What are 15 Delicious Jain Food Recipes You Can Make?

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Key Highlights

• Jain dinner recipes focus on purity, simplicity, and flavour while strictly following Jain dietary principles without onion, garlic, or root vegetables.
• The blog features 15 quick and delicious Jain dinner recipes, ranging from comforting Indian classics to flavourful Jain international dishes.
• Protein-rich ingredients like rajma, chole, lilva beans, paneer, and koftas make Jain meals filling and nutritionally balanced.
• Innovative uses of ingredients such as raw banana, ripe banana, spiny gourd, and cabbage showcase the creativity of Jain cuisine.
• Jain adaptations of popular dishes like poha, samosa, pasta, and dabeli retain taste while respecting traditional food rules.
• These recipes are easy to prepare at home, making them ideal for everyday dinners as well as special occasions and Paryushan meals.
• The collection highlights the diversity of Jain cuisine, proving it can be wholesome, satisfying, and enjoyable without compromising on tradition.

Eating is not just about nourishment; it’s an experience shaped by aroma, taste, and tradition. For those following Jain dietary principles, finding meals that are flavourful, varied, and satisfying can sometimes feel limiting, especially when onion, garlic, and certain root vegetables are off the table.

Nonetheless, Jain food can be just as exciting and diverse as any other cuisine. With the right ingredients and techniques, it’s possible to prepare meals that respect Jain customs while still delivering comfort, richness, and variety across everyday cooking and special occasions.

In this blog, we bring you a curated collection of 15 delicious and easy-to-make Jain recipes, covering Jain main course dishes, rice dishes, rotis, and subzi or gravies.

What Are the 15 Best Jain Recipes You Can Easily Make at Home?

With the basics of Jain cooking in mind, it’s time to move from concept to kitchen. Below, you’ll find 15 carefully selected Jain dinner recipes that are easy to prepare yet rich in flavour, aroma, and variety.

From comforting classics like Rajma Chawal to lighter options such as Poha, each dish highlights how Jain cuisine can be both satisfying and creative.

1. Rajma (Jain)

Every Indian at heart will vouch for the comforting feeling of digging into a plate of Rajma Chawal. This Jain version of Rajma Chawal is true to its traditional counterpart; it is hearty, flavourful, and soul-satisfying.

The cooking process involves simmering the rajma until tender, preparing the aromatic gravy, and combining both. Finally, serve it with steaming hot Jain rice. It’s a complete meal in itself, perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

• Rajma (red kidney beans), soaked
• Tomatoes, pureed
• Green chilli
• Cumin seeds
• Spices
• Rice
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Pressure-cook the soaked rajma until tender
• Sauté cumin, ginger, and chilli
• Add tomato purée and spices, cook well
• Mix in the rajma and simmer
• Serve hot with steamed rice

This comforting dish deserves a place in any Jain food menu list, offering a hearty, balanced meal without compromising traditional Jain principles.

2. Jain Poha

Poha, or flattened rice, is a popular low carb dish across India. The Jain variant of this dish excludes onion, making it both simple and delicious.

In this recipe, poha is seasoned with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and asafoetida. Crunchy peanuts are added for texture, while lemon juice gives it a delightful tanginess. Garnished with fresh coriander leaves, every spoonful of this dish bursts with flavour. Its ease of preparation and light nature make it perfect for a quick dinner meal.

Ingredients

• Poha (flattened rice)
• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Turmeric
• Asafoetida
• Peanuts
• Lemon juice
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Rinse poha and set aside
• Temper mustard, cumin, and asafoetida
• Add peanuts and turmeric
• Mix in poha and salt
• Finish with lemon juice and coriander

Light, quick, and soothing, Jain Poha works beautifully as both a simple dinner and a gentle Jain breakfast option on busy days.

Read the complete recipe of Aloo Poha here.

3. Jain Chole Bhature

Jain Chole Bhature is a delectable combination of spicy chickpea curry and fluffy deep-fried bread. It’s a wholesome meal that is heartening and indulgent at the same time.

Cooking kabuli chana until tender, preparing a lush gravy using tomatoes and spices, mixing both, and simmering it to perfection results in a flavorful Jain Chole. When served with Bhature, fluffy deep-fried bread, and capsicum besan sabzi, it becomes an irresistible dish. Though it takes some time and effort, the result is completely worth it.

