What to Serve with Naan – 15 Tasty Ideas
Wondering what to serve with naan bread? Look no further! We have 15 of the perfect traditional and nontraditional dishes to serve alongside naan bread!
We love making homemade naan bread, but store-bought tastes amazing as well, and we are always looking for new meals to include naan with. Read on for naan inspiration!
What is naan and how is it eaten?
Naan is a type of Indian flatbread that is popular in Indian cuisine. It is traditionally made from a mixture of flour, water, yeast, and sometimes yogurt, and is then baked in a tandoor oven, which gives it its characteristic charred and bubbly texture. Naan can also be cooked on a stovetop or in an oven if a tandoor is not available.
Naan is often eaten as an accompaniment to main dishes such as curries, stews, and kebabs. It is used to scoop up the main dish or to wrap around pieces of meat or vegetables, making it a versatile and flavorful addition to any meal. Naan can also be served as a snack or appetizer with chutney or other dips.
In India, naan is often served hot and brushed with ghee, a type of clarified butter, which adds richness and flavor to the bread. In some regions of India, naan is also flavored with garlic, herbs, or spices, making it even more flavorful.
Traditional dishes to eat with naan
Here are some of the traditional dishes that are commonly served with naan bread:
- Curry: Naan bread is often served with Indian curries such as butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, and vegetable curry.
- Tandoori chicken: Naan bread is a perfect accompaniment to tandoori chicken, a popular Indian dish made by marinating chicken in yogurt and spices, then grilling it in a tandoor oven.
- Chutney: Naan bread can be served with a variety of chutneys such as mint chutney, tamarind chutney, and mango chutney.
- Raita: Raita is a refreshing yogurt-based dip that is often served with Indian dishes. Naan bread can be used to scoop up the raita.
- Kebabs: Naan bread can be used to wrap around Indian-style kebabs, such as seekh kebab and chicken tikka kebab.
- Daal: Naan bread can be served with daal, a traditional Indian lentil dish that is often served as a main course.
- Biryani: Naan bread can be served with biryani, a popular Indian rice dish made with spices, vegetables, and meat.
Nontraditional dishes to make with naan
While naan is traditionally served with Indian curries and other dishes, it is also a versatile bread that can be used in many non-traditional ways. Here are some examples of non-traditional ways to eat naan:
- Pizza: Naan can be used as a base for pizza toppings such as tomato sauce, cheese, and vegetables. Simply top a piece of naan with your desired toppings and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
- Sandwich: Naan can be used as bread for a sandwich, filled with your favorite sandwich ingredients such as deli meat, cheese, and vegetables.
- Quesadilla: Naan can be used as a substitute for tortillas in a quesadilla. Simply fill a piece of naan with cheese and other desired fillings, fold it in half, and cook it in a pan until the cheese is melted and the naan is crispy.
- Chips: Cut naan into triangles, brush with olive oil and seasonings, and bake in the oven until crispy. These make a great snack or appetizer. Serve with baked artichoke dip, bacon cheddar dip, Charleston cheese dip, or spinach artichoke dip.
- Bruschetta: Top naan with chopped tomatoes, basil, and garlic for a delicious bruschetta-like appetizer.
- Soup or stew: Serve naan alongside soups like broccoli cheese soup, Japanese clear soup, taco soup, or chicken noodle soup. You can also use the naan for dipping into slow cooker beef stew, Instant Pot beef stew, or Irish Guinness beef stew.
- Panini: Use naan as bread for a panini sandwich or grilled cheese, filled with your desired ingredients and grilled until crispy.
- Carnitas: Top the naan with carnitas meat and your favorite taco toppings for a twist on soft tacos.
How to store naan
To keep naan fresh, it is best to store it in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. Naan can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for longer shelf life.
If you plan to consume the naan within a few days, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or plastic bag. Make sure to keep the container tightly sealed to prevent air from getting in and drying out the bread.
If you need to store naan for a longer period, you can refrigerate it for up to 1 week. Wrap the naan in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it from drying out, and then place it in an airtight container or plastic bag.
If you want to store naan for an even longer period, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Wrap the naan tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then place it in an airtight container or plastic bag. When you are ready to use the frozen naan, allow it to thaw at room temperature, and then reheat it in a toaster or oven.
What is your favorite way to eat naan? Let me know in the comments below!