A collection of 40+ Lohri Festival recipes. Lohri is a popular harvest festival celebrated in North India, especially in Punjab, marking the end of winter and the start of the harvest season. It is celebrated with bonfires, singing, dancing, and the offering of traditional sweets like rewdi (sesame brittles), gajak, popcorn, and peanuts to the fire.
People sing traditional songs, including the tale of Dulha Bhatti, a Robin Hood-like figure who helped the poor. The story of how he saved two girls, Sundri and Mundri, is particularly sung during the Lohri celebration.
Lohri is a time of joy and celebration, where people dance, sing, and exchange gifts. It also marks the end of winter and the start of spring, with the belief that the cold will lessen after Lohri. This year, the Lohri festival will be celebrated on January 13, 2025.
In this post, I’m sharing a collection of 40+ North Indian recipes that are perfect for celebrating the Lohri festival.
Jump to:
- Lohri Festival Recipes
- 1. Sarson Ka Saag
- 2. Makki Di Roti
- 3. Chana Masala
- 4. Palak Paneer Paratha
- 5. Methi Pakora
- 6. Til Ke Ladoo
- 7. Besan Burfi
- 8. Palak Paneer
- 9. Kadhi Pakora
- 10. Baingan Bharta
- 11. Paneer Butter Masala
- 12. Bharwa Bhindi
- 13. Sooji Ka Halwa
- 14. Dal Makhani
- 15. Jaggery Rice
- 16. Gajar Ka Halwa
- 17. Rice Kheer
- 18. Rajma Masala
- 19. Aloo Gobi
- 20. Dahi Vada
- 21. Easy Dalia Khichdi
- 22. Matar Paneer
- 23. Bathua Raita
- Frequently Asked Questions
Lohri Festival Recipes
1. Sarson Ka Saag
It is one of the most popular Punjabi dishes prepared during the winter season. Sarson ka saag, topped with homemade butter and served with makki di roti, is both comforting and warming for the body and palate. You can find other variations of saag on the blog as well:
2. Makki Di Roti
Makki di roti is a popular North Indian bread made from maize flour. This unleavened bread is cooked in ghee, and when paired with sarson ka saag and topped with white butter, it makes for a delicious combination.
Here are a few gluten-free roti that pairs well with saag:
3. Chana Masala
This Punjabi chole masala recipe offers a perfect balance of spiciness, taste, and flavor. Some more chickpeas recipes from the blog:
4. Palak Paneer Paratha
Whole wheat flatbreads filled with spiced spinach and paneer, these parathas are a common breakfast choice in Punjabi homes. You can also find a variety of other popular paratha recipes here:
5. Methi Pakora
Crispy fried fresh fenugreek leaves fritters, made with gram flour, pakoras are a favorite snack during winter or monsoon seasons. Other popular pakoras in North India include:
6. Til Ke Ladoo
These delicious ladoos are quick and easy to make, using sesame seeds, peanuts, and jaggery. They are both filling and incredibly tasty.
7. Besan Burfi
Besan burfi is a popular sweet often prepared during festive occasions. It’s an easy and healthy treat enjoyed throughout India. You may also like:
8. Palak Paneer
This is another highly popular Indian dish made with tender paneer cubes (Indian cottage cheese) in a smooth and creamy spinach sauce.
9. Kadhi Pakora
Kadhi Pakora is a favorite in Punjabi households, commonly prepared on weekends or as a main course. It features fried onion pakoras in a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce and pairs perfectly with rotis, rice, or jeera rice. You may also like:
- Hyderabadi Kadhi Pakora
- Hare Lehsun Ki Kadhi
- Haryanvi Kadhi
- Sindhi Vegetable Kadhi - vegan, no yogurt recipe
10. Baingan Bharta
Baingan Bharta is a smoky, flavorful dish made from roasted and mashed eggplant. It’s cooked with spices and is a popular dish in Indian cuisine.
Some more baingan bharta recipes from blog:
- Hariyali Baingan Bharta
- Butternut Squash Bharta
- Shalgam Ka Bharta
- Baingan Bharta with roasted red peppers
- Bihari Baingan Chokha
11. Paneer Butter Masala
This is a quick and easy restaurant-style paneer butter masala recipe. In just a few minutes, you can prepare a delicious dish with a hint of sweetness and mild spiciness.
