What To Serve With Curry Instead of Rice: BEST Ideas!
If you’re looking for inspiration for what to serve with curry instead of rice, you’re in the right place!
Maybe you’ve got a homemade curry bubbling away on the stove, and you’ve only just realised that you’re all out of rice.
Or perhaps you love eating Indian food, but you want to shake up your side dishes a little bit to keep things varied and interesting at mealtimes.
Either way, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s get down to revealing the best sides for curry besides rice…
The best rice alternatives to serve with curry
Skipping the rice doesn’t have to mean compromising on satisfaction!
You can keep curry night exciting by trying alternatives to rice such as naan bread, Bombay potatoes, homemade chips, roast potatoes, and spicy roasted cauliflower.
Cauliflower rice and broccoli rice are other good choices that will help you to cut down on carbs and get some extra veggies in your diet.
Now, we’ll take a look at the best ways to prepare these tasty accompaniments, and share the best recipes for you to try at home…
1. Naan bread
Naan breads are surely a must-have when you’re making a curry!
Though you can pick up decent readymade versions at the supermarket, making your own naan is easier than you might think, and the results are just fabulous.
Follow the recipe above and you’ll be rewarded with fluffy, pillowy, chewy naan that’s just like what you’d get in your favourite local Indian restaurant. There’s also absolutely no kneading involved!
I love making naan wraps with a curry, for a nice change from rice.
Just spoon your curry on to your bread, and add shredded lettuce, diced cucumber, and finely chopped red onion.
Wrap up, and you’re good to go.
So satisfying!
2. Bombay potatoes
Soft and fluffy potatoes, warming spices, and tangy onions…
These Bombay potatoes are real comfort food, and they’re even better when you spoon over a generous serving of your favourite curry.
These make for a fantastic choice if you’re cooking for vegetarians, as when they’re served with naan bread and a dollop of mango chutney, you’ve got a quick and satisfying veggie option that can be enjoyed as a main course.
3. Cauliflower rice
Love rice, but want to cut down on your calorie intake? A good alternative to rice for curry is cauliflower rice.
Make sure that you don’t skip the fresh coriander and cumin that’s used in the recipe, as it really helps to elevate the flavour.
You can even add some finely chopped fresh garlic if you like, for extra zing.
If you like, you could even mix half of your usual favourite rice with half a serving of cauliflower rice.
4. Broccoli rice
Cauliflower rice might be more popular, but broccoli rice is another good option that’s just as tasty and nutritious!
It has the extra benefit of bringing a splash of colour to the plate, and it’s a fun choice if you’re cooking for the family and you want to keep things interesting.
This alternative to rice for curry is also a savvy way to cut down on food waste, and use up those leftover broccoli stalks that might otherwise have ended up in the bin.
Once you’ve tried this side, you’ll probably want to make it time and time again.
It’s also wonderful when served with fajitas, burritos, and in salad bowls.
5. Homemade chips
They might not be the most authentic option, but if you’re anything like me, a portion of chips will always be part of your order when it comes to visiting your local Indian takeaway!
Curry and chips is a simple but satisfying dinner, and if you go down this route, you definitely won’t miss your usual serving of rice.
For something extra special, try these masala chips.
They’re made with pantry staples that you probably already have in your kitchen, and thanks to the garlic, onion, and tomato masala sauce, they’re so tasty and fragrant, and you’ll definitely have requests from your family to make them again!
6. Roast potatoes
Roast potatoes are so comforting, and oh so versatile!
You might be used to serving them up with a traditional roast dinner on a Sunday afternoon, but they’re just as good when served with a curry.
Keep them simple if you like, or get experimental and add flavours like garlic, chilli, and garam masala during the cooking process to fire up your tastebuds.
A touch of turmeric is key to giving them a beautiful golden colour to complement your curry!
By the way, if you just can’t get enough of roasties, make sure you head over to my guide to dinner ideas to serve with roast potatoes!
7. Spicy roasted cauliflower
This spicy roasted cauliflower really couldn’t be any easier to make.
You’ll just toss your veggie chunks in a variety of fragrant spices, including cumin, coriander, and turmeric, and roast until golden and tender.
It’s healthy and delicious, and it’ll take you just 5 minutes to prepare before chucking it in the oven.
Make sure that you have lemon wedges and fresh coriander for serving, as this really helps to bring the flavours to life!
What to serve with curry instead of rice
As you can see from the ideas and recipes we’ve shared here, there’s no shortage of delicious options for what to serve with curry besides rice!
Choose from:
- Naan bread
- Bombay potatoes
- Cauliflower rice
- Broccoli rice
- Homemade chips
- Roast potatoes
- Spicy roasted cauliflower
For more meal planning inspiration for your next family curry night, visit my guide to what desserts to serve with curry, and what to serve with dhal.
