Are you a fan of naan bread? If so, you might wonder what to eat with naan bread to make the most of its delicious potential.
The good news is this soft, slightly charred bread is incredibly versatile, so it can pair beautifully with a variety of dishes!
In this article, we’ve put together the best recipes to serve with naan bread. From traditional choices like curries to diverse delights from all over the world, we’ve got excellent options for accompaniments.
So whether you’re searching for something hearty or looking for lighter fare, these pairings will surely satisfy your cravings and enhance your naan experience.
45 Incredible Dishes To Eat With Naan Bread
1. Sheet Pan Curried Chicken and Tahini Dressing
Tender morsels of chicken are bathed in a vibrant blend of spices and paired with a medley of veggies and legumes in this recipe — just before being roasted to golden perfection.
The generous drizzle of an earthy but bright tahini sauce is the perfect finishing touch here, highlighting the harmony of warm curry and a cool, creamy dressing. It’s perfect for scooping up with a fluffy piece of naan!
2. Merguez Shakshuka
Dive into the bold flavors of North African cuisine with this merguez shakshuka!
Here, spicy merguez sausage slices simmer in a rich tomato sauce, delicately spiced and bursting with flavor.
Cradled in this saucy haven are perfectly poached eggs, ready to be topped with feta cheese and mopped up with naan for a dose of hearty goodness.
3. Paneer Tikka Masala
This dish is a vegetarian delight that pairs splendidly with homemade naan bread!
With marinated and charred chunks of homemade paneer swimming in a creamy, tomato-based, and abundantly spiced curry, each bite of this tikka masala is comforting and exciting at the same time.
4. Mauritian Fish Vindaye
The tangy and slightly spicy kick of Mauritian fish vindaye is impossible to resist.
It features pan-seared fish fillets drenched in a mustard-based sauce with generous helpings of achard masala paste, garlic, green chilies, and shallots.
This creates a balance of heat, acidity, and the delicate flavor of the sea that makes for a delightful companion to soft, pillowy naan bread.
5. Peerkangai Kootu
With a base of soft moong dal and tender ridge gourd, the peerkangai kootu is delicately spiced with fruity Byadagi chilies and aromatic asafetida.
Ground coconut and spices thicken the curry, and the crowning glory is a spoonful of tadka — a tempered mix of mustard seeds, cumin, and aromatic curry leaves sizzled in coconut oil — over the top to infuse the kootu with a crackling flavor.
Scoop this curry up with a torn piece of naan and enjoy the contrast between the bread's slight chewiness and the curry's richness!
6. Saag Aloo
A North Indian dish, saag aloo is a tantalizing blend of light spinach and hearty potatoes, each component bringing its own texture to the table.
The potatoes offer a comforting bite, while the greens are puréed into a lush curry with green chilies, ginger, cumin seeds, and a mix of spices. They create a scrumptious combination that freshly made naan beautifully complements.
7. Red Lentil Dal
Masoor dal or red lentils are the superstars of this velvety sattvic stew with tomatoes, cilantro, and curry leaves, subtly kissed by a medley of spices, including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom.
It’s a soul-soothing concoction; a bowl of this with soft or toasted naan will instantly melt your worries away.
8. Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Thanks to your trusty Instant Pot, you can have a succulent chicken curry in a flash!
Simply prep your chicken by sautéeing it in your Instant Pot with onions, garlic, kosher salt, ginger, and curry powder; add fire-roasted tomatoes, coconut leaves, and bay leaves; then leave to cook.
In just five minutes, your delicious curry will be ready to enjoy with a side of naan.
9. Split Mung Bean Curry
Rustic yet refined, this split mung bean curry offers a hearty, protein-packed punch, with mung beans simmered with sweet potato and zucchini in a bath of tomato purée and aromatic spices until perfectly tender.
The result is a thick, satisfying curry that can be ladled onto warm naan for a fulfilling and healthful meal.
10. Tofu Tikka Masala
Reinvent the classic tikka masala with this vegan version!
It swaps out chicken for tofu, which is swathed in a creamy vegan masala sauce made with cashews, tomatoes, spices, and aromatics.
And with such a rich sauce, this is a dish that naan was simply made to accompany.
