Jain food is known for being pure, healthy, and very simple to digest. Jain people follow a strict vegetarian diet where they avoid root vegetables like onion, garlic, potato, carrot, beetroot, radish, and many more. But even with so many restrictions, Jain food is very delicious. The flavours are mild, the food is clean, and the recipes are easy to make at home.
Jain food is not just about eating—it’s a lifestyle. It is based on the principle of ahimsa, which means “non-violence.” So the food is prepared in a way that causes the least harm to any living creature. That’s why they avoid root vegetables, because pulling them out of the ground kills the entire plant. They also avoid eating food at night and prefer fresh, satvik meals.
Another beautiful thing about Jain food is that it is cooked with a peaceful mind. Many Jain families believe that the energy of the person cooking also goes into the food, so they prepare meals calmly and in a clean environment. Because of this, Jain dishes often taste simple yet very comforting.
Today, many people—even those who are not Jain—are turning towards Jain food because it helps with digestion, reduces acidity, supports weight loss, and keeps your stomach light. If you ever feel heavy or tired after eating oily food, switching to Jain meals for a few days can make you feel fresh again.
In this blog, we will explore 10 tasty Jain food recipes that you can enjoy every day. These dishes are light on the stomach, full of natural taste, and perfect for everyone—whether you follow the Jain lifestyle or just want healthy meals. Each recipe is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and gives you the warmth and purity of homemade cooking.
Let’s start!
1. Dal Fry (Without Onion & Garlic)
Dal is the heart of many Indian homes. Even without onion and garlic, dal fry tastes rich, warm, and very comforting.
Ingredients
- Moong dal or toor dal
- Tomatoes (optional)
- Green chillies
- Cumin seeds
- Turmeric
- Ghee or oil
- Salt
- Coriander leaves
How to Make
- Wash the dal well and boil it until soft and mushy.
- In a pan, heat ghee and add cumin seeds.
- Add green chillies and a pinch of turmeric.
- Pour in the boiled dal and add salt.
- Let it cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander.
Extra Content:
This version of dal fry feels very light on the stomach and perfect for people who like simple home-style food. You can adjust the thickness as you like—thin for rice and thick for roti. Add a spoon of ghee on top and enjoy the natural flavour.
2. Paneer Sabzi (No Onion, No Garlic)
Paneer dishes taste amazing even without heavy masala. This sabzi gives a clean, tomato-based gravy that pairs beautifully with chapati.
Ingredients
- Paneer cubes
- Tomatoes
- Cumin seeds
- Red chilli powder
- Turmeric
- Coriander powder
- Salt
- Oil
How to Make
- Blend tomatoes into a smooth paste.
- Heat oil and add cumin seeds.
- Add tomato paste and let it cook for a few minutes.
- Mix in the spices and cook till you see the oil separate.
- Add paneer and cook for 5–7 minutes.
Extra Content:
If you want a richer taste, you can add a spoon of fresh cream or milk. This dish tastes simple yet creamy. It’s perfect for lunchboxes and kids because the flavours are mild.
3. Sev Tamatar Sabzi
A popular Gujarati-style sabzi that is sweet, tangy, spicy, and extremely satisfying.
Ingredients
- Tomato puree
- Sev (thin or thick)
- Mustard seeds
- Turmeric
- Red chilli powder
- Salt
- Jaggery (optional)
How to Make
- Heat oil and add mustard seeds.
- Add tomato puree and cook till soft.
- Add chilli powder, turmeric, salt, and jaggery.
- Cook until the gravy becomes thick.
- Add sev right before serving.
Extra Content:
This dish is perfect when you want something quick because it cooks in just 10 minutes. The sweet-spicy taste goes well with hot rotis. You can adjust the amount of sev based on how thick you want the sabzi.
4. Methi Thepla
A wholesome flatbread made with fresh fenugreek leaves and simple spices.
Ingredients
- Wheat flour
- Fresh methi leaves
- Turmeric
- Red chilli powder
- Salt
- Yogurt
- Oil
How to Make
- Mix all ingredients and make a soft dough.
- Roll into thin discs.
- Cook on a tawa with a little oil.
Extra Content:
These theplas stay soft for hours, making them perfect for travel or tiffin. They go well with pickles, curd, or even tea. If methi is not available, you can use spinach or coriander.
5. Sabudana Khichdi
Light, tasty, and perfect for days when you want something simple.
Ingredients
- Sabudana (soaked overnight)
- Peanuts
- Green chillies
- Cumin seeds
- Ghee
- Salt
- Coriander
How to Make
- Heat ghee and add cumin seeds.
- Add green chillies and peanuts.
- Add soaked sabudana and salt.
- Cook until pearls turn transparent.
Extra Content:
To make it extra tasty, squeeze a little lemon juice before serving. It fills your stomach without making you feel heavy. It’s also a great breakfast option.
6. Kadhi (No Onion, No Garlic)
A smooth yogurt-based curry that feels cooling and light.
