30+ Vegetarian Recipes From Pakistan

These 30+ Vegetarian Recipes From Pakistan help show that while Pakistani cuisine is more well-known for its rich meat dishes, a delicious array of vegetarian options also exists. These vegetable recipes and hearty lentil curries, featuring local seasonal produce and pantry staples, are perfect for vegetarians and anyone looking to add more vegetables to their cuisine.

A collage of images showing Pakistani vegetarian recipes for mustard greens, lentils, pulao and halwa.

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Recipes for curries
Lentils & legumes
Flatbreads & rice
Vegetarian recipes for snacks
Pakistani condiments
Vegetarian recipes for desserts

Pakistani cuisine, known for its rich flavors and diverse dishes, offers a variety of vegetarian recipes. Fresh vegetables, legumes, dairy, aromatic spices, herbs, and traditional techniques like tempering are mixed to create a depth of flavor. Rice dishes like tahari, vegetable pulao, biryani, and vegetable-stuffed flatbreads served with chutneys, and pickles take vegetarian dining to a new level.

Recipes for curries

If you're looking for a delicious way to add more vegetables to your diet, these vegetarian recipes for Pakistani curries are perfect. Packed with flavor from spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, these recipes pair perfectly with fresh hot naan or basmati rice.

Aloo Palak (Pakistani Spinach & Potato Curry)

Aloo Palak (Pakistani Spinach & Potato Curry) is one of the most popular spinach recipes in both Pakistani and Indian Cuisine. Add to that the fact that it's very quick and easy to make and you have a winner on your hands!

Aloo Palak Recipe

A beige pottery bowl is filled with a tempered and garnished lentil curry .

Lentil Curry With Tamarind (Khatti Dal)

Lentil Curry With Tamarind (Khatti Dal) is a delicious concoction made with light orange masoor lentils. As it's flavored with tamarind pulp, it has a distinctly sour taste. Served with basmati rice and kachumber salad, it's a popular South Asian meal!

Lentil Curry With Tamarind Recipe

Cooked aloo bhujia, garnished with some cilantro, is plated in a white bowl and is served with some naan.

Aloo Bhujia (Pakistani Potato Curry)

This easy Aloo Bhujia (Pakistani Potato Curry) is a family favorite and my go-to on busy days. For a recipe that takes only 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of active cooking, you'll want to save this to try!

Aloo Bhujia Recipe

Acorn Squash Curry

Mildly spicy aromatic spices are combined with tomatoes and garlic to create the base for this delightful Acorn Squash Curry. Super quick and easy to make, this squash recipe has always been a crowd pleaser every time I’ve served it!

Acorn Squash Curry Recipe

Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens)

Freshly cooked Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens) is a much-awaited meal by many Punjabis at the first sign of winter. Traditionally cooked on wood-burning stoves, "sarson ka saag" is a slow-cooked mixture of mustard greens and spinach. This recipe comes together with simple ingredients, a few easy-to-follow steps, and only 30 minutes of active cooking time.

Sarson Ka saag Recipe

Lentils & legumes

If you're looking for hearty vegetarian recipes, then you'll love these Pakistani lentil recipes, like Daal Tadka and Chana Daal. Assorted lentils are simmered with a mix of spices, followed by an aromatic tempering to create entrees so full of flavor you won't believe they're vegetarian. Served with rice or flatbread, these dishes are a staple in Pakistani cuisine.

Black pan with cooked black eyed peas (Punjabi lobia) recipe, garnished with red onions, sliced lemons and cilantro.

Black-Eyed Peas Recipe (Punjabi Lobia)

This Black-Eyed Peas (Punjabi Lobia) is a quick and easy one-pot meal that is delicious and healthy. A popular curry, because it takes only 30 minutes of active cooking time, this recipe makes a great protein-rich meal for Vegans and, when eaten with rice, for anyone who is gluten-free.

Black eyed peas (lobia) recipe

Kali Masoor ki Daal (brown lentils) in a copper serving dish with a tempering of onions, garlic, curry leaves, cumin and red peppers

Kaali Masoor Ki Daal (Brown Lentils)

Kaali Masoor Ki Daal (Brown Lentils), accompanied with a fragrant bowl of basmati rice is Pakistani comfort food at its best. With a total cook time of 30 minutes in the Instant Pot, this is the perfect vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meal! "Daal Chawal" as the combination of lentils and rice is called is a staple in all South Asian households. This "Sabut Masoor" daal or brown lentil is definitely my favorite amongst the variety of lentils.

Kaali Masoor Ki Daal Recipe

A white bowl on a yellow napkin, filled with cooked yellow mash ki daal tempered with onions, cumin and red chili peppers and garnished with ginger, green chilies and cilantro.

Mash Ki Daal (Urad Dal)

Mash ki Daal (Urad Dal), a dry lentil curry made with split Urad dal, presents itself as a challenge to many an experienced cook. It has a delicious creamy texture and resembles well-cooked basmati rice when cooked perfectly. This recipe will help you get it right every time with minimal effort.

