Top 15 Winter Special Indian Foods to Make at Home

Winter is all about warm and cozy vibes, comfortable blankets, and of course, foods to keep you warm and happy. Hand for people like us who are really foodie, winter is the best season to eat all the foods we want and keep our little tummy hidden, right? The onset of winter in India with its rich flavors, spices, and a dash of warmth brings in a rich tradition of cooking. Today we are going to offer you 15 awesome yummy recipes that you can try in this winter which will give your soul peace. Whether it is a traditional dish or a modern adaptation, the following recipes are sure to make your winter even more delectable.

1. Sarson ka Saag with Makki Ki Roti

If winters had a taste, surely it would be the buttery goodness of sarson ka saag. Made from fresh mustard greens, spinach, and bathua, it is slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, and spices to smooth out to a lovely creamy consistency. Paired with makki ki roti, topped with a dollop of white butter, this is ultimate Punjabi comfort food. Pro tip: Serve it with some jaggery and buttermilk on the side for a perfect experience.

2. Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar ka halwa is the dream dessert. The grated sweet red carrots, with milk, sugar, and ghee are reduced into luscious and fragrant pudding and cardamom, raisins, and almonds / cashew nuts are added within them. It’s as if something that’s always in store as a perfect winter dessert and it can be the best ending of every meal or the delight on a cozy evening.

3. Undhiyu

Undhiyu is a one-pot winter specialty from Gujarat made with seasonal vegetables such as surti papdi, purple yam, and raw banana, all cooked in an aromatic blend of spices and coconut. Take it to the next level with the addition of methi fritters. Serve with puris and jaggery for a festive meal.

4. Paya Soup

Paya soup, made of slow-cooked lamb trotters in spiced broth, should be there when you badly need it , for one of those chillest of nights. And the most excellent thing is that, unlike many a dish that spoils with age, it is labor in love, for it will only improve with time, the long-slow hours that gently weld flavors. All that remains to perfect this delightful winter classic is a squeeze of lime juice and a scattering of chopped coriander.

5. Baajre Ki Khichdi

Comfort food in its most literal sense, baajre ki khichdi perhaps is as unassuming and yet wholesome as it can become. This Rajasthani recipe is made from pearl millet, lentils, and spices for a full five-star warmth without compromising with your health. Glisten some ghee on top of it. Serve it along with garlic chutney and yogurt for a wholesome meal that will warm your inside.

6. Shakarkandi Chaat

Nothing screams winter more than a smoky sweet potato sold off a roadside cart. Try recreating this street-food staple at home: simply roast or boil some sweet potatoes and then toss with chaat masala, lemon juice, green chilies, and fresh coriander. Quick, healthy, and an absolute treat on cold evenings.

7. Til Ke Ladoo

Til (sesame seeds) is synonymous with winters in India, and the til ke ladoo is just the right way to partake of its goodness. These ladoos are made by blending sesame seeds with jaggery, giving a chewy nutty delight that’s high on iron and warmth. They are super duper easy to make and last fresh for weeks, which makes them a great cold-day snack.

8. Nihari

Nihari is a dish with Mughlai origins. This slow-cooked stew is prepared with tender pieces of lamb or beef and simmered in a flavorful broth of spices and onions. Traditionally eaten as a breakfast dish during winter, it’s served with naan or khameeri roti. The rich and spicy flavors make it a winter favorite.

9. Methi Thepla

This is a staple from Gujarat but the addition of fresh methi leaves to thepla makes it a favorite in the winters. The soft flatbreads are prepared using whole wheat flour, spices, and methi which impart a bitter and earthy flavor. Pack them for picnics or enjoy them hot with yogurt and pickle at home.

10. Bhutte Ka Kees

Bhutte ka kees is another specialty made from grated corn of Madhya Pradesh which is boiled in milk, ghee and spices. Slightly sweet and slightly savoury, Bhutte Ka Kees tastes really divine as a snack or side. Garnish it with a sprinkle of coriander and lime juice on the top for an uplift.

11. Masala Chai and Pakoras

Masala chai and pakoras is not a winter food list unless it’s paired. The tea is brewed with black tea leaves, milk, and a mix of warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. It is best served with crispy hot pakoras made with onions, potatoes, or spinach for the ultimate Indian winter snack.

12. Kachhe Haldi Ki Sabzi

This Rajasthani specialty is as unique as it gets. Made with raw turmeric, yogurt, and a blend of spices, this dish is earthy, aromatic, and incredibly healthy. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, kachhe haldi ki sabzi is a perfect winter dish to boost immunity while delighting your taste buds.

13. Gond Ke Ladoo

Winter is incomplete without these high-energy ladoos. Edible gum called gond and wheat flour along with ghee, nuts are made into ladoos not only good in taste, but which also fills in and gets one warm to work through winter. Not too many grannies can decline them, as they turn out to be a steady diet to work through one’s winter blues.

14. Rogan Josh

This is a hearty Kashmiri delicacy of lamb, yogurt, garlic, and aromatic spices like fennel and dry ginger. Roasted in Kashmiri red chilies, rogan josh gets its name from the deep red colour that the chilies give it. Serve with steamed rice or naan for an ultimate winter dinner.

15. Moong Dal Halwa

The divine moong dal halwa comes last but not the least. This rich dessert is made of slow-cooked ground moong dal with ghee, milk, and sugar lavishly sprinkled with cardamom and nuts. Truly a labor-intensive recipe but for the end result that is melt-in-your mouth halwa, it is all worth the minute efforts.

Why Winter Foods Are Special

Indian winter foods are not just about the taste but about nourishing the body and soul. Nourishing ingredients like jaggery, sesame seeds, and turmeric are warming in nature and make for perfect winter food. From hearty stews to sweet treats, here are some dishes that bring you all the joys of winter. So, what are you waiting for? Gather all those seasonal ingredients and make these winter delights to make this season all the more special. Be it sipping on chai or relishing a bowl of gajar ka halwa, let the flavors of winter make every moment magical. We made you crave all this foods, we know. This winter you can try making all these foods at your home and the speciality about all these tasty heart warming staple foods are they are healthy as well as tasty. Feel free to let me know if you would like more details or even have me write out a recipe in full.