make it a complete meal. Great for dinner and you can eat leftovers for lunch.

To save time, you can easily cook the green lentils in the Instant Pot but a stovetop works just fine.

This dal is both filling and comforting. It is suitable for vegans, vegetarians and is gluten-free.

I have many lentil curry recipe on the blog and these recipes are a staple of Indian cuisine.

Brown lentils are used in making this delicious Sabut Masoor Dal or brown lentil curry.

Indian restaurant style Dal Makhani is prepared with black lentils known as whole urad dal. You can also make Dishoom Black Dal with the same lentils.

Dal tadka or Dal Fry is made with a mix of a couple of lentils and tempered with whole spices.

A bowl filled with dal, roti and salad placed next to a glass of water. - 61

Ingredients for Green Lentil Curry recipe

Green lentils – You can substitute with with other types of lentils such as red lentils, split peas, french lentils (puy lentils) which a variety of green lentils. It is slightly smaller in size, darker in colour.

Onion – finely chopped white onion or red onion works

Fresh ginger and Fresh garlic paste

Green chillies – chopped. Leave out the chillies if you aren’t a fan of heat.

Oil – I have use olive oil but feel free to use vegetable oil, coconut oil or sunflower oil.

Cumin seeds or mustard seeds.

Ground spices – Garam masala, chili powder or cayenne pepper, ground cumin and coriander powder, turmeric powder. Alternatively use curry powder, it’s a spice mix prepared with aromatic Indian spices.

Tomatoes – fresh or use tomato paste. I have used crushed tomatoes for this recipe.

Lemon juice or lime juice.

Garnish it with fresh cilantro or fresh parsley.

Optional:

Green leaf veggies – optionally stir in baby spinach or kale once the dal is cooked for extra flavour and nutrition.

Coconut milk or cashew cream – if you can not handle spicy food, stir in some in the end for a creamy lentil dal.

raw green lentils in a bowl on the table. - 62

How to make Green Lentils Daal

Cooking the green lentils

Thoroughly wash dried green lentils under clean running water. You need to wash the lentils as they often contain debris and dirt.

Instant Pot

I used my instant pot pressure cooker to cook the lentils. Place the lentils in the inner pot with enough water to cover the lentils. Cook the lentils for 5 minutes on high pressure with natural pressure release.

washed graw green lentils in a instant pot with added water. - 63 boiled green lentils in the instant pot. - 64

Stovetop

To cook the green lentils on the stove, place in a saucepan with water that covers the lentils. Bring the water to a boil then reduce to heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and cook until the lentils are creamy. Do not cover too tightly as the water may boil over and spill. This will take around 20-30 minutes. Ensure you add more water if required.

Making the green lentil curry

In a pan, heat oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and asafoetida if using.

As the cumin seeds crackle, add in the onions and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

Then add in the ginger garlic paste, green chillies and tomatoes.

Optionally add coriander stems.

In a pan onion, garlic, ginger and green chillies cooking in hot oil. - 65 crushed tomatoes added to the onion mixture in the pan over the stovetop. - 66 spices powders added the onion tomato curry base in the pan. - 67 boiled green lentils added to the onion tomato curry base mixture in the pan. - 68 cooked daal in a wide pan on the stovetop. - 69

Allow the tomato mixture to reduce a bit then add the spices – turmeric, dhana jeera, red chilli powder, garam masala.

Tip in the cooked lentils with a little water if too thick and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes then turn off the heat.

Squeeze over lemon juice and sprinkle chopped coriander leaves before serving.

green lentils dahl garnished with freshly chopped coriander and green chillies. - 70

Serving suggestion

Serve this plant based lentil curry on a bed of piping hot basmati rice or brown rice with some crunchy Indian Kachumber or Shirazi salad . Substitute rice with cooked quinoa or buckwheat for a low-carb meal.

Love Indian food, why not serve as a side dish with whole wheat roti or naan bread , mixed vegetable curry , matar paneer , jeera rice , cucumber raita and Indian onion salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Pair it with Air fryer baked sweet potato and top it up with crispy cauliflower for a filling wholesome meal.

Two bowls of dal and rice placed next to salad bowl on the table. - 71

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container and either refrigerate or freeze.

Fridge – keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove top with a splash of water or in the microwave.

Freeze – place in a freezer safe container once at room temperature then freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge, at room temperature or defrost in the microwave. Reheat in the pan with a little water and add a pinch of garam masala and a squeeze of lemon to revive the flavours

easy green lentils dal served with basmati rice and indian cucumber salad in a bowl. - 72

Other Lentils Recipe

White Urad Dal (Maash Ki Dal)

Mag Ni Dal

Stuffed Butternut Squash

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

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cooked green lentils dal in a pan. - 73

Indian Curried Green Lentils Dal (Dahl)

Equipment

  • 1 pot
  • 1 Instant pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Green lentils dry
  • 1 medium Onion
  • 1 tablsespoon garlic ginger paste
  • 2 small green chillies chopped
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander and cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ cup tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves cilantro

Instructions

Cooking the green lentils

  • Thoroughly wash dried green lentils under clean running water. You need to wash the lentils as they often contain debris and dirt.

Instant Pot

  • I used my instant pot pressure cooker to cook the lentils. Place the lentils in the inner pot with enough water to cover the lentils. Cook the lentils for 5 minutes on high pressure with natural pressure release.

Stovetop

  • To cook the green lentils on the stove, place in a saucepan with water that covers the lentils. Bring the water to a boil then reduce to heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and cook until the lentils are creamy. Do not cover too tightly as the water may boil over and spill. This will take around 20-30 minutes. Ensure you add more water if required.

Making the green lentil curry

  • In a pan, heat oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and asafoetida if using.
  • As the cumin seeds crackle, add in the onions and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  • Then add in the ginger garlic paste, green chillies and tomatoes.
  • Optionally add coriander stems.
  • Allow the tomato mixture to reduce a bit then add the spices – turmeric, dhana jeera, red chilli powder, garam masala.
  • Tip in the cooked lentils with a little water if too thick and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
  • Squeeze over lemon juice and sprinkle chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Video

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.