Introduction
Cooking delicious Indian meals doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. With smart ingredient choices and simple techniques, you can prepare wholesome, flavorful dishes under ₹100. Budget-friendly recipes are perfect for students, young professionals, and homemakers who want tasty meals without overspending.
Indian cuisine is inherently versatile. Vegetables, lentils, rice, and pantry staples can be combined to create dishes that are not only affordable but also nutritious and filling. In this blog, we explore 10 budget-friendly Indian recipes that are easy to make, light on the wallet, and heavy on flavor.
Each recipe includes why it works, quick instructions, tips, variations, and why it’s perfect for budget-conscious cooks.
1. Vegetable Upma – Affordable South Indian Classic
Why It Works:
Upma uses semolina and seasonal vegetables, both inexpensive and easily available. It’s a filling, light, and nutritious meal that can be prepared in under 15 minutes.
Quick Recipe:
Dry roast ½ cup semolina lightly. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, chopped onions, green chilies, and diced vegetables (carrots, peas, beans). Gradually add 1 cup water, roasted semolina, salt, and turmeric. Cook until fluffy. Garnish with coriander and lemon juice.
Tips & Variations:
Add roasted peanuts for crunch. Use oats instead of semolina for variety. Serve with coconut chutney or pickle.
Why It’s Perfect:
Upma is quick, nutritious, and cost-effective, ideal for breakfast or a light lunch.
2. Moong Dal Khichdi – Comfort on a Budget
Why It Works:
Moong dal and rice are low-cost staples, rich in protein and fiber. Khichdi is light, easy to digest, and filling, making it perfect for a one-pot meal.
Quick Recipe:
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pressure cooker, add cumin seeds and garlic. Add ½ cup moong dal and ½ cup rice. Pour 2 cups water, salt, turmeric, and diced vegetables (carrot, beans, peas). Cook for 3–4 minutes. Garnish with coriander.
Tips & Variations:
Add a pinch of garam masala for flavor. Serve with pickle or yogurt. Use seasonal vegetables to keep costs low.
Why It’s Perfect:
This khichdi is budget-friendly, nutritious, and comforting, ideal for lunch or dinner.
3. Aloo Tamatar Sabzi – Classic Potato Curry
Why It Works:
Potatoes and tomatoes are cheap, versatile, and filling, making this curry perfect for budget-conscious cooking. It pairs well with roti, paratha, or rice.
Quick Recipe:
Heat 1 teaspoon oil, add cumin seeds, chopped onions, and green chilies. Sauté, then add 2 chopped tomatoes and 2 boiled potatoes, salt, turmeric, coriander powder, and chili powder. Cook for 5–7 minutes. Garnish with coriander.
Tips & Variations:
Add peas for extra nutrition. Replace potatoes with cauliflower or pumpkin for variety. Serve with chapati or steamed rice.
Why It’s Perfect:
Aloo tamatar sabzi is quick, flavorful, and extremely affordable, making it a staple in Indian kitchens.
4. Chana Masala – Protein-Rich Legume Delight
Why It Works:
Chickpeas are high in protein, fiber, and inexpensive, making them a perfect budget-friendly ingredient. This dish is hearty and keeps you full for hours.
Quick Recipe:
Soak ½ cup chickpeas overnight (or use canned chickpeas). Heat oil, sauté onions, ginger-garlic paste, and tomatoes. Add boiled chickpeas, salt, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
Tips & Variations:
Add a pinch of amchur (dry mango powder) for tanginess. Serve with roti or rice. Use frozen peas for added veggies.
Why It’s Perfect:
Chana masala is protein-rich, flavorful, and highly economical, perfect for lunch or dinner.
5. Poha – Quick Breakfast/Light Meal
Why It Works:
Flattened rice (poha) is cheap, easy to cook, and light on the stomach. Combined with onions, peanuts, and a squeeze of lemon, it becomes a nutritious and quick meal.
Quick Recipe:
Rinse 1 cup poha. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, onions, and peanuts. Add turmeric, salt, and poha. Mix well, garnish with coriander and lemon juice.
