35 New Pakistani and Indian Side Dishes

Planning to throw a party this month so here are the popular and new ideas of 35 Pakistani and Indian side dishes that will help to make fantastic menu by taking less time in kitchen. You can make it before time and freeze or just bake, warm or fry before serving.

When it comes to serve the side dishes with Indian and Pakistani cuisine then it must be something that can compliment with the main course. My intention is to give you restaurant style side dishes that can add value with your main menu.

35 New Pakistani and Indian Side Dishes

Well, when we decide to add side dishes to our main menu then we need to be selective to add the right dishes that can accompany the main dishes. It sounds so easy but believe me, choice is difficult as Pakistani and Indian cuisine is full of variety and there are so many ideas that can easily embed with main course.

So I made it easy by breaking into categories.

Like; Indian main course can't be serve without curry, rice, kebab and desserts.

So, with curry or gravy dishes, different flavors of naan on sides will add more value not only in taste but will add more variations. In the same way, rice can easily be accompanied by kebabs and raita. Like if your main course of rice is biryani then specific biryani raita will add more value.

Let's delve into these side ideas...

1) Garlic Naan (Without Yeast)

Here is quick and easy idea to make garlic naan without yeast in oven and skillet. It's a simple recipe that anyone can make even if you are a beginner. Give it a try!

Easy Homemade Garlic Naan (Without Yeast)

This easy Homemade Garlic Naan recipe, made without yeast and cooked on the stovetop, draws inspiration from Indian cuisine. In just 30 minutes, you can create a delicious flatbread that rivals restaurant quality. With its fluffy, soft, and buttery texture, this naan is the perfect side dish for any main course, whether for lunch or dinner.

Check out this recipe

2) Keema Naan

You must be thinking, why did I add keema naan as side dish? Yes, you are thinking right! the reason is Keema curry. If you are making keema kabab or keema curry as main course then seperate some keema (raw or cooked) to make keema naan. If you are a Punjabi foodie then it's "balle balle" time as everybody love keema naan.

Keema Naan Recipe

Keema naan is one of the most popular Pakistani naan bread stuffed with ground meat and baked in Tandoor. You can easily find it on all the street food in Punjab and Amritsar. Ground meat cooked with the flavor of garlic, seasoned with spices and herbs, stuffed in a yeast flatbread, and baked in the oven makes a perfect flavor for naan lovers. Once you will eat, I swear, you will have again and again.

Check out this recipe

3) Aloo Naan

Yes, aloo naan could be a great side dish to accompany bhaji, bhujia or other veg dishes. I personally like to serve with kebab or simply with chutney, raita or pickles.

Aloo Naan (Potato Stuffed Indian Flatbread)

Aloo naan is the spicy potato stuffed Indian flatbread prepared with boiled potatoes cooked with herbs and spices and then stuffed in the dough to make soft and fluffy naan bread. To get the tandoori naan flavor at home, bake in the oven or simply cook on the skillet (tawa) depending upon your choice. This is my family's favorite naan recipe!

Check out this recipe

4) Peas Pulao

Even though the peas pulao is seasonal, but you can make it with frozen peas. I am so keen to store seasonal peas for 6 months to make my peas pulao and veg fried rice. Pure Pakistani and Indian Rice dish that you can serve as a side to accompany with kebab and curry.

Peas Pulao Recipe (Matar Chawal)

Green Peas Pulao is the seasonal matar chawal famous as matar pulao is one of the most popular Indian, Pakistani and Bengali pulao recipe that foodies love to eat with curry and kebabs. Prepared with long grain basmati rice, garam masala, and using herbs and spices.

Check out this recipe

5) Sofiyani Biryani

It's a chicken white biryani have a unique and different taste. I would say, it will give you new taste of biryani. If you are throwing a party then warm your guest with this biryani as a side dish as people will love to explore the taste.

White Chicken Biryani (Sofiyani Biryani)

White biryani famous as Sofiyani biryani is the newly emerging biryani recipe that people love to eat all across South Asia, especially in India and Pakistan. Tender and juicy chicken cooked with white sauce, layered with steamy long grain basmati rice infused with the flavor of Indian spices make a perfect flavor for biryani foodies. Best to serve as the the main course in dinner!

Check out this recipe

6) Garlic Butter Rice

Super easy and simple recipe and perfect to serve with curry and kebabs. You can make it in 5 minutes if you have boiled rice. I would say, it's a quick recipe of rice that you can quickly make.

