Wondering what to eat with paratha? Here are 35+ of the best, most delicious Indian Side Dishes for Paratha with recipes for cooling raitas, vegetarian curries, dals, chutneys and lassis. These are the recipes that complete my paratha plate every time.
If you ask my Indian family, we’ll say hot paratha works for every meal—breakfast, brunch, or dinner. It’s filling, comforting, and so good with just a few quick sides.
Being a South Indian, growing up in Mumbai and North India, I have always loved stuffed parathas (Make your own stuffed paratha—my Aloo Paratha recipe walks you through it step by step)—and so do my two not-so-young kids and husband.
Jump to:
- What to Serve with Paratha – The Ultimate List
- Easy Indian Raitas
- Chutneys and Pickles
- Vegetarian Appetiser to Pair with Paratha
- Vegetable Curries That Go with Paratha
- Dals, Lentils, and Beans: Classic Sides Dishes for Parathas
- Drinks
- Desserts to End a Paratha Meal
- Paratha Side Dishes FAQ's
- Side Dishes for Paratha
What to Serve with Paratha – The Ultimate List
Plain parathas are great for scooping up curries, dals, or raita. Stuffed parathas like aloo, gobi, or paneer? They’re more of a meal on their own. (Want to make your own? Try my easy homemade plain paratha recipe—it’s a keeper.)
For Sunday brunch, I love serving aloo methi paratha or gobi paratha with salted butter, lemon pickle, and maybe a squeeze of ketchup—classic and satisfying.
When guests come over, I’ll make a quick gravy-based potato curry or spinach chickpea curry with boondi raita or a fresh herbs chutney. And of course, there’s always masala chai or mango lassi on the side! (
(For inspiration, see my 9+ Vegetarian Indian Meals Thali Recipes)
Here's a bank of 35+ vegetarian side recipes you'll love with parathas!
Easy Indian Raitas
If it’s not plain yogurt stirred with roasted cumin and chaat masala, then simple Raitas like Cucumber, Boondi and Onion Raita are a must with stuffed parathas for us. They’re cooling, add lots of flavour and texture, and are my daughters’ and my personal favourite go-to sides dishes for paratha.
(See 9+ Indian Yogurt Sauce Recipes for more dipping sauce ideas.)
Chutneys and Pickles
I love my homemade lemon pickle with parathas—they are so good! If not, you can easily buy a pre-made jar of mango pickle or mixed veg pickle (I love Mothers brand) from the supermarket or Indian grocery stores. Most Indian households, including mine, have them.
if not pickle I love Indian Mango Chutney(different from Raw Green Mango Chutney), Green Coriander Mint Chutney or Coriander Yogurt Sauce —it’s a great side too.
Poppadom dips are also a great side, if you haven't tried them!
Vegetarian Appetiser to Pair with Paratha
When making a meal for guests, I also love serving at least one vegetarian appetisers (air fryer paneer tikka tops my list) as a parathas side dish. Along with a curry, raita and a restaurant style mango lassi for a complete Indian Dinner Menu experience. Some of my favorites include
Vegetable Curries That Go with Paratha
Parathas pair beautifully with both saucy gravy curries and dry sabzis. If you're serving a dry sabzi like Bombay Aloo, I’d definitely add a raita or chutney on the side—it just rounds out the plate and makes every bite more enjoyable.
From comforting vegetable curries to rich paneer dishes, there’s so much to choose from—and honestly, they all taste even better with warm, flaky plain parathas. I've compiled my 10 regular ones, that you may love too.
Dals, Lentils, and Beans: Classic Sides Dishes for Parathas
They are a delicious side dishes for parathas. Whether it’s a simple yellow moong dal or a spiced Red Lentil Tarka Dal, it adds warmth and comfort to every scoop. Easy to make and always satisfying! Here are some of family favorite dals that are on repeat weekly.
Drinks
Whether it’s hot or cold, you definitely need something to round off a meal. I'd love anything from a South Indian filter coffee (that’s a bit different—try it, it’s good!) to masala chai, chaas, or a lassi.
Desserts to End a Paratha Meal
And if you’ve got guests and want to round it off with a dessert instead of a drink, I like to make light and easy desserts—anything from Kesari (a South Indian semolina-based dessert), light eggless mango mousse to Ninja Creami frozen yogurt.
Paratha Side Dishes FAQ's
Stuffed parathas are great with plain yogurt or Indian yogurt sauces(like cucumber raita), a spicy pickle, salted butter, and tomato ketchup. Don’t forget the masala chai—it completes the meal!
Paratha can be enjoyed for any meal of the day. Just make sure you have lighter side like raita for stuffed paratha and a dal for plain paratha when serving for dinner.
Aloo Paratha tastes best with plain yogurt, a little lemon pickle, and some salted butter on top. It’s a simple and delicious combo we love at home!
The best side dishes for Plain paratha are vegetable curries, dals, and raitas. Spicy Pickle or chutney on the side completes the paratha plate.
Ingredients
- Raita
- Chutney
- Vegetarian Curry
- Vegetarian Sabzi
- Dal
- Chai or Lassi
- Dessert
Instructions
- Choose from your favourite vegetarian side dish for parathas from the collection above.
Notes
- Serve parathas hot—they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner any time.
- Plain parathas and Palak paneer parathas are super versatile; pair them with curries, dals, or cooling raita.
- Stuffed parathas like aloo paratha, rajma paratha or mooli paratha make a meal by themselves. Pair stuffed parathas simply with yogurt, tangy pickle, or a warm cup of chai.
- Keep sides quick and flavorful to balance the hearty parathas perfectly.
- Remember, a little salted butter on top makes every paratha extra delicious!
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