Ingredients (Chole)

• Kabuli chana (chickpeas)
• Tomatato
• Green chilli
• Chole spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe (Chole)

• Pressure-cook chickpeas until soft
• Prepare tomato-spice gravy
• Add chickpeas and simmer

Ingredients (Bhature)

• All-purpose flour (maida)
• Semolina (sooji)
• Yogurt
• Baking soda
• Sugar
• Salt
• Oil
• Water (as needed)

Recipe

• In a bowl, mix flour, semolina, salt, sugar, and baking soda
• Add yoghurt and a little oil, then knead into a soft dough using water
• Cover and rest the dough for 1-2 hours
• Divide into balls and roll into oval discs
• Deep-fry in hot oil until puffed and golden
• Drain excess oil and serve hot

Rich and celebratory, this dish highlights how indulgent a well-planned Jain food menu can be, even without onion or garlic.

4. Raw Banana Coconut Sabzi (Jain Recipe)

Raw Banana with Coconut Sabzi introduces an innovative way to use raw bananas in Jain cooking. Combining raw banana with grated coconut and a medley of spices is refreshing and unique.

The bananas are cooked until soft, mixed with spices and curd, and finally topped with grated coconut, offering a balance of sweet and spicy flavours. The fresh coconut crunch and the bananas’ softness are delightful on the palate. This dish is ideal for a light dinner and can be paired beautifully with roti or rice.

Ingredients

• Raw banana
• Grated coconut
• Curd
• Spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Boil the banana until soft
• Toss with spices and curd
• Top with grated coconut
• Mix gently and cook briefly

This mildly spiced sabzi showcases the versatility of vegetables in everyday Jain dishes meant for light, nourishing dinners.

Try delicious Vazhakkai Adai (Raw Banana Adai), a crispy, savoury South Indian pancake that’s perfect for breakfast or snacks!

5. Jain Lilva Beans Sabji

Lilva beans, or pigeon peas, are a winter speciality widely used in Indian cooking. This Jain Lilva Beans Sabji celebrates the earthy flavour of these beans, coupled with a blend of bold Indian spices.

The recipe calls for boiling the lilva beans and then cooking them in an aromatic medley of spices. The final dish is garnished with freshly chopped coriander leaves, adding colour and freshness. Packed with protein, this dish is delicious and highly healthy. It pairs well with flatbread or rice.

Ingredients

• Lilva beans
• Tomatoes
• Spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Boil lilva beans until tender
• Sauté tomatoes and spices
• Add beans and cook briefly
• Garnish with coriander

Protein-rich and seasonal, this sabji is a great example of wholesome Jain food items suited for regular home meals.

6. Jain Dabeli Canapes

A spin-off of the classic Gujarati snack, Jain Dabeli Canapes offers a promising burst of flavours. This recipe features canapes with a flavoursome mixture of cooked raw bananas, dabeli masala, and sweet chutney, garnished with pomegranate seeds.

The unique combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavours marries perfectly with the crunchiness of the canapes. It is an impressive dish to serve at dinner parties and gatherings, sure to be a hit among everyone, regardless of their food preferences.

Ingredients

• Raw banana
• Dabeli masala
• Sweet chutney
• Canapes
• Pomegranate seeds

Recipe

• Cook mashed banana with masala
• Fill canapes with a mixture
• Top with chutney and seeds
• Serve immediately

These flavour-packed bites fit perfectly into a modern Jain snacks list, ideal for gatherings and evening appetisers.

7. Jain Masala Samosa

Samosas are a much-loved Indian snack, and their fillings can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Jain samosas are prepared without onion or garlic, yet they remain just as flavourful and satisfying.

A carefully seasoned filling is wrapped in a crisp pastry and fried until golden brown, creating a perfect balance of crunch and softness. These Jain samosas work beautifully as a dinner-party starter or a light, comforting evening snack.

Ingredients

• Samosa pastry
• Potato filling
• Spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Prepare the Jain potato filling
• Stuff into pastry sheets
• Seal and deep-fry until golden
• Drain and serve hot

Crispy and satisfying, these samosas earn a spot in both festive spreads and a curated Jain starters list for dinner parties.

Learn how to make vegetable samosa at home.