Garlic Butter Rice Recipe

Garlic butter rice can make a bowl of perfect fried rice (without eggs) within 15 minutes with cooked rice. Quick and easy recipe to pair up with shrimp, salmon, baked chicken, curry, stew, and kebabs. The garlicky, buttery and stir fried flavor of rice makes it super scrumptious to serve as a side dish.

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7) Aloo Cutlet

Crispy and crunchy from outside and inside is filled with chewy and creamy taste of Indian mashed potatoes. Best recipe to serve as side dish or an appetizer.

Potato Cutlet (Aloo Cutlet)

Crispy golden brown Indian potato cutlet recipe prepared with mashed potatoes, seasoned with spices and herbs, shallow fried with breadcrumbs coating. Perfect tea time snack and the best appetizer to serve with honey garlic sauce and chutney.

Check out this recipe

8) Potato Pancake

Another classic potato side dish that you can quickly prepare with grated potatoes. Potato pancakes will add a great taste with green or tamarind chutney.

Potato Pancake (Aloo Patties)

Indian potato pancake famous as aloo patties prepared with shredded potatoes seasoned with Indian spices and pan fried to get golden brown color with crispy texture. Perfect recipe to serve as party snack or as dinner appetizer.

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9) Chicken 65

One of the most adorable Indian side dish is chicken 65. I know it will finish in no time so add in bulk. Everybody love the tender bites of chicken 65.

Chicken 65 Recipe

Chicken 65 recipe restaurant style will give you soft, tender, and juicy chicken chunks with hot and spicy flavor. Best to serve as a starter or side dish. If you are looking how to make chicken 65, watch the recipe video step by step.

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10) Egg Fingers

Must be a new idea for some poople. Egg fingers are incredibly crispy and crunchy in texture. It's a best egg appetizer to serve as side dish.

Egg Fingers Recipe - How to Make Egg Fingers - Easy Snacks Recipe

Today sharing easy t time snacks recipe famous as "Egg fingers" so If you are looking how to make egg fingers at home then watch quick recipe video.

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11) Finger Samosa

Nothing can beat the new idea of Indian finger samosa. Perfect recipe to add as it will add variety in your side dish menu. You can make ahead of time and freeze it. Just fry before serving.

Indian Samosa Recipe - Potato Samosa (Finger)

Making Indian Samosa recipe fingerstyle. It's a potato samosa (aloo ka samosa) wrapped in a different way. Watch video recipe step by step.

Check out this recipe

12) Rava Finger

When you combine rava and potatoes then rava finger comes up. Yes, it's a new appetizer idea that you can make t

Rava Fingers - Rava Potato Fingers Recipe - Easy Snacks Recipe

Making 'Rava Fingers' here is simple, quick and easy recipe of crispy rava potato fingers (suji aloo snacks). Easy snack recipe for foodies...

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13) Aloo Matar Paneer

Healthy vegetarian side idea to incorporate with naan, roti or simply with steamed rice.

Aloo Matar Paneer Recipe (Dhaba Style)

If you like dry bhujia, then this dhaba style Aloo matar paneer recipe can't beat any other veggie combination. Restaurant hitter vegetarian recipe of Indian cuisine. Potatoes (aloo) and seasonal peas (matar) cooked with cottage cheese (paneer) make a perfect taste for veg lovers.

Check out this recipe

14) Fish Pakora

Handheld deep fried fish fritter famous as Fish Pakora. Best recipe to add fried fish in menu as a side option.

Fish Pakora Recipe

Fish pakora is one of the best Indian snacks of street food. Golden brown fish, deep fried with the marination of Indian spices and gram flour (besan) makes a perfect flavor to serve with chutney or tartar sauce. Crispy and crunchy from outside, tender and juicy from inside will tempt you to eat without stopping hands.

Check out this recipe

15) Chana Makhani

Perfect recipe of chickpea curry. If you like Indian chana masala then must try this recipe. Cooked with tomato paste makes a perfect taste to serve as veg curry.

Chickpea Curry without Coconut Milk (Chana Makhani)

Excited to make this easy chickpea curry recipe without coconut milk. It's loaded with a rich, creamy sauce and bursting with the delightful flavors of Indian spices, particularly the delectable aroma of garam masala that really elevates the dish. My family enjoys it so much that I find myself making it twice a week for dinner!

Check out this recipe

16) Tikki

Here is the most candid option to serve as Indian side dish. Crispy and crunchy aloo tikki. Extremely delicious to serve with mint chutney.

