Palak, or Indian spinach, is a fantastic ingredient to keep on hand—it’s packed with nutrients and super versatile.
From hearty curries to tasty snacks, palak can be used in so many delicious ways.
Here are 20 vegan recipes that bring out its unique flavor, giving you plenty of options to enjoy this nutritious green in all kinds of dishes.
1. Bread Palak Vada
Bread palak vada is a popular snack that combines the heartiness of bread and potatoes with the vibrant flavor of spinach. It’s perfect for a tea-time snack or party appetizer.
- Ingredients: Bread slices, fresh spinach, boiled potatoes, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, coriander powder, salt, oil for frying.
- Method: Mash boiled potatoes and mix with chopped spinach, chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and spices. Crumble the bread slices and add to the mixture to create a thick dough. Shape into small patties and deep-fry in hot oil until golden and crispy.
2. Spinach Corn Pakoda
Spinach corn pakoda offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures with the sweetness of corn and the earthy flavor of spinach, all wrapped in a crispy pakoda.
- Ingredients: Fresh spinach, sweet corn, chickpea flour, rice flour, green chili, coriander powder, salt, oil for frying.
- Method: Combine chopped spinach, sweet corn, chickpea flour, rice flour, green chili, and spices to make a thick batter. Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Serve with your favorite chutney.
3. Indian-Style Creamed Spinach
This vegan creamed spinach is a comforting and creamy side dish that uses coconut milk instead of dairy, bringing a hint of sweetness to the rich flavors of spinach and spices.
- Ingredients: Spinach, coconut milk, chopped onion, garlic, cumin seeds, turmeric, salt.
- Method: Sauté cumin seeds, onions, and garlic in oil until golden. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in coconut milk and turmeric, simmering until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
4. Indian Spiced Sautéed Spinach
Quick and full of flavor, this sautéed spinach is made with aromatic spices. It’s a versatile side dish that pairs well with rice or can be used as a filling for wraps.
- Ingredients: Spinach, garlic, green chili, cumin seeds, turmeric, salt.
- Method: Heat oil and add cumin seeds, garlic, and green chili. Add the spinach and turmeric, cooking until the spinach wilts and flavors meld. Season with salt to taste.
5. Aloo Palak (Spinach and Potato Curry)
Aloo palak combines tender potatoes with nutrient-packed spinach in a mildly spiced curry that’s comforting and filling. It’s a great dish to pair with rice or roti.
- Ingredients: Spinach, potatoes, onion, garlic, cumin seeds, turmeric, garam masala, salt.
- Method: Sauté chopped onions and garlic, add diced potatoes, and cook until they start to soften. Add chopped spinach, turmeric, garam masala, and salt. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender.
6. Palak Soup
Palak soup is a healthy, vibrant green soup that’s smooth and rich with flavors of ginger and spices. It’s a great choice for a light meal or starter.
- Ingredients: Spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, vegetable broth, cumin, salt.
- Method: Sauté chopped garlic, ginger, and onion, then add spinach and vegetable broth. Simmer until spinach is soft, then blend until smooth. Season with cumin and salt.
7. Dal Palak (Spinach Lentil Curry)
Dal palak is a comforting and wholesome dish combining spinach and lentils. It’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a nutritious and filling option.
- Ingredients: Spinach, yellow lentils (moong dal), garlic, cumin seeds, turmeric, salt.
- Method: Cook the lentils with turmeric until tender. In a separate pan, sauté garlic and cumin seeds, add spinach, then combine with cooked lentils and simmer briefly.
8. Palak Corn
A quick and simple dish, palak corn brings together the sweetness of corn and the mild flavor of spinach in a lightly spiced stir-fry.
- Ingredients: Spinach, sweet corn kernels, garlic, green chili, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Sauté garlic and green chili with cumin seeds, then add chopped spinach and corn. Cook until spinach wilts and corn is heated through. Season with salt.
9. Palak Rice
Palak rice is a colorful and fragrant dish that combines spinach puree with basmati rice and mild spices, creating a unique and flavorful side.