Mash Ki Daal Recipe

white bowl with a chickpea curry topped with cilantro microgreens.

Authentic Chana Masala Recipe (Chickpea Curry)

This Authentic Chana Masala recipe is a great one to have in your back pocket for hectic weekday meals since it involves no planning, minimal prep, and staple ingredients that are likely already lurking in your fridge and pantry.

Authentic Chana Masala Recipe

Lentil Curry With Tamarind (Khatti Dal)

Lentil Curry With Tamarind Recipe

Flatbreads & rice

Flatbread recipes play a prominent role in Pakistani cuisine. Whether you're using them to help scoop up rich curries or enjoying them by themselves, they are perfect for anyone on a vegetarian diet. From soft and fluffy naan to thin and crispy paratha, these flatbreads are perfect for dipping, wrapping, or just enjoying on their own with a bit of butter or garlic.

a plate filled with unleavened flatbread is resting on a blue and white napkin with a side of raita and green chilies.

Paratha Recipe (Pakistani Flatbread)

This paratha recipe for a classic South Asian, crispy, and flaky unleavened flatbread requires only three basic ingredients and 15-20 minutes of active cooking time.

Paratha Recipe

Makki Ki Roti (Cornmeal Flatbread)

Makki Ki Roti (Cornmeal Flatbread), a winter delicacy from the Punjab region of Pakistan and India, is traditionally paired with sarson-ka-saag-mustard-greens. Traditionally a difficult recipe to perfect, my recipe helps break down the steps and simplify the technique so that even beginners will get perfect results!

Makki Ki Roti Recipe

Flatbread made using an easy naan recipe is resting on brown parchment paper straight out of the oven with bowls filled with toppings for the naan.

Easy Naan Recipe (No Yeast)

This Easy Naan Recipe (No Yeast) will allow you to have soft, fluffy, buttery naan on your dinner table anytime the craving hits. With an active cooking time of just 30 minutes, this is an easy way to enjoy homemade flatbread with your favorite curry.

Easy Naan Recipe

Aloo Paratha (Potato Stuffed Flatbread)

Pakistani cuisine is full of a variety of flatbreads, and this aloo paratha (potato-stuffed flatbread) is perhaps the most popular one in the Nation. A paratha is simply a whole wheat, unleavened flatbread that is shallow fried.

Aloo Paratha Recipe

Kabuli pulao (chickpea pilaf), garnished with dark raisins, orange carrots and crunchy pine nuts, is plated in an off-white platter with dark wood spoons.

Kabuli Pulao (Chickpea Rice Pilaf)

This Kabuli Pulao recipe is a popular vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free recipe that I love to cook and serve on special occasions. This recipe requires little active cooking and is a delicious and beautiful entree for any table.

Kabuli Pulao Recipe

Vegetarian recipes for snacks

Delicious and varied, Pakistani vegetarian snacks are perfect for tea time or as appetizers. Recipes like samosas, pakoras, and chana chaat, served with tangy and spicy chutneys, showcase Pakistan's rich culinary heritage.

Bun Kabab

A popular street food, especially in the city of Karachi, the bun kabab is a delicious vegetarian burger. A spiced potato and lentil patty is dipped in egg and fried till crispy on a large griddle called a 'tawa.' Soft, slightly sweet buns are often warmed on the same griddle, soaking up the grease. The kababs are placed on the buns and topped with tamarind dipping sauce, cilantro mint chutney, and onions.

Bun Kabab Recipe

Aloo chaat made with boiled sliced potatoes, yogurt, onions, chutneys and pomegranate seeds is served in an off white plate.

Aloo Chaat (Pakistani Potato Snack)

Aloo Chaat (Pakistani Potato Snack) is a popular Pakistani street food that takes only 45 minutes to prepare. Spiced potatoes are layered with a yogurt sauce, pickled onions, 2 chutneys, crunchy topping, and pomegranate seeds. The result is an unforgettable explosion of flavors and textures.

Aloo Chaat Recipe

Cooked pakoras with green tomatoes are being served with a side of raw mango chutney.

Pakora Recipe (With Green Tomatoes)

This Pakora Recipe (With Green Tomatoes) is my Pakistani twist on a Southern Classic. Firm and tart green tomatoes are dipped in a lightly spiced batter prepared using gram flour and pan-fried to perfection. Ready in 30 minutes, it's the perfect snack or appetizer.

Pakora Recipe

Pakistani Street Style Air Fryer Corn

This Pakistan Street Style Air Fryer Corn has been a game changer for my family and me! I love grilled corn or as we Pakistanis call it, Bhutta! The slightly charred sweet corn, doused with salt, chili powder, and lime juice always brings back memories of Pakistan. This recipe makes it possible for me to recreate those memories in just 20 minutes rain or shine.

Air Fryer Corn Recipe

A grey napkin with a small wood board topped with fried samosas.

