Here are 30+ hand-selected Punjabi recipes that represent the rich cuisine of Punjab. From classic Kadhi Pakora to the world-famous Butter Chicken, this list includes the best of Punjabi food.

Cover Image of 30 Punjabi Recipes

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get recipes & tips every week!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

If you’re looking to explore Punjabi cuisine, you’ve come to the right place. My family is from Lahore, so Punjabi cuisine undoubtedly has a strong influence on my blog. I’ve perused the blog and selected some of my favorite dishes that capture the vast and complex flavors of Punjabi cuisine.

What is Punjabi Food?

Punjabi cuisine originated from the Punjab province which is now shared by Pakistan & North India. Here’s a map that shows Punjab in both countries:

A map of Punjab in Pakistan and India
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Punjab has a rich culinary history with many influences, including that of Mughlai cuisine. Today, Punjabi food is famous throughout the world thanks to restaurants which prominently feature many Punjabi dishes.

What is the famous food of Punjab?

Punjabi food is known for its heavy use of dairy, wheat, legumes, and of course, all things Tandoori.

Below is a roundup of some of my favorite Punjabi dishes from the blog. It includes breakfast items, appetizers, vegetarian & meat dishes, pulaos, and desserts. You’ll find many popular Punjabi recipes as well as lesser-known ones like Mooli Parathas (daikon-stuffed flatbread) or Gur Waley Chawal (jaggery rice).

Punjabi Breakfast Recipes

Close up of a plate of Egg Bhurji piled on top of a piece of toast.

15-Minute Egg Bhurji (Anda Bhurji)

5 (3 ratings)
Egg Bhurji aka Khageena. A Pakistani/North Indian take on scrambled eggs. This recipe is precise yet adaptable, balanced in seasoning, and addictive in texture. Perfect for a simple but elevated breakfast or brunch. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
This image shows mooli wala paratha on a plate with a bowl of yogurt

Easy Mooli Wala Paratha Breakfast Recipe

5 (5 ratings)
These traditional Punjabi stuffed flatbreads are popular breakfast item in Pakistan and India. This recipe includes step-by-step photos and simple directions!
Check out this recipe
Scrambled Egg and Potatoes and paratha on a black plate with a gold spoon

Aloo Anday Ki Bhujia (Bhurji)

4.91 (22 ratings)
This Aloo Anday ki Bhujia (or Bhurji) is a simple, one pot, scrambled egg and potato curry made with ingredients you likely have on hand. Quick, easy, and perfect for dinner or breakfast!
Check out this recipe

Appetizers, Sides, & Misc.

Partially eaten Aloo Tikkis on a plate with green chutney.

CRISPY ALOO TIKKI – Shortcut Potato Cutlets

4.95 (18 ratings)
This recipe for Pakistani-style Aloo Tikki is made with mashed potatoes, onions, herbs, and spices. It's easy in that it uses a microwave to cook your potatoes and a food processor to chop up your veggies.
Check out this recipe
Fried pakoras on a plate drizzled with green chutney.

Crispy Pakora Recipe (Simple, Homestyle)

5 (2 ratings)
A simple, flavor-packed Vegetable Pakora recipe with tips to make them soft yet extra crispy. These are homestyle pakoras – light and airy, not heavy or dense like restaurant ones can be. Use onions and potatoes, plus cabbage, spinach, or any veggies you like. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Panjeeri - Postpartum Healing and Lactation Recipe in a white bowl with a silver spoon

Panjeeri – Postpartum Healing and Lactation Recipe

5 (20 ratings)
Panjeeri (or Panjiri) is a tasty traditional Pakistani/Indian postpartum healing and lactation food that is perfect for new moms and for strengthening the body.
Check out this recipe
Cucumber Raita in a bowl with a wooden spoon and cilantro sprinkled on top

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!)

5 (14 ratings)
Learn how to make Raita with this easy and traditional recipe! Raita is a classic yogurt salad that completes many Pakistani and Indian meals. I’ve included my family’s trick for avoiding the cucumber’s bitterness, plus optional add-ins to give you an idea of the endless possibilities.
Check out this recipe

Punjabi Drink Recipes

Close up of Authentic Pakistani Chai in a white teacup.