11. Chicken Balti Curry
This one-pan chicken balti boasts chicken pieces in a robust sauce thickened by onions, tomatoes, and cream.
But what makes it truly distinctive is the mix of spices and aromatics, with potent spices like cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, and garam masala balanced by the earthy notes of turmeric, coriander, and fenugreek leaves.
Served with a dollop of creamy yogurt and a side of naan, it’s great to enjoy with a crowd of your fellow foodies.
12. Mushroom Masala
Each mushroom slice absorbs the blend of garam masala and other spices in this curry, which boasts a base of cashews, onions, and tomatoes.
It makes for a wonderful vegetarian dish that provides a satisfying burst of umami with every bite, especially when paired with naan.
13. Spinach Chana Dal
Combining the softness of chana dal (or split chickpeas) and iron-rich wilted spinach, this dal recipe gives you a comforting main course that’s both nutritious and delicious.
The chickpeas are cooked for over 70 minutes, ensuring an amazingly creamy texture that makes the spices sing, while the spinach is added last to guarantee a fresh bite.
Pair the dish with naan for a match made in culinary heaven!
14. Chicken Dopiaza
Onion lovers, this recipe is for you!
This chicken dopiaza features seasoned and marinated chicken pieces with caramelized onions that add a sweet depth, along with a medley of coriander, cumin, and a hint of chili powder in the thick, savory sauce.
It’s also topped with onion petals for a lovely crunch — perfect to contrast with soft naan!
15. Indian Butter Chicken
Let’s face it: butter chicken is utterly indulgent, but it’s quite difficult to make at the same time.
Luckily, this recipe lets you turn this complex dish into an easy-to-make feast in your Instant Pot. It results in a creamy, decadent sauce with chicken that falls apart at the slightest nudge and goes perfectly with naan flatbread.
16. Pumpkin Chickpea Curry
Slow cooking brings out the harmonious blend of flavors in this pumpkin chickpea curry, which combines the sweetness of pumpkin puree with the satisfying bite of chickpeas.
These superstar ingredients are tied together by supporting players like chopped carrots, onions, strong spices, and a splash of coconut milk for a creamy finish.
Serve this nourishing curry with a sprinkle of raisins, coconut flakes, or nuts on top and naan on the side for a playful contrast in textures that your taste buds will love.
17. Baba Ganoush Eggplant
Looking for a luxurious partner for naan? Go for this baba ganoush!
Roasted eggplant purée meets the tang of lemon, the warmth of garlic, and the savory goodness of tahini. Dip your naan into it or slather it all over to make sure you don’t miss out on any of those incredible flavors!
18. Kadai Paneer
This vibrant dish features spices that are dry-roasted to unlock their aromatic potential then simmered with onions, tomatoes, and a hint of ginger-garlic paste for a rich and textured sauce.
Succulent cubes of mild-tasting paneer cheese and colorful peppers absorb the sauce’s intense flavors while lending their own mix of textures to the dish.
Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a feast for the senses, perfect alongside warm naan for convenient and delicious bites.
19. Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Dal
Roasted red peppers blend seamlessly with rich coconut milk in this dal dish, creating a velvety sauce that envelops the hearty brown lentils.
A touch of soy sauce, vinegar, and maple syrup add layers of umami, tang, and sweetness, while turmeric and curry powder contribute a warm, golden hue.
Simmered until the lentils are tender, the dish is finished with a handful of cilantro for a burst of color and freshness that a pairing of naan can highlight.
20. Peperonata
By cooking bell peppers until soft before simmering them with tomatoes, this peperonata dish brings bell peppers’ flavor to the forefront and makes for a warm, inviting dish that you can enjoy as a dip, appetizer, or stew.
A scoopful of this with your naan will make you appreciate the simple but rich flavors of everyday ingredients.
21. Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant
The smoky softness of roasted eggplant meets the crispness of fresh tomatoes and bell peppers in this recipe.
Tossed with a bright dressing and sprinkled with feta cheese, it offers a delightful array of textures and flavors that naan can elegantly complement, making every mouthful a sunny Mediterranean adventure.
22. Curried Chicken Salad
Searching for ways to mix up your go-to chicken salad? Try this healthy and flavorful twist, combining shredded chicken with a curry-spiced yogurt dressing.
