Not sure what to serve with naan bread? You are at the right place. I have shared some of the easy and best side dishes that can be eaten with naan bread for a completely satisfying meal.

Naan is a staple food in Indian cuisine and is loved by people worldwide for its soft, chewy texture and delicious taste.
Naan bread is made by mixing white flour (maida) or wheat flour (atta) with active dry yeast, salt, and water (yogurt or milk for rich flavor). The dough is kneaded and set aside for 2 hours or until doubled in size. Once risen, the dough is divided into balls flattened and cooked in a traditional clay oven called tandoor, tawa, or oven.
What is traditionally served with naan bread?
While naan bread has traditionally been served with vegetable curries and gravies like paneer butter masala, mushroom masala, lentils(dal), chutney, raita, pickles, and meat-based dishes like tandoori chicken tikka, kebabs, and beans, it has evolved in recent times.
Nowadays, it is also commonly used as an appetizer with dips like hummus instead of pita bread, with soup instead of bread slices, or even as a base for pizza.
How to eat naan?
If I remember from my childhood, naan or any Indian flatbread like roti or chapati is used as a spoon to scoop up curries and gravies.
Tear a small piece of bread between your fingers, dip it in the gravy or a small portion of food like tikka, then savor the combination by placing it in your mouth.
You can serve garlic butter naan, garlic cheese naan or plain butter naan, or any Indian flatbreads from roti to chapati and paratha with these easy and straightforward, popular side dishes.
I have divided the recipes into two categories, veg side dishes, and nonveg side dishes, on what to serve with naan bread. Pick your favorite.
Vegetarian side dishes
Whether you are in the mood for something spicy and tangy like chana masala or creamy like dal makhani, or something with paneer, mushroom, or baby corn like butter masala or makhani, mixed vegetable kadai or something with matar (green peas) like matar masala there is a vegetarian dish out there that will pair perfectly with naan.
If you are looking for some healthy green curry to serve with naan, then check out our palak paneer, and if you want a no onion, no garlic satvik recipe to serve with naan, then make our simple paneer curry, satvik palak paneer and chana masala (chole).
For a quick accompaniment, you can try out our dahi bhindi, and for a protein-packed weight loss combo, do check our tandoori paneer tikka, whole roasted cauliflower, or mixed vegetable dal.
So next time you want a simple, delicious, and satisfying vegetarian meal, consider pairing your favorite veg dish with some soft and fluffy naan.
Paneer Butter Masala (Makhani)
Chole (Chana Masala or Chickpeas Curry)
Mix Vegetable Kadai (Restaurant Style)
Easy Matar Paneer (Green Peas Potatoes Curry)
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Dahi Bhindi (Okra in Yogurt Spiced Sauce)
Easy Creamy Dal Makhani
Best Mushroom Butter Masala
Easy Pepper Dal
Hariyali Paneer Gravy
Green Peas and Mushroom Gravy
Vegetable Dal
Chicken side dishes
Naan is a versatile bread that pairs perfectly with a variety of chicken dishes. Suppose you want to eat something spicy and tangy like chicken vindaloo, creamy like butter chicken, or spicy like a tandoori chicken tikka or tikka masala or a chicken handi
For a keto diet, you can check our keto garlic chicken, and if you love country-style chicken, then you should definitely make chicken saaru (Malnad-style chicken curry)
There is always a chicken dish out there that will pair perfectly with any naan bread.
Chicken Tikka (Tandoori Chicken)
Chicken Tikka Masala
Easy Chicken Handi
Malnad Chicken Curry (Koli Saaru)
Keto Garlic Chicken
Simple Roast Spatchcocked Chicken
Orange Chicken
Cranberry Chicken
Butter Chicken (Creamy Chicken Curry)
Chicken Kadi Patta
Indian Style Chicken Roast
Restaurant Style Chicken Curry
Soups, Salads, Dips
The warm and fluffy naan bread pairs perfectly with fresh salads, savory soups, and flavorful dips. Try our healthy quinoa salad, hummus dip, cucumber salad, Mexican corn, roasted sweet potatoes, and more.
Healthy Quinoa Salad
Hummus Dip
Village Style Chutney
Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad
Lemon Coriander Soup
Dahi Aloo, Potato Yogurt Salad
Mexican Corn On The Cob (Elote)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
So next time you are serving naan, consider pairing it with one of these delicious accompaniments to enhance the flavor of your meal or snack. Let us know which was your favorite accompaniment for naan bread.
Recipe FAQs
Naan bread is prepared using flour (maida) as the main ingredient, so it is high in carbs and sugar, and it is always good to eat in moderation. You can substitute it with whole wheat flour if needed.
Naan is leavened flatbread traditionally prepared in a cylindrical clay oven called tandoor.
Yes. Authentic naan has a bubbly texture which is obtained from using yeast. But you can substitute it with baking powder or baking soda.
Popular Indian Bread Recipes
Did you like this post on what to serve with naan bread? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Recipe card
What To Serve With Naan Bread
Equipment
- Baking pan
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Naan
- 1 cup Lukewarm water
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast, 1 packet
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 4 tablespoon Yogurt or Sour cream
- 3 ¼ cups All-purpose flour, more as needed
For the garlic butter topping
- 6 to 8 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro or coriander leaves, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoon Butter, melted
Instructions
- Add lukewarm water ad sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix. Sprinkle yeast. Cover and leave it undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes. Let the yeast activate.1 cup Lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon Sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast, 1 packet
- Add salt, yogurt, and flour in increments and knead for 5 to 8 minutes until you obtain a soft and smooth dough. Cover it and let it rise for an hour or until doubled in size.1 teaspoon Salt, 4 tablespoon Yogurt or Sour cream, 3 ¼ cups All-purpose flour, more as needed
To make garlic butter naan in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F or the highest setting possible.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Cover it and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, add crushed garlic cloves, coriander leaves, and butter and mix. Keep this aside.6 to 8 Garlic cloves, finely chopped, 2 tablespoon Cilantro or coriander leaves, finely chopped, 4 tablespoon Butter, melted
- Using a rolling pin, roll the naan into an oval shape of 3 to 4 mm thickness, like your pita bread. Use extra flour if needed while rolling.
- Transfer these naans to a baking sheet and nicely brush them with the garlic butter mixture.
- Bake for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden spots appears on top. Flip it halfway through. If you want the darker spots, you can keep it in broiler mode for 30 seconds at the end.
- Brush it with more garlic butter if needed. Serve warm and enjoy.
Irena
So many great ideas! I love naan bread and will usually serve it with a curry but will be trying some more of these dishes.
Vicky
I just adore Naan and always have some on hand. I typically serve it with chicken tikka masala, but you gave me so many ways to enjoy it!