Garlic naan is an aromatic, flavorful take on a beloved staple of Indian cuisine.


Grilled Garlic Naan Recipe: 3 Dishes to Pair With Garlic Naan

Garlic naan is a popular variation of Indian naan bread, a leavened flatbread, commonly served at Indian restaurants or celebrations. Plain yogurt gives the dough a pillowy, stretchy crumb, and cooking it over high heat gives [naan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe) bread its signature glossy, blistered surface, which is finished by brushing with [ghee](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee) or butter.

Garlic naan is a favored accompaniment for many Indian dishes. Its mellow flavor can temper the heat, and its sturdy, doughy texture serves as a perfect utensil for saucy stews and braised dishes. Try it with:

1. __Matar paneer__: The tomato-based answer to [palak paneer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-palak-paneer-tips-and-easy-recipe), matar paneer features stewed tomatoes, onions, whole spices, paneer cheese, and green peas. It is typically served with steamed rice.
2. __Raita__: Serve warm garlic naan with [raita](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-raita-the-yogurt-sauce-that-goes-with-everything), a condiment and side dish made with plain yogurt (dahi), spices, and various vegetables—usually cucumber. In South Indian cuisine, it’s known as pachadi. 
3. __Saag__: Saag is a stewed curry made with mustard greens or spinach, seasoned with garlic and spices, and served on its own as a side dish or with cubes of paneer cheese. 

Garlic naan bread is made from a basic naan base recipe. If it’s your first time making homemade garlic naan, there are many ways to personalize and enhance the flavors:

1. __Amp up the garlic__. In addition to a finishing brush with garlic butter, try incorporating minced or crushed garlic cloves (or roast them for a softer, more caramelized flavor) while [kneading](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-knead-dough). If you have garlic scapes, finely chop them and incorporate them into the dough. 
2. __Yogurt substitutions__. If you don’t have any plain or Greek yogurt on hand, use buttermilk or whole milk curdled with a tablespoon of lemon juice, which will result in the same tender, fluffy texture. 
3. __Incorporate spices, citrus, and herbs__. Add lemon zest, crushed whole [coriander](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves), or finely chopped herbs to the dough to play off the garlic’s bite with a floral freshness.
4. __Naan on the stovetop__. Mimic the effect of a tandoor oven or grill with a cast-iron pan, greased with a bit of vegetable oil or ghee.

Garlic naan is an aromatic, flavorful take on a beloved staple of Indian cuisine.


Garlic naan is a popular variation of Indian naan bread, a leavened flatbread, commonly served at Indian restaurants or celebrations. Plain yogurt gives the dough a pillowy, stretchy crumb, and cooking it over high heat gives <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/quick-and-easy-homemade-naan-recipe","linkCopy":"naan","category":null}'>naan</a> bread its signature glossy, blistered surface, which is finished by brushing with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-ghee-plus-how-to-make-easy-homemade-ghee","linkCopy":"ghee","category":null}'>ghee</a> or butter.

What Is Garlic Naan?

Garlic naan is a favored accompaniment for many Indian dishes. Its mellow flavor can temper the heat, and its sturdy, doughy texture serves as a perfect utensil for saucy stews and braised dishes. Try it with:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Matar paneer: The tomato-based answer to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-palak-paneer-tips-and-easy-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-palak-paneer-tips-and-easy-recipe","linkCopy":"palak paneer","category":null}'>palak paneer</a>, matar paneer features stewed tomatoes, onions, whole spices, paneer cheese, and green peas. It is typically served with steamed rice. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Raita: Serve warm garlic naan with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-raita-the-yogurt-sauce-that-goes-with-everything' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-raita-the-yogurt-sauce-that-goes-with-everything","linkCopy":"raita","category":null}'>raita</a>, a condiment and side dish made with plain yogurt (dahi), spices, and various vegetables—usually cucumber. In South Indian cuisine, it’s known as pachadi. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Saag: Saag is a stewed curry made with mustard greens or spinach, seasoned with garlic and spices, and served on its own as a side dish or with cubes of paneer cheese. </li></ol>

3 Dishes to Pair With Garlic Naan

Garlic naan bread is made from a basic naan base recipe. If it’s your first time making homemade garlic naan, there are many ways to personalize and enhance the flavors:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Amp up the garlic. In addition to a finishing brush with garlic butter, try incorporating minced or crushed garlic cloves (or roast them for a softer, more caramelized flavor) while <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-knead-dough' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-knead-dough","linkCopy":"kneading","category":null}'>kneading</a>. If you have garlic scapes, finely chop them and incorporate them into the dough. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Yogurt substitutions. If you don’t have any plain or Greek yogurt on hand, use buttermilk or whole milk curdled with a tablespoon of lemon juice, which will result in the same tender, fluffy texture. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Incorporate spices, citrus, and herbs. Add lemon zest, crushed whole <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves","linkCopy":"coriander","category":null}'>coriander</a>, or finely chopped herbs to the dough to play off the garlic’s bite with a floral freshness. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Naan on the stovetop. Mimic the effect of a tandoor oven or grill with a cast-iron pan, greased with a bit of vegetable oil or ghee. </li></ol>

4 Tips on Making Garlic Naan

Grilled Garlic Naan Recipe 

Garlic naan is an aromatic, flavorful take on a beloved staple of Indian cuisine.