Here is a collection of 50+ delicious and easy to make No Onion No Garlic Indian recipes to make while fasting / vrat on festivals, or for any other diet or lifestyle reasons. These are all vegetarian Indian recipes.
A no onion no garlic diet is followed by many for religious reasons on an everyday basis or on certain festival days. It is also called a sattvic diet.

This collection is by no means something that follows all vrat / diet requisites. In my family, my Amma follows a fasting diet on special occasions like Navarathri and Amavasya (new moon day) and she just avoids onion and garlic and eats only fresh food made on the day of.
But I know many who avoid grains, legumes and certain vegetables. For a lot of people, just avoiding alcohol and meat and following a vegetarian diet is a fasting diet in itself. There are so many various specifications that different people follow on fasting days. This list does not cover all of that. It is just a collection of recipes with no onion and no garlic that can be enjoyed by all, whether fasting or not.
This collection of no onion no garlic recipes have main course recipes, rice recipe, dal recipes, vegetable side dish recipes, dessert recipes (they are by default no onion and no garlic anyway but it is good to have it in the collection if you are interested to make it on a festive day).


How to flavor food without onion and garlic?
Onion, garlic and ginger are the base aromatics in Indian cuisine to which the spices are added and the veggies or meat or paneer is then mixed in to make the curry or dish. Its hard to imagine Indian food cooked without onion or garlic.
There are several regional cuisines where everyday food is cooked without onion and garlic and the main flavors of the vegetables are highlighted. Also the religion of Jainism believes in cooking without onion and garlic, so those who follow it always cook their meals without onion and garlic.
But in recipes that usually uses onion and garlic, there are a variety of other ingredients that can be added to give a burst of flavors to the dish.
Asafetida is one such ingredient. Asafetida or hing or perungayam gives food the same kind of complexity and depth in flavors, as onions and garlic do, so it is a great ingredient to use in no onion no garlic recipe to add more flavor.
Similarly, ginger gives an earthy flavor and some heat to any dishes it is added to and is a good ingredient to add to dishes to pack in a ton of flavor.
Green chillies, red chillies and other spices help add layers of flavor in no onion no garlic recipes.
Aloo Rasedar


Cooked potatoes are crumbled and simmered in a spiced tomato sauce, to make this No Onion – No Garlic Potato Curry recipe of Aloo Rasedar. An easy, under 30 minute recipe for a quick weeknight dinner.


White Pumpkin Dal


Quick and easy recipe for white pumpkin (vellai poosanikai) kootu with green peas. A delicious and wholesome side for rice or chapatis.


South Indian Coconut Rice


A savory, lightly spiced and delicious Coconut Rice made the South Indian way. This Thengai Sadam is easy to make and is perfect for a weeknight meal.


Rava Kesari


Easy step-by-step recipe to make the popular Southern Indian dessert, Rava Kesari. It is made with a few simple ingredients like semolina, sugar, ghee and cardamom.


Sprouted Chickpea Sundal


A delicious savory Southern Indian snack with sprouted chickpeas and grated coconut sauteed in a tempered spice seasoning to make this Sprouted Chickpeas Sundal.


Cilantro Coconut Chutney


Fresh and flavorful cilantro coconut chutney is the perfect accompaniment to Southern Indian breakfast dishes like dosas and idlis. This condiment takes only about 10 mins to put together.


South Indian Lemon Rice


Tangy, flavorful and easy to make Southern Indian Lemon Rice is a crowd favorite. It is vegan and gluten free and can be made nut free as well.


Kerala Style Bhindi / Okra Saute


Simple and easy Kerala Style Roasted Okra or Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti is a delicious vegan side that is crispy, flavorful and not slimy at all.


Makhana Kheer


Makhana Kheer is a creamy Indian pudding dessert made with puffed edible seeds of water lily and milk and made fragrant with saffron and cardamom.


Chembu Moru Curry – Taro Root Yogurt Curry


Chembu curry is taro root cooked with spices and simmered in a yogurt and coconut sauce and is a wonderful tangy and cooling accompaniment to rice, especially on hot summer days.


Curd Rice / Yogurt Rice


Curd rice, also called yogurt rice or thayir sadam, is a Southern Indian recipe that is slightly sweet, sour and savory, all in itself. Curd rice is white rice mixed with yogurt and a tempered seasoning of spices and herbs.


Instant Pot Rasam Rice


Instant Pot rasam rice is comfort in a bowl made in minutes, all in one-pot. Spicy tangy notes of rasam infused with rice is delicious with a side of potato fry.


Carrot and Green Beans Thoran


Easy and delicious saute of carrots and green beans with coconut.


Spinach and Chickpeas Sauté with Coconut


A quick and easy, vegetarian side of Spinach sauteed with canned Chickpeas with some smashed fresh coconut and spices. It is a great side with rice or rotis but can also be eaten as a snack or salad, in itself.


Beets and Carrot Thoran


Simple and easy vegetable side of red beets and rainbow carrots saute with coconut and green chillies.


Spinach Pesarattu


These almost instant gluten free crepes, Spinach Pesarattu, are power packed with green mung bean and spinach and can be enjoyed with a side of your favorite coconut chutney for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a snack!


Saffron Kheer


Kheer or Indian Rice Pudding, made easy in the Instant Pot. Make this Instant Pot Saffron Kheer easily for a crowd, this Diwali, with this no fail recipe.


Palak Masala Pooris


Fluffy, deep fried, hot pooris are anyone’s dream of indulgence, especially when it comes to cold winter days. Add to that some green goodness like spinach and you will feel a little less guilty!


Palak Kadhi


Steamed basmati rice and some hot and creamy Spinach Kadhi is all you need to take you to your favorite warm and fuzzy place. It is one the ultimate food combinations.


