Gujarati cuisine is full of bold flavours, balance, and heritage - and nothing represents it better than Gujarati shaak. Whether it's a quick weekday meal or part of a festive thali, shaak is always at the centre of the plate.
I grew up eating these dishes, and many of the recipes in this round-up have been passed down in my Gujarati family for generations. They’re filled with comfort and tradition.
What Is Gujarati Shaak?
Shaak can be made from vegetables or pulses like beans and lentils, each with its own unique seasoning. Some dishes are reserved for weddings and celebrations, while others are everyday staples that come together quickly.
Gujarati food is also deeply seasonal. We cook what’s fresh and available, which means lighter shaaks in the summer and heartier ones in the cooler months.
All Gujarati shaak are vegetarian and the majority are vegan as they are made without any dairy products.
Need ideas for your next meal? I’ve put together Gujarati Dinner Ideas to help you mix and match shaak with rotli, dar-bhaat, and sides for a satisfying plate.
To finish on a sweet note, browse my Gujarati Sweets & Desserts collection with family-favourite recipes you’ll love.
Gujarati Shaak Made with Vegetables
Fresh and full of flavour, these shaak recipes highlight a variety of vegetables commonly used in Gujarati kitchens. Perfect for enjoying authentic, vegetable-forward dishes.
Easy Potato Chips Curry – Dry
This Potato Chips Curry or Bateta Chips nu Saak is a Gujarati vegan potato curry that can be ready in under 15 minutes. It is a perfect pantry staple curry that requires few ingredients
This homely eggplant and potato or ringan bateta nu shaak is cooked in tomato-garlic gravy. It's simple to make, whether on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.
This Tindora nu Shaak, or Tindora Sabzi recipe, is an easy Gujarati curry prepared with ivy gourd and basic spices. This vegan tindora recipe is gluten-free, healthy and can be ready in 15 minutes.
Ringan methi nu Shaak is an easy Gujarati dish made with fresh fenugreek leaves and aubergine. It's flavoured simply with garlic, dried red chillies and basic spices.
This Gujarati style dry aubergine curry is quick to make and only requires basic ingredients. It's vegan, gluten-free and ready in less than 15 minutes.
Sev Tameta nu Shaak is a delicious Kathiyawadi Gujarati curry. It is prepared by combining fried gram flour noodles (crunchy sev) with a spicy and sweet tomato and garlic gravy.
Ringan Dahi Varo Oro (Smoky Aubergine with Yogurt)
Dahi Varo Oro or Dahi Baingan Bharta, is a traditional winter dish from Kathiawad, Gujarat. It is made using smoky roasted eggplant, yogurt, lasan chutney and coriander.
These recipes highlight the rich variety of beans, lentils, and pulses that play a vital role in Gujarati cooking. Perfectly paired with rotli or rice, they bring depth and comfort to every meal.
Mag nu Saak – Easy Mung Bean Gujarati Curry
Mag nu Saak/Shaak or Mung Bean Curry is a traditional Gujarati recipe made with moong beans, tomato and garlic. This easy and quick recipe can be made in Instant pot and stove top. Serve this plant based and naturally gluten-free curry with rice, roti, salad and papad.
This homely Chana Bateta without onion and garlic is pure comfort food. It's made with potatoes and chickpeas cooked in a flavourful sauce made with whole spices and tomatoes. I make it in one pot and it's ready within 15 minutes.
For special occasions, Gujarati shaak becomes more elaborate and flavourful, often reserved for weddings and festivals. These recipes showcase the celebratory spirit of Gujarati cuisine.
Gujarati Batata Nu Shaak
Jamanvar Bateta nu Shaak is a unique Gujarati style potato curry with a gravy of spices, tamarind and jaggery.
Vaal nu Shaak, simply known as Vaal, is a delicious Gujarati shaak made with lima beans. This recipe is prepared with aromatic whole spices, tamarind and jaggery and is often served at Gujarati weddings.
Undhiyu - a one-pot Gujarati medley of winter vegetables cooked in a mildly sweet coconut masala. This version is prepared surti style with plenty of green garlic and fried methi muthiya.
Gujarati cooking follows the rhythm of the seasons. This section features shaak recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients that capture the best of summer, monsoon, and winter.
Karela Sabzi (Bitter Gourd Curry)
This Karela Sabzi or Bitter Gourd Curry is a popular curry recipe from India made with a base of onions and spices. It is also known as Karela nu Shaak in Gujarat.
Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak is an authentic Gujarati dish prepared with cluster beans and multigrain dumplings. It's easy to prepare on the stove top or Instant Pot.
Fulavar Bateta nu Shaak is a Gujarati cauliflower and potato curry recipe. It's prepared in a gravy of basic Indian spices and without onion or garlic.
This Indian Dill Leaves Curry, also known as Suva ni Bhaji or Shepu Bhaji, is a dill stir fry made with garlic, green chillies and few spices. It is naturally vegan, gluten-free and comes together in just 15 minutes.
My parwal nu shaak is made Gujarati style with basic spices, lemon juice and coconut. It's ready in less than 15 minutes and can be served as part of an everyday Gujarati thali.
Ringan Tuvar nu Shaak - a homely Gujarati shaak (curry) made with aubergines (eggplant) and fresh pigeon peas. In our family recipe, we also add green garlic and peanut powder. Easy to make and can be ready within 30 minutes.
Bharela shaak, or stuffed vegetable dishes, are a Gujarati favourite. Packed with spiced fillings, these flavourful recipes are perfect for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Bharwa Bhindi (Bharela Bhinda)
Bharwa Bhindi is a delicious sabji and is also known as Bharela Bhinda or Bhinda Sambharia. Fresh and tender okra are stuffed with a flavourful Gujarati style aromatic masala. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Bharela karela is delicious Gujarati dish made with bittergourd stuffed with a spiced coconut masala. It is the Gujarati version of the North Indian Bharwa Karela.
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Gujarati cuisine is full of bold flavours, balance, and heritage - and nothing represents it better than Gujarati shaak. Whether it's a quick weekday meal or part of a festive thali, shaak is always at the centre of the plate.
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Hi! I'm Hayley. Many of these recipes are inspired by my Mum's upbringing in India and my Dad's East-African Indian influence. This British-Asian background allows me to explore the culinary best of both worlds.
