Going vegan does not mean giving up everything you like. These accidentally vegan foods in India are widely available and they are perfect if you’re in a hurry and don’t have the chance to purchase vegan alternatives.
BASICS
Some of the building blocks of everyday foods you eat are vegan by accident. Here are some examples:
- Poha/ Avalakki
- Vermicelli
- Dry pasta
- Bread (except milk bread)
- Baked beans
- Ketchup and mustard
- Hummus
- Cornflakes
- Nut butters – peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
- Jams
- French fries
- Oatmeal
CHIPS AND BISCUITS
Did you know that many of the chips and biscuits you are used to are accidentally vegan? Which means you can still enjoy your favourite treats!
- Monaco biscuits
- Hide ‘n’ Seek biscuits and Choco Rolls
- 50-50 sweet & salty biscuits
- Classic Oreos
- Sunfeast Farmlite Active Oats Chocolate
- Lays – Spanish Tomato Tango, Magic Masala, Classic Salted
- Uncle Chipps plain salted
SNACKS, CHAAT AND SIDES
Plenty of snacks and side dishes are vegan-friendly. Here are a few examples-
- Maggi
- Aloo Bhujia
- Veg. Momos
- Pani Puri/Gol Gappe
- Samosa
- Chili Potatoes
- Spring Rolls
- Bhel Puri
- Sev Puri
- Ragda pattice/ masala puri
- Frozen Potato products (without cheese)
- Aloo Chaat (without yogurt)
- Sweet corn/Bhutta
- Vada pav
- Masala papad
- Hara Bhara kabab
- Mushroom Tikka
- Kachori(fried in oil)
- Pakora – bread, potato, onion, vegetable, dal, etc.
- Tandoori Soya Chaap (without cream)
- Pickles
DISHES
Many people think they have to give up their favourite dishes to become vegan, but that’s not true. In fact, it’s never been easier to veganize the dishes you love. Over the years, the oil in these recipes has been replaced with ghee/ butter and paneer/ cream added as garnishing. It’s time to cut the extras and go back to the originals!
Idli, vada, dosa with sambar, chutney and aloo masala
- Upma
- Kesri bhat/ suji halwa
- Parotta-kurma
- Chhole Bhature
- Pav Bhaji
- Appam-vegetable stew
- Puttu- kadala curry
- Vegetable manchurian with rice/noodles
- Puri-bhaji
- Rajma- rice
- Chana Kulcha
- Baba Ganoush
- Guacamole
- Thai Curry (without paneer chunks)
- Khow Suey
- Aglio Olio Spaghetti
SWEETS
Look out for these vegan-friendly sweets in your local sweet shop. As with the dishes, some shops may use ghee/ butter in the recipe, so check out the shops that sell the originals!
- Coconut burfi
- Jalebi (fried in oil)
- Kaju Katli
- Petha / Agra petha
- Haldiram’s Son Papdi
- Morde Baking Chocolate Compound (Dark)
- Cream Bell Sacch Mucch aam icecream
- Fruit flavoured ice candy/popsicles (orange, pineapple, kala khatta, etc.)
- Sorbets
We also have a list of Vegan Essentials, so be sure to check it out before your next shopping trip!
