Banana Leaves in Indian Cooking

Jump to:

• What is a banana leaf?
• Where to buy banana leaves?
• How are banana leaves used in Indian cooking?
• Tips for cooking with banana leaves
• Storage Tips
• Using banana leafs as plates
• Traditional banana leaf meals

What is a banana leaf?

Banana leafs are large green leaves from a banana tree. They are used in various cuisines and cultures, especially those in tropical regions. In Indian culture, banana leaves are used in cooking, serve as compostable plates for serving food, and are used as decoration. Though the banana leaf is used as a vehicle for food, it isn't eaten directly.

Where to buy banana leaves?

Banana leaves can often be found in the United States in Indian, Asian, and Latin American grocery stores in the freezer section. On rare occasions, they can be bought fresh at Indian grocery stores. You can also buy banana leaves online from Amazon.

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How are banana leaves used in Indian cooking?

Banana leaves are used to wrap and grill, stew, or steam different Indian dishes. Think of them as compostable aluminum foil wrappers that can encase any dish while also imparting it with a subtle sweet/herbal taste. Here are more specific use cases and techniques where banana leaves are used in Indian cooking:

• Grilling Meats/Fish: Typically whole fish or meat dishes are marinated, wrapped in a banana leaf, and then grilled. The banana leaf helps the meat roast without the masala sticking to the pan, slightly steam and cook in the center, get delicious char marks on the exterior without burning, and impart the subtle aroma of the banana leaf.
  • Examples: Kerala Style Fish (Kerala Meen Pollichatu), Paturi (Bengali Fish)
• Steaming: Different rice batters are added to the banana leaf and then steamed to create both sweet and savory dishes. The batters can be added in a thin layer in between the banana leaf and then stuffed with filling or the banana leaf can be cut into the shape of cups to hold the batter.
  • Examples: Panki, Khotto, Elayappam
• Stewing: Kizhi Parotta is a South Indian dish where a flaky parotta flatbread is layered with a curry and then wrapped in a banana leaf. The wrapped up package is then placed on a pan and allowed to warm together. This process allows the curry to warm, soak into the parotta, and combine them into one!
  • Example: Kizhi Parotta

Tips for cooking with banana leaves

• If buying frozen banana leaves, thaw them for at least 30 minutes.
• Wash banana leaves with clean water to ensure that there isn't dirt or debris.
• Lightly sweep the banana leaf over the stove on low flame. This helps warm up the banana leaf so that it is easier to fold.
• Use banana leaf stalks, twine, or toothpicks to help fasten banana leaves shut. I personally prefer twine to help really tie the banana leaf together tightly.

Storage Tips

Tightly wrap banana leaf in a plastic wrap. If you are using the banana leaf in the next 2-3 days, it can be placed in the fridge. If the banana leaf is needed after 3+ days, place it in the freezer. It can last in the freezer for months if it is properly covered. Simply take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw for ~30 minutes, give it a nice wash, and use it either for cooking/serving.

Using banana leafs as plates

Banana leaves are also used as plates for serving meals. Since the banana plant is so abundant in India, it is an eco-friendly, affordable, and compostable option for serving large crowds. Nowadays, banana leaves are used for special-occasion banana leaf meals like Indian weddings. Banana leaves also serve as plates for families that don't want non-vegetarian food to touch their household plates; instead the disposable banana leaf is used for any meat-related products.

Traditional banana leaf meals

A traditional banana leaf meal consists of some carbs, usually a combo of rice and flatbreads, served along various different kinds of dals, curries, pickles, and sweets. If you want to learn more about creating a banana leaf meal or etiquette when it comes to eating on a banana leaf, read this blog post here.

This is a high level overview of banana leaves in Indian cooking! Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought of this article and if it was helpful to you! I always love hearing your questions and your comments 🙂