Going low carb as a vegetarian in an Indian household can feel like trying to find WiFi in the mountains. Everything’s either loaded with rice, swimming in potatoes, or paired with three rotis and a guilt trip. But eating low carb doesn’t have to mean bland salads and protein bars pretending to be food.
This list brings you 16 low carb Indian vegetarian recipes that are actually satisfying – flavour-packed curries, vegetable stir fry, stuffed veggies, and creative twists that ditch the carbs without ditching the taste. Whether you’re cutting carbs for health, weight loss goals, or just trying not to feel like a sack of rice post-dinner, these recipes have your back.
16 Delicious Low-Carb Indian Vegetarian Recipes for Dinner
From creamy curries to stir-fried favourites, these dishes prove that going low carb doesn’t mean giving up flavour—or feeling full. Whether you’re cutting carbs for health, weight goals, or just better digestion, these vegetarian recipes check all the boxes: light, tasty, and totally doable on a weeknight.
1. Paneer Tikka Grilled
Paneer Tikka platter with spices
Paneer Tikka Grilled is a tasty, low-carb dinner idea from India. It’s made for vegetarians and is perfect for including in your meal prep for the week. It has paneer cubes soaked in spices and yoghurt, then grilled until just right, along with cauliflower for a real Indian flavour. This dish is inspired by a paneer tikka masala recipe and served right off the grill, making your mouth water and keeping you happy if you’re watching your carbs, combining elements that make it a complete meal with only 3 grams of carbs in each serving.
For a tasty and low-carb option, try the Paneer Tikka Grilled recipe with only 3 grams of carbs per serving. This dish is a fan favourite, made with paneer cheese cubes and cauliflower for a delicious and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for vegetarians looking for low-carb foods and can be prepared ahead of time for a quick and easy dinner option
2. Cauliflower Rice Pilaf with Spices
Cauliflower rice pilaf with spices
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf with Spices is a tasty, low-carb option for people who love rice dishes. By chopping cauliflower into small, rice-sized pieces, stir-frying them with tasty spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander, and adding some green peas, you get a flavourful and aromatic pilaf. This dish meets your desire for a rice meal while keeping your carbs low. Cauliflower is a flexible veggie that soaks up the strong spice and green pea flavours well. It replaces traditional bread with low-carb bread, making the pilaf even more delicious. You can make cauliflower rice using a food processor at home or buy it at your local grocery store.
Also Read: Cauliflower Mint Rice Recipe.
3. Creamy Spinach and Tofu Curry
Spinach and tofu curry bowl
Spinach and Tofu Curry combines delicious spinach with protein-rich tofu, enhanced by a blend of spices, which is ideal for individuals following a keto diet. Low in carbs yet high in protein and whole foods, this stir fry is further enriched by the creamy texture of coconut milk, making it both flavourful and nutritious. Infused with Indian spices and prepared using stir-fry techniques, this dish promises to delight your palate. Pair it with brown rice, white rice, cauliflower rice, or almond flour flatbread to savour an authentic Indian curry experience.
Read the Spinach and Tofu stir fry curry recipe here.
4. Mushroom Masala
Indian mushroom masala dish
Mushroom masala is a delicious Indian dish that is low in carbs and pleases your taste buds. It contains a blend of aromatic spices and vegetables, offering a flavourful and healthy meal option. Mushrooms are rich in protein and complement Indian seasonings well, creating a satisfying and nutritious dish.
Read the complete Mushroom Masala Recipe.
5. Lemon Coriander Soup
Lemon coriander soup bowl
Lemon Coriander Soup tastes fresh and inviting. It mixes a bright lemon taste with the rich aroma of coriander for a one-of-a-kind flavour. This soup is full of good stuff for your body and has few carbs, making it great for a light meal at night. The spices added to this usual Indian dish turn it into a filling and healthy meal, especially good for people eating less carbs.
6. Keto-Friendly Palak Paneer
Palak tofu in a bowl
A blend of spinach, tofu, and flavourful spices creates Keto-Friendly Palak Tofu, reminiscent of the traditional Palak Paneer but rich in protein. Prepared with fresh vegetables and spices, this dish enhances your dining experience. It is ideal for individuals following a keto regimen or reducing carb intake.
Read the complete recipe of Palak Paneer here.
7. Okra Stir-Fry
Spiced okra stir fry in a bowl
Okra, which some people call lady’s finger, is a flexible and nutritious veggie that is the star in this Spiced Okra Stir-Fry recipe. To make this meal, begin by cleaning and cutting the okra into small slices. Then, warm a bit of olive oil in a pan and throw in tasty spices such as cumin, turmeric, and coriander for a true Indian flavour, taking the ordinary okra to the next level. Add the okra pieces and cook them until they’re soft but a little bit crunchy, making it the most delicious way to enjoy okra. This dish is low in carbs and is very liked in North India. It makes a great choice for a light and fulfilling dinner, full of fibre and important nutrients.
Read more to know the complete recipe for Okra stir-fry.
8. Eggplant and Tomato Bake
Baked eggplant and tomatoes dish
Eggplant and Tomato Bake is a great choice for a low-carb and high-protein Indian vegetarian dinner. This meal mixes the rich taste of eggplant with the fresh taste of tomatoes. It’s a filling and tasty dish that is perfect for those looking to increase their protein intake with a high-protein and low-carb option. The eggplant, which feels a bit like meat, soaks up the spices and the tomato taste. This gives you a flavour explosion in every bite.