Then mix in green onions, celery, cilantro, and sweet dried cranberries for both familiar and exciting pops of texture and flavor.
Spread this salad all over your naan and fold it up for a bold new variation on a chicken salad sandwich!
23. Punjabi-Style Matar Paneer
This beloved Punjabi dish pairs the mildness of paneer with the sweetness of peas, all swathed in a rich, silky, and heartwarming tomato-based gravy that boasts a potent punch of spices.
Toppings like cream and fenugreek add to this curry’s home-style appeal that’s tailor-made to go wonderfully with soft naan.
24. Curried Sausages
Each sausage in this dish is browned to perfection and then slow-cooked to tender succulence with fragrant curry spices, hearty chunks of carrot, and comforting potatoes.
The sweet hint of mango chutney melds with rich stock and tomato paste, infusing the sausages with a depth of flavor.
So while these sausages cook for over six hours, your patience will be well rewarded once you bite into a scoopful of them on a fluffy piece of naan!
25. Vegan Cauliflower Korma
Here’s a plant-based indulgence, with cauliflower florets soaking up a spiced and creamy korma sauce.
And the secret to elevating it is the addition of almond butter and maple syrup for pops of richness and sweetness, offering a curry experience that is both indulgent and wholesome, with naan serving as the ideal scoop for every last golden bite.
26. Mutton Rogan Josh
Infused with an array of traditional spices like fennel and ginger and colored naturally with ratan jot, this dish is a true feast for the senses.
Marinated mutton pieces are added to the vibrant and aromatic gravy and simmered until succulent.
With such deep, rich, and hearty flavors, the dish calls for a mild and fluffy side like naan to balance the flavors without overpowering.
27. Moong Masoor Dal
Moong and masoor (split mung beans and split red lentils) come together in this dish for a humble yet hearty affair, elevated by a simmer with aromatic spices, tomatoes, red onions, garlic, ginger, and dried chilies.
It’s a satisfying meal that pairs beautifully with naan for a complete, protein-packed experience.
28. Roasted Garlic Hummus
For a simple snack, you can’t go wrong with a pairing of hummus and naan!
And this roasted garlic hummus is the perfect choice, with classic components like chickpeas, tahini, and roasted garlic blended up in a Vitamix to create a smooth and spreadable delight.
29. Lamb Bhuna
In this recipe, lamb chunks are imbued with the aromatic flavors of spices like cardamom, bay leaves, dhana jeera, and cumin seeds in a rich sauce made with a ginger-and-garlic paste, tomatoes, and caramelized onions.
And they’re cooked in an Instant Pot to bring out intense layers of flavors that beckon naan to swipe through and sop up.
30. Chicken Tikka Masala
Broiled chicken chunks in a luscious tomato sauce make this chicken tikka masala recipe a mouthwatering indulgence.
Seasoned with a blend of spices and enriched with cream, this iconic dish is a crowd-pleaser that pairs magnificently with naan, allowing the bread to become a vessel for the rich, flavorful sauce.
31. Easy Thai Shrimp Coconut Curry Soup
With a delicate balance of sweet, savory, and spicy tones, this Thai shrimp curry is delightful to pair with naan bread.
The succulent shrimp offers a delicate meatiness, while coconut milk and chicken broth — infused with ginger and red curry paste — provide a fragrant and savory base that’s full of warmth.
32. Akuri
This Parsi dish is a soft, spicy tumble of eggs cooked with fragrant cilantro, tomatoes, and a generous helping of spices.
It's a satisfying, nourishing, and flavorful breakfast dish that offers an energizing start to the day, especially with buttered naan in place of toast.
33. Achari Chicken
The uniquely piquant blend of mustard seeds, fenugreek, and other achari (pickle) spices gives achari chicken its distinctive taste, making it a thrilling change from the usual curry recipes.
Serving it with naan allows the bold flavors to shine through with each bite and lets you do a clean sweep through your plate to ensure no drop is left behind!
34. Japanese Beef Curry
Making Japanese beef curry from scratch is a labor of love, a thick, stew-like curry rich with thin beef slices, potato chunks, bite-size carrots, and a wonderful spice blend.
