Easy Indian Curries You Can Make Without a Tandoor

Indian food is often associated with the aroma of spices, rich gravies, and the iconic tandoor oven. But here’s the truth—most Indian households don’t use a tandoor at all. Instead, they rely on simple stovetop techniques that anyone can master with a little practice and the right ingredients. In this blog, we’ll explore a wide variety of easy Indian curries you can cook without a tandoor, whether you're a beginner, cooking for your family, or just craving something comforting and spicy.

🥄 What Makes a Curry “Easy”?

Before diving into recipes, let’s understand what makes a curry beginner-friendly or “easy”:

• Minimal chopping and prep work
• Readily available ingredients (no exotic spice hunts)
• Stovetop cooking only
• Quick cook times (many under 30–40 minutes)
• Flexible for add-ons (like vegetables, meat, or paneer)

🌶️ Essential Indian Spices for Curries

You don’t need an overflowing spice cabinet. Start with these essentials:

• Cumin seeds
• Turmeric powder
• Red chili powder
• Coriander powder
• Garam masala
• Mustard seeds
• Fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi)

These will cover 90% of Indian curries. You can optionally add cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves for more depth.

🥘 Must-Have Pantry Ingredients

• Onion, garlic, and ginger (or use a ready-made ginger-garlic paste)
• Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• Ghee or oil
• Fresh coriander
• Coconut milk (for South Indian-style curries)
• Yogurt or cream (for richness)
• Lentils, chickpeas, paneer, or chicken as protein

🔥 Cooking Indian Curries Without a Tandoor

Since tandoor-style cooking is not needed here, we focus on:

• Tadka (tempering spices in oil)
• Sautéing onions and tomatoes to build a flavour base
• Simmering for depth of taste

Now, let’s get into the good stuff—actual recipes.

🧄 1. Basic Onion-Tomato Masala Curry Base

This is the heart of many Indian curries. Learn this and you can create endless variations.

Ingredients:

• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Heat oil and add cumin seeds.
2. Add onions and cook until golden.
3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste.
4. Add tomatoes, salt, and spices. Cook until oil separates.

👉 Use this as a base for dals, chicken curry, or even with paneer or chickpeas.

🍗 2. Homestyle Chicken Curry (Murgh Curry)

A comforting, spicy curry made without marination or grilling.

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken (bone-in preferred)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• Spices (as in base)
• Coriander for garnish

Steps:

1. Follow the masala base method.
2. Add chicken and sauté for 5–7 minutes.
3. Stir in yogurt and cook until it thickens.
4. Add water and simmer for 20 mins.

Pairs beautifully with rice or roti.

🧀 3. Paneer Butter Masala (No Grill Needed)

Creamy and mildly spiced—perfect for vegetarians.

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1/2 cup cream
• Butter, spices

Steps:

1. Sauté onion in butter.
2. Add tomato puree and cook down with spices.
3. Add cream and kasuri methi.
4. Gently stir in paneer.

Serve with naan or jeera rice.

🥬 4. Palak Paneer (Spinach & Cottage Cheese)

Healthy and iron-rich, made easily in a blender.

Ingredients:

• 250g spinach (blanched and blended)
• 200g paneer, cubed
• Onion, tomato, garlic
• Garam masala, cumin

Steps:

1. Make the onion-tomato base.
2. Add spinach puree and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add paneer and simmer for 10 minutes.

Velvety and nutritious.

🧆 5. Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry)

Protein-packed and budget-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas or soaked overnight
• Onion, tomato, garlic
• Chole masala (or garam masala)

Steps:

1. Prepare base masala.
2. Add chickpeas and some water.
3. Simmer for 15–20 mins until thick.

Great with rice or poori.

🥥 6. Coconut-Based Veg Curry (South Indian Style)

Light, fragrant, and creamy.

Ingredients:

• Mixed vegetables
• Coconut milk
• Curry leaves
• Mustard seeds, turmeric

Steps:

1. Temper mustard seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add veggies and sauté.
3. Add coconut milk and simmer.

Perfect with appam, dosa, or rice.

🧅 7. Egg Curry

Simple protein-rich meal for bachelors or busy days.

Ingredients:

• Boiled eggs (4–6)
• Onion, tomato, spices
• Curry leaves (optional)

Steps:

1. Create curry base.
2. Add eggs and simmer in gravy.
3. Garnish with coriander.

Pairs well with roti or rice.

🌱 8. Moong Dal Tadka

Wholesome and light, good for digestion.

Ingredients:

• Yellow moong dal
• Onion, garlic, green chili
• Mustard seeds, cumin

Steps:

1. Pressure cook dal with turmeric.
2. Temper spices in ghee and mix in.
3. Simmer for a few minutes.

Perfect with steamed rice.

🍛 9. Kadhi Pakora (No Fry Version)

North Indian comfort food made healthier.

Ingredients:

• Besan (gram flour)
• Yogurt
• Spices
• Pakoras (shallow-fried or baked)

Steps:

1. Whisk yogurt and besan with water.
2. Simmer with spices until thick.
3. Add pakoras before serving.

Serve with jeera rice.

💡 Bonus Tips for Curry Success Without a Tandoor

• Use heavy-bottomed pans to prevent burning.
• Let onions caramelise slowly for richness.
• Add water gradually to control consistency.
• A dollop of ghee or butter at the end elevates any curry.
• Garnish with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon for freshness.

👪 Batch Cooking and Storage

Curries get better the next day! Make larger portions and:

• Store in airtight containers.
• Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.

Paneer and lentil curries freeze especially well.

🧂 Adjusting Heat & Spice

Indian food is adaptable. Here's how to manage spice levels:

• Use Kashmiri chili powder for colour, not heat.
• Reduce green chilies or omit entirely for kids.
• Add cream or yogurt to mellow spice.
• Try spice blends like kitchen king masala for milder flavour.

🛒 Easy Substitutes for Beginners

• Use canned chickpeas instead of boiling.
• Frozen spinach for Palak Paneer.
• Tomato paste instead of fresh tomatoes (adjust quantity).
• Ready-made ginger-garlic paste.

🏁 Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy equipment or a tandoor to enjoy authentic Indian curries. These easy, stovetop-friendly recipes bring all the flavour with none of the fuss. Whether you’re cooking for your family or whipping up a quick solo meal, these dishes will never fail to satisfy.