Authentic Pakistani Chai

5 (30 ratings)
The typical Pakistani or Indian family drinks chai very different from the chai latte you get at your local coffee shop. This is an authentic cup of chai you will find brewing in the typical Pakistani kitchen.
Check out this recipe
Mango Lassi in a clear glass with white straw

The Best Mango Lassi (Restaurant-Style)

5 (17 ratings)
This Mango Lassi recipe makes better-than-restaurant lassi with six easy-to-find ingredients. The base of the recipe is strong while allowing you to adjust to taste according to your mangoes. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe

The Perfect Sweet Lassi Recipe

5 (24 ratings)
Watered down, not cold enough, coarse, or just bland. I’ll admit, I’ve had many a mediocre Lassi. It wasn't until I tasted my brother-in-law's version that I realized how good a classic Punjabi Lassi can be. This is my take on his Sweet Lassi recipe – creamy, smooth, frothy perfection.
Check out this recipe

Punjabi Vegetarian Recipes

Aloo Baingan in a skillet with naan and yogurt on the side

Aloo Baingan – Eggplant and Potato Curry

4.99 (57 ratings)
Here's an easy Aloo Baingan (Eggplant/Aubergine and Potato Curry) recipe made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. This is a Pakistani & North Indian-style vegan curry that's tasty enough to serve guests. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Palak Paneer in a bowl with naan and rice, ready to be eaten

Palak Paneer (Easy, Restaurant-Style)

5 (13 ratings)
Palak Paneer, or Saag Paneer, is a restaurant-famous spinach and paneer curry. This recipe is crowd-pleasing with complex yet balanced, authentic flavor. It's also easy-to-follow, requires one pan if you skip pan-searing the paneer, and takes 50 minutes from start to finish! Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Mixed Vegetable Curry in a bowl with roti inside

Easy Mixed Vegetable Curry

5 (49 ratings)
Here’s a quick and easy Mixed Vegetable Curry recipe that’s perfect as a weeknight dinner or simple curried vegetable side dish. This Punjabi-style vegetable curry with potatoes and peas that has become a Tea for Turmeric community favorite! Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Baingan Bharta (Oven-Roasted Eggplant Curry) in a speckled bowl with naan and garnished cilantro.

Easy Baingan Bharta (Oven Roasted/Broiled Eggplant Curry)

4.98 (45 ratings)
Baingan Bharta is a prized Indian and Pakistani (Punjabi) dish. It consists of roasted eggplant in a delicately spiced dry curry. This recipe includes instructions on how to broil it in the oven, plus some essential tips on how to get it to taste amazing!
Check out this recipe
Close up of partially eaten plate of Matar Paneer with rice.

MATAR PANEER (Easy + Flavorful, Restaurant-Style)

5 (10 ratings)
Matar Paneer is a North Indian dish with Peas (Matar) and Paneer in a rich, tomato-based curry. This recipe is easy-to-follow with nuanced, restaurant-style flavor and texture. Includes tips for soft paneer whether you choose to pan-fry it or not. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Okra Curry on a white plate

Easy & Authentic Bhindi Masala (Okra Curry)

5 (36 ratings)
This easy Pakistani & Indian-style Bhindi Masala recipe (Okra curry) consists of stir-fried okra enveloped in a savory onion and tomato curry. I’ve tested this dry bhindi curry recipe countless times and I’m confident it will blow you away.
Check out this recipe
Zucchini Courgette Curry in a bowl

Pakistani Zucchini (Courgette) Curry | Toriyan (Torai ki Sabzi)

4.96 (162 ratings)
Adored by thousands, this easy Zucchini (Courgette) Curry is truly astonishing. This is a next-level tasty vegan curry that'll transform everyday Zucchini into something even kids will love!
Check out this recipe
Authentic Chana Masala garnished with cilantro and julienned ginger in a black skillet

Authentic Chana Masala (Indian Chickpea Curry)

4.94 (149 ratings)
This authentic Indian & Pakistani-style Chana Masala recipe is vibrant, with just the right amount of tanginess, and rich in spicy flavor. This recipe makes tender, flavorful chickpeas in a perfectly spiced curry and requires simple ingredients that are commonly used in South Asian cooking. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that’s healthy, naturally vegan, and gluten-free.
Check out this recipe
Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Aloo Gobi Recipe)

Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Aloo Gobi)

4.92 (75 ratings)
Here's a Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Aloo Gobi) recipe made in the traditional Punjabi way. This vegan curry recipe is easy & authentic and requires one pot and simple ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Close up of Aloo Palak in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

30-Minute Aloo Palak (Spinach and Potato Curry)

5 (109 ratings)
This quick and easy Spinach & Potato (Aloo Palak) curry recipe is healthy, full of authentic flavor, and naturally vegetarian (or vegan, if you omit the ghee). This curry is unique in that the potatoes boil on the side while you're preparing the curry, reducing any extra time to wait on the potatoes.
Check out this recipe
Kadhi Pakora in a bowl garnished with cilantro and whole red chili.