9. Cabbage Thoran with Coconut
Cabbage thoran with coconut
Cabbage Thoran with Coconut is a tasty dish from South India. It mixes the fresh taste of cabbage with the creamy feel of coconut, making it a perfect addition to an Indian diet plan. This dish is great for anyone looking for a low-carb Indian meal, and it’s easy to make for dinner with a pressure cooker. Thoran is usually made by cooking veggies with coconut, curry leaves, and spices. This not only makes it flavourful but also healthy. This recipe, also called Khamang Kakdi, is not just delicious but also good for you if you’re eating less carbs. It fits well into a healthy dinner plan and can be a part of a well-rounded diet plan. You can find how to make coconut chutney for it in this coconut chutney recipe, too.
10. Broccoli and Cheese Curry
Broccoli cheese curry bowl
Broccoli and Cheese Curry mix the benefits of broccoli and the yumminess of cheese in a tasty curry. This meal mixes the healthy side of broccoli, a low-carb veggie full of nutrients, with delicious cheese for a satisfying meal. The flavourful spices, such as turmeric and cumin, mix well with soft broccoli pieces and the rich cheese sauce, making it a great dinner option.
11. Vegan Butter Cauliflower
Vegan Butter Cauliflower dish
Vegan Butter Cauliflower is a low-carb Indian dish that is both rich and smooth. It doesn’t skimp on taste. It’s filled with warm spices and coconut milk, hitting the right spot in taste. The soft cauliflower bits take in the delicious sauce. They mix well together in texture. With fresh veggies and tasty Indian spices, this dish is great for a low carb Indian veggie dinner list. Check out the tandoori cauliflower recipe for a tasty and healthy meal.
12. Green Beans with Garlic Tadka
Green beans mixed with garlic bits and Brussels sprouts create a delicious side dish that’s low in carbs and packed with taste. The crisp green beans combined with the smell and flavour of garlic turn this Indian recipe into a great option to go with any main dish. The garlic flavour makes the green beans taste even better. It’s simple to make and also helps add some healthy vitamins to your dinner choices.
13. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers on dining table
Stuffed bell pepper is a yummy blend of flavours that are low in carbs and packed with nutrition. These colourful peppers are a great meal for the whole family. With their delicious taste, they’ll make your dinner table more lively and provide a healthy choice everyone will enjoy.
14. Avocado Cucumber Salad
Avocado cucumber salad bowl
With smooth avocado and crunchy cucumber, this salad is tasty and packed with good stuff. It’s full of healthy fats and fibre from fresh vegetables, perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet. Add some lime juice and Indian spices, and you’ll have a tasty twist that spices up your dinner. Each bite gives you the crunch of veggies and the creamy feel of avocado. It’s a yummy way to stick to your low-carb plan with this delicious low-carb salad recipe. For more low-carb recipes, take a look at our list of low-carb salad recipes.
15. Roasted Spicy Cauliflower
Roasted spicy cauliflower
Roasted Spicy Cauliflower is one of the incredibly delicious and bursting low-carb foods with delightful flavours. This dish pairs crispy cauliflower with flavourful spices for a delectable dinner option that is also carb-conscious. It is ideal for keeping you satisfied, particularly if you are adhering to a low-carb or keto eating plan. The addition of spices transforms plain cauliflower into a crowd-pleasing dish, especially when prepared using an air fryer.
16. Creamy Tomato Soup with Paneer
Creamy tomato soup with paneer cubes
Tomato Soup with Paneer is a delicious mix of tastes. It brings together the thick feel of cottage cheese with the cosy warmth of tomato soup. This Indian recipe is low in carbs, good for vegetarians, and has a smooth texture that fills you up in a good and healthy way. It’s perfect for a nice dinner at home, especially when made in an Instant Pot for a quick and easy one-pot meal. The sour tomatoes and soft cottage cheese pair beautifully with fragrant basmati rice, making this a must-have on any vegetarian Indian feast menu. And with our instant pot recipe option, you can enjoy this creamy and flavourful dish, including chicken tikka masala, in no time!
Conclusion
These low-carb Indian dinner recipes in vegetarian cuisine offer a delightful twist to your usual meal routine. Whether you opt for the Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with its burst of flavours or the Creamy Tomato Soup with Paneer for a comforting indulgence, these dishes are sure to spice up your dinner table. Embrace the goodness of Indian spices and the richness of avocado in your meals, making every bite both satisfying and nutritious. Remember to explore more low-carb snack recipes and salads to keep your dinner menu exciting and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some low-carb Indian vegetarian dinner ideas?
Some easy Indian vegetarian dinner dishes are cauliflower rice biryani, palak paneer made with tofu instead of paneer, pav bhaji, and vegetable stir-fry with low-carb veggies such as bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini. These dishes taste great and are good for a wholesome dinner choice.
What Makes These Recipes Low Carb?
These recipes are perfect for people who eat fewer carbs. They contain few carbs, which helps keep blood sugar stable and helps you lose weight.
Are These Recipes Gluten-Free?
Absolutely, if you use almond or coconut flour instead of normal wheat flour, you can make these dishes gluten-free. These options remove the gluten and add a nice nutty flavour. They also make the texture of your dishes lighter.
What Are the Best Low-Carb Sweets to Go with These Dinners?
With your low-carb meals, you can have delicious desserts, too. These won’t fill you with carbs or sugar. Enjoy snacks using almond milk, salads with few carbs, and sugar-free sweets. These goodies are tasty and help control your sweet desires. This way, you will keep your eating plan.
Do any of these recipes not have dairy?
Some of these recipes don’t use milk products. If you can’t or don’t want to eat milk products, it’s okay. You can use coconut milk or olive oil instead of paneer and ghee. This way, you still get delicious food without any milk in it, and you can enjoy a good source of protein from alternative ingredients. These recipes are great for someone who can’t handle lactose or chooses not to eat dairy.
