Best Indian Non Veg Food Recipes for Delicious Meals

Updated On: September 30, 2025

If you are a food enthusiast who loves bold flavors and rich aromas, Indian non-vegetarian cuisine is sure to be your next culinary obsession! From the fiery tandoori chicken sizzling in clay ovens to the slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth lamb curries simmered with an array of warming spices, India’s non-veg recipes deliver an unforgettable experience in every bite.

With centuries-old culinary traditions and regional specialties, Indian non-veg food is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of heritage, hospitality, and an adventurous palate.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into not just one, but a curated collection of the best Indian non veg food recipes that you can easily recreate at home. Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner or simply craving comfort food with an exotic twist, these recipes will transport your senses straight to the heart of India.

Ready to spice up your kitchen? Let’s embark on this delicious journey!

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

Indian non-veg dishes are loved by many for their aromatic spices, hearty textures, and soul-satisfying flavors. The recipes featured here are:

  • Authentic: Inspired by traditional methods but adapted for modern kitchens.
  • Versatile: Perfect for family dinners, festive celebrations, or casual gatherings.
  • Flavor-packed: Each recipe uses a blend of freshly ground spices, herbs, and marinated meats for maximum taste.
  • Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level and ingredients to suit your preferences.
  • Inclusive: From chicken and lamb to seafood, there’s a recipe for every non-veg lover!

“The secret to great Indian non-veg food is patience—let each spice and ingredient develop its full flavor.”

Top 5 Best Indian Non Veg Food Recipes

  • Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
  • Lamb Rogan Josh
  • Goan Fish Curry
  • Chicken Biryani
  • Tandoori Chicken

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Chicken thighs, boneless & skinless 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Greek yogurt 1/2 cup
Lemon juice 2 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp
Red chili powder 2 tsp
Garam masala 1 tsp
Salt To taste
Butter 4 tbsp
Onion, finely chopped 2 medium
Tomato puree 1 1/2 cups
Heavy cream 1/2 cup
Honey 1 tbsp
Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) 1 tsp
Cilantro, chopped For garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Large skillet or kadhai
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Chef’s knife & chopping board
  • Blender (optional, for extra smooth sauce)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Add chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until lightly browned and nearly cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add remaining butter. Sauté onions until golden. Stir in tomato puree, red chili powder, salt, and cook for 6-8 minutes until oil separates.
  4. Blend (Optional): For a smoother sauce, let mixture cool slightly and blend until silky. Return to skillet.
  5. Finish the Curry: Add cooked chicken, kasuri methi, honey, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro and serve hot with naan or basmati rice.

Tips & Variations

  • Marination: For more tender chicken, marinate overnight.
  • Spice Level: Adjust red chili powder to make it milder or hotter.
  • Grill Option: Grill chicken for a smoky flavor before adding to sauce.
  • Add a knob of butter when serving for a truly indulgent finish.

“Leftover sauce? Use it as a dip for bread or even as a pasta sauce for a fun Indo-Italian fusion!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1/6th recipe)
Calories 390
Protein 27g
Fat 26g
Carbohydrates 10g
Sodium 540mg

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with steamed basmati rice or buttery naan.
  • Pair with a fresh cucumber salad or raita for cooling contrast.
  • Round out your meal with a sweet treat like Vegetarian Date Cake.

Lamb Rogan Josh

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Lamb (shoulder or leg), bone-in, cut into chunks 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Yogurt, whisked 1 cup
Onions, sliced 2 large
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp
Tomato puree 1/2 cup
Kashmiri red chili powder 2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tbsp
Garam masala 1 tsp
Fennel powder 1 tsp
Whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves) 1 each
Salt To taste
Oil/ghee 4 tbsp
Fresh cilantro For garnish

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Knife & chopping board
  • Measuring spoons

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Lamb: In a bowl, combine lamb with yogurt, half of the ginger-garlic paste, and salt. Let rest for 1 hour.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a Dutch oven, heat oil/ghee. Add whole spices and let them sizzle. Add onions; cook until golden brown.
  3. Add Spices: Stir in remaining ginger-garlic paste, tomato puree, and all powdered spices. Sauté until fragrant and oil starts to separate.
  4. Brown the Meat: Add marinated lamb and cook on high for 5-7 minutes, stirring to brown all sides.
  5. Simmer: Lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for 1.5-2 hours, adding water as needed, until lamb is tender and sauce is rich.
  6. Finishing Touches: Sprinkle garam masala and fresh cilantro before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Kashmiri chili powder gives color without too much heat; substitute with paprika if needed.
  • Slow cooking yields the best flavor and texture for the lamb.
  • Try this with goat meat for traditional Indian mutton curry.

“For extra flavor, let the curry rest for a few hours before serving. The taste deepens beautifully!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1/6th recipe)
Calories 410
Protein 28g
Fat 30g
Carbohydrates 8g
Sodium 470mg

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with steamed rice or jeera (cumin) rice.
  • Pair with a side of vegetable alfredo for a fusion spread.
  • Enjoy with Indian breads like naan or roti for a hearty meal.

Goan Fish Curry

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Firm white fish (tilapia, cod, or pomfret), cut into pieces 750g (1.6 lbs)
Coconut milk 1 cup
Onion, chopped 1 medium
Tomato, chopped 1 large
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tsp
Tamarind paste 2 tsp
Red chili powder 1 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Oil 2 tbsp
Salt To taste
Cilantro, chopped For garnish

Equipment

  • Deep skillet or saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife & chopping board

Instructions

  1. Prep the Fish: Rinse and pat dry fish pieces. Sprinkle a little salt and turmeric; set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a skillet. Add mustard seeds; let them splutter. Add onions, sauté until soft. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Spice Base: Stir in tomatoes, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cook until tomatoes are mushy and oil separates.
  4. Simmer: Add coconut milk, tamarind paste, and salt. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Cook Fish: Add fish pieces, cover, and cook on low for 8-10 minutes until fish is just cooked through.
  6. Finish: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh coconut milk for a richer flavor.
  • Add slit green chilies for extra heat.
  • Swap tamarind with lemon juice if unavailable.