Punjabi Kadhi Pakora (Stovetop and Instant Pot)

4.94 (31 ratings)
This classic Punjabi-style Kadhi recipe is easy-to-follow but delivers on homestyle flavor. If you’re new to Kadhi, you’ll love this detailed, fool-proof recipe. Includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions!
Check out this recipe

Punjabi Rice Dishes

Chicken pulao on a platter with a golden spoon and raita on the side.

Pakistani Chicken Pulao (Yakhni Pulao)

5 (22 ratings)
Here's a classic Yakhni Chicken Pulao recipe that's truly hard to mess up. This recipe promises deep flavor, tender chicken, and fluffy rice. It's also easy to double so you can serve it to guests with confidence. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Mutton Pulao in a bowl

Mutton Pulao (Goat/Lamb Pulao)

5 (13 ratings)
A classic but easy-to-follow Mutton Pulao recipe that promises deep flavor, tender goat or lamb, and fluffy rice. It’s also designed to double so you can serve it to guests with confidence. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Pulao in a bowl garnished with cilantro.

Instant Pot Chicken Pulao

4.89 (60 ratings)
This quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Pulao recipe requires just 25 minutes of prep time and results in tender boneless chicken and perfectly cooked rice.
Check out this recipe
Chana Pulao in a Dutch Oven garnished with cilantro.

Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pilaf) – 20-minute prep!

4.96 (66 ratings)
A Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pulao) recipe that promises full flavor, tender chickpeas, and fluffy rice. This recipe takes 20 minutes of initial (pre-rice cooking) prep time but it’s tasty and elegant enough to serve as main dish for guests. Includes Stovetop and Instant Pot instructions! Tested to Perfection!
Check out this recipe
Matar Pulao on a platter garnished with cilantro and dollops of raita.

Matar Pulao (Peas Pulao) – 20-Minute Prep!

5 (10 ratings)
This Matar Pulao (peas pulao) is easy, flavorful, and it takes 20 minutes of initial prep time! Perfect for a weeknight rice dish yet elegant enough for guests. This recipe includes stovetop and Instant Pot instructions.
Check out this recipe

Punjabi Dal Recipes

Holding a plate of chana dal with a spoon in it

Instant Pot Pakistani Chana Dal

5 (26 ratings)
This is an easy Pakistani Chana Dal made in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). Chana Dal (or Split Chickpeas) are cooked with spices and given a simple tadka for an easy dinner. Naturally gluten-free and Vegan optional.
Check out this recipe
Plate of Maash Ki Dal (Urad Dal) with cucumbers and carrots garnished with sliced onions, green chilies and cilantro beside a plate of roti.

Pakistani Urad Dal (Maash Ki Dal)

5 (33 ratings)
Maash ki Dal, or sukhi (dry) split urad dal, may not be mainstream, but it's beloved by all who've tried it. This recipe makes it in the traditional Pakistani and Punjabi way – dry, as in firm, but cooked through – and adorned with delicate slivers of ginger and warming green chili peppers.
Check out this recipe
A white bowl filled with Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal, Basmati rice, ribbon of cucumber, sliced carrots and radishes and a lemon wedge.

Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal

5 (19 ratings)
This Instant Pot Split Red Lentil (Masoor) Dal curry is a quick, easy, and authentic Pakistani/North Indian-style dal recipe. It's naturally gluten-free, vegetarian (or optional vegan), and cooks within minutes!
Check out this recipe
Aloo Gosht (Mutton and Potato Curry) in a white Dutch Oven.