Tips & Variations:
Add grated carrots or peas for more nutrients. Serve with a cup of chai or buttermilk.
Why It’s Perfect:
Poha is affordable, ready in minutes, and satisfying, ideal for breakfast or a quick lunch.
6. Vegetable Khichdi – One-Pot Wonder
Why It Works:
Using rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables, khichdi is nutritious, cheap, and easy to make. One-pot cooking reduces oil and cleanup.
Quick Recipe:
Heat oil, add cumin seeds and ginger-garlic paste. Add ½ cup rice, ½ cup moong dal, diced vegetables, salt, turmeric, and 2 cups water. Cook until soft. Garnish with coriander.
Tips & Variations:
Add a pinch of black pepper for mild spice. Serve with pickle or yogurt for taste.
Why It’s Perfect:
Khichdi is healthy, budget-friendly, and comforting, ideal for busy or lazy days.
7. Besan Chilla – Protein-Packed Pancake
Why It Works:
Gram flour (besan) is cheap, protein-rich, and versatile. Besan chilla is filling, light, and can be made with seasonal vegetables.
Quick Recipe:
Mix ½ cup besan, water, salt, turmeric, and chili powder to make a smooth batter. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, and spinach. Pour on a hot pan and cook until golden on both sides.
Tips & Variations:
Serve with green chutney or yogurt. Add grated carrots or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
Why It’s Perfect:
Besan chilla is affordable, protein-rich, and ready in 10 minutes, perfect for breakfast or a light meal.
8. Upma with Vegetables – Budget-Friendly Breakfast
Why It Works:
Semolina is cheap and easy to cook, while adding vegetables makes it nutritious and filling. This South Indian classic is light on the wallet and stomach.
Quick Recipe:
Dry roast ½ cup semolina. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, and diced vegetables. Gradually add water and semolina, stirring continuously. Cook until fluffy.
Tips & Variations:
Add peanuts for crunch. Replace vegetables with seasonal options for variety. Serve with coconut chutney.
Why It’s Perfect:
Vegetable upma is quick, nutritious, and pocket-friendly, ideal for breakfast or lunch.
9. Cabbage & Carrot Stir-Fry – Quick Side Dish
Why It Works:
Cabbage and carrots are cheap, nutritious, and high in fiber. This stir-fry complements rice, roti, or khichdi and adds freshness to the meal.
Quick Recipe:
Heat oil, add mustard seeds, cumin, chopped onions, cabbage, and carrots. Add salt, turmeric, and chili powder. Sauté for 5–7 minutes.
Tips & Variations:
Add peas or bell peppers for more color. Garnish with coriander and a squeeze of lemon.
Why It’s Perfect:
This stir-fry is healthy, fast, and affordable, perfect for a side dish or light lunch.
10. Masala Roti – Spiced Indian Flatbread
Why It Works:
Using wheat flour and basic spices, masala roti is cheap, filling, and flavorful. It pairs well with vegetables, dal, or curry.
Quick Recipe:
Mix 1 cup wheat flour, ½ teaspoon chili powder, turmeric, salt, and a teaspoon oil. Add water gradually to make a soft dough. Roll into rotis and cook on a hot pan until golden brown.
Tips & Variations:
Add grated carrot or spinach to the dough for nutrition. Serve with pickle or yogurt.
Why It’s Perfect:
Masala roti is affordable, easy to make, and complements any meal, making it a staple in budget-friendly cooking.
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only. The recipes and ingredient suggestions may need adjustments based on dietary needs, allergies, or medical conditions. Consult a nutritionist or healthcare professional if required. The author and website are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from these recipes.
Conclusion
Cooking budget-friendly Indian meals under ₹100 is both possible and enjoyable. By using simple ingredients, seasonal vegetables, and pantry staples, you can prepare wholesome, filling, and flavorful dishes without overspending. These 10 recipes are perfect for students, professionals, and families who want to enjoy homemade meals without burning a hole in the wallet.