When it comes to Indian food, curries often steal the spotlight, but the salads deserve just as much attention.
Indian salads are fresh, vibrant, and full of unique flavors, bringing together spices, herbs, and colorful ingredients that make them stand out on any table.
From refreshing cucumber salads with a spicy kick to hearty chickpea salads packed with protein, there’s a salad here for every taste.
Today, we’re sharing our absolute favorites – there’s a mix of light sides and filling salads, each one celebrating Indian flavors in a fresh, new way in this article.
Give them a try, and bring a little extra spice and color to your meals!
1. Spicy Indian Cucumber Salad
A refreshing twist on cucumber salad with bold spices.
- Ingredients: Cucumber, jalapeño, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, lime or lemon juice, shredded coconut, crushed peanuts.
- Method: Chop cucumber and mix with jalapeño, lime juice, shredded coconut, and spices. Add peanuts for crunch, and toss everything together for a spicy, refreshing salad.
2. Cucumber Kosambari
This South Indian salad combines cucumber and mung bean sprouts for a refreshing, slightly tangy flavor.
- Ingredients: Moong dal, cucumber, green chili, mango, shredded coconut, cilantro.
- Method: Soak the moong dal, then drain and combine with chopped cucumber, mango, green chili, shredded coconut, and cilantro for a fresh, crunchy salad.
3. Cabbage and Carrot Indian Salad
Inspired by South Indian Thoran curry, this cabbage and carrot salad is loaded with flavor.
- Ingredients: Cabbage, carrot, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, shallots, green chili, garlic, curry leaves, turmeric, shredded coconut.
- Method: Sauté mustard and cumin seeds with shallots, garlic, and spices. Pour over shredded cabbage and carrot, then mix with shredded coconut. Serve warm or at room temperature.
4. Samosa Salad
A deconstructed take on samosas with potatoes, chickpeas, and a tangy dressing.
- Ingredients: Potato, red cabbage, carrot, red onion, green peas, chickpeas, ginger, garlic, lime juice, curry powder, cumin, garam masala.
- Method: Mix vegetables and chickpeas with spices. Blend ginger, garlic, cilantro, mint, lime juice, and olive oil for the dressing, pour over the salad, and toss to combine.
5. Spinach Salad
This Indian-inspired spinach salad has roasted cauliflower, radishes, and fragrant spices for extra depth.
- Ingredients: Spinach, cauliflower, radishes, shallots, ginger, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, tamarind paste.
- Method: Roast cauliflower and radishes, then sauté shallots with spices. Toss spinach with the roasted veggies and tamarind dressing.
6. Tandoori-Style Tofu Salad
Swap out the chicken for tofu in this plant-based take on a tandoori salad.
- Ingredients: Lettuce, cucumber, roasted cashews, red onion, cilantro, vegan yogurt, mint, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic.
- Method: Combine ingredients for the yogurt dressing. Layer lettuce, cucumber, cashews, and onion, then drizzle with the mint yogurt dressing.
7. Grilled Paneer Salad (Using Tofu or Vegan Paneer)
This grilled tofu salad has a fresh chutney made with cilantro and mint.
- Ingredients: Tofu or vegan paneer, cilantro, mint, onion, lime juice, ginger, garlic, cumin, onion, mini peppers, and lettuce.
- Method: Marinate tofu in chutney, then grill with onions and peppers. Place on a bed of lettuce and serve with extra chutney.
8. Indian Onion Salad
A simple onion salad, or Laccha Pyaaz, is often served with Indian meals.
- Ingredients: Red onion, red chili powder, chaat masala, cumin powder, green chili, lime juice, mint, cilantro.
- Method: Soak onion slices in water, then drain and mix with spices, lime juice, mint, and cilantro.
9. Sprouted Moong Salad
A crunchy, protein-rich salad made with sprouted mung beans and fresh veggies.
- Ingredients: Moong bean sprouts, cucumber, tomato, carrot, red onion, roasted cumin powder, black salt, chili powder, lime juice.
- Method: Combine sprouts with chopped vegetables, toss with spices, and finish with lime juice and chopped cilantro.
10. Moong Dal Carrot Salad
A colorful salad combining moong dal and carrot for a bright, flavorful dish.
- Ingredients: Moong dal, grated carrot, shredded coconut, cilantro, green chili, mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves.
- Method: Soak moong dal, then mix with carrot, coconut, and cilantro. Sauté mustard seeds and curry leaves, pour over the salad and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
11. Chickpea Salad
A simple and protein-packed chickpea salad with fresh, zesty flavor.
- Ingredients: Cooked chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil.
- Method: Mix chickpeas with vegetables, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season to taste.
12. Black Chickpea Salad
This nutrient-dense black chickpea salad, or Kala Chana Chaat, is rich in flavor.
- Ingredients: Black chickpeas, red onion, tomato, avocado, green chili, mint, cilantro, lemon juice, chaat masala.
- Method: Combine black chickpeas with chopped veggies, season with spices, and toss with lemon juice.
13. Beetroot Chickpea Salad
A colorful salad featuring earthy beets and chickpeas with a balsamic vinaigrette.
- Ingredients: Beetroot, chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mint, cilantro, balsamic vinegar, olive oil.
- Method: Mix sliced beets and chickpeas with other vegetables, toss with balsamic vinaigrette, and garnish with mint and cilantro.
14. Spicy Mango Salad
A sweet and spicy salad combining fresh mango with cucumber, red onion, and chili.
- Ingredients: Mango, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, mango balsamic vinegar, chili oil, roasted peanuts.
- Method: Combine mango, cucumber, and onion, toss with chili oil and vinegar, and top with roasted peanuts.
15. Tomato Salad with Mint Dressing
A refreshing tomato salad with a creamy mint dressing, perfect as a side dish.
- Ingredients: Tomatoes, red onion, coconut yogurt, mint leaves, lemon juice, garam masala.
- Method: Slice tomatoes and onions, mix coconut yogurt with mint and lemon for dressing, and drizzle over the salad.
16. Indian Fruit Salad with Vegan Custard
A refreshing fruit salad dressed with a lightly spiced, plant-based vanilla custard.
- Ingredients: Mixed fruit (like berries, apples, and bananas), almond or oat milk, vanilla extract, cardamom, cornstarch, sugar, and saffron.
- Method: Make custard by cooking almond milk with vanilla, cardamom, and cornstarch until thickened. Pour over fresh fruit and enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Indian salads bring vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and creative spice blends to the table.
Each of these vegan recipes offers something unique, from crunchy cucumber salads to sweet and spicy mango creations.
Try a few of these, and let the flavors and colors of Indian cuisine bring a little extra excitement to your meals!