Aloo Tikki Recipe Pakistani - Potato Tikki

Crispy and crunchy aloo tikki recipe (Pakistani style) prepared with mashed potatoes, spices, and herbs. Shallow fried in a golden brown disc to serve as a snack or appetizer.

Check out this recipe

17) Shami Kebab

Not new but most popular option of side dish that every house has in bulk stored in freezer. Shami kebab has tendency to easily pair up with main course especially with rice dishes.

Shami Kabab Pakistani Recipe (Shami Kebab)

An authentic Shami Kabab Pakistani recipe prepared with homemade kabab masala gives the best flavor ever with soft, moist, and juicy bites. Golden fried kabab patties prepared with beef or mutton along with chana dal are enough to give you a drooling vibe. One of the best freezer recipe for Indian and Pakistani moms.

Check out this recipe

18) Broast

No fried chicken and can beat the taste of Pakistani broast. Super easy and simple recipe that you can try and I am 100% sure people will love it.

Chicken Broast Recipe - KFC Style Fried Chicken Broast at Home

Crispy fried chicken broast recipe for foodies. It's a KFC style fried chicken broast that you can easily prepare at home using minimal spices. Easy chicken recipe for foodies

Check out this recipe

19) Fried Sandwich

Once you make these fried sandwiches, you will get addict. It's a perfect recipe of fried sandwhich.

Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe is prepared with bread slices with the stuffing of sauteed chicken and fried with the coating of egg and breadcrumbs. It's a crispy handheld sandwich that will give a unique taste. Best snack for party menu! Once you try, you will make it again and again.

Check out this recipe

20) Chutney

Green Chutney For Sandwich (Hari Chutney Recipe)

Indian Green Chutney recipe for sandwich, chaat and to serve with Indian snacks. Locally famous as Hari Chutney. It's a simple and easy recipe to prepare thick and smooth chutney with mint and fresh coriander. Watch Video!

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21) Dal Tadka

Arhar Dal Recipe (Toor Dal)

Arhar dal or toor dal (Split toor, tuvar dal) will surely complete your meal on a good note. Here is a quick and easy recipe for busy moms and dads to cook Arhar ki dal without a pressure cooker. Yes, it's so easy with my tested and proven method. This recipe includes stovetop and Instant pot Toor dal instructions that will make it easy to make in your kitchen.

Check out this recipe

22) Keema Kabab

Super easy and simple keema kabab. Extremely tender and juicy texture. Best to serve with naan. You can make it in oven, on pan or use your air fryer.

Keema Kabab

Keema kabab prepared with ground mutton or beef gives a special kabab flavor, juiciness, and tendering bites while eating. Here is a simple, easy and quick keema kabab recipe that you can prepare at home using a handful of ingredients. Best recipe of Pakistani and Indian food to serve as party food for dinner or lunch.

Check out this recipe

23) Macaroni Salad

One of the best salad recipe that can easily pair up with variety of dishes. Yes, it's spicy without mayonnaise. Have a look in recipe!

Spicy Macaroni Salad (Without Mayo)

Spicy macaroni salad prepared without mayo, filled with different options of colorful veggies and sweet corns folded in a yogurt sauce with the flavor of parmesan. Spiced with the flavor of green chilies and black pepper. Must be a best salad idea for your next dinner.

Check out this recipe

24) Rajma Salad

Healthy rajma salad famous red kidney bean salad recipe. Super easy to make at home. It will surely save your time as you can make it before a day.

Rajma Salad Recipe for Weight Loss - Kidney Bean Salad Recipe

Sharing quick and easy rajma salad recipe famous as kidney beans salad. Looking healthy salad for weight loss then try this kidney bean salad.

Check out this recipe

25) Lahori Chargha

One of the best recipe of Lahori chargha that can perfectly pair up with rice and pasta salad.

Lahori Chicken Chargha

Lahori chargha is the most satisfying street food for desi people in Pakistan. It’s a chicken chargha recipe prepared with whole chicken marinated with desi homemade chargha masala properly steamed to make it tender and juicy from inside and then shallow fried to get the golden roasted crust.

Check out this recipe

26) Kachori

Here is moong dal kachri. You can also make it before time and just fry before serving.

Moong Dal Kachori

Excited to make the khasta Moong dal kachori recipe which is the best Indian snack or appetizer that anyone can easily prepare with homemade kachori dough. Golden fried crispy and flaky kachori stuffed with Indian spiced moong dal will give you the same flavor as you eat on street food.

