15 Best Maharashtrian Dishes and Recipes Which You Must Try

Explore authentic Maharashtrian dishes and recipes you must try! From spicy Misal Pav to savory Vada Pav, discover the rich flavors of Maharashtra’s culinary delights.

India is a land of vivid customs and traditions which vary from place to place in terms of the festivals celebrated or the type of food items prepared. The reflection of this variety of customs and traditions is clearly witnessed in food preparations across states and cities. The food habits are greatly influenced not only by the rich history of the country but also by the foreign invasions, trade relations, and colonialism.

India comprises of 29 states, each enriched with its own distinctive attributes. Maharashtra is one such state and the cuisine here is a true contemplation of the ancient history of this enlightened state. Maharashtrian cuisine is a paramount combination of flavors and ingredients.

The preparation of each Maharashtrian dish is very different from other dishes prepared throughout the country. Besan/ gram flour is one such ingredient which is used in most of the dishes and Goda masala and Kala masala is the boon from Maharashtra which makes every dish unique.

We have curated a list of 15 dishes which are extremely popular and truly exhibit the real spirit of the aesthetic culture of Maharashtra.

Maharashtrian Dishes and Recipes Which You Must Try

1. Vada Pav

Vada Pav has always been a savior at times when there’s actually no time for breakfast. This is probably the best quick time snack .Vada pav is a delicious mixture of tastes, the mashed potatoes and green chilies which are used for the preparation of vada.

The highlight of Maharashtrian cuisine is the variety of masalas that are used such as Kala masala and Goda masala. So go ahead and make vada pavs because the recipe is super simple and it will be ready in minutes.

Recipe Link Vada Pav

Vada Pav Recipe

Recipe by Pooja Bhushan

Enjoy this delicious street food from Maharashtra

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2. Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji is the most popular dish in many parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Pav is an Indian bread and bhaji is mashed potatoes and vegetables. It is served with lots and lots of butter and onions on the side.

One of the most desired dishes of Maharastra. It is not only famous in Maharashtra but has its reach outside India too.

Recipe Link Pav Bhaji

Quick Pav Bhaji

Recipe by Afreen Usman

This street food from Mumbai is a favourite breakfast in my house. Good for me as it is ready in an instant if you keep the veggies chopped.

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3. Puran Poli

Puran Poli is a Maharashtrian dish made of sweet bread usually prepared during festivals. Puran Poli truly defines the richness of Maharashtrian cuisine as it is prepared by using refined flour and chana dal. 

Initially, rotis/bread of refined flour are made and later they are stuffed with the  paste of chana dal. It tastes extremely delicious when served with ghee.

Recipe Links Healthy Puran poli or Puranpoli traditional

Puranpoli Or Holige Or Obbattu Or Bobbattu Recipe

Recipe by Charus Cuisine

Puranpoli is a traditional sweet flatbread  with a sweet stuffing made from split bengal gram/chana dal and jaggery and is very popular in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.  It is called as holige or obbattu in Karnataka, boli in Tamil Nadu, bobbattu in Andhra Pradesh and pooran poli in Maharashtra.  Puranpoli is generally served alongwith ghee and hot milk.  Puran poli is an Indian dessert served during auspicious occasions and during important festivals such as Holi and Gudi Padwa. It is made mostly during Holi when the bonfire is lit. The stuffing is known as puran and the outer cover is known as poli.  The stuffing is made with boiled chana dal, jaggery, ghee and cardamom powder and the outer cover is prepared from maida or all purpose flour or you can also use wheat flour.  Puran poli is a great breakfast dish and also can be served as snack.

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4. Misal Pav

Misal pav is one of the most popular street food in Mumbai and hails from Kolhapur region of Maharashtra. It basically meets spiciness and Chilli effect of Kohlapuri cuisine as the Misal is an extremely spicy sprout curry served with pav and garnished with onions and tomatoes. 

Recipe Link Kolhapuri Misal Pav 

Kolhapuri Misal

Recipe by Aarti Sharma

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5. Zunka Bakar

Picture credits : Source

Zunka bakar is a staple and very easy dish prepared with gram flour which is roasted till its aroma fills the surrounding. With basic “tadka” or seasoning  of mustard seeds, asafoetida, and onions the dish is garnished with spring onion and coriander.

