Punjabi food is well known for its bold flavours, rich gravies and traditional dishes. We have everything you need, whether you want to cook a family meal, a celebration meal, or simply try some real North Indian food. Here are 20 popular Punjabi recipes to try out this year!
Chole Puri
One of the most popular Punjabi foods, this is a combination of chole and bhature. The chole is cooked with onions, tomatoes and a range of fragrant spices. The bhature is a soft and fluffy deep-fried bread. It comes with pickled red onions and green chillies.
Sarson Ka Saag (Also known as Makki Ki Roti – One of the famous Punjabi recipes)
This is a favourite winter dish. It is made using mustard greens, spinach and other leafy vegetables. This is slow-cooked with a range of spices and served with Makki Ki Roti, homemade butter and jaggery.
Amritsari Bread
Amritsari Kulcha is a favourite filled bread from Punjab. The bread is filled with spiced potato mash, onions and herbs and cooked in a tandoor. It comes with chole, chutney and pickles.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a popular recipe in Punjab. It is a marinated chicken dish cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. The name comes from the use of butter, cream, ginger, garlic and fragrant spices. This goes well with naan or jeera rice.
Dal Makhani
This is a traditional Punjabi recipe using lentils. Black urad dal and kidney beans are used. These are cooked slowly to create a creamy consistency. It is finished with butter, cream and spices. Best served with naan, roti or steamed rice.
Cheese Tikka
Paneer Tikka is a popular vegetarian starter. Cube-shaped paneer is marinated in yoghurt, spices and gram flour. The cubes are skewered with onions and capsicum and grilled or roasted. It is served with mint chutney and lemon wedges.
Punjabi Kadai Pakora
This is a yoghurt-based curry. Gram flour is added to thicken it. It contains soft onion pakoras for a nice texture. It can be served with steamed rice.
Amritsari Fish Fritters
Amritsari fish fry is a popular Punjabi starter. It is a favourite in the Amritsar area. Fish is coated with spiced gram flour and carom seeds. The fish is then tossed in lemon juice and fried to give a crispy texture. It can be served with mint chutney.
Red Lentil and Rice
Rajma Chawal is a classic Punjabi recipe. Kidney beans are cooked in a thick onion- and tomato-based sauce. The beans are soft, and this, along with the combination of spices, makes for a satisfying meal.
Punjabi Bread with Aloo
Aloo Paratha is a favourite Punjabi breakfast. The whole wheat dough is filled with mashed potatoes, green chillies, coriander and spices. The dough is rolled out and cooked on a hot tawa with ghee or butter. Best served with curd, pickle and white butter.
Punjabi Chana Curry
Punjabi chana masala is made with chickpeas. It is cooked with a spicy onion- and tomato-based sauce. Sometimes black tea or dried amla is used to darken the colour. It can be served with rice, roti, puri or bhature.
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer butter masala is made with paneer in a smooth tomato, butter, cream and fragrant spice sauce. This is a mild, sweet and creamy dish which is a favourite in Punjabi restaurants.
Tandoori Chicken (Also known as Tandoori Chicken)
One of the most popular choices for people who love Indian food. The chicken is marinated in a yoghurt and spice mixture and cooked in a tandoor. Also known as: Roti Chicken. Tandoori Chicken – The chicken is marinated in a yoghurt and spice paste and cooked in a clay oven.
The chicken is marinated in yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice and spices. It is cooked in a clay tandoor, which gives it a smoky flavour and charred appearance. It is served with onion rings and mint chutney.
Pindi Channa
Pindi chole is a dry chickpea recipe from Rawalpindi. This is now a staple part of Punjabi food. It differs from other chole recipes as there is more of a thick masala. Sometimes tea or dried amla is added to give it its characteristic dark colour.
Punjabi Samosas
These are a speciality of Punjab. They are triangular in shape and very crispy. They contain a spiced mix of potatoes and peas. The samosas are made with refined flour and deep-fried to give them a golden colour. They are served with tamarind and mint chutney.
Malai Kofte
Malai kofta is an indulgent vegetarian recipe. It contains soft koftas made from paneer and potatoes. These are served in a creamy tomato, cashew and onion-based sauce. It is a favourite for celebrations.
Punjabi Lassi
Punjabi lassi is a refreshing yoghurt drink. Curd is blended with water/milk, sugar/salt. Sweet lassi can contain cream or malai on top. Salted lassi can contain roasted cumin and black salt.
Amritsari Potatoes and Wadis
Amritsari aloo wadi is a classic Punjabi recipe. It uses potatoes and sun-dried lentil koftas (called wadis). The wadis are cooked with onions, tomatoes and spices to create a tasty meal. Best served with roti or rice.
Punjabi Pulao
Punjabi pulao is a fragrant rice dish. We use basmati rice, vegetables and whole spices. It may also contain paneer or dried fruits. It is a one-pot meal and can be served with raita, salad or simple curry.
Carrot Halwa
Gajar ka halwa is a popular Punjabi winter dish. Carrots are cooked with milk, sugar and ghee. This is a slow cooking process to give it lots of flavour. It is garnished with almonds, cashews and raisins. This is a dessert which works well in the winter.
How to cook authentic Punjabi food
Here are some basic tips for cooking traditional Punjabi recipes:
Fresh ingredients – Fresh ginger, garlic, tomatoes, coriander and green chillies.
Spices – Garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, turmeric and kasuri methi.
Gravies – Cook the onions and tomatoes well.
Butter and ghee – Use in moderation.
Traditional cooking methods – Cooking in a tandoor, slow roasting and grilling will give an authentic taste.
Conclusion
Punjabi food is a combination of bold spices, comforting ingredients and traditional cooking methods. We have recipes such as chole bhature and sarson ka saag, but also dal makhani, paneer butter masala and gajar ka halwa. Whatever your preference, these recipes will help you cook Punjabi food in 2026. Whether you prefer vegetarian, meat-based, snacks or desserts.
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