8. Jain Linguine Pasta with Herbs

Italian cuisine has gained worldwide popularity for its simplicity and bold flavours. This Jain Linguine Pasta with Herbs is a heartwarming dish combining Italian cooking methods with Jain dietary principles.

The linguine is cooked al dente and tossed in a flavorful mix of crushed cashews, olives, coriander, dill leaves, cheese, oregano, and black pepper. The addition of dry ginger powder adds a unique and exciting flavour twist. The result is a delightful plate of pasta that satisfies your cravings and stays true to Jain’s cooking practices.

Ingredients

• Linguine pasta
• Crushed cashews
• Olives
• Herbs
• Cheese
• Spices

Recipe

• Cook pasta al dente
• Toss with herbs, nuts, and spices
• Finish with cheese and pepper
• Serve warm

A fusion Jain dish that feels indulgent yet balanced.

9. Jain Red Sauce Pasta

If you have an appetite for something more indulgent, the Jain Red Sauce Pasta is the perfect pick. This recipe is a Jain version of the classic Italian pasta, prepared with meticulously selected ingredients to comply with Jain dietary requirements.

The pasta is cooked in a warm, refreshing red sauce made from boiled tomatoes mixed with herbs and spices. Served with crunchy celery and garnished with a dash of cheese and coriander, this pasta dish is truly a joy to devour.

Ingredients

• Pasta
• Tomatoes
• Herbs
• Celery
• Cheese
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Cook pasta until tender
• Prepare tomato-herb sauce
• Toss pasta with sauce
• Garnish with cheese and coriander

A comforting Jain-style dinner option.

10. Ripe Banana Jain Sabji

Another great addition to your collection of Jain food recipes for dinner is the Ripe Banana Jain Sabji. It uniquely utilises ripe bananas and transforms them into flavorful, texture-rich curry.

The bananas are cooked with aromatic spices such as mustard seeds, cumin powder, dry red chillies, coriander powder, and turmeric. A hint of lemon juice gives the curry a slight tanginess, ensuring every spoonful is packed with an explosion of flavours. This simple yet exciting recipe will be a welcome change to your dinner menu.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas
• Mustard seeds
• Spices
• Lemon juice
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Slice bananas gently
• Temper spices in oil
• Add bananas and cook briefly
• Finish with lemon juice

A unique and flavourful Jain sabzi.

11. Jain Style Kofta Curry

Jain Kofta Curry is a beautiful dish that combines traditional koftas with potato balls. They are soft, melt-in-the-mouth, and blend perfectly with the creamy tomato gravy,

The preparation involves making soft koftas using boiled potatoes and green chillies, and then dousing them in a rich and aromatic tomato gravy. Best served with roti or rice, this Jain-style Kofta Curry is bound to leave you craving more.

Ingredients

• Boiled potatoes
• Green chillies
• Tomatoes
• Spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Shape and fry potato koftas
• Prepare tomato-based gravy
• Add koftas gently
• Simmer briefly and serve

A special-occasion Jain dinner dish.

Savour rich flavours with Kofta curry, soft veg balls in a creamy, spiced gravy that’s perfect with rice or roti!

12. Spiny Gourd Jain Sabji

The Spiny Gourd Jain Sabji uses spiny gourd as the main ingredient. It’s cooked with chopped tomatoes and aromatic spices like turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and coriander powder, and it’s garnished with fresh coriander.

This sabzi is light yet packed with flavour. It is perfect for those who enjoy the fresh taste of vegetables, highlighted by an assortment of spices. It pairs well with any Indian flatbread for a simple and nutritious dinner.

Ingredients

• Spiny gourd
• Tomatoes
• Spices
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Chop and sauté spiny gourd
• Add tomatoes and spices
• Cook until tender
• Garnish with coriander

A simple, nutritious Jain dinner to enjoy regularly.

13. Capsicum Besan Sabzi (Jain)

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Capsicum Besan Sabzi is a simple yet flavour-packed Jain dish that combines the crunch of capsicum with the nutty richness of gram flour. It’s quick to prepare, comforting, and works beautifully as a dry sabzi for everyday dinners.

