Trying to stave of winter’s bitter chill? Sure, you can bundle up to your ears and crank the heat, but we prefer to harness the heat of the Indian subcontinent in fragrant, spice-smacked curries! Enormously diverse, Indian curries are complex and aromatic, layered with spices and versatile, ranging in heat from mild to five-alarm fire.
Dishes that represent close to 2 billion people, it’s no wonder that there are countless curries to sample. Whether you crave hearty, meaty cooks, like Northern-style butter chicken, or lighter, plant-based meals, like South Indian curries, there’s an option that will satisfy—especially on blustery winter nights.
A dish that can take many forms, curry is one of the world’s favorite foods. Though making it at home can seem daunting, there are plenty of delectable types of Indian curries that, with a little prep and know-how, can be made effortlessly. Stock the cupboard with a wealth of pungent spices, the fridge with herbs and fresh aromatics, and you’ll be well on your way to dinnertime bliss! Also key?
RiceSelect® Premium Basmati Rice, a must-have for saucy, savory stews. Grown in and sourced from India, this naturally aged rice is long and slender, and stays separate when cooked, never sticky or mushy. Beloved in India, basmati infuses any Indian curry recipe with the authentic nutty flavor and fluffy texture every proper curry deserves.
When winter feels like it’ll never end, combat the cold with dishes that comfort, energize and, best of all, transport you somewhere balmy, breezy and bright.
Dishes that will warm you from within, the best Indian curries are tempting, bold, and easy to whip up on any night of the week!
Butter Paneer
Give chicken a break, with this veggie-forward take on one of the world’s most popular Indian curries. In this 25-minute wonder, sautéed aromatics (onion, garlic and ginger), fresh tomatoes, spices, cream and butter morph into a velvety sauce that coats milky bites of store-bought paneer cheese.
Cook up a pot of RiceSelect® Premium Basmati Rice, and pat yourself on the back for putting such a delightful meal on the table—in record time.
Indian Royal Blend Chicken Biryani
A bit of a departure from an authentic Indian curry recipe, this RiceSelect® Royal Blend® Rice dish is brimming with tender morsels of chicken, vegetables and an abundance of warming ingredients.
A dish licked with heat from serrano chiles and curry paste, this take on biryani is also perfumed with cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom and cloves. With raisins, for sweetness, and a silky, herb-flecked yogurt sauce, it hits every flavor note we can think of.
Chicken Korma
The ingredient list for this dish may look long but making this luscious korma couldn’t be easier! Simply cook juicy chunks of chicken thigh with sautéed garlic, onion and ginger, plus coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder.
Then, tie everything together with a tangy, smooth sauce made from yogurt, nut butter, and cream. Robust and balanced, rich and immensely flavorful, this dish feels like it was made by pros.
Spinach Paneer and Rice
A dish that ranks high among our favorite Indian veg curries, this one is loaded with squeaky mouthfuls of ghee-brushed cheese, plenty of lush spinach, and a flurry of toasty, tasty spices.
Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a weeknight workhorse you’ll want to make when you’re craving a plant-powered curry that tastes as grand as its meat-based counterparts.
Saag Paneer
Named for the leafy greens used to make its verdant sauce, this classic dish is bright and energizing, and perfect for meatless Mondays.
For a dish that doesn’t shy away from flavor, use a generous dose of garlic, ginger, and serrano chiles, plus the freshest spices you can find—including garam masala, coriander and cumin.
Sweet and Spicy Watermelon Curry
One of our favorite summer fruits reimagined as a spicy, savory curry? Count us in! In this version of the traditional dish, watermelon and lime juices are mixed with chili, turmeric, coriander, garlic, cumin and sugar to create a syrupy sauce that’s zippy, fresh and spicy and irresistible mixed with ripe cubes of watermelon.
Serve this with steaming RiceSelect® Premium Basmati Rice and generously topped with cilantro and mint, for a vegetarian dinner that’s guaranteed to add a ray of sunshine to your dinnertime routine.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Created by South Asian chefs in England, chicken tikka masala is a perennially popular Indian chicken curry. Creamy and rich, the traditional version of this dish finds marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor, then stirred into spiced tomato sauce.
For this riff on the classic, the chicken is cooked in ghee on the stove. Then, it’s simmered in a bright, cream-laced sauce spiked with a slew of spices, including garam masala, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Served with warm RiceSelect® Premium Basmati Rice, it’s the ultimate anecdote to frosty weather.