More creamy paneer recipes from blog:
12. Bharwa Bhindi
Bharwa Bhindi is a flavorful dish made with ladyfinger (okra) stuffed with a spiced filling. It is sautéed until crispy and served as a side dish in Indian meals.
You may also like these bhindi recipes from blog:
- Best Bhindi Fry Recipe
- Aloo Bhindi
- Quick Bhindi Fry
- Air Fryer Bhindi
- Baked Bhindi Fry
- How to make Frozen Okra in Air Fryer
13. Sooji Ka Halwa
This quick, easy, and delicious halwa is made with rava (semolina). It’s a melt-in-the-mouth treat that comes together in just about 15 minutes.
Try this Gur Ka Halwa recipe, it's so good!!
14. Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani is one of the most popular Punjabi lentil-based dishes, made with whole black gram and kidney beans.
Dal Makhani is commonly served at weddings, engagements, and various parties across India. The slower it is cooked, the richer and more flavorful it becomes.
More Dal recipes from blog:
15. Jaggery Rice
Gud Wale Chawal is a delicious, sweet jaggery rice dish with an amber-orange color. It’s typically enjoyed on its own, but it also tastes great when mixed with a little milk and served warm.
16. Gajar Ka Halwa
Carrot Halwa is a popular dish made with grated carrots. The recipe shared here is a traditional slow-cooked version, using only carrots, milk, ghee, sugar, and some dry fruits.
Checkout this easy no-grate pressure cooker (Instant Pot) Carrot Halwa and Shakarkhandi Ka Halwa
17. Rice Kheer
This traditional Indian rice pudding, made with basmati rice, whole milk, sugar, nuts, saffron, and cardamom, is cooked to perfection, resulting in a rich and creamy kheer.
Different types of Kheer are commonly prepared during festive occasions in North India. You can also try this Mango Phirni recipe, and another popular kheer made in Punjabi homes is Lauki Ki Kheer.
18. Rajma Masala
Rajma Masala is a lightly spiced, creamy, and popular Punjabi curry made with kidney beans. The combination of rajma chawal is very popular, and it also pairs perfectly with phulka or roti.
Love beans? Here are few more beans recipes from blog:
- Black Eyed Beans Curry - Lobia Masala
- Mung Beans Curry - Whole Moong
- Kala Chana
19. Aloo Gobi
Aloo Gobi is a flavorful and comforting Indian dish made with fresh cauliflower and soft potatoes, perfect as a side or main course. Here's a pressure cooker: Instant Pot Aloo Gobi
You may also like these cauliflower recipes:
Craving more for Gobi recipes? Here's a collection of Indian Cauliflower Recipes
20. Dahi Vada
Dahi Vada is a popular Indian snack made of soft, deep-fried lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt and topped with various spices. It’s a refreshing and savory dish enjoyed during festivals and special occasions.
21. Easy Dalia Khichdi
Dalia Khichdi is a nutritious and comforting dish made with cracked wheat (dalia), lentils, and mild spices. It is often enjoyed as a light meal, perfect for digestion and a healthy diet.
More healthy khichdi recipes:
22. Matar Paneer
This spiced and creamy curry features green peas and Indian cottage cheese. It's a simple and easy family recipe to prepare.
23. Bathua Raita
Bathua Raita is a refreshing yogurt-based side dish made with bathua leaves (chenopodium), seasoned with spices. It’s a cooling accompaniment that pairs well with rice or Indian breads.
You will also like this Onion Tomato Raita
Frequently Asked Questions
Lohri is a celebration of feasting, featuring traditional dishes such as makki ki roti (cornbread), sarson ka saag (mustard greens), rewri (sweet candy), and gajjak (sesame seed brittle). People also enjoy beverages like lassi (a yogurt drink) and chai (tea).
Rewri is a crunchy, candy-like sweet made from sesame seeds and coated with jaggery. It is a popular treat in Punjab, especially during the winter season and the Lohri Festival. Rewri is also a favorite sweet enjoyed during Makar Sankranti in Gujarat.
Lohri marks the celebration of the harvest season, with traditional foods such as tilgul (a blend of sesame seeds and jaggery), makki di roti (cornbread), and sarson da saag (mustard greens). Additionally, treats like popcorn, peanuts, and sweet delights are shared around the bonfire as part of the festive rituals.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.