Ingredients

• Capsicum, sliced
• Gram flour (besan)
• Mustard seeds
• Asafoetida
• Turmeric
• Coriander powder
• Oil and salt

Recipe

• Dry-roast besan until aromatic and set aside
• Heat oil, add mustard seeds and asafoetida
• Add capsicum and cook until slightly tender
• Mix in roasted besan, spices, and salt
• Cook briefly until well combined

This sabzi pairs perfectly with chapati or dal-rice meals.

14. Jain American Chopsuey

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Jain American Chopsuey is a popular Indo-Chinese comfort dish adapted to Jain dietary rules. With crisp noodles, mixed vegetables, and a mildly sweet-spicy sauce, it offers a satisfying one-bowl meal without onion or garlic.

Ingredients

• Crispy fried noodles
• Cabbage, capsicum, beans
• Tomato ketchup
• Soy sauce (Jain-friendly)
• Cornflour
• Oil, salt, and pepper

Recipe

• Stir-fry vegetables lightly in oil
• Add sauces, salt, and pepper
• Thicken with cornflour slurry
• Place crispy noodles in a bowl
• Pour hot vegetable sauce over noodles

Best enjoyed immediately for maximum crunch and flavour.

15. Cheesy Pepper Rice (Jain)

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Cheesy Pepper Rice is a comforting Jain-friendly rice dish that blends soft grains, mild spice, and creamy cheese. It’s a great option when you want something indulgent yet easy to prepare for dinner.

Ingredients

• Cooked rice
• Capsicum, finely chopped
• Crushed black pepper
• Cheese (grated)
• Butter or oil
• Salt

Recipe

• Heat butter or oil in a pan
• Sauté capsicum lightly
• Add rice, pepper, and salt
• Mix well and cook briefly
• Finish with grated cheese and fold gently

This dish works well as a standalone meal or with a light Jain salad.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a staunch follower of Jain dietary rules or love exploring new cuisines, there’s something for everyone within Jain cuisine. This selection of easy Jain recipes for dinner can help you whip up a variety of tasty and wholesome meals right in your kitchen.

From the comforting Rajma Chawal to the innovative Jain snacks like Raw Banana with Coconut Sabji, these dishes are a testament to the diversity and richness of Jain cuisine. They skillfully navigate the restrictions of the Jain diet and offer delightful culinary experiences. So, challenge yourself to step out of your cooking comfort zone and dive into the fascinating flavours and techniques of Jain cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jain’s special food?

Unique Jain dishes include variants of popular Indian dishes, infusing interesting ingredients like raw bananas, lilva beans, and spiny gourd. They retain the wholesome and aromatic essence for which Indian cuisine is known despite the dietary restrictions.

What is a typical Jain meal?

A typical Jain meal includes grains, pulses, vegetables, and dairy products without root vegetables and certain spices. It can range from simple khichdi and dhoklas to complex curries and paneer dishes.

What is the Jain Hindu meal?

Jain Hindu meals are prepared in line with Jain dietary principles. This means they exclude root vegetables, like onions and garlic, and embrace vegetarian ingredients that minimise harm to other living organisms.

What is the Jain food list vegetarian?

The Jain food list includes grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables, except root vegetables. Dairy products are also consumed, but vegan Jains may avoid them.

How can I make traditional Jain recipes healthier?

To make traditional Jain recipes healthier, use minimal oil, steam or grill vegetables, choose whole grains, and focus on low-carb meals. Dishes like mag ni dal suit people managing high blood pressure when portions are controlled carefully.

Can you give me a sample Jain menu for a special occasion?

Yes, for a special occasion, plan a Jain menu with Jain starter recipes, comforting mains, rice, rotis, and sweets. Include crowd favourites like Jain pav bhaji alongside curries, salads, and festive desserts for family gatherings and celebrations alike.

Where can I find Jain food recipe ideas to save for later?

You can find Jain food inspiration on online blogs, cookbooks, and trusted recipe websites. Bookmark collections featuring Jain breakfast recipes, dinner ideas, and jain recipes snacks to save favourites for later cooking and easy meal planning at home regularly.

Are there any Jain dessert recipes with simple ingredients?

Yes, several Jain dessert recipes use simple ingredients like milk, fruits, jaggery, and nuts. Options such as fruit chaat, shrikhand, or coconut ladoo are easy to prepare, satisfying, and suitable for festive meals without complex steps or equipment.