- Ingredients: Spinach, basmati rice, garlic, onion, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Sauté garlic and onions until translucent. Blend spinach to a puree, then stir into cooked rice along with cumin seeds. Season with salt and fluff to mix.
10. Spinach Corn Sandwich
A quick and satisfying snack, this spinach corn sandwich combines the fresh flavors of spinach and corn with a bit of seasoning, perfect for a vegan-friendly meal.
- Ingredients: Bread, spinach, corn, garlic, vegan cheese (optional), salt.
- Method: Sauté garlic, spinach, and corn until softened. Spread onto bread slices, add vegan cheese if desired, and grill until toasted and golden.
11. Palak Moong Dal Dosa
This dosa is made with a batter of moong dal and spinach, creating a protein-rich, savory crepe perfect for breakfast or snack.
- Ingredients: Moong dal, spinach, green chili, cumin, salt.
- Method: Soak moong dal, blend with spinach and spices to form a batter, then spread thinly on a hot pan and cook until crisp.
12. Palak Poori
A vibrant green, deep-fried bread, palak poori adds color and flavor to the traditional Indian poori with the addition of spinach.
- Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, spinach puree, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Combine flour, spinach puree, and cumin seeds to form a dough. Roll into small discs and deep-fry until puffed and golden.
13. Spinach Upma
Spinach upma is a savory South Indian breakfast dish made with semolina and spinach, creating a nutritious, filling option.
- Ingredients: Semolina, spinach, mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, salt.
- Method: Sauté mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, and spinach, then add semolina and water. Cook until fluffy and fully absorbed.
14. Spinach Idli
Spinach idli is a healthy twist on the classic South Indian steamed rice cakes, adding spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Ingredients: Idli batter, chopped spinach, green chili.
- Method: Mix spinach and green chili into idli batter, pour into molds, and steam until firm and fluffy.
15. Spinach Coin Dosa
Spinach coin dosa is a mini-sized dosa infused with spinach, creating bite-sized treats that are perfect as appetizers or snacks.
- Ingredients: Dosa batter, spinach puree, salt.
- Method: Mix spinach puree into dosa batter, drop small rounds onto a hot pan, and cook until crispy.
16. Creamy Spinach Pasta
This creamy pasta with spinach is a delicious, vegan twist on a classic Italian dish, made rich with coconut milk and garlic.
- Ingredients: Pasta, spinach, garlic, coconut milk, salt, pepper.
- Method: Sauté garlic and spinach, add coconut milk, and season with salt and pepper. Toss with cooked pasta and serve warm.
17. Palak Paneer (Vegan Tofu Version)
A vegan version of palak paneer using tofu instead of paneer, creating a creamy and flavorful spinach curry.
- Ingredients: Spinach, tofu, garlic, onion, cumin, garam masala, salt.
- Method: Sauté onions and garlic, add spinach and blend until smooth. Add tofu cubes and spices, simmer until flavors meld.
18. Palak Tofu
Palak tofu is a flavorful vegan dish similar to palak paneer, with tofu absorbing the spiced spinach curry.
- Ingredients: Spinach, tofu, garlic, turmeric, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Sauté tofu until golden, then add spinach and spices. Cook until flavors combine.
19. Palak Kadhi
Palak kadhi is a creamy, tangy yogurt-based curry with spinach, perfect for serving with rice.
- Ingredients: Spinach, coconut yogurt, chickpea flour, turmeric, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Whisk yogurt, chickpea flour, and spices together, then add spinach and simmer until thickened.
20. Palak Paratha
Palak paratha is a healthy flatbread infused with spinach, ideal for any meal.
- Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, spinach puree, cumin seeds, salt.
- Method: Mix spinach puree with flour and spices, knead into a dough, roll out, and cook on a hot griddle until golden.
Final Thoughts
Palak is a real game-changer in the kitchen. Whether you’re whipping up a quick snack, a cozy curry, or trying out a new take on an old favorite, these vegan palak recipes are packed with flavor and nutrition.
Give a few of them a try—you might just discover a new favorite or two to add to your regular rotation.
