Lotus Root Recipe Indian Style: Root with Indian Spices!
Lotus root is a popular Chinese delicacy with a lot of essential nutrients and dietary fiber. It aids in digestion and boosts immunity. Besides, lotus root is also effective in losing weight. Though it is often made with Chinese spices, I want to introduce you to this Indian variation of lotus root.
Let’s learn this lotus root recipe Indian style that I have been making for years. The blend of Indian spices used in this recipe takes the flavor and the aroma of the dish to the next level. Here is the detailed recipe.
Table of Contents
Lotus Root Recipe Indian Style: An Overview
This recipe can be made in a few minutes without much preparation. Check the following overview chart to get the key information about the recipe.
| Course: Side dish | Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time: 15 minutes | ||||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Baking Time | Calories | |
| 3 persons | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 85 kcal | |
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
The ingredients needed for this recipe are a bit different from regular lotus root recipes. Here are the ingredients.
- Lotus Root: 12 ounces of lotus root, sliced into ¼-inch discs
- Olive Oil: 3 tbsp
- Cumin Seeds: 1 tsp
- Green Cardamom: 3 pods, crushed into powder
- Turmeric: ¼ tsp of ground turmeric
- Cloves: 5 pcs
- Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, finely sliced
- Tomato: 4 medium Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- Tomato Paste: 1 tbsp
- Chili: 1 small Indian green chili or serrano chili, finely chopped
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Cilantro: 2 tbsp of cilantro, freshly chopped
Lotus Root Recipe Indian Style: Step-By-Step Instructions
This quick recipe will be done in just a few minutes if all the ingredients are organized. Here are the steps for making lotus root in the Indian style.
You Can Also Try: Lotus Root Soup Recipe
Step 1: Slice and Saute the Onion
Peel the onion and slice it thinly. Put oil in a hot pan and stir-fry the sliced onion for a few minutes or until translucent.
Step 2: Add the Spices
Put 1 tsp of cumin seeds onto the onion and add the ground cardamom. Then, sprinkle the ground turmeric over the onion. Mix the spices with the onion slices and fry them for about one or two more minutes.
You Can Also Try: Vegan Mapo Tofu Recipe
Step 3: Add Diced Tomatoes and Lotus Root
Throw the diced tomatoes into the pan and add 1 tbsp of tomato paste. Stir everything and then add the sliced lotus root to the pan. Incorporate the spices well with the tomatoes and lotus root. After frying them for 5-7 minutes, the recipe will be ready.
Nutrition Facts of the Recipe
Lotus root is a nutritious item with a lot of health benefits. Each serving of this recipe contains about 85 calories. Here is its nutritional information.
- Total Carbohydrates: 19.8g
- Protein: 3g
- Total Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.03g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Total Dietary Fiber: 5.6g
- Total Sugar: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 46mg
- Potassium: 639mg
- Calcium: 51.8mg
- Magnesium: 26.4mg
- Phosphorus: 115mg
- Iron: 1.3mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.3mg
- Vitamin C: 50.6mg
Do’s and Don’ts of the Recipe
I keep the following tips in mind while making this recipe. These tips will help you avoid the hassle.
Do’s
- You can use frozen store-bought lotus roots instead of fresh lotus roots. It will reduce the hassle of cleaning the lotus root.
- Check if the seasoning is perfect before taking the dish out of the pan. If necessary, add some salt.
Don’ts
- Don’t cook tomatoes or lotus roots for a long time. Keep the heat high while cooking these items.
- Don’t ground the whole cardamom pods. Use the seeds inside cardamom pods to enhance the aroma.

Lotus Root Recipe Indian Style
Ingredients
Method
- Peel the onion and slice it thinly. Put oil in a hot pan and stir-fry the sliced onion for a few minutes or until translucent.

- Put 1 tsp of cumin seeds onto the onion and add the ground cardamom. Then, sprinkle the ground turmeric over the onion. Mix the spices with the onion slices and fry them for about one or two more minutes.

- Throw the diced tomatoes into the pan and add 1 tbsp of tomato paste. Stir everything and then add the sliced lotus root to the pan. Incorporate the spices well with the tomatoes and lotus root. After frying them for 5-7 minutes, the recipe will be ready.

FAQs
You will find useful information in the answers to some common questions. Check them out.
What are some vegetarian or vegan Indian dishes that use lotus root?
Vegetarian lotus root curry is one of the most popular Indian dishes that use lotus root. Besides, lotus root with spinach, lotus root stir-fry, etc., are also eaten by a lot of vegetarian or vegan people in India.
Can I use fresh and dried lotus root interchangeably in this recipe?
Yes. You can use fresh, frozen, or dried lotus root in this recipe. For dried lotus roots, I recommend soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes before cooking the roots.
How to prepare and clean lotus root before cooking it?
After removing the skin, you need to cut the lotus root into discs so that the crevices are visible. Then, wash the lotus root thoroughly so that there are no dirt or mud in the root.
What can I serve with this lotus root recipe Indian style?
You can serve Basmati rice, Jasmin rice, or any other white rice with this lotus root recipe. It also goes well with Roti or Indian-style pita bread.
Conclusion
Lotus root is packed with essential nutrients, so it is a popular source of carbs and protein for vegetarian or vegan people. This lotus root recipe Indian style uses traditional Indian spices, such as cardamom, turmeric, cloves, cumin, etc., to give the lotus root a signature Indian flavor.
As the preparation for this recipe is easy, you can quickly make this lotus root recipe and serve it with a variety of other dishes. Try this amazing Indian-style lotus root recipe that you will love for the rest of your life.