Easy Potato Samosa Recipe

In this Easy Potato Samosa Recipe, seasoned mashed potatoes are wrapped in egg roll wrappers and fried till crispy. Dipped in cilantro mint chutney, tamarind dipping sauce, or raw mango chutney, these are a favorite tea-time snack in Pakistan and India.

potato samosa recipe

Pakistani condiments

Condiments are a great way to enhance the taste and enjoyment of Pakistani vegetarian recipes. Pick from various chutneys, raita, and pickles and enjoy them with curries, rice, and flatbreads.

Cucumber raita in a yellow bowl sitting on a wooden board with a dark blue napkin on a light grey kitchen counter.

Cucumber Raita Recipe (Pakistani)

This Cucumber Raita Recipe (Pakistani) is one of the easiest recipes you’ll likely come across in Pakistani and Indian recipes. All you need are 15 minutes, some basic grocery store ingredients, a well-sharpened knife, and some mean chopping skills.

Cucumber Raita Recipe

A bowl filled with raita (pakistani cilantro sauce) is resting on a grey napkin and a jar of green chutney is in the background with a plate of cilantro, green chilies and limes.

Raita Recipe (Pakistani Cilantro Sauce)

This Raita Recipe (Pakistani Cilantro Sauce) is a quick and easy 10-minute recipe for a popular Pakistani condiment. A cilantro chutney is prepared and mixed with some yogurt to make this light and refreshing raita.

Cilantro Raita recipe

Cilantro Mint Chutney

Cilantro Mint Chutney, often also called hari chutney or dhaniya pudina chutney, is a popular condiment in South Asian Cuisine. Often served along with the main course, this bright sauce is the best part of the meal!

Cilantro Mint Chutney Recipe

Raw mango chutney is plated in a bowl resting on a silver tray on top of a dark gray napkin.

Raw Mango Chutney Recipe (No-Cook)

This Raw Mango Chutney Recipe (No-Cook) is tangy, sweet, and spicy. Ready in just 15 minutes, it pairs perfectly with snacks like samosas, pakoras, and kebabs. I like it best with my green tomato pakoras.

Raw Mango Chutney Recipe

Prepared kachumber salad is plated in a yellow ceramic bowl that is resting on a dark blue napkin.

Kachumber Salad (Pakistani Salad)

This Kachumber Salad (Pakistani Salad) is a simple, light, refreshing salad similar to Pico de Gallo. Ready in 15 minutes, with supermarket staples, this salad pairs well with all South Asian recipes.

Kachumber Salad Recipe

Vegetarian recipes for desserts

Pakistani cuisine offers a variety of delicious and rich-flavored vegetarian desserts. Some popular ones include Kheer, gulab jamun, and gajar ka halwa. These desserts are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth and are often enjoyed during festivals and special occasions.

Zarda Recipe (Pakistani Sweet Rice)

Zarda Recipe (Pakistani Sweet Rice) is a classic South Asian dessert that screams winter. Popular at special occasions like weddings and Eid, this warm and cozy sweet treat requires only 20 minutes of active cooking time.

Zarda Recipe

Falooda (Pakistani Ice Cream Dessert)

Falooda (Pakistani Ice Cream Dessert) is an easy and delicious gluten-free summer treat that takes just 10 minutes to assemble. A cross between a sundae and a milkshake, this dessert originated in Persia as Faloodeh. Today, Falooda is a popular street food all over Pakistan and India and the perfect antidote to the excessive summer heat in the region.

Falooda Recipe

A freshly cooked plate of pumpkin halwa is being served with a garnish of almonds and rose petals.

Pumpkin Halwa (Gluten Free Dessert)

It's fall season and if you have a sweet tooth then you'll want to try this traditional Pakistani Pumpkin Halwa {Gluten Free Dessert}. Seasonal pumpkin, milk, sugar, ghee {or cooking oil} and cardamom are all you really need. A few nuts and rose petals for the garnish and you have a beautiful holiday worthy dessert!

Pumpkin halwa recipe

Sooji Ka Halwa (Pakistani Semolina Pudding)

Sooji Ka Halwa (Pakistani Semolina Pudding) is a classic Pakistani and Indian dessert that comes together in under 30 minutes. Fluffy semolina is roasted in cardamom-infused oil and then cooked in yellow-colored sugar syrup till it's light and fluffy. A garnishing of nuts and rose petals completes the rich halwa that you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Sooji ka halwa recipe

A fine china plate filled with Nan Khatai is resting on a grey napkin with bowls of almonds and cardamom in the background.

Nan Khatai (Pakistani Cardamom Shortbread Cookies)

Buttery, crispy, and deliciously aromatic, Nan Khatai (Pakistani Cardamom Shortbread Cookies) are among the most popular cookies in Pakistan, especially in Lahore. A few pantry staples and a 20-minute baking time are all you need to enjoy this recipe with a delicious cup of Kashmiri Chai.

Nan Khatai Recipe

I'd love to hear from you if you try any of these Pakistani vegetarian recipes! If you have a minute, please leave a review telling me how you liked what you cooked. You can also share your creations on Instagram. Thank you!