Go Meat-Free: 8 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas Full Of Flavour

Explore the spectrum of vegetarian recipes that you can savour and serve for lunch. From the popular Punjabi dish rajma chawal to the South Indian staple idlis sambar, this guide brings you eight vegan lunch ideas that will keep you full until dinner. The list has easy-to-make and flavourful meals that everyone will love.

Are you a vegetarian who has just shifted towards a plant-based diet? Well, this shift has given you an opportunity to discover the rich diversity of vegetarian food in India. Whether you are seeking something visually appealing or something nutritious and delicious, vegetarian dishes are available in a variety. Vegetarianism is both culturally and historically rooted in India, especially in Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. This guide mentions easy-to-cook, meat-free, and flavourful lunch recipes that can keep you full until your supper or dinner. From protein-rich paneer tikka masala to wholesome and customisable wraps, the list below mentions eight vegetarian lunch ideas that are ideal for weekdays and are full of goodness from plants.

Kathal Sabzi And Roti

If you are someone looking for a plant-based meat substitute, you must try making kathal sabzi and pair it with either roti or rice for lunch. To prepare this simple, easy-peasy, yet equally delicious curry, start by peeling and chopping raw jackfruit into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, bay leaf, whole spices, onion, ginger and garlic paste, and cook until the ingredients turn golden brown and their raw smell disappears. Now, add some tomatoes and spices like turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala, and let them cook for a minute. Combine the chopped jackfruit pieces with the mixture and mix to coat them with the aromatic spices. Now pour some water over the pan, and let it cook on low heat until the jackfruit is tender. Garnish the sabzi with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with chapati or rice.

Vegetable Wraps

If you are left with some vegetables from your salad bowl or want to eat something healthy, you can make vegetable wraps. This recipe is a quick solution to your hunger pangs and can be customised according to your taste, as the possibilities are endless. To whip it up, take a tortilla wrap and spread hummus evenly on the surface. Now layer healthy veggies, like shredded lettuce, carrots, sliced cucumbers, and bell peppers over the hummus. Season it with chilli flakes, salt, and oregano to enhance its taste. Now fold both sides of the tortilla, and your wrap is ready to enjoy.

Paneer Tikka Masala

Did anyone say paneer? Paneer tikka masala is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka and other meat preparations. Made with chunks of paneer, which is rich in protein, this starter can be enjoyed as both a snack and a lunch. To whip up restaurant-style paneer tikka masala, marinated paneer is cooked in a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy. Then the cubes and veggies are grilled until golden and then simmered in a flavourful masala gravy. This super flavourful and delicious recipe can be paired with rice or Indian bread, like naan or roti.

Mushroom Masala

Mushroom masala is another finger-licking recipe that is cooked in a tomato-based gravy, which helps to balance this recipe. To make this aromatic mushroom recipe at home, wash and chop the mushrooms. Now, prepare a tomato-based gravy by combining chopped onions, tomatoes, and ginger-garlic paste, with fragrant spices. Next, add the mushrooms and cook them until they get tender and absorb all the flavour. To enhance its taste, add fresh cream, and your masala mushroom recipe is ready. Serve it with rice, naan, or roti and savour it.

Soya Keema

Soya chunks are one of the best protein-rich foods for vegetarians. While soya chunk curry is a widely popular dish in Indian households, you can move on to the next delicious dish-soya keema. To make it at home, take a pack of soya granules and soak them for about fifteen minutes. In the meantime, saute chopped onion with green chillies in oil until the onions are golden brown. Next, add the soaked soya granules to the pan with your favourite spices and cook them. This plant-based recipe mimics the taste and texture of classic meat keema. You can pair it with a roti, and your hot lunch meal is ready to serve.

Chana Masala

Being a north Indian heaven, this recipe can fill your kitchen with aroma and give you a flavourful experience. To make this perfect blend of chickpeas and spices, you’ll first need to prepare a tomato and onion-based masala. For that, take a pan and add chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and some green chillies in some oil. Now, add the usual spices like garam masala, chana masala, turmeric, and cumin. Cook it till you get a flavourful aroma, now add tomato puree and give it a boil. Then, the final step is to add boiled chickpeas with water as per your desired consistency, and after the flavours are melded, your chana masala will be ready!

Rajma Chawal

Rajma chawal is a perfect one-pot recipe that is popular in many North Indian households. To whip it up, heat ghee or oil in a non-stick pan. Sauté cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, and onion for a minute. Add tomato puree for a tangy flavour and mix it well. Add chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, dried mango powder, garam masala, and mix them well. Now add kidney beans and let them cook for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and drizzle a thin layer of cream on top. Serve this dish hot with jeera rice and dig in.

Idli Sambar

Originally from the southern part of India, Idli Sambar is a light and hearty lunch recipe that you will devour in a jiffy. This meal combines the richness of sambar, a lentil-based curry, with soft and fluffy steamed rice cakes known as idlis. Made with herbs, lentils, mixed vegetables, and aromatic spices, sambar is a versatile stew that pairs well with various South Indian dishes. Sambar is rich in protein, and fibre, and contributes to good digestive health, which makes it more appealing among Indians. If you are craving something spicy, tangy, and savoury, you should try this out for a satisfying and comforting meal.