“Don’t overcook the fish—delicate flesh cooks quickly and stays juicy this way.”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1/6th recipe)
Calories 230
Protein 21g
Fat 12g
Carbohydrates 8g
Sodium 410mg

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with steamed rice or appams (South Indian rice pancakes).
  • Pair with a crunchy salad for freshness.
  • Try a cooling yogurt-based dip or raita alongside.

Chicken Biryani

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Basmati rice 2 cups
Chicken, bone-in pieces 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Yogurt 1/2 cup
Onions, thinly sliced 3 large
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp
Tomatoes, chopped 2 medium
Green chilies, slit 2
Whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves) 1 each
Biryani masala or garam masala 2 tbsp
Saffron strands soaked in warm milk 1/4 tsp
Fresh mint and cilantro 1/2 cup each, chopped
Ghee or oil 4 tbsp
Salt To taste

Equipment

  • Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
  • Strainer
  • Knife & chopping board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small bowl for saffron milk

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and biryani masala. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Fry Onions: Heat ghee or oil in the pot. Fry sliced onions until deep golden and crisp. Remove half for garnish.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add whole spices, then marinated chicken. Sauté for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and green chilies, cook until chicken is 80% done and masala is thick.
  4. Cook Rice: Boil water in a separate pot, add salt and basmati rice. Cook until 70% done, then drain.
  5. Layering: Spread half the cooked rice over the chicken. Sprinkle half saffron milk, mint, cilantro, and fried onions. Repeat layers.
  6. Dum Cooking: Cover with tight lid or foil. Cook on low heat for 25 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use aged basmati rice for longest, fluffiest grains.
  • For added aroma, sprinkle a few drops of rose water or kewra water.
  • Add boiled eggs or fried potatoes for extra richness.

“Never skip the resting step—biryani tastes best when allowed to sit and absorb all the flavors!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1/8th recipe)
Calories 430
Protein 21g
Fat 14g
Carbohydrates 50g
Sodium 450mg

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with cucumber raita or onion salad.
  • Serve alongside a vegetarian side like Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker for a balanced meal.
  • Finish with a sweet lassi or kulfi for dessert.

Tandoori Chicken

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Chicken leg quarters (bone-in) 4 pieces
Yogurt 3/4 cup
Lemon juice 2 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp
Kashmiri red chili powder 2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Cumin powder 1 tsp
Garam masala 1 tsp
Salt To taste
Oil 2 tbsp
Chaat masala For garnish
Lemon wedges & onion rings To serve

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking tray or grill
  • Oven, grill, or air fryer
  • Kitchen brush (for oiling)
  • Knife & chopping board

Instructions

  1. Prep Chicken: Cut deep slashes in chicken pieces for better marinade penetration.
  2. Marinate: Combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, all spices, salt, and oil. Rub mixture over chicken, ensuring it gets into the slashes. Marinate for minimum 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Cook: Preheat oven/grill to 220°C (430°F). Place chicken on rack, bake 20-25 minutes, turning once, until charred at edges and cooked through.
  4. Finish: Sprinkle with chaat masala, serve hot with lemon wedges and sliced onions.

Tips & Variations

  • For smokier flavor, finish cooked chicken over open flame for 1-2 minutes.
  • Try with boneless thighs for juicy, quicker-cooking tandoori bites.
  • Use Greek yogurt for thicker marinade and better cling.

“No tandoor? No problem! An oven or grill gives great results—just don’t skip the high heat for those signature charred spots.”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 320
Protein 28g
Fat 18g
Carbohydrates 5g
Sodium 350mg

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve as a starter or main course with mint chutney and onion salad.
  • Pair with Indian breads or even a fresh garden vegetable cream cheese spread on flatbread for a fusion twist.
  • Great for parties and BBQs—just skewer and grill!

Conclusion

Indian non-veg food recipes are a testament to the richness and diversity of India’s culinary heritage. Each dish—whether it’s the creamy, spiced butter chicken or the aromatic layers of chicken biryani—offers a new adventure for your taste buds.

With the step-by-step instructions, handy tips, and nutrition guides above, you can confidently recreate these restaurant-quality classics in your own kitchen.

Remember, the magic of Indian cooking lies in its spices, patience, and love. Experiment with flavors, don’t shy away from trying new techniques, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

If you’re looking to balance your meal with some plant-based options, check out delicious ideas like Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals. From festive feasts to simple weeknight dinners, these non-veg recipes will keep your table vibrant and your guests coming back for more.

Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe Card: Chicken Tikka Masala

Description: A classic Indian dish featuring marinated chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Perfectly spiced and best enjoyed with naan or rice.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT1H

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into cubes
  • 150g plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 400g canned tomato puree
  • 150ml heavy cream
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Mix yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tsp garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Add chicken pieces, coat well, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and cook marinated chicken until browned; set aside.
  4. In the same pan, heat remaining oil and sauté onions until golden.
  5. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in tomato puree and remaining garam masala; simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Return chicken to the pan, mix well.
  8. Add cream, simmer for 10 more minutes until sauce thickens.
  9. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot.

Nutrition: Calories: 410 kcal | Protein: 29g | Fat: 25g | Carbs: 15g

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Marta K

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