Aloo Gosht (Mutton/Lamb and Potato Curry)

4.97 (28 ratings)
Aloo Gosht is a traditional Pakistani-style Mutton/Lamb and Potato Curry. Make this recipe with lamb or goat over stovetop or Instant Pot. Tested & perfected!
Check out this recipe
Authentic Chicken Curry in a dutch oven garnished with cilantro

Authentic Chicken Curry (Easy Chicken Salan)

4.98 (41 ratings)
Here’s an Easy and Authentic Chicken Curry recipe made in the traditional Pakistani and North Indian style. This is a simple, approachable curry recipe that you can make at home in under an hour. Unfussy, easy-to-follow, and tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Achari Chicken in a white pot

Easy Achari Chicken

4.97 (27 ratings)
This is an easy, fuss-free, yet flavorful recipe for Achari Chicken, or Indian and Pakistani chicken curry made with pickling spices.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Butter Chicken Side

Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Quick & Easy)

5 (46 ratings)
This tried-and-tested homestyle Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe is easy to prepare yet yields authentic flavor and tender chicken!
Check out this recipe
Holding Chicken Karahi in a karahi

Pakistani Chicken Karahi

4.97 (132 ratings)
This is a restaurant-style Pakistani Chicken Karahi recipe that can be prepared quickly and easily with no finicky steps.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Korma in a large pot with a wooden spoon.

The BEST Authentic Chicken Korma

4.95 (91 ratings)
This is a warm, deeply flavorful Chicken Korma recipe that has all the authentic flavor with simple, easy-to-follow instructions. Tested & perfected!!
Check out this recipe
Pakistani Beef Kofta Curry-2

Pakistani Beef Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry)

4.91 (120 ratings)
Beef Kofta Curry, or simply kofte, is a traditional Pakistani curry made of tender meatballs simmered in a spicy, flavorful sauce. This recipe has all the authentic flavor of old-fashioned kofte but it’s made in an easier, more approachable way.
Check out this recipe
Scooping up Keema Matar with a piece of naan.

Keema Matar (Ground Beef Curry with Peas)

4.95 (50 ratings)
This Pakistani and Indian-style Keema Matar (Ground Beef Curry with Peas) is an easy, one-pot keema recipe that’s deeply flavorful with no whole spices used. This recipe also includes tips on how to make Keema curry with ground chicken.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Curry with potatoes on a plate with rice and vegetables with a glass of water on the side

Instant Pot Chicken Potato Curry

4.89 (26 ratings)
This Pakistani-style Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Curry (Salan) requires 30 minutes of *total* prep time! This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients, minimal chopping, and no complicated steps!
Check out this recipe
Aloo Keema (Ground Beef and potato curry) in a bowl with basmati rice and naan.

Aloo Keema (Ground Beef and Potato Curry)

5 (65 ratings)
Here's a recipe for an authentic, homestyle, Pakistani & North Indian style Aloo Keema (Keema Curry with potatoes). This is a traditional, one-pot recipe that's simple, easy-to make, and gives the most flavorful results!
Check out this recipe
Fish Curry in a White Pan ready to be eaten

Fish Curry (Fish Masala)

4.83 (17 ratings)
An easy-to-follow Fish Curry recipe made with an onion-tomato masala and simple spices. Tender yet crispy fish is nestled in a perfectly spiced, deeply flavorful curry and topped with garnishing ingredients for texture and vibrance. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe

Punjabi Desserts

A large bowl with sheer khurma served with spoons and nuts in small bowls

20-Minute Seviyan (Sheer Khurma)

5 (14 ratings)
This quick and easy Seviyan (Sheer Khurma) recipe takes around 20 minutes make from start to finish. It's a creamy, flavorful, tested-and-perfected vermicelli pudding recipe that couldn’t be easier or more delicious. Perfect on its own or with extras like dates and nuts.
Check out this recipe
The BEST Instant Pot Kheer

The BEST Instant Pot Kheer

4.99 (59 ratings)
This Instant Pot Kheer (Pakistani & Indian Rice Pudding) recipe has the classic flavor of old-fashioned kheer without the fuss. This is a restaurant-inspired recipe that's been rigorously tested and perfected until I can confidently call it the BEST Instant Pot kheer.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)

Easy Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)

5 (15 ratings)
This authentic Instant Pot Carrot Halwa recipe is made in the traditional Pakistani & Indian style but without hours of active time over the stove. So comforting, naturally gluten-free, and only requires 6 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Sooji ka Halwa in a bowl garnished with blanched, slivered almonds.

Sooji ka Halwa (Semolina Halwa) – 20 Minute Recipe!