This curry has a sweeter profile with an umami punch, thanks to the inclusion of grated apples, ketchup, and coffee granules. So it’s a great pairing for your naan, which can easily soak up its rich sauce.
35. Curried Butter Beans
Even a humble ingredient like butter beans can take the spotlight in a curry dish, as this recipe proves!
Each bite offers the satisfying tenderness of butter beans in a velvety sauce made from aromatic garam masala, earthy turmeric, and a hint of zesty lime — all mellowed by the luxuriousness of coconut milk.
It’s perfectly crafted to cling to the pillowy softness of naan, making each scoop a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
36. Bombay Potatoes
Featuring baby potatoes that are parboiled and then pan-fried with a mix of aromatic spices such as mustard seeds, turmeric, and cumin, this popular Indian dish is bursting with flavor!
The crispy edges and fluffy interiors of the potatoes also provide a captivating contrast in texture, which can be complemented by soft naan bread for truly unforgettable bites.
37. Palak Makhani
The comforting warmth of palak makhani is unmatched by any other.
It’s a velvety curry where spinach leaves wilt into a thick, spiced, and tomato-infused gravy with a pour of heavy cream or coconut milk for the perfect finishing touch.
Paired with soft naan, each mouthful of this dish is a luxurious experience.
38. Methi Matar Malai
If you’re seeking a less spicy curry option to eat with naan bread, your search ends with this recipe.
This delicate curry boasts a smooth, creamy sauce that combines the slightly bitter notes of fenugreek leaves (methi) and sweet green peas, creating a harmonious blend of contrasting flavors often relished with a side of fluffy naan.
39. White Chicken Karahi
A lighter yet equally tantalizing version of the classic karahi, this version has chicken pieces simmered in a fragrant, yogurt-based sauce.
The spices here are carefully chosen to impart a robust flavor without overwhelming heat to give you a dish that's creamy and satisfying — a perfect match for naan.
40. Beef Stew
This beef stew is the epitome of comfort food, where chunks of beef are pressure-cooked to tender perfection alongside russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beats.
It’s imbued with a rich, hearty flavor from anchovy paste, balsamic vinegar, molasses, and a blend of seasonings for a one-pot meal that's incredibly filling.
And if you don’t want to accompany it with your usual crusty bread or mashed potatoes, naan is the perfect side to mix things up!
41. Shahi Paneer
Paneer is the crown jewel of this dish, nestled in a rich, velvety curry gravy enhanced with aromatic spices.
Garnish it with dried rose petals and serve it with garlic naan for a main course that brings a regal touch to your everyday meals.
42. Biryani
Layers of long-grain basmati rice, spiced chicken and lamb, and fried onions are masterfully assembled to make this biryani dish.
Each layer is a revelation of flavors and aromas, crowned with cilantro and mint and paired with naan bread to balance out the richness.
43. Moroccan Pumpkin Soup
Perfect to enjoy during autumn, this pumpkin soup amplifies the sweetness of pumpkin puree by contrasting it with a Moroccan spice blend.
Spiced chickpeas are also added to the mix for a nutty, smooth soup that’s great to garnish with hemp seeds and fried sage leaves.
Pairing this soup with flatbread like naan instead of crusty bread can help you soak up more of the flavors and enjoy a lighter meal!
44. Lamb Shanks in Rosemary Red Wine Sauce
A showcase of slow-cooked splendor, these lamb shanks surrender to the low heat of a slow cooker until they reach fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
They’re also paired with celery and carrots for a hearty element and enrobed in a fragrant rosemary red wine sauce, which you can soak up with naan.
45. Chili Chicken
Looking for a dish to eat with your naan bread that isn’t a stew or curry? Make this vibrant Indo-Chinese dish that's all about sweet heat!
In this recipe, marinated pieces of chicken breast are fried to a sizzle and then draped in a fiery red sauce with bold flavors of garlic, ginger, and green chilies — perfect accompaniment to soft, fluffy naan bread.
Try One of These Unique and Delicious Dishes To Pair With Your Naan Bread!t
With naan’s impressive versatility, there are endless options for dishes that you can enjoy with it!
So why not experiment with something new?
Whether you try a new version of curry or a dish from American or European cuisine for a blend of international flavors, you’ll be sure to have a blast from different flavor-packed adventures in your kitchen.
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