Indian cuisine is incomplete without curd because the recipes like biryani need Indian curd to add the spicy and tangy flavor. Indian curd is basically a fermented milk product that’s easily available in grocery stores, and it is made by fermenting with lime, lemon, vinegar, or other acids.
However, if you are unable to find Indian curd for any reason and have to cook something, we are sharing some Indian curd substitutes with you!
Indian Curd Substitute
- Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the most popular and easiest alternatives to Indian curd. There are significant differences in the flavor, but the consistency and texture are pretty similar, which is why they can be added to Indian recipes. Keep in mind that yogurt is available in various flavors, but you should only use plain yogurt to replicate the curd’s flavor. That’s because the flavored yogurt tends to have a fruity or sweet flavor, which doesn’t go with the spicy and savory recipes. So, get your hands on plain yogurt and add it to the recipe (1:1 substitution is perfect).
- Buttermilk
Buttermilk is also a great alternative for Indian curd and has a thick consistency, which is similar to Indian curd. It is easy to find in the stores and has an acidic note. Keep in mind that buttermilk has a thicker consistency as compared to regular milk, but it’s still not as thick as curd. For this reason, we recommend that you adjust other ingredients in the recipe to make sure the consistency and thickness of the recipes aren’t off.
- Sour Cream
This is one of the most excellent substitutes for Indian curd. It has a thick consistency, so you don’t need to worry about altering the recipe’s ingredients or preparation. As the name suggests, sour cream has a sour flavor, which is another resemblance to Indian curd. Keep in mind the sourness is a bit different, which is why you should be prepared for it, but it will be delicious. On top of everything, sour cream will be easy to find in the grocery stores.
- Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes can also be used as an alternative to Indian curd, but you’ve to be careful about the dish you are making. The Indian curd is added to the recipes to thicken the gravy of the recipe, which is why mashed potatoes can also be used. However, before you add mashed potatoes to the recipe, make sure that the potatoes have a smooth texture (they must be mashed properly). This is because if there are lumps in the potatoes, you won’t be able to mix them with the recipe, making the recipe less appealing.
- Heavy Cream
If you are cooking a recipe that needs Indian curd, you can opt for heavy cream. This is because the heavy cream has a thick and dense texture, which adds creaminess to the recipes. In addition, adding heavy cream to the recipe will help thicken the recipe’s gravy without changing the flavor.
- Milk
This is another substitute that you can try if you don’t have access to Indian curd. However, you need to remember that milk has a thinner consistency and is more watery as compared to curd. For this reason, when you add milk to the sauce, you must add some cornstarch or corn flour to the recipe to make sure the texture thickens up. The best thing about adding corn flour or cornstarch is that it doesn’t add any flavor to the recipe.
- Vegan Milk
In case you don’t like to use regular milk because you are following a vegan diet, you can opt for vegan milk, such as coconut milk and soy milk. These vegan milk varieties are quite easy to find in grocery stores, but they are thin as well. So, to thicken the recipe, you have to add one to two teaspoons of cornstarch to one cup of milk and add them to the recipe.
- Cashews
The last substitute that you can try is cashews (yes, you can use other nuts as well). However, if you want to use cashews, you might have to cook the cashews in water for over twenty minutes, and once they soften, drain out the water to make the nut paste. Then, just add this nut paste to the recipe and blend it in to thicken the recipe!