Collection of Indian vegetarian thali ideas or meal plans along with recipes.
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What is "Thali"?
Thali literally translates to a round plate used for serving meals. Traditionally a metal plate made of stainless steel, brass, or even silver is used for serving the meal. Different vegetables and meat in the form of curries and stir-fries, as well as lentils/dals, are served in small bowls and roti/flatbread along with rice is kept directly on the plate. Usually, the thali consists of both the main course and dessert and often includes salads and starters.
I absolutely love serving lunch or dinner to my family in the form of a thali. Here are some Indian vegetarian thali ideas for your inspiration. My typical thali is a combination of dal, vegetables/meat, rice, roti, salad, raita, and dessert. I think it's a beautiful way of presenting my day-to-day cooking.
These are some everyday vegetarian thali ideas I make regularly. I hope you love them as much as we do and it inspires you to cook and serve a thali for your next meal. You can also check out my collection of non-vegetarian thalis here.
Vegetarian Thali 1
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of dal fry, malai kofta, matar paneer, jeera rice, salad, mango kulfi, and roti (placed in the center).
Matar paneer: Easy and delicious matar paneer is a popular North Indian curry made with cottage cheese and peas. My version of mutter paneer is very easy to make and uses minimal spices.
Dal fry: Dal fry is a delicious and comforting lentil dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Malai kofta: Malai kofta is made by deep-frying potato and paneer balls (called kofta) and serving them in a creamy and rich curry sauce.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Roti: Soft and fluffy roti made in the Rotimatic.
Mango kulfi: Mango kulfi is rich and creamy Indian-style mango ice cream. Made using mango puree, evaporated milk, and condensed milk, and flavored with cardamom, this kulfi is the best summer dessert.
Vegetarian Thali 2
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of beans palya, kachumber salad, kalakand, steamed rice, Mysore rasam, and capsicum masala.
Mysore rasam: Mysore rasam is a tangy and spicy lentil soup made with toor dal (pigeon pea), tomatoes, and a unique spice mix called rasam powder. Rasam is referred to as ‘saaru’ in Karnataka. While a typical rasam is watery and served mostly like soup, Mysore rasam is made thicker and is served with rice.
Beans palya: Beans palya (or poriyal) is a simple, quick dish where green beans are sauteed with minimal spices and finished off with coconut, coriander leaves, and lemon juice. This healthy dish is ready in less than 20 minutes and goes very well with roti, chapati, and rice, and tastes great just by itself.
Capsicum masala: This easy side dish is made using bell peppers that are simmered in a peanut-coconut masala sauce.
Kachumber salad: Kachumber or cachumber is a simple everyday Indian-style summer salad made with cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. It is usually served as a side with Indian meals and is also great for summer parties and barbecues.
Basmati rice: Perfect Basmati rice cooked in the Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
Kalakand: This Indian-style fudge is made using milk, paneer, and sugar as the main ingredients.
Vegetarian Thali 3
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of rasam, beetroot palya, dill stir-fry, kachumber salad, rice, papad, and carrot halwa.
Mysore rasam: Mysore rasam is a tangy and spicy lentil soup made with toor dal (pigeon pea), tomatoes, and a unique spice mix called rasam powder. Rasam is referred to as ‘saaru’ in Karnataka. While a typical rasam is watery and served mostly like soup, Mysore rasam is made thicker and is served with rice.
Beetroot palya: Beetroot palya is a simple yet delicious dish where beets are cooked in a seasoning made with spices and lentils. This healthy dish uses minimal spices and can be paired with roti or rice and dal.
Dill leaves stir-fry: Also called sabbasige soppu, dill leaves are chopped and seasoned with spices. A small amount of cooked toor dal is also added to this dish.
Kachumber salad: Kachumber or cachumber is a simple everyday Indian-style summer salad made with cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. It is usually served as a side with Indian meals and is also great for summer parties and barbecues.
Basmati rice: Perfect Basmati rice cooked in the Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
Carrot halwa: Make easy and delicious Instant Pot halwa in just 30 minutes using this recipe.
Vegetarian Thali 4
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of vermicelli payasam, masala vada, vegetable pulao, and boondi raita.
Vegetable Pulao: Vegetable pulao is rice and vegetables cooked together with flavorful and aromatic spices. This Karnataka-style pulao is made using a masala base of spices, herbs, and coconut.
Masala vada: These crispy and crunchy lentil fritters are made using Bengal gram (chana dal) and spices.
Boondi raita: Boondi is tiny deep-fried balls made with gram flour. Add spicy boondi to whisked yogurt and season it with chaat masala.
