Featured Recipes
Tamarind and Date Sweet Chutney
A sweet and tangy condiment made from tamarind, dates, and spices, commonly used in Indian cuisine.
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Dosais
Dosais are the South Indian version of savory crepes/pancakes. Some people like their dosais crispy and thin, while others like them softer and thicker. Either way is delicious.
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Lemon Rice
Rice with lemon juice and a couple of spices. Great for making with leftover rice!
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Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.), the organization behind Vegan IndianFood, was founded by a Chicanx and longtime vegan activist, lauren Ornelas. Inspired by Indian board member Sharanya Krishna Prasad, F.E.P. decided to launch VeganIndianFood.org to highlight Indian foods that do not include animal ingredients and to model that it is possible to eat vegan and still incorporate our comfort foods.
Animals have a special significance in many Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many Hindu texts consider vegetarianism essential for moksha (liberation of the soul). Most Indian states ban cow slaughter as cows are especially sacred to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Due to these religious traditions and histories, nearly 40% of all Indian adults consider themselves vegetarian, and a majority of people in India’s six largest religious groups follow some restriction of “meat” in their diet or do not consume animals at all.
British colonialism had a lasting impact on Indian diets and the lives of animals. With no respect for the religious significance of cows or Indians’ traditional foodways and agricultural practices, British colonizers built hundreds of slaughterhouses in India between the 19th and 20th century, seeking to make “meat” and dairy consumption more widespread.
This site was created to showcase the diversity of flavors and dishes from India, many of which are traditionally made without harming animals. Indian cuisine utilizes plant protein sources such as nuts, rices, and legumes, fragrant spices and herbs, and fresh vegetables. The dishes featured on this site are a patchwork of family recipes and cultural tradition. They demonstrate how vegan food is for anyone and everyone.
Vegan foods do not contain animal ingredients, including “meat,” sea life, eggs, dairy, and honey, all of which are products of suffering and exploitation. Of course, the produce we all eat is picked by farm workers, who often suffer and are treated unfairly, so we need to recognize just how important it is to support these workers whenever possible. F.E.P. continues to raise awareness about the labor conditions of produce workers while simultaneously working with them to advance their rights by supporting corporate, legislative, and regulatory changes.
We created VeganIndianFood.org to be a user-friendly resource for vegans and the vegan-curious alike, as well as the Indian community and beyond. We hope that you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!
VeganIndianFood.org is a collaborative effort, and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed: those who submitted original recipes; those who tested recipes; and those who cooked, styled, and photographed each dish!