10 Must-Have Indian Groceries Online for Indians Living Abroad for Every Season

We Indians have everything sorted for specific seasons. If it’s any season, we prefer eating rasam rice, sambar rice, and boiling up a few Indian spices to make soup and savor it.

We have ingredients that keep us strong during this time. Food made with ingredients specific to these seasons keeps us warm, nourished, and adds balance to our meals. For those who grew up in India, Indian pantry staples include spices, lentils, grains, ghee, and more.

For Indians living abroad, seasonal cooking is more of an emotional connection than just a tradition. When the weather outside is colder, Indians often wish to eat and drink something hot, it could be ginger chai, masala vada, rasam made with spices, and so on.

It’s not just the comfort these foods bring, but also the memories of family gatherings, cultural traditions, and even a random aunty’s recipe that suddenly comes to mind, making us crave it until we end up in the kitchen cooking it.

What’s important is that if you’re living abroad, stocking up on the right Indian ingredients in your kitchen is essential. They allow you to stay warm in the winter season, help recreate cherished memories, and bring joyful experiences. You can find Indian groceries online and  in local grocery stores.

Read on to know which ingredients you can stock up in your kitchen and where to find them.

The 10 Must-Have Indian Ingredients

1. Turmeric:

Turmeric is an essential spice in Indian kitchens. Turmeric, or haldi, has an earthy aroma and adds a bright yellow color to dals, curries, and is also added to warm milk, especially in colder months.

One great choice could be stocking Tata Sampann Turmeric Powder, which has a strong aroma, natural oils, and 3% curcumin content. For Indians living abroad, this spice is easy to find in local Indian stores and online.

2. Ginger:

When we hear the name “ginger,” the first thing that comes to mind is ginger chai—it’s our go-to drink in cold weather. Ginger is used in curries and stir-fries; non-veg curries don’t go well without it.

Brands like Just Jaivik Organic Ginger provide excellent ginger powder for recipes and are a handy ingredient for those living outside India, where fresh ginger may not always be available and can also be costly.

3. Garlic:

Garlic is a must-have ingredient in Indian cooking because we add it to dals, curries, soups, and many other dishes. For curries, it is added to the tempering and pairs well with lentils and root vegetables.

Brands like Desire Garlic Powder (200 gm) are a practical option. This export-grade dehydrated garlic powder works well in curries, dips, and sauces. If added to boiled chana, it gives a perfect flavor.

4. Cumin:

Name an Indian dish that goes without cumin seeds! Cumin is found in almost all Indian curries, whether in dal, vegetable curries, or even buttermilk with cumin powder. It’s a must-have in Indian kitchens.

Brands like Patanjali Cumin Whole (100 gm) are widely used for their pure and distinct aroma; a small spoonful is enough to add excellent flavor to dishes.

5. Cloves and Cinnamon:

Some spices are best in colder months, like cloves and cinnamon. Cloves go best with biryani, masala curry recipes, and festive dishes, while cinnamon, with its woody aroma, is ideal for chai, rice dishes, and desserts.

Brands like Ajfan Natural Cinnamon and Organic Tattva Cloves (50 gm) are best-selling for Indians abroad. Both are perfect for bringing traditional winter comfort to meals.

6. Lentils:

Have you seen an Indian pantry without lentils? They are go-to comfort food for almost all Indians, usually made into dal. Dal is a comforting and healthy choice for all seasons. A hot steaming bowl of dal paired with rice and roti is very satisfying.

Brands like Vedaka Popular Toor Dal (1 kg) are perfectly packed for recipes like sambar and dal tadka, while IKAI Organic Masoor Dal (500 gm) provides unpolished red lentils that cook well in soups and dals. They are a good source of protein and fiber and can be found anywhere.

7. Ghee:

Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is an essential ingredient in Indian kitchens. It can be poured over hot rice, used in curries, for frying rotis instead of oil, and in homemade sweet recipes.

It can also be added to mouth-watering pickle rice. One of the best options could be Isha Life Pure A2 Desi Cow Ghee (250 ml), made from curd of cow’s milk and extracted using the traditional Bilona method. You can add this ghee to khichdi, a bowl of steamed rice, and more.

8. Millets:

Millets are another traditional ingredient that gains importance during the colder season. Grains like bajra, ragi, and jowar are often made into rotis, porridges, and upmas that keep you full and cozy.

Abroad, Indians can turn to packs like Siridhanyalu Millets – 5 Types Pack (3 kg each), which include foxtail, barnyard, browntop, kodo, and little millets. Unpolished and organic, they are easy to substitute for rice or turn into warm porridges, reconnecting you to traditional eating.