Vermicelli kheer: Easy, delicious, and fuss-free semiya payasam made in an Instant Pot. This easy version of authentic vermicelli kheer is dump-and-go, ready in 20 minutes, and needs no monitoring. Perfect for festivals and gatherings.
Vegetarian Thali 5
Starting for the top, clockwise: this thali consists of roasted broccoli, cabbage palya, radish sambar, steamed rice, coconut laddu, homemade yogurt, and homemade lemon pickle (placed in the center).
Roasted broccoli with garlic: Simple and healthy dish can be made with just 3 ingredients in under 15 minutes.
Cabbage palya: Cabbage Palya is a simple Karnataka-style cabbage stir fry or preparation that is served as a side dish. It goes well with both rice and roti.
Radish sambar: Sambar is a South Indian-style stew made using lentils and vegetables. It is made using a unique blend of spices called sambhar powder.
Basmati rice: Perfect Basmati rice cooked in the Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
Curds: Plain yogurt is often referred to as curds in Indian food and is an integral part of South Indian lunch and dinner.
Coconut laddu: Freshly grated coconut simmered with ghee and sugar, and shaped into laddu is an easy and delicious sweet treat that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Vegetarian Thali 6
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of tomato rasam, cabbage palya, kadale kalu usli, steamed rice, dry fruits laddu, homemade yogurt, and homemade lemon pickle (placed in the center).
Mysore rasam: Mysore rasam is a tangy and spicy lentil soup made with toor dal (pigeon pea), tomatoes, and a unique spice mix called rasam powder. Rasam is referred to as ‘saaru’ in Karnataka. While a typical rasam is watery and served mostly like soup, Mysore rasam is made thicker and is served with rice.
Cabbage palya: Cabbage Palya is a simple Karnataka-style cabbage stir fry or preparation that is served as a side dish. It goes well with both rice and roti.
Black chana stir fry: This healthy and easy side dish is made by stir-frying boiled kala chana with spices. The dish is finished with loads of fresh coconut.
Basmati rice: Perfect Basmati rice cooked in the Instant Pot that is light, fluffy, and does not clump together. Water is the only other ingredient you will need in this no-soak method.
Curds: Plain yogurt is often referred to as curds in Indian food and is an integral part of South Indian lunch and dinner.
Dry fruits laddu: Dry fruits laddu is healthy and wholesome Indian-style energy balls made using assorted nuts, raisins, and dates. They are very easy to make and are refined sugar-free.
Vegetarian Thali 7
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of dal fry, kachumber, naan, gulab jamun, and Bombay potatoes.
Naan: Soft and pillowy naan can be made easily at home using this no-knead recipe.
Kachumber salad: Kachumber or cachumber is a simple everyday Indian-style summer salad made with cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. It is usually served as a side with Indian meals and is also great for summer parties and barbecues.
Bombay potatoes: Crispy from the outside, and soft inside, these Bombay potatoes are so delicious and bursting with flavors. They are so easy to make and are ready in under 30 minutes.
Gulab jamun: Gulab jamun is an Indian dessert where deep-fried dough balls are soaked in sugar syrup. The dough is made using all-purpose flour and milk solids and the syrup is flavored with cardamom.
Never run out of ideas on what to serve with naan with this detailed guide.
Vegetarian Thali 8
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of dal makhani, boondi raita, paneer sabzi, jeera rice, and almond halwa.
Dal Makhani: Silky and velvety dal makhani is made with whole black lentils, red kidney beans, and butter.
Paneer sabzi: Quick, easy, and delicious paneer sabzi is made using Indian cottage cheese, veggies, and a few basic ingredients. Soft chunks of paneer simmered in rich spicy gravy is a treat for the taste buds.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Boondi raita: Boondi is tiny deep-fried balls made with gram flour. Add spicy boondi to whisked yogurt and season it with chaat masala.
Almond halwa: Badam halwa or almond halwa is a rich and decadent dessert made with almonds, milk, and sugar.
Vegetarian Thali 9
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of paneer sabzi, boondi raita, jeera rice, besan ladoo, naan, and dal makhani.
Paneer sabzi: Quick, easy, and delicious paneer sabzi is made using Indian cottage cheese, veggies, and a few basic ingredients. Soft chunks of paneer simmered in rich spicy gravy is a treat for the taste buds.
Dal makhani: Silky and velvety dal makhani is made with whole black lentils, red kidney beans, and butter.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Naan: Soft and pillowy naan can be made easily at home using this no-knead recipe.
Boondi raita: Boondi is tiny deep-fried balls made with gram flour. Add spicy boondi to whisked yogurt and season it with chaat masala.