Ingredients
- Curd
- Besan (gram flour)
- Turmeric
- Green chillies
- Ghee
- Mustard seeds
- Salt
- Curry leaves (optional)
How to Make
- Whisk curd, water, besan, salt, and turmeric.
- Heat ghee and add mustard seeds and chillies.
- Pour the curd mixture and cook on low flame.
Extra Content:
This kadhi has a natural tangy taste that perfectly balances rice or khichdi. You can also add a tiny pinch of sugar to balance the flavours. It’s a great comfort meal for lazy evenings.
7. Vegetable Pulao (Without Root Vegetables)
A fragrant rice dish made using fresh vegetables like beans, peas, capsicum, and cauliflower.
Ingredients
- Basmati rice
- Beans, peas, capsicum, cauliflower
- Cumin seeds
- Bay leaf
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Salt
- Oil
How to Make
- Wash and soak rice.
- Sauté cumin seeds and whole spices in oil.
- Add chopped vegetables and sauté.
- Add rice and water.
- Cook until done.
Extra Content:
This pulao smells amazing and tastes even better. It’s perfect for parties or daily meals. Serve it with curd, raita, or kadhi. You can make it richer by adding a few cashews.
8. Bhindi Masala (No Onion, No Garlic)
A simple but flavour-packed sabzi made with ladyfinger and tomatoes.
Ingredients
- Bhindi
- Tomatoes
- Cumin seeds
- Turmeric
- Red chilli powder
- Coriander powder
- Oil
- Salt
How to Make
- Wash and dry bhindi completely.
- Heat oil and add cumin seeds.
- Add tomatoes and spices.
- Add bhindi and cook slowly on low flame.
Extra Content:
For best results, don’t stir too much or the bhindi will break and become sticky. Cook it slowly so it stays soft but not mushy. This dish tastes wonderful with hot chapatis.
9. Dhokla
Soft, spongy, and perfect for snacks, breakfast, or even lunch.
Ingredients
- Besan
- Curd
- Water
- Eno
- Salt
- Sugar
- Green chillies
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
How to Make
- Mix besan, curd, salt, and water to make a batter.
- Add Eno and steam immediately.
- Temper with mustard seeds and chillies.
Extra Content:
To make your dhokla extra soft, let the batter rest for 10–15 minutes before adding Eno. You can also drizzle sugar-water on top to keep it moist. Serve with green chutney.
10. Khichdi
A warm, comforting meal made with rice and dal.
Ingredients
- Rice
- Moong dal
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Ghee
- Salt
How to Make
- Wash rice and dal together.
- Add water, turmeric, salt, and pressure cook.
- Add a little ghee before serving.
Extra Content:
Khichdi is perfect when your stomach feels heavy or you want a light dinner. You can make it thick like porridge or slightly watery like soup. Add papad, curd, or achar on the side for a complete meal.
Why Jain Food Is Loved by Many
Even people who are not Jain enjoy Jain food because:
- It is light and healthy
- Easy to digest
- Made with minimum spices
- Pure and clean cooking process
- Perfect for kids, elders, and people with weak digestion
- Great for weight loss
- Good for everyday meals
Jain food focuses on kindness, purity, and balance. That’s why it feels calm and comforting when you eat it.
Final Thoughts
Food prepared in this style proves that even with simple ingredients, you can make wonderfully tasty meals. These 10 recipes are easy, quick, and perfect for beginners. You can try them for lunch, dinner, or even snacks.
What makes these dishes special is their peaceful and homely cooking method. There is no heavy masala, no complicated steps, and no strong flavours that trouble your stomach. Everything is light, natural, and made with ingredients that are gentle for digestion. Because of this, these recipes are great for kids, elders, and anyone who loves clean eating.
Another beautiful thing is that these meals are budget-friendly. You don’t need fancy items or expensive vegetables. Most of the ingredients are already available in every Indian kitchen. Whether you are a student living alone, a homemaker, or someone trying to switch to healthier food, these recipes will fit perfectly into your daily routine.
These dishes also teach us that taste does not come from too many spices. Real taste comes from balance, freshness, and slow cooking. Even a simple dal or pulao can feel like comfort food when cooked with patience and love. Many people say that after eating such meals, their stomach feels lighter, and they feel more energetic throughout the day.
If you are someone who usually relies on outside food or heavy oily dishes, trying these recipes for a week can make you feel the difference. Your digestion improves, acidity reduces, and you feel less bloated. The flavours are mild but very satisfying, giving you the warmth of homemade food with every bite.
These dishes can also be gently customized according to your taste. If you like spicy food, add more chillies. If you prefer soft flavours, keep it mild. You can easily make them part of your daily meal plan without any extra effort.
So, whether you are cooking for yourself or your whole family, these recipes will always give you a healthy and tasty dining experience. They are simple, comforting, and made with pure ingredients that make your body feel good from inside.