Lauki Kheer


Deliciously decadent kheer laced with cardamom and saffron and the goodness of lauki / bottle gourd, that you can feel a little less guilty of indulging in more than one serving.


Malpua with Rabri


Heavenly little fried pancakes topped with sweet thickened milk poured on top of it, this Indian dessert of Malpua with Rabri is an experience in itself!


Mango Semiya Kheer


Sweetness of mangoes accentuates the flavors in this simple yet very delicious Semiya Payasam. Try this Mango Semiya Payasam as something different from your regular semiya payasam.


Black Eyed Peas Sundal


Another easy sundal recipe with black eyed peas as the lentil source. Quick and easy and as always, delicious and protein rich snack!


Besan Halwa


This fudgy pudding like dessert made with chickpea flour, sugar, ghee and flavored with saffron and cardamom is rich goodness in every spoonful. Done in under 30 minutes, this Besan Halwa is perfect to celebrate any special occasion.


Chana Dal Sundal


A quick yet delicious snack recipe that is vegan and gluten free, this Kadala Parippu Sundal is simple cooked yellow lentils with coconut and spices. It is a popular Southern Indian snack made during the fall festival of Navarathri.


Kesar Badam Doodh


Warm creamy whole milk infused with the goodness of almonds along with fragrant saffron and cardamom in this Kesar Badam Doodh is a fitting welcome drink for your guests at your next festival get together.


Sweet and Sour Pineapple Curry


Sweet and Sour Pineapple Pachadi is a favorite side for any sadya meal that is served for Onam, Vishu or for any other special occasions.


Chickpea Sundal


A quick, easy and filling snack with garbanzo beans, coconut and a touch of spice for a flavor pop, this Kondakadalai Sundal is a popular festival snack in Southern India.


Khoya Rice Kheer


Upgrade your regular rice kheer to this richer and creamier Khoya Rice Kheer. This recipe has rave reviews from friends and followers alike.


Turmeric Raw Mango Rice


Fragrant basmati rice made tangy and delicious with grated raw mangoes added to it, is a quick lunch that can be made any day!


Saffron Mango Lassi


Sweet, ripe and juice mangoes get combined with saffron, cardamom and pistachios along with some Stonyfield Organic yogurt to make this delicious summer cooler of a Mango lassi.


Instant Rava Idli


Healthy and instant Rava Idlis can be made under half an hour, when you run out of other breakfast options for the week. Serve them alongside your favorite side of sambar or chutney and help you and family, start their day right.


Spelt Methi Pooris


Deep fried goodness of flatbread made with spelt and whole wheat flour and a generous sprinkle of dried fenugreek leaves, these Spelt Methi Pooris are an indulgence that makes you feel less guilty and something you definitely deserve on those cold winter days!


Beetroot Halwa


You won’t fell guilty with this indulgence of Beetroot Halwa / Indian Style Beet Pudding with Condensed Milk, as it is filled with all the goodness of beets, yet so very decadent.


Ven Pongal


If your day starts with this delicious, comforting and spicy Ven Pongal with some piping hot sambar and a cup of frothy filter coffee, its just gotta be a great day!


Sooji Halwa


A sooji halwa recipe with a twist. The khoya added to this sooji halwa gives it so much more creaminess and flavor.


Pinto Beans Sundal


An easy no prep snack of pinto beans sautéed with coconut and lightly spiced with dried red chillies and asafetida.


Minty Peach Lassi


Creamy yet refreshing Minty Peach Lassi with a touch of honey for sweetness, it is the perfect summer drink, especially when peaches are everywhere this season!


Vazhakkai Bajji – Raw Banana Pakodas


Crispy fried raw bananas in a salty and slightly spicy chickpea flour batter, these Vazhakka Bajjis are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot chai in the evening!


Avial – Mixed Vegetable Curry


Avial – a mixed vegetable curry in a spiced coconut and yogurt sauce, is a very quintessential Kerala dish that is made for Sadya (a feast)! It also features very regularly in everyday meals in Kerala.


Carrot Semiya Payasam


Grated carrots added to the usual vermicelli payasam (vermicelli pudding with milk) perfumed with cardamom and saffron makes it an ideal dessert for spring.


Vendakka Kichadi – Fried Okra Raita


Delicately spiced coconut and yogurt sauce topped with crispy fried okra – a perfect side!


Zucchini Kootu / Dal


Protein rich and flavor packed koottu / kootu recipe with Zucchini. Vegan and Guten Free.


Coconut Khoya Laddoo


Deliciously decadent and melt-in-your mouth kind of fudge is this Coconut Khoya Laddoo. Easy to make and gets done in 30 mins.


Cardamom Rose Milk


Deliciously chilled milk with rose and cardamom flavors is the perfect festive drink.


Poha Laddoo


Decadent and delicious laddoos made with Aval / Poha and Coconut.


Pumpkin Halwa


Pumpkin Halwa or Kaddu Ka Halwa is an easy seasonal Indian dessert made with just 4 ingredients. This delicious dessert is ready in about 20 mins.


Gulab Jamun


Gulab Jamun is the classic Indian dessert that everyone loves. You can make the softest, melt-in-your mouth gulab jamuns right at home with this recipe.


Chivda


Chivda or Chiwda made with poha / beaten rice flakes is a very popular savory teatime snack in India. It is super easy to make and makes for a very delicious snack!


Masala Roasted Cashews


Crunchy and spicy masala roasted cashews are an easy tea time snack. This quick to make snack recipe requires just a handful of ingredients.


Besan Badam Laddoo


Simple, yet, complex in flavors, this nutty Besan Badam Laddoo is everyone’s favorite from the Diwali snack line up. Made with roasting Bengal gram flour and almond flour with ghee and perfumed with cardamom, these rolled balls of sinful goodness is something that you cannot just stop at one.

