Naan bread, which comes in plain or garlic flavors, can be used to prepare both sweet and savory Indian meals.
There are many different “what to serve with Naan bread” dishes, from soups to curries and everything in between.
Plus, you rest assured that everyone is getting the nourishment they need from here. Besides, you’ll need some type of curry-based dishes, such as chicken curry or vegetable curry.
As well as something sweet, like pineapple raita or mango chutney sauce. If you want to add meat to your meal, chicken tikka masala tastes great with naan bread.
To make the most of your naan bread, combine it with one of these tasty dishes of what to serve with naan bread below.
1. Butter Chicken
First on the list of what to serve with Naan bread is Butter chicken. This is a delicious Indian dish that’s traditionally served as an entree.
To try it out as a naan bread side, simply cut a piece of naan bread into bite-sized pieces and dip them in your butter chicken sauce.
Again, it’s super easy, plus you get all of your nutrients in one package instead of spreading out over multiple courses.
But if you think serving butter chicken on naan bread would be too messy, there are plenty of other ways to combine these two foods.
2. Vegetable Korma
This is the second of what to serve with Naan bread. Indian food is a great option for vegetarians, as most dishes are heavy on vegetables and light on meat.
This dish combines creamy coconut milk with tomatoes and fresh herbs like cilantro, giving it a refreshing taste.
Also, you could add chicken or paneer (Indian cheese) if you’re not a vegetarian! Stirring in heavy cream at the end gives it an extra richness that pairs well with buttery naan bread.
Other good dishes include aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), dal makhani (lentils simmered in butter), and vegetable kormaka (stir-fried vegetables).
3. Tandoori Gobi Tikka
Traditional tandoori chicken is another great choice for what to serve with Naan bread. It is cooked in a tandoor oven at a very high temperature.
The intense heat helps seal in all those juices, resulting in a tender and juicy piece of meat. However, we often refer to marinating and cooking meat as tandoori.
But we don’t put our food into an actual tandoor; that’d be far too dangerous! Instead, we take inspiration from that cooking style by baking or grilling (or both) our food on really hot grates for an incredibly flavorful meal.
4. Beef Vindaloo
Meaty and flavorful, beef vindaloo is made of tender slices of beef, slowly cooked in a tangy-spicy tomato sauce.
This dish goes well with any kind of bread, but Naan bread is a better choice because it’s soft yet chewy and won’t get soggy when soaked up in curry sauce.
Most vindaloos aren’t very spicy, so they pair well with hot and sweet dishes alike. If you’re not a fan of meat or catering to guests with particular dietary restrictions, try serving a vegetarian vindaloo instead.
Most vegetable-based versions use potatoes as their base and plenty of spices like cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
So there are two different types of Vindaloo. Consequently, you are covered when considering what to serve with Naan bread!
5. Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is an Indian dish prepared in a tandoor oven, giving it a delightful smokiness.
If you are wondering what to serve with Naan bread, try serving it alongside a generous portion of tandoori chicken for a fulfilling meal. This recipe uses boneless skinless chicken thighs, but you can also use breast meat if you prefer.
For best results, marinate your chicken overnight, so it has plenty of time to absorb all those delicious flavors! This recipe serves four people and takes around two hours in total.
The preparation time is only 15 minutes, while cooking takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Including 10 minutes on each side in the oven and 10 minutes resting before serving. Bon appetit!
6. Spinach Lentil Dal
Dal is one of those Indian dishes you probably heard of but don’t know much about. It’s actually a combination of beans, vegetables, or meat cooked into a thick stew.
Though it’s often served as an appetizer, dal also makes for what to serve with Naan bread. In truth, it is a delicious and comforting side dish that pairs perfectly with Naan bread.
Give it a try by adding lentils and chopped spinach leaves in water. Together with these, add some spices like cayenne pepper and salt in a pot.
Bring it to a boil, then boil it to low heat for 20 minutes. Mix in oil and remove from heat after 10 minutes.
7. Sage Lamb Kofta
Prepare your naan according to package directions. Koftas are usually served on a platter, but you can also put them on top of naan bread.
Add sliced cherry tomatoes and mint leaves; this dish is great as a main course or appetizer! Yum!
In addition to these two dishes, you might want to serve an Indian-inspired side like red lentils and rice. Combine dry red lentils in water in a small saucepan; bring it to a boil.
Then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Next, add cooked white rice; cook for another 10 minutes or so until heated through. This is another sumptuous dish regarding what to serve with Naan bread.
8. Chana Masala
Chana masala is a popular Indian dish made from sautéed chickpeas, tomatoes, and spices. It’s usually spicy and hearty enough to stand on its own.
It’s served alongside several dishes as a side or appetizer; hence, an amazing option to serve with Naan bread.
Furthermore, Chana Masala is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber and low in calories— making it an ideal accompaniment for Naan bread.
If you can’t find fresh chilies at your local store, you can replace them with dried red chili peppers for added taste.
Also, this dish includes onions and garlic, which help increase immunity against common diseases. Diseases such as cancer & heart disease, among other illnesses, due to their unique antioxidant properties.
9. Jalapeño Mango Chutney
Chutneys are on the list of what to serve with Naan bread. They are made of fruit, vegetables, and sometimes spices which are cooked down into a thick mixture.
This chutney is popular in India as a side dish or dipping sauce. Jalapeño is often used as an alternative to green chile peppers because it can be equally spicy without adding too much heat.
Also, the tartness of mango balances out jalapeño’s spice very well, making for a flavorful dip that pairs perfectly with Indian naan bread. It takes about 5 minutes to make and will last 1 week in the refrigerator if stored airtight.
10. Greek Chickpea Salad
These delicious Chickpeas aren’t left out of what to serve with Naan bread. They are full of fiber, potassium, and protein.
They taste great in hummus but even better in a Greek-inspired chickpea salad. Serve on naan bread for a light lunch or dinner.
To make: Combine chickpeas, drained; olive oil; freshly ground black pepper; salt; garlic cloves, minced; chopped red onion; lemon juice from concentrate; and finely chopped cucumber.
Afterward, chill for at least 4 hours before serving over naan bread wedges. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese if desired. (Sprouted garbanzo beans can be used instead of canned.)
11. Cilantro Lime Flank Steak
Flank steak is an affordable cut of beef that’s tender enough for even a weeknight, and it can be easily seasoned for a recipe like tacos.
For these tacos, you’ll season the flank steak with salt and pepper, then saute it until it is well browned on both sides.
Once cooked through, simply top it off with onion, cilantro, and lime juice for one of our favorite easy weeknight dinners.
Cook up some Naan bread on your own grill. Or just grab a loaf from your local grocery store, and dinner is ready in under 15 minutes!
12. Pork Carnitas
Traditionally, pork carnitas is a Mexican-style dish made by slow-cooking and seasoning pork butt or shoulder. Most of its fat renders off during cooking, and it becomes incredibly tender.
Traditionally, carnitas are served as a simple meal: made from pork, onions, and green peppers. But it also can be added to salads like fajitas or used as an ingredient in tacos or burritos.
Again, the best dishes as regards what to serve with Naan bread will often depend on what you want your meal to be. However, anything that is rich in flavor will pair well with soft and fluffy Naan bread!
Conclusion
Naan bread, or Indian-style flatbread, isn’t just a delicious way to serve up your favorite curry recipes. It also makes an excellent side dish on its own, without any other foods needed to complement it.
However, it’s a good idea for any host (or hostess) to familiarize themselves with recipes that can be served alongside different courses. After all, a starter course like naan bread almost always accompanies another dish.
Luckily, there are plenty of amazing ways to serve up naan bread: from Indian-inspired dishes like samosas and vegetable kormas to classic appetizers like hummus and babaganoush. You will always get what to serve with Naan bread anytime, any day!
