What To Serve With Naan Bread - 13 Delicious Sides - Pantry & Larder

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Table of Contents

Butter chicken
Palak paneer
Kachumber salad
Tandoori chicken
Pork carnitas
Spinach lentil dal
Sage lamb kofta
Shakshuka
Chana masala
Jalapeño mango chutney
Beef vindaloo
Vegetable korma
Tandoori gobi tikka
Greek chickpea salad
Cilantro lime flank steak
Naan pizza
The best side dishes for naan bread
What To Serve With Naan Bread

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Wondering what to serve with your naan bread? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 48 of the most popular side dishes for naan bread.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with naan bread are butter chicken, palak paneer, spinach lentil dal, and sage lamb kofta. Try chana masala, jalapeno mango chutney, or vegetable korma for more vegetarian options. Try shakshuka, flank steak, or carnitas for unusual but tasty choices.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Butter chicken

Butter chicken (or any curry really) and naan is a classic combo for a reason – they’re so good together.

There’s nothing more satisfying than ripping apart a soft naan and using it to scoop up the creamy sauce and tender chicken.

This butter chicken recipe is especially perfect for busy weeknights. There’s no marinating involved, and you only need 40 minutes of prep and cook time.

Psst… kids love it!

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Palak paneer

Whether you’re vegetarian or not, you’ll love this palak paneer.

It’s a delicious combination of earthy spinach, creamy cheese, and classic Indian spices. It’s also a GREAT way of sneaking extra veggies into your diet because spinach is the sauce.

Genius.

Pro tip: if you can’t get any paneer, you can swap it for extra firm tofu.

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Kachumber salad

This is a classic Indian salad consisting of chopped cucumber, tomato, and onions.

Instead of a vinaigrette, the freshly chopped veggies are dressed with lime/lemon juice and basic Indian spices.

This gives the salad a cooling bite, making it an excellent palate cleanser for curries and naan.

Psst… add freshly chopped mint leaves to make this even more refreshing.

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Tandoori chicken

Who says naan bread is only good for curry?

It can also be an excellent base for smoky tandoori chicken.

This dish gets its name from the tandoor, the cylindrical clay oven it’s usually prepared in.

But since you probably don’t have a tandoor lying around, this recipe uses an air fryer.

Of course, the authentic version will always be the best, but this version is a close second!

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Pork carnitas

Serve your pork carnitas with naan bread for the ultimate Mexican-Indian fusion.

This dish usually takes hours to cook, so it’s helpful if you have a crockpot or slow cooker.

Once all the ingredients are in, you can simply leave the crockpot to do its job. Ten hours later, you’ll have pork so juicy and tender that it’ll fall apart in your fingers.

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Spinach lentil dal

The great thing about Indian cuisine is how vegetarian-friendly it is.

Like with this spinach dal – it’s completely meat-free but still super delicious.

It features spinach and lentils simmered in a mix of authentic spices including garam masala, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds.

All you need to complete the meal is a helping (or two) of garlic naan.

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Sage lamb kofta

Lamb kofta is traditionally served with rice, but why not swap it for naan instead?

Spread the refreshing cucumber yogurt over your naan and then load it with a couple of koftas and some fresh veggies (I’d go for pickled red onions and chopped tomatoes).

Wrap it up and you have one delicious lunch.

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Shakshuka

This traditional Maghreb dish features poached eggs in a robust and boldly-spiced tomato sauce.

It’s a simple dish that’s packed full of flavor.

Shakshuka is usually eaten for breakfast, but it’s excellent any time of the day – and it’s vital to have some sort of bread (like naan!).

Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.96 rating from 219 votes.

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Chana masala

This chana masala with a side of naan bread is another superb meat-free meal (even my non-vegans friends love it)

There’s something so comforting about the combination of chickpeas and a robust tomato sauce.

It transports me straight back to my mum’s kitchen.

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Jalapeño mango chutney

If you want to keep it simple, serve your naan bread with a chutney dip.

I like pairing my naan with this jalapeño mango chutney. It’s got that highly irresistible sweet-but-spicy flavor combination.

And the best part? It takes 30 minutes to make and will last for up to 12 days in the fridge.

Psst… interested in finding out what you can use instead of mango chutney? I tested a load of substitutes.

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Beef vindaloo

This beef vindaloo isn’t for the faint hearted.

If you can handle the heat, you’ll get to enjoy the fork-tender chunks of beef drenched in a fiery hot ghost-pepper-infused sauce.

Serving it with a side of naan and some yogurt will help take the edge off.

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Vegetable korma

From ultra spicy to nice and mild!

For a complete and nourishing meal that everyone can enjoy, serve your naan bread alongside this vegetable korma.

The base is cashew and coconut milk, giving it a nutty depth (but no spice).

It’s loaded with vegetables such as carrots, peas, potatoes, and beans. But you can use pretty much any vegetable or protein you want.

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Tandoori gobi tikka

Looking for a vegetable side to go with your naan? Try tandoori gobi.

This dish is made with cauliflower florets marinated in yogurt and eight different spices (it’s a lot, but try to get them all).

And once you’ve marinated the florets, you can cook them on the stove, oven, or even in the air fryer.

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Greek chickpea salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/339107046951630028/

Naan bread shares some similarities to pita bread, so it’s no surprise it pairs nicely with Greek dishes too.

Instead of your usual lettuce leaves, this salad is packed with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and chickpeas.

Then everything is tied together with a creamy and tangy dressing.

It will soon become your new go-to salad for a light and quick lunch.

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Cilantro lime flank steak

Another unconventional option to pair with naan bread is steak.

I like using flank steak because it’s a more affordable cut – but by marinating it in lime juice, fresh cilantro, and garlic it really shines.

And it tastes amazing once grilled – slice it up and wrap it in a freshly cooked naan for an unconventional wrap, or use the naan to mop up all the steak juices. YUM.

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Naan pizza

Turn your naan bread into the ultimate comfort food with some tomato sauce and mozzarella.

In other words…. make pizza! This is a really fun idea that everyone will love.

I’d have a selection of different toppings so everyone can make their own pizzas.

Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal for busy weeknight dinners.

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The best side dishes for naan bread

Butter chicken
Palak paneer
Kachumber salad
Tandoori chicken
Pork carnitas
Spinach lentil dal
Sage lamb kofta
Shakshuka
Chana masala
Jalapeño mango chutney
Beef vindaloo
Vegetable korma
Tandoori gobi tikka
Greek chickpea salad
Cilantro lime flank steak
Naan pizza

Psst.. got leftover naan bread? I experimented to find the the best way to reheat it here (and it’s not how you think!).