Check out this recipe

26) Spicy Indian Green Beans

Quick and easy Gujrati style Indian Green Bean Salad.

27) Veg Puff

Homemade veg patties with frozen sheets. Perfect to serve as side.

Veg Puff (Indian Vegetable Patties)

Veg Puff is a crispy and flaky delectable baked Indian vegetable patties prepared with puff pastry and mixed vegetable stuffing. It will hardly take 40 minutes to prepare vegetable puff pastries at home. Best to serve as a party snack or as an appetizer. I made this recipe with whole wheat puff pastry sheets so it's easy and fun for everyone to easily bake at home.

Check out this recipe

28) Desi Pizza

Yes, it's not an Italian pizza. It's a Pakistani and Indian pizza prepared with desi masala. Must try this!

Desi Pizza (Tandoori Chicken Pizza)

Hot and spicy tandoori chicken pizza is the best desi pizza that you can easily make at home using your spices. If you are excited to make it then join me and make this homemade tandoori flavor chicken pizza that will give the same flavor as you eat on street food. Desi pizza has an unbeatable taste for desi taste buds.

Check out this recipe

29) Meeti Seviyan

Nothing can beat the taste of desi style meethi seviyan or zarda. It's a dry vermicelli recipe that you can quickly make with handful of ingredints.

Meethi Seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli Recipe)

Meethi seviyan or sweet vermicelli is the traditional delicacy of Pakistani and Indian sweet recipes. It's a form of dry sevai prepared without milk. If you are looking for quick and easy options to make sweet dishes for your dinner party, or party then it's the best idea to serve.

Check out this recipe

30) Sweet Toast

You can make this delicious sweet toast in 5 minutes. It's a quick dessert that you can make just by toasting the bread slices and dunked in creamy milk. Believe me, it will give you a irresitable taste that you can ever eat.

Sweet Toast Recipe (Milk Toast)

Family friendly sweet toast recipe can be prepared within 5 minutes. If you like to have milk toast in breakfast then this recipe is perfect! Toasted bread slices dunked in creamy milk with some additional flavor makes no excuses to finish it.

Check out this recipe

31) Phirni

A chilled bowl of phiri or firni whatevery you call it can give you a happy vibe. You can also make it before a day. Serve chilled!

Phirni Recipe (Firni)

Phirni recipe or a chilled bowl of Firni will surely make your day! It’s a popular Pakistani, Indian sweet dish or pudding prepared with soaked and ground basmati rice, milk, sugar, saffron (zafran), seasoned strongly with green cardamom, and rose water (Arq e gulab). Here I am preparing a traditional eid special zafrani phirni with a perfect creamy and smooth texture topped with pistachios and saffron. Here is step by step phirni recipe with video to make at home.

Check out this recipe

32) Date Roll

Another classic example of sweet to add as side dish. Even you can make it a week before. Healthy date recipe idea to add as a sweet candy.

Date Roll Recipe

If you like dates rolled in nuts then this Date roll recipe is perfect for you! It will give you the key to energy as it’s fully packed with healthy nuts, coconut, and sesame. Prepared within 10 minutes. It's an old fashioned date nut roll that is gluten-free, eggless, and without artificial sugar.

Check out this recipe

33) Strawberry Lassi

Try strawberry in lassi recipe. You will get new flavor that will quench the thirst give soulful vibe. It's a indian yogurt drink prepare within 5 minutes.

Strawberry Lassi (Indian Yogurt Drink)

Strawberry lassi is a rejuvenating Indian yogurt drink for summer prepared with a blend of fresh strawberries and yogurt. A chilled glass of tantalizing lassi will give instant energy and give cool vibes to spend summers. Famous drink recipe of India and Pakistani street food.

Check out this recipe

34) Kashmiri Tea

Kashmiri pink tea is the comfort tea for winters but I love to have in all season. It's a great tea recipe that everyone love even if you are not in tea freak circle.

Kashmiri Tea Recipe (Pink Chai)

Kashmiri Tea Recipe (Pink Chai)

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35) Cappuccino

Everyone love to serve coffee or tea with main course. Here is the idea of homemade cappuccino that you can simply make with 3 ingredients and without machine. Check out the video to make it at home. No one will believe that you have made at home.

Homemade Cappuccino

It's easy to make a homemade cappuccino using 3 ingredients. Simple, easy and quick recipe video for coffee lovers to make a perfect cappuccino at home.

Check out this recipe

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