Pulao To Gajar Ka Halwa: 10 Iconic Wedding Menu Dishes in Indian States

Last update:December 05, 2024, 10:23 am IST

From the rich, spicy curries of the North to the light, refreshing delights of the South, Indian weddings offer a culinary journey like no other.

The Indian wedding menu is different in each region of the country as they have their distinct culinary traditions. (Image: Shutterstock)

Indian weddings are renowned for their grandeur, vibrant colors and, of course, the lavish feasts they offer. Each region of India has its own culinary traditions, and weddings provide the perfect platform to showcase these regional specialties.

From the rich, spicy curries of the North to the light, refreshing delights of the South, Indian weddings offer a culinary journey like no other. With every bite of these dishes, you will discover the rich cultural heritage and culinary diversity of India.

As wedding bells ring and couples sit together to exchange vows across the country, let’s explore some of the iconic wedding dishes that grace wedding tables across India:

WEDDING MENU: 10 DISHES COMMONLY FOUND AT INDIAN WEDDINGS

Pulao

Starting with the fragrant rice dish cooked with aromatic spices and vegetables. Prepared with basmati rice, ghee, saffron and a mixture of dry fruits, this aromatic and fragrant rice dish is a staple at Indian weddings and is enjoyed with various spicy curries.

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Butter Chicken

Next on the list is the rich and creamy dish made with tender pieces of chicken cooked in a tomato-based sauce. It is one of the most popular chicken dishes, usually served with roti, rumali rotis, naan or tandoori chapatis. You can also combine this non-vegetarian recipe with pulao and raita of your choice.

Luchi/Puri

Call it puri or luchi, this fried bread is often served with vegetable curries, chicken curries or paneer dishes. Made from all-flour bread, these soft puris are the centerpiece of every plate.

Dosa

Before enjoying the main menu, what’s better than a crispy and tasty crepe dosa made from fermented batter? This South Indian dish filled with spicy mashed potatoes and served with hot and tangy sambhar and chutney is simply the best in any pairing.

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Biryani

Whether vegetarian or not, this recipe is a real treat for foodies who love rich spices and loaded vegetable dishes. Prepared with cooked rice, chopped vegetables and an amalgam of spices like cumin powder, coriander powder and star anise powder, biryani is a perfect main dish recipe that is best served hot with raita for a mouth-watering dinner.

Gulab Jamun

When it comes to sweets, this fried dumpling soaked in sugar syrup is the quintessential Indian sweet at weddings. To prepare them, you just need ingredients like khoya, milk and sugar. Enjoy it hot with dishes like samosas, kachoris and even custards and ice creams, and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Gajar Ka Halwa

We can’t miss this most loved winter treat. During the wedding season, the function is simply incomplete without a bowl filled with the iconic Gajar ka Halwa. Made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, ghee, nuts and cardamom, this rich and decadent dessert is a perfect winter treat with a fudgy texture. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, Gajar ka Halwa is a timeless classic that continues to warm hearts and satisfy taste buds across India.

Panipuri

Pani puri, phucka, batashe or golgappe are the most savored dish at Indian weddings. It goes without saying that the pani puri stall at the wedding is undoubtedly the favorite place for people of all ages. After all, who wants to miss the golden opportunity of enjoying unlimited pani puris for free?

Kadhai Paneer

This oh-so-delicious Punjabi dish also makes it to the list of iconic wedding dishes, thanks to its savory aroma and taste. Kadhai Paneer is prepared in a rich and spicy gravy with lots of vegetables like onion, capsicum, tomato, chopped coriander leaves and large cubes of paneer. This dish is best enjoyed with roti, rumali rotis, naan or tandoori chapatis. It is also enjoyed with tasty pulao.

Pav Bhaji

We all had to indulge in this iconic dish. This is another favorite dish that is almost synonymous with wedding menus. Pav Bhaji consists of a spicy vegetable puree served with toasted and buttered buns known as Pav. Dip the butteriest bread into the spicy bhaji and send your taste buds soaring to heaven.