Learn all about making a delicious Gujarati thali and explore authentic Gujarati recipes to make your own thali at home. Plus, cabbage shaak recipe and more.
Gujarati thali is a delicious platter of authentic Gujarati food. My family is from Gujarat so I have a special fondness for the delicious food from this region of India. Read on to learn more about what goes into a thali.
What is Gujarati Thali?
Traditional Gujarati thali is a platter of various types of dishes from India’s state of Gujarat. They can be simple with a few dishes or an elaborate thali with multiple vegetable dishes and sweets. It is typically a vegetarian platter of food served as main courses.
Gujarati means of Gujarat, a state in Western India. Thali means plate. Usually, a Gujarati thali is served on a wide, round steel plate with little bowls filled with different types of food.
There is a huge variety of Indian food across regions so there are a variety of regional thalis across India. So, if you go to Rajasthan or Kerala, you can find different types of thali. They are generally considered to be a full meal served for either lunch or dinner. Regional thali restaurants are a great place to try a variety of Indian food from various areas.
Some common components of a typical thali across regions is: rice, vegetable dish, Indian bread, dal, Indian pickle, and Indian sweet.
If you go to Gujarat, stop by a thali spot for some good food, oftentimes you will get unlimited Gujarati thalis. So, there are servers continuously refilling your plate!
It is quite an experience and the thali you get from one spot to another will be different. Kathiyawad is a sub-region of Gujarat and it is a great place to get a different taste of authentic Gujarati food.
Components of a Gujarati Thali
Authentic Gujarati cuisine is delicious food with a balance of flavors hitting your taste buds -spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet.
Indian bread: Rotli, Puran Poli, or Poori are common choices
Dal: Gujarati Dal and Toor Dal
Rice: Typically plain rice, Indian Basmati Rice, is included. Kathiyawadi thalis may include Khichdi.
Shaak: A wide variety of vegetable dishes can be used, some include Bhinda Nu Shaak, Valor Muthia Nu Shaak, Methi Bateta Nu Shaak, Peas Cauliflower Nu Shaak, Sev Tameta Nu Shak and Cabbage Shaak.
Farsan – Farsan means snack or appetizer. Common Gujarati farsan items include kachori, Khaman, Bhajiya, Methi Na Gota
Indian Sweet Dishes: A variety can be served, some include: Mohanthal, Shrikhand, Churma
Indian salad: Kachumber
Indian Pickles: Carrot Pickle, Chhundo, and Athela Marcha
Drink: In some areas, Chaas or Salted Lassi is served.
Making a Gujarati thali of your own can be fun and you can include your favorite Gujarati dishes.Explore the recipes below to get ideas to make your own version at home.
Indian Breads
Puri Recipe – Masala Poori Recipe
Piping hot, fluffy puri made at home! This homemade poori recipe makes delicious puri with melt in your mouth centers and crispy edges.
Authentic Indian Basmati Rice: Stovetop, Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
Get ready for the Best Indian Basmati rice! Perfect, easy way to get fluffy, easy basmati rice three ways: stove top, rice cooker or Instant Pot! Round out your favorite dish with a heaping side of warm, fragrant basmati rice!
Easy Gujarati Peas and Cauliflower Shaak (Gobi Matar Dry)
Authentic Indian Gujarati curried cauliflower and peas shaak! It's a cozy simple meal perfect for weeknight dinners and beginners just learning about Indian cooking. Easy to make and delicious!
Ready in 10 minutes, this is afarali recipe of Gujarati potato sukhi bhaji or dry potato bhaji which is a combination of spicy, sweet, tangy and nutty. A delicious and easy potato sabzi with nuts for extra flavor. It is made often for upvas as a bataka ni sukhi bhaji.Also known as sukhi aloo bhaji.
Bharwa bhindi or bharela bhindi nu shaak is a delicious stuffed bhindi or okra recipe that is simple to make in 25 minutes! It is a bit crisp on the outside and gives a burst of flavor and spice from the masala stuffing. It is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
Guvar Nu Shaak Gujarati Style Stir Fry (Gawar Sabzi, Gawar Recipe)
Homestyle and simply spiced, guvar nu shaak is a quick and cozy Gujarati meal to tuck into with some warm roti! It’s lightly spiced just right to complement the unique taste of cluster beans.This traditional Indian cluster beans recipe is whipped up in 15 minutes on the stovetop. I’ve made it often, so it’s tested and ready for you!
Moist and spongy traditional Gujarati khaman dhokla recipe! This instant savory besan (gram flour) khaman is a flavorful, steamed and so tasty. This recipe uses no yogurt or curd so it is both vegetarian and vegan.
Delicious green samosa sauce perfect for dipping samosas. Plus, enjoy 12 more samosa chutney recipes to elevate samosa snacking!
Indian Sweets
I have an extensive set of Indian Sweet Recipes. Below are a few commonly found in authentic Gujarati thali.
Best Gujarati Mohanthal Sweet (No Mawa)
Just 6 ingredients to make a homemade Gujarati mohanthal recipe that melts in your mouth! Detailed pictures to learn the tips to make this delicious traditional sweet without mawa.
Delicious traditional Gujarati churma laddoo recipe made without frying! These ladoos arehearty and often prepared for Ganesh Chaturthi. These authentic Gujarati churma ladoo are popular Indian sweets, especially amongst the brahmin community. They can be served as part of a Gujarati thali or on their own during festival time
Shrikhand is a popular Indian sweet from Western India that is yogurt based and easy to make! I love making it with greek yogurt. Best served chilled and to give the flavors some time to soak in.
A popular and staple Indian dessert made easily with fresh,ripe mangoes in season to make mango puree. It can be optionally flavored using spices such as saffron, ginger powder or cardamom.
Mango chunda or keri no chundo is a traditional Gujarati recipe for a sweet and spicy mango pickle. This is an easy stovetop recipe, ready quickly to enjoy!
Gujarati Athela Marcha (Instant Indian Green Chili Pickle)
Athela marcha or Indian green chili pickle is a delicious,tangy, mildy spicy accompaniment or side dish for all types of Indian food. It’seasy to make and adds a zing and depth of flavor to your meal.
5 Minute Salt Lassi or Masala Chaas or Masala Lassi
A refreshing salt lassi recipe is an Indian drink easily made in 5 minutes and with a handful of ingredients. This frothy classic salt lassi or masala lassi or masala chaas is a yogurt-based drink.
Learn all about making a delicious Gujarati thali and explore authentic Gujarati recipes to make your own thali at home. Plus, cabbage shaak recipe and more.
