Veg Drumstick Recipes That Are Easy and Delicious

Updated On: October 4, 2025

Veg drumsticks, also known as moringa pods, are a wonderfully nutritious and versatile vegetable that can be transformed into a variety of delicious dishes. Whether you’re looking to add a unique twist to your everyday meals or aiming for a healthy boost, drumsticks offer a slightly earthy flavor and a satisfying crunch that complements many recipes.

From traditional Indian curries to simple stir-fries and soups, veg drumsticks are easy to cook and bring a delightful texture to your plate. Plus, they’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making them a fantastic choice for wholesome eating.

In this blog post, we’ll explore multiple veg drumstick recipes that are not only tasty but also easy to prepare. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, these recipes will inspire you to incorporate this nutrient-dense vegetable into your weekly menu.

Along the way, I’ll share tips on preparation, equipment you’ll need, and some exciting variations to try out. Ready to dive into the world of veg drumstick delights?

Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Veg drumstick recipes are a fantastic way to enjoy a vegetable that’s both flavorful and highly nutritious. The unique texture and subtle taste make drumsticks a culinary gem, especially in vegetarian and vegan cooking.

These recipes are simple enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve to guests. Drumsticks are also excellent for digestion and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making your meal both delicious and beneficial.

What’s more, drumsticks absorb spices beautifully, allowing you to tailor the flavor profile to your liking—from mild and comforting to bold and spicy. With a variety of cooking methods, including boiling, sautéing, and slow cooking, drumsticks can be adapted to any cuisine or taste preference.

If you’re interested in exploring other vegetable dishes, check out our Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.

Ingredients

  • Drumsticks (moringa pods) – 4 to 5 pods, washed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • Oil – 2 tablespoons (vegetable or mustard oil works well)
  • Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
  • Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
  • Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
  • Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
  • Ginger – 1 inch, grated
  • Tomatoes – 2 medium, chopped
  • Green chilies – 1 or 2, sliced (adjust to taste)
  • Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon (optional)
  • Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – to taste
  • Water – 1 to 1.5 cups
  • Fresh coriander leaves – a handful, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon (optional, for brightness)

Equipment

  • Sharp knife for chopping vegetables and cutting drumsticks
  • Cutting board
  • Deep saucepan or kadai for cooking the curry
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Measuring spoons for spices and oil
  • Bowl for mixing and holding ingredients
  • Lid for the pan to help simmer

Instructions

  1. Prepare the drumsticks: Wash the drumsticks thoroughly. Cut them into 2-inch pieces using a sharp knife. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil: In a deep saucepan or kadai, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Allow them to splutter for a few seconds.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in the turmeric powder, red chili powder (if using), and coriander powder. Mix well. Add the chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and oil begins to separate from the masala, about 8-10 minutes.
  5. Cook the drumsticks: Add the chopped drumsticks to the pan. Mix well so they are coated with the spices. Pour in 1 to 1.5 cups of water, depending on how much curry gravy you prefer. Add salt to taste.
  6. Simmer: Cover the pan with a lid and let the drumsticks cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. The drumsticks should become tender but still retain a slight crunch.
  7. Finish and garnish: Once cooked, check seasoning and adjust salt or spices as needed. If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
  8. Serve hot: Serve your delicious veg drumstick curry with steamed rice or Indian bread like chapati or naan.

Tips & Variations

“For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking for a creamy drumstick curry that pairs beautifully with rice.”

– If you prefer a dry stir-fry version, reduce the water and cook until the moisture evaporates, leaving a spiced drumstick sauté.

– Drumsticks also work wonderfully in lentil-based dishes like sambar, a South Indian specialty, adding texture and nutrition.

– For a quick version, try slicing the drumsticks thinly and sautéing them with garlic, mustard seeds, and curry leaves for a simple side dish.