This hot zunka is served with Bakar which is nothing but bread made from Jowar(Sorghum) flour. The recipe is very simple and can be prepared within minutes.

Recipe Link Zunka Bakar

Zunka Bhakar

Spicy gramflour preparation served with Indian bread. This recipe has featured on the show Khanakhazana.

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6. Aamti

Aamti is a treasured dal preparation in Maharashtra. It is prepared in a very different style as compared to other Indian dals preparation.

The basic tadka of  mustard seeds, curry leaves, cumin seeds along with ginger garlic paste and tomatoes goes in a wok and already pressure cooked Channa dal is added,  this is then completely cooled down and ground to the paste with very less water and that’s the secret to making this Aamti dal.

This is usually made when Puran Poli is made as the chana dal used in the preparation of Puran Poli can be used in the dal also. Aamti when served with Rice or even puran poli tastes heaven even though both have the same ingredients. This is the specialty of Indian spices and way the dishes are prepared.

Recipe Link Chana Dal Aamti

Chana Dal Aamti

Recipe by Tri Shakti

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7. Sabudana Wada

Sabudana wada is a favorite amongst Maharashtrians not only because it tastes delicious but also because it is the most preferred food item during fasting days also.The light and crispy Vadas are made by mixing sabudana with potatoes and chilies and then deep fried. 

Recipe Link Sabudana Vada or Sabudana Tikki

Sabudana Vada

Recipe by Priya Iyer(Anitha)

Sabudana vada is a typical Maharashtrian recipe. The combination of sabudana, peanuts and potatoes makes for a delightful and filling snack.

Check out this recipe

If you are looking for healthier version try non-fried SagoVada

8. Kothimbir Wadi

Picture credits : Source

Kothimbir wadi has a unique taste as coriander which is usually used for garnishing is the main ingredient of the dish.Usually, these wadis or fritters are deep fried but steamed version of this dish is not only healthy but a great welcoming dish for your guests during teatime. They can be served as evening snacks or a side dish along with some tea or coffee.

Recipe Link Kothimbir wadi

kothimbir vadi recipe | steamed kothimbir vadi | healthy zero oil kothimbir vadi |

kothimbir vadi recipe | steamed kothimbir vadi | healthy zero oil kothimbir vadi | with 23 amazing images. Kothimbir Vadi is the Maharashtrian snack made healthier. It usually requires a lot of oil to knead the dough to make soft kothimbir vadis. I tried using low fat curds instead of oil and the vadis turned out to be just as scrumptious. Kothimbir means coriander, which is the main ingredient in this recipe. Make sure you use fresh and green coriander for best results. Serve this snack with tea or coffee and revel in the flavours of Maharashtra.

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9. Pithale

Pithale is a very palatable Maharashtrian dish and also quite an essential part of the Maharashtrian cuisine. The preparation is very simple and pithale is usually accompanied with bhakari.

Picture credits: Source

It’s preparation involves stirring of besan in boiling water till it gets the paste-like texture which silky and smooth. Simple spices of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves makes it dish an everyday dish of any household. 

Recipe Link Pithale

Kulith Pithale

Recipe by Priyanjali Joardar

Kulith pithale is horse gram flour curry. This is a Maharashtrian recipe, it’s tasty and gets ready in a jiffy. According to Ayurveda horse gram is known to have properties which aids weight loss. It also has numerous other health benefits like helps in boosting immunity, helps to reduce blood glucose level, relieves constipation etc.

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10. Tamada Rassa

Picture Credit: Source

A nonveg dish for those who are in a mood to have something hot and exciting then try tamada-rassa. It is an authentic Kolhapuri lamb curry dish it is very spicy, true to kolhapuri cuisine. Beware if you cannot take chilli before you want to jump and try this recipe. 