Millets are widely used in colder seasons. Bajra, ragi, and jowar are mostly made into rotis, upmas, or thick pastes served with hot soups and curries. They keep us full and cozy.

Abroad, people can look for packs like Siridhanyalu Millets – 5 Types Pack (3 kg each), which are perfect for traditional eating and as a rice substitute.

9. Dry Fruits:

Dry fruits and nuts play a crucial role in Indian kitchens as a nutritional addition to our routine. They go well with everyday snacks and festive occasions. Almonds, cashews, raisins, and dates pair beautifully with sweets like kheer, oatmeal, or quick bites on busy days, replacing junk cravings.

Brands like Yuvagrow Afghan Gurbandi Almonds are a popular choice for snacking and cooking, while Patanjali Mix Dry Fruits with Berries & Seeds (250 gm) offers a wholesome pack. You can soak the dry fruits in water and make laddoos or halwas for better consumption.

10. Mustard Seeds:

Mustard seeds and mustard oil are flavorful and essential ingredients in Indian cooking. Mustard seeds are used in dals, curries, and pickles, while mustard oil is used daily in North and East Indian kitchens for frying and making curries.

Brands like Bliss of Earth Black Mustard Seeds (600 gm) add excellent flavor to food, while Jivika Naturals Cold Pressed Mustard Oil (500 ml) is prepared carefully in a wooden ghani at low temperatures to preserve its natural taste. These ingredients are best for traditional winter recipes.

How to Stock These Ingredients Abroad

It’s not always easy for Indians living abroad; they find it difficult to stock up their kitchen with seasonal and authentic Indian ingredients. As the need is growing, there are multiple options where you can stock up your kitchen with essentials, whether you live in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or any other country.

1. Indian Groceries Online and Trusted Brands:

Indian groceries online is the best way to stock up your kitchen with key essentials. You have many options and platforms; one such platform is Dista, where you can buy Indian groceries online from various brands—top ones, local, and more. These platforms mostly provide free shipping and on-time doorstep delivery.

2. Local Stores and Community Shops:

Many cities have local Indian grocery stores to stock up your kitchen. You can always walk in and select ingredients from your favorite brands, but not all cities have this access. For people living on the outskirts of cities, it is always best to go for online grocery shopping.

3. Indian Grocery Storage Tips 

Here are a few storage tips for stocking up your essential ingredients:

1. If you live in a colder region, keep spices in airtight containers for their aroma and freshness to stay intact.

2. Stock up lentils and flour in cool and dry cabinets.

3. Refrigerate ghee and pickles to maintain their freshness for longer periods.

Following the right approach will help you find easy ways to stock key essential ingredients in your kitchen, even while living abroad.

Wrapping Up:

These 10 ingredients are the backbone of Indian cooking used across India, no matter the culture or tradition. Stocking up on these essentials in your kitchen, especially if you’re living abroad, is always comforting as it reminds you of memories as well as everyday life.

Whether you’re buying Indian ingredients online or visiting a local Indian store nearby, having these ingredients noted down will make your work half done because it gives a convenient and rewarding cooking experience.

Dista helps you find Indian groceries online at your convenience and doorstep. You just need to browse for your ingredients, and in no time, you get them delivered with free shipping. 

FAQ’s on Indian Groceries Online:

1. What are some essential Indian groceries to stock up on while living abroad?

Key staples like turmeric, cumin, ghee, lentils, and dry fruits are must-haves. They form the base of most Indian meals and help recreate traditional flavors, even outside India.

2. How can I buy authentic Indian ingredients if I live in the USA or other countries?

You can order from trusted Indian online grocery platforms like Distacart, which deliver genuine Indian brands worldwide, ensuring you never miss your favorite ingredients.

3. Which Indian ingredients are best for cooking in different seasons?

During colder months, stock up on spices like cloves, cinnamon, and turmeric for warmth. In summer, go for millets, lentils, and cooling drinks like herbal teas or buttermilk mixes.

4. How can I keep Indian groceries fresh for longer abroad?

Store spices in airtight jars, keep lentils and flours in dry spaces, and refrigerate ghee or pickles in warm climates. This helps preserve aroma and prevents spoilage.

5. Why do Indians abroad prefer buying groceries online instead of local stores?

Online stores offer a wider range of Indian brands, authentic quality, and doorstep delivery, especially for those who live in cities with limited Indian store options.