Besan ladoo: Besan ladoo is a very popular Indian sweet made during festivals and special occasions. It is made with three main ingredients – besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar.
Vegetarian Thali 10
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of matar paneer, dal fry, jeera rice, kalakand, and boondi raita.
Matar paneer: Easy and delicious matar paneer is a popular North Indian curry made with cottage cheese and peas.
Dal fry: Dal fry is a delicious and comforting lentil dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Boondi raita: Boondi is tiny deep-fried balls made with gram flour. Add spicy boondi to whisked yogurt and season it with chaat masala.
Kalakand: This Indian-style fudge is made using milk, paneer, and sugar as the main ingredients.
Vegetarian Thali 11
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of black-eyed peas curry, Mysore rasam, sona masoori rice, carrot halwa, and spicy banana chips.
Black-eyed peas curry: Black-eyed peas curry is a delicious and healthy vegan curry made with black-eyed beans or cowpeas. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 30 minutes with less than 15 minutes of hands-on time.
Mysore rasam: Mysore rasam is a tangy and spicy lentil soup made with toor dal (pigeon pea), tomatoes, and a unique spice mix called rasam powder. Rasam is referred to as ‘saaru’ in Karnataka. While a typical rasam is watery and served mostly like soup, Mysore rasam is made thicker and is served with rice.
Sona masoori rice: Sona masoori is an Indian variety of medium-grain rice that is popular in South India. This variety of rice is unpolished, easy to digest, and has lesser starch.
Banana chips: Crunchy, crispy, and delicious, banana chips made with just 4 ingredients (including salt) are your go-to snack when you crave something salty and healthy.
Carrot halwa: Make easy and delicious Instant Pot halwa in just 30 minutes using this recipe.
Vegetarian Thali 12
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of okra fry, rajma masala, jeera rice, besan ladoo, and boondi raita.
Okra fry: This simple side dish is made by sauteing okra or bhindi in a little bit of oil and seasoning it with salt.
Rajma masala: Rajma masala, also called rajma, is a simple and flavorful curry made with red kidney beans. The base of this curry is made with onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Boondi raita: Boondi is tiny deep-fried balls made with gram flour. Add spicy boondi to whisked yogurt and season it with chaat masala.
Besan ladoo: Besan ladoo is a very popular Indian sweet made during festivals and special occasions. It is made with three main ingredients – besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar.
Vegetarian Thali 13
Starting from the top, clockwise: this thali consists of palak chana curry, dal fry, jeera rice, rasgulla, and kachumber.
Palak chana curry: Replace paneer in palak paneer with chickpeas to make this delicious vegan curry. Use canned recipe instead of paneer from my recipe.
Dal fry: Dal fry is a delicious and comforting lentil dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Jeera rice: Jeera rice is a one-pot rice dish made with Basmati rice and flavored with cumin seeds. When made in an Instant Pot, it is ready in 10 minutes, with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep time.
Kachumber salad: Kachumber or cachumber is a simple everyday Indian-style summer salad made with cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. It is usually served as a side with Indian meals and is also great for summer parties and barbecues.
Rasgulla: Roshogolla is a popular Bengali sweet dish made using curdled milk, which is shaped and simmered in sugar syrup. Soft, spongy, and juicy rasgullas are a real treat for sweet lovers and great for festivals and celebrations.
Vegetarian Thali 14
Starting for the top, clockwise: this thali consists of beetroot raita, cabbage palya, vegetable sambar, steamed rice, rava laddu, and lemon rice.
Vegetable sambar: Sambar is a South Indian-style stew made using lentils and vegetables. It is made using a unique blend of spices called sambhar powder.
Cabbage palya: Cabbage Palya is a simple Karnataka-style cabbage stir fry or preparation that is served as a side dish. It goes well with both rice and roti.
Lemon rice: Tangy, spicy, and flavorful, this South Indian lemon rice is very easy to make. As the name suggests, the main flavor of this dish is lemon juice.
Beetroot raita: Add cooked beetroot to whisked yogurt to make delicious beetroot raita in no time.
Sona masoori rice: Sona masoori is an Indian variety of medium-grain rice that is popular in South India. This variety of rice is unpolished, easy to digest, and has lesser starch.
Rava laddu: Easy and delicious rava ladoo is made using three main ingredients - suji (semolina), coconut, and sugar. Also called suji ke laddu, it is a common sweet dish made during festivals like Diwali.
To conclude
These are my collection of Indian vegetarian thali lunch or dinner platters that contain some of the most delicious vegetarian dishes. Use these ideas and create the most delicious Indian feast to wow your family and friends. Happy cooking!
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