Recipe Link Tambda Rasa

Tambda Rassa | Madhura’s Recipe

A spicy Kolhapuri dish prepared by using Mutton Stock. Very very aromatic with the use of fresh spices. Gets perfect blends of flavors and…

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11. Sol Khadi

Sol khadi has a very exquisite taste and has an immensely cooling effect on the body. This digestive drink is made of kokum along with coconut and is usually accompanied with rice.

Recipe Link SolKadhi

Konkani Style Solkadhi Recipe – Kokum Drink

Solkadhi or a digestive kadhi made of kokum (a plant of the mangosteen family) is very refreshing and tasty drink, a speciality of Konkan region that extends from Goa through Maharashtra.
The kokum fruit is largely produced in this Konkan region and used as an astringent or souring agent in many of the specialties of the area. This Solkadhi uses coconut along with kokum and the drink is either had with rice or consumed as a digestive beverage at the end of a meal.
Serve this Solkadhi along with a Goan style meal of Amlechi Uddamethi or Sangacho Ross and Steamed Rice.
Here are some other Drink Recipes that you can try this summer: Kanji Recipei
Mung Pani Recipe 
Raab Recipe 

Check out this recipe

12. Modak

With Ganesh chaturthi is just around the corner here comes the modak season as modaks are Ganeshji’s favorite sweet item. Modaks are nothing but sweet dumplings made of rice flour stuffed with a variety of ingredients.

Recipe Link Ukadiche Modak

Ukadiche Modak

Recipe by Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji

Welcome Lord Ganesha. Ganapati Bappa Morya !!!!! The Secret ingredient in my recipe and preparation of Ukadiche Modak is Lord Ganeshas blessings!!!!!!

Sweet steamed dumpling prepared with rice flour and filled with scrumptious filling of Jaggery and fresh grated coconut flavored with green cardamom and nutmeg powder, served hot drizzled with melted pure ghee

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13. Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a traditional Indian sweet prepared very extensively in parts of Maharashtra. This mouth-watering dessert not only has a very satisfying taste but also a smooth texture. It is prepared with help of strained curd and is usually accompanied with puris.  

Recipe Links:

• Watermelon mango shrikhand
• Shrikhand 
• Kesari sitaphal shrikhand

Watermelon Mango Shrikhand (Indian Flavoured Yoghurt)

Recipe by Richa Gupta

Shrikhand is a very popular Indian dessert made from hung curd. It is a very creamy, delicious and thick dessert, which is usually served in Maharashtra and Gujarat states of India. To add to its deliciousness, various fruits puree are added. Mango increased its taste manifold and watermelon gives the freshness to the dessert. This dessert is irresistible and is a must try out recipe.

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14. Poha

Poha is a very healthy breakfast option and it is full of iron. Poha is probably the most preferred breakfast by most of the Maharashtrians and it’s gaining popularly across India as it’s easy, fast and simple to prepare. Poha is made from flattened rice.

With a basic takda of mustard seeds and curry leaves, onion and potatoes are lightly fried, the addition of ground nuts and garnishing of fresh coconut makes it a must have breakfast dish when in Maharashtra. 

Recipe Link Poha

Vegetable Poha/Poha With Carrot,Corn And Green Peas

Recipe by Hem Lata Srivastava

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15. Barli Vahge

Barli Vahge is an authentic Maharashtrian dish and has a very spicy taste. In the recipe, a peanut flavoured masala is stuffed in the brinjals.

Picture credit: Source

Recipe Link Bharli Vahge

Bharli Vangi (Maharashtrain Brinjal)

Recipe by Shakuntla Tulshyan

Bharli vangi or stuffed eggplant is a traditional Maharashtrian dish and it is top ranked menu item for many functions and weddings in Maharashtra. Bharli vangi is the most popular, and a much-loved vegetarian curry recipe among the Marathi folks.

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Final Words

Now, with these mouthwatering Maharashtrian recipes at your fingertips, you can finally savor the authentic taste of Maharashtra’s culinary heritage. So, why not step away from your everyday hectic schedules, take a well-deserved break, immerse yourself in cooking, and indulge in the vibrant and delicious flavors of India? It’s time to treat your taste buds to an unforgettable culinary journey!

Also Read:

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