– To explore more vegetable-rich dishes, you might enjoy our Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners or the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious for a sweet treat after your savory meal.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (Approx.)
Calories 120 kcal
Protein 5 grams
Carbohydrates 15 grams
Dietary Fiber 4 grams
Fat 6 grams
Vitamin C 30% of RDA
Calcium 10% of RDA
Iron 12% of RDA

Serving Suggestions

Veg drumstick curry pairs wonderfully with plain steamed basmati rice or aromatic jeera rice. You can also serve it alongside Indian breads such as chapati, paratha, or naan for a wholesome meal.

For a lighter option, enjoy the drumsticks with quinoa or millet, which soak up the flavorful curry beautifully.

To round out the meal, consider a cooling cucumber raita or a simple salad with fresh tomatoes, onions, and lemon. For dessert, browse our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious that offers a perfect sweet contrast after the spicy curry.

More Veg Drumstick Recipes to Try

Drumstick Sambar

A classic South Indian lentil stew featuring drumsticks simmered with toor dal (pigeon peas), tamarind, and a special blend of spices. It’s comforting and perfect for a nutritious meal.

Interested? Find inspiration in our Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes Indian Food Lovers Adore for easy cooking tips.

Drumstick Stir Fry with Mustard Seeds

A simple and quick stir-fry where drumsticks are sautéed with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies. This dry preparation is perfect as a side dish with rice or roti.

Drumstick and Potato Curry

Combining drumsticks with tender potatoes in a mildly spiced tomato gravy creates a hearty and satisfying dish that’s great for family dinners.

Drumstick Soup

A nourishing soup made by simmering drumsticks with other vegetables, herbs, and spices. This recipe is excellent for cold days or when you want something light yet flavorful.

You might also enjoy our Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating.

Drumstick and Chickpea Curry

A protein-packed dish that pairs drumsticks with chickpeas in a robust, spiced tomato gravy. It’s perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

Conclusion

Veg drumstick recipes offer a delicious and nutritious way to explore new flavors and textures in your cooking routine. This humble vegetable, often overlooked, brings a unique taste and a wealth of health benefits to your table.

Whether you choose to make a comforting curry, a quick stir-fry, or a nourishing stew, drumsticks adapt beautifully to various cuisines and cooking styles.

With the simple ingredients and equipment listed, and the clear instructions provided, you can easily prepare these dishes at home and impress family and friends alike. Don’t forget to explore other exciting vegetable recipes to keep your meals vibrant and healthy.

For more inspiration, check out our Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners or the Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes.

Happy cooking and enjoy the wholesome goodness of veg drumsticks!

📖 Recipe Card: Spicy Veg Drumstick Curry

Description: A flavorful and nutritious curry made with fresh drumsticks and aromatic spices. Perfect as a healthy side or main dish with rice or roti.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 250g drumsticks, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup water
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds until they splutter.
  2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  3. Mix in ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add turmeric, chili, coriander powders and stir well.
  5. Pour in tomato puree and cook until oil separates.
  6. Add drumstick pieces and salt; mix well.
  7. Pour water, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until drumsticks are tender.
  8. Sprinkle garam masala and cook for another 2 minutes.
  9. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Nutrition: Calories: 180 kcal | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 8 g | Carbs: 20 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Spicy Veg Drumstick Curry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful and nutritious curry made with fresh drumsticks and aromatic spices. Perfect as a healthy side or main dish with rice or roti.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“250g drumsticks, cut into 2-inch pieces”, “2 tablespoons oil”, “1 teaspoon mustard seeds”, “1 medium onion, finely chopped”, “2 tomatoes, pureed”, “1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste”, “1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder”, “1 teaspoon red chili powder”, “1 teaspoon coriander powder”, “1/2 teaspoon garam masala”, “Salt to taste”, “1 cup water”, “Fresh coriander leaves for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds until they splutter.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onions and saut\u00e9 until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix in ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add turmeric, chili, coriander powders and stir well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in tomato puree and cook until oil separates.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add drumstick pieces and salt; mix well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour water, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until drumsticks are tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Sprinkle garam masala and cook for another 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “6 g”, “fatContent”: “8 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X