5 (15 ratings)
Sooji (or Suji) ka Halwa is a Pakistani and Indian dessert made with semolina, ghee/butter, and sugar. This is the simple, classic recipe for this already easy dessert. All you need are 4 simple ingredients to 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Jaggery Rice - Gur Wale Chawal-2

Easy Jaggery Rice in the Rice Cooker – Gur Wale Chawal

5 (5 ratings)
Jaggery Rice is a traditional South Asian recipe that sweetens rice with jaggery (or gur) for a deeply flavorful dessert. This recipe is gluten-free, easy to make, and yields perfect results. 
Check out this recipe
A bowl of Zarda ready to be eaten with a spoon.

Zarda (Meethe Chawal – Sweet Rice) – Foolproof!

4.60 (5 ratings)
Here's a traditional Zarda recipe that takes the guesswork out of classic Meethe Chawal (or Sweet Rice). Yes to old-school, nostalgic flavor without fear or fuss. This recipe requires 6 ingredients, one pot (if you'd like), and around 15 minutes of active time. Tested to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Sarson Ka Saag with a dollop of butter on a plate with spoons and makai ki roti on the side
5 (1 rating)

30+ Punjabi Recipes, Including Sarson Ka Saag (Easy & Authentic)

This Easy Instant Pot Sarson Ka Saag recipe is made in the Authentic Indian and Pakistani (Punjabi) style but in half the time! Plus, check out 30 other classic Punjabi dishes.

Ingredients 

Saag

  • 1/4 cup water for Instant Pot, (2 cups for Stovetop)
  • 2 bunches mustard greens* (around 1 lb after stemming) or 454g/16 oz packaged, washed, hard stems removed, and roughly chopped
  • 1 bunch spinach (around 1/2 lb after stemming) , washed, hard stems removed, and roughly chopped
  • 3-4 small green chili peppers (~4-5 grams), stemmed and roughly chopped
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, leave whole – will be crushed later
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 1/4 tsp heaped kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup yellow corn flour or fine ground cornmeal, or sub chickpea flour (besan) or masa harina
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (methi)

Tadka (Tempering)

  • 1/4 cup neutral oil
  • 2-3 tbsp ghee or butter, or sub more oil
  • 1 small onion (150-190 g), finely chopped
  • 2 – 2 1/2 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)
  • butter, optional, for serving

Instructions 

Instant Pot

  • Add water to Instant Pot, followed by the mustard greens, spinach, green chili peppers, garlic, turmeric, and salt. No need to mix. Secure the lid, seal the vent, and pressure-cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for at least 5 minutes, and then manually release remaining pressure. Press Cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.
  • Open the lid and stir the saag, crushing garlic cloves as you mix. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend into a rough purée. If you see any tough stems, remove them.
  • Select Sauté and set the temperature to High. Add corn flour and cook for 3-5 minutes to remove the floury taste. Add the dried fenugreek leaves (methi) and stir to mix.
  • Add ½ cup water and stir until the water absorbs in the Saag. Taste and add salt, if needed. Select Cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.**
  • Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, ghee, and onion. Sauté until the onions are deep golden (~6-8 min). Add ginger and sauté for another minute. Stir this tadka into the saag and mix to combine. Garnish with cilantro and give it a stir. Serve with makai (corn) or regular roti, corn tortilla, naan, or other bread. Top with a pat of butter, if desired.

Stovetop

  • Heat a (preferably nonstick) 5 qt Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the mustard greens, spinach, green chili peppers, garlic, turmeric, and salt along with 2 cups of water. No need to mix. Cover and allow to simmer for 1 hour.
  • Turn off the heat. Uncover and stir the saag, crushing garlic cloves as you mix. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend into a rough purée. If you see any tough stems, remove them.
  • Turn the heat back on to medium-high. Add corn flour and cook for 3-5 minutes to remove the floury taste. Add the dried fenugreek leaves (methi) and stir to mix. Taste and add salt, if needed.
  • Reduce the heat to low-medium, add ½ cup water, and proceed to tadka. Stir occasionally. If needed, add another ¼ cup of water to thin it out.
  • Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, ghee, and onion. Sauté until the onions are deep golden (~6-8 min). Add ginger and sauté for another minute. Stir this tadka into the saag and mix to combine. Garnish with cilantro and give it a stir. Serve with makai (corn) or regular roti, corn tortilla, naan, or other bread. Top with a pat of butter, if desired.

Notes

*See post for mustard greens substitutions.
**If you’d like, you can turn the Instant Pot on Saute – Less while the onions are browning so the saag stays hot. Any bits on the bottom of the Instant Pot will be deglazed when the tadka is added.
Calories: 237kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 876mg, Potassium: 119mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 80IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg