16 Types of Indian Gravy | Restaurant Style Gravy Recipes

Best Indian Gravy Recipes | Yellow Gravy Recipe | Shahi Gravy Recipe | Green Gravy Recipe | Makhani Gravy Recipe | Different types of Indian Gravy | Indian gravies are the soul of Indian cuisine.

Indian Gravy is  thick, saucy consistency that not only provides flavour but also nourishment to the body. Preparing gravies involves using specific herbs and techniques that balance the five primary tastes—bitter, spicy, sweet, sour, salty—and creamy textures.

Gravies are the main component that defines the taste of a dish. When perfectly cooked and garnished, they can make any dish delightful and satisfying.

1. Basic Indian Gravy

Ingredients

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

How to make basic Indian gravy at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomato puree, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt.
5. Cook until oil separates from the masala.
6. Your basic gravy is ready.

2. Indian Masala Gravy: A Taste of India

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

How to make Indian Masala Gravy:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them crackle.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until they are soft and mushy.
5. Add all the spices and salt. Cook until oil separates from the masala.
6. Your masala gravy is ready.

3. Karahi Gravy

Ingredients:

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

How to make quick and easy Indian Karahi Gravy at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomatoes, capsicum, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
5. Cook until tomatoes are soft and oil separates.
6. Sprinkle garam masala and mix well.
7. Your karahi gravy is ready.

4. Nawab’s Gravy ‘Mughlai Gravy’

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 cup cashew paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp saffron soaked in milk
• Salt to taste

How to make mughlai gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add yogurt and cook on low heat, stirring continuously.
5. Add cashew paste, saffron milk, garam masala, and salt.
6. Cook until the gravy thickens.
7. Your Mughlai gravy is ready.

5. A Lustrous and Rich Indian Gravy: Yellow Gravy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 cup boiled yellow lentils (masoor or moong dal)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste

How to make rich yellow gravy at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomato puree, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt.
5. Add boiled lentils and cook for 5-6 minutes.
6. Your yellow gravy is ready.

6. Makhani Gravy that creamy Indian gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste

How to make makhani gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat butter in a pan, add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
2. Add tomato puree, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for 5-6 minutes.
3. Add fresh cream, garam masala, kasuri methi, and sugar.
4. Cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
5. Your makhani gravy is ready.

7. A Classic North Indian Gravy: Palak Green Gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup spinach, blanched and pureed
• 1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste

How to make green gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add spinach puree, coriander powder, turmeric, garam masala, and salt.
5. Cook for 5-6 minutes.
6. Your palak green gravy is ready.

8. Brown Gravy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp roasted besan (gram flour)
• Salt to taste

How to make brown gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until dark brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomato puree, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt.
5. Add roasted besan and cook until oil separates.
6. Your brown gravy is ready.
Enjoy these versatile gravies to enhance your dishes!

9. Coconut Gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup fresh coconut, grated
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Salt to taste

How to make coconut gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Add tomatoes, turmeric, cumin powder, and salt. Cook until soft.
5. Add grated coconut and mix well. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Your coconut gravy is ready.

10. Korma Gravy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 cup onions, finely sliced
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup ground nuts (cashews/almonds)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

How to make quick korma recipe at home:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add onions, and sauté until golden brown.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Mix in yogurt, ground nuts, and all spices. Cook on low heat until thickened.
4. Your korma gravy is ready.

11. Rogan Josh Gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

How to make rogan josh gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add onions, and sauté until golden brown.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Stir in yogurt, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric, and salt. Cook until thickened.
4. Add garam masala and mix well.
5. Your rogan josh gravy is ready.

12. Schezwan Gravy

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp Schezwan sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Salt to taste

How to make schezwan gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add onions and bell peppers, and sauté until soft.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Mix in Schezwan sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Your Schezwan gravy is ready.

13. Methi Malai Indian Gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves
• 1 cup cream
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste

How to make methi malai gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
4. Stir in methi leaves and cook until wilted.
5. Add cream, garam masala, and salt. Cook until heated through.
6. Your methi malai gravy is ready.

14. Bombay Indian Gravy

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste

How to make bombay gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add onions and sauté until golden.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric, sugar, and salt. Cook until thickened.
4. Stir in garam masala before serving.
5. Your Bombay gravy is ready.

15. Pasanda Gravy Recipe

Ingredients:
• 200g boneless meat or paneer, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 cup onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup yogurt, whisked
• 1/4 cup cashew or almond paste (soaked and blended)
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 cup cream or milk
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp saffron, soaked in warm milk
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

How to make pasanda gravy recipe at home:
1. Marinate Meat/Paneer: Marinate slices with half the yogurt, salt, and ginger-garlic paste. Set aside for 30 minutes.
2. Sauté Spices: Heat ghee, add cardamoms, bay leaf, and cinnamon. Cook until fragrant.
3. Cook Onions: Add onions and sauté until golden.
4. Cook Meat/Paneer: Add marinated meat/paneer. Cook until half-done.
5. Add Cashew Paste: Stir in cashew paste and cook until thick.
6. Add Spices: Mix in coriander, cumin, red chili, turmeric, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
7. Incorporate Yogurt: Slowly add remaining yogurt while stirring.
8. Finish: Add cream and saffron milk. Simmer for 5-6 minutes.
9. Garnish: Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with coriander.
Your delicious Pasanda gravy is ready to serve!

16. Shahi Gravy Recipe

Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 cup cashews, soaked and ground to a paste
• 1/4 cup yogurt or fresh cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1/4 tsp saffron strands, soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

How to make shahi Indian gravy recipe at home:

1. Heat the Ghee: In a pan, heat ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cardamoms. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
2. Sauté the Onions: Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. Add Ginger-Garlic Paste: Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for about a minute until the raw smell disappears.
4. Add Tomato Puree: Pour in the tomato puree and cook until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
5. Add Spices: Mix in turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until well incorporated.
6. Add Cashew Paste: Add the cashew paste and cook, stirring continuously, until the gravy thickens.
7. Incorporate Dairy: Lower the heat and add yogurt or fresh cream slowly, stirring continuously to avoid curdling. Add milk and mix well.
8. Add Saffron Milk: Stir in the saffron milk and sugar (if using), and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Finish with Garam Masala: Sprinkle garam masala and mix well. Cook for another minute.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with naan, roti, or rice.

Tip: This Shahi gravy is rich and creamy, perfect for making dishes like Shahi Paneer, Shahi Kofta, or even Shahi Chicken. Enjoy the Indian gravies royal flavors in Indian Cuisine.

17. Tomato Gravy Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

How to make tomato Indian gravy at home:

1. Heat oil: In a large pan, heat oil or ghee on medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Sauté onions: Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste: Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell fades.
4. Add spices: Sprinkle in turmeric, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Mix well and let the spices roast for a minute.
5. Add tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Mix everything well. Cover the pan and cook on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Cook until soft: Once the tomatoes soften and release oil on the sides, mash them slightly with the back of your spoon for a smooth consistency.
7. Add garam masala: Finally, add garam masala and mix well. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
8. Garnish: Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Tips:

• Add a little water for a thinner consistency if needed.
• You can blend the Indian gravy if you prefer a smoother texture.

Indian Gravies are not only easy to make but also versatile and convenient. You can prepare them in advance and store them in airtight containers, where they stay fresh for up to 1-2 weeks.

This way, you always have a flavourful base ready to create delicious dishes on busy days. By mastering different types of Indian gravies, you can elevate your home-cooked meals to restaurant quality.

If you’re passionate about cooking and want to upgrade your culinary skills, consider joining a professional culinary school. At NFCI, we offer specialized courses that teach you the art of crafting authentic, restaurant-style Indian gravies and much more.

Transform your passion into expertise and learn from experienced chefs in a professional environment. Enroll now at NFCI Institute and take your first step towards becoming a culinary expert!

Related: No.1 Indian Yellow Gravy Recipe: Types, Benefits, and Tips