What ingredients do I need to cook Indian cuisine?
You are much more likely to cook Indian cuisine if you have ingredients you need on-hand in your kitchen. This is a list of versatile ingredients that I try to keep stocked at all times because they are the basis for a large variety of Indian dishes.
You can purchase whole or pre-ground spices. Traditional Indian cooking favors freshly grinding whole spices instead of using pre-ground spices because fresh spices create a more flavorful dish. That being said, it's best to choose whatever works for your lifestyle.
Breads and Rice
- Duram Atta Flour or Whole Wheat Flour
- Basmati Rice or Long Grain Rice
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Dals (Lentils)
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Spices
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Crushed Red Pepper or Dried Red Chilies
- Cumin
- Turmeric
- Saffron
- Garam Masala
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Other
- Green Chilies
- Garlic
- Fresh Ginger
- Cilantro
- Crushed or Diced Tomatoes
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk or Unsweetened Dry Shredded Coconut
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For more information on where to find ingredients, check out the Finding Ingredients section.
To view pictures of these ingredients, check out the Picture Glossary.
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