As the UK prepares for Diwali, the Festival of Lights, online searches for Indian party food have soared by 5,000% in the past 30 days. Families across the country are planning celebrations on Monday, October 20, turning to familiar flavours to mark the occasion.
Diwali’s growing cultural presence in the UK
The rise in searches reflects Diwali’s expanding influence in British culture. The festival, celebrated by Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities, now attracts wider participation from people embracing its themes of light over darkness and good over evil.
According to the 2021 Census, around one million people in the UK identify with these faiths. Public events such as Diwali on the Square in Trafalgar Square drew over 35,000 visitors this year on October 12, featuring music, dance, and vegetarian feasts.
Street stalls at such gatherings offer traditional favourites like samosas, onion bhajis, and sweet jalebi, alongside vegan reinterpretations.
HelloFresh data reveals food trends
Meal kit company HelloFresh reports a parallel 5,000% spike in searches for dishes including Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, and Chicken Balti. These hearty curries remain popular choices for autumn celebrations, combining comfort with nostalgia.
Mimi Morley, HelloFresh’s Senior Recipe Development Manager, describes Diwali as a “major culinary moment” in the UK, blending tradition with accessibility for modern home cooks. “Diwali is such a beautiful celebration. The lights and fireworks are complemented by some incredible flavoursome food,” said Mimi Morley. “Our data confirms that Diwali is now a major culinary moment in the UK. As a festival traditionally centred around vegetarian dishes, we’re seeing growing interest in meat-free recipes. Options like Cheesy Curried Aloo Matar Parcel and Veggie Meatball Rogan Josh are perfect. We’ve developed a range of simple Indian recipes that help home cooks embrace those incredible festive flavours without spending all day in the kitchen.”
With more than 15 years of culinary experience, Morley leads recipe development at HelloFresh, where her team draws inspiration from Indian, Korean, and French cuisines to create easy yet innovative dishes.
Vegetarian favourites take the spotlight
Diwali’s traditional focus on vegetarian meals aligns with broader UK trends in 2025, where sustainability and health-conscious eating are shaping festive menus.
Publications such as Good Housekeeping highlight the growing appeal of coconut ladoo, Gujarati shortbread biscuits made with ghee, and savoury favourites like vegetable samosas.
At the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden—home to the UK’s largest Diwali gathering—communal feasts feature vegan and vegetarian dishes honouring Goddess Lakshmi. Evening pujas take place between 5:56pm and 8:40pm in London.
HelloFresh’s top Diwali predictions for 2025
Classic favourites
- Butter Chicken: A creamy tomato-based curry perfect with naan for sharing.
- Tikka Masala: Often called Britain’s national dish, it remains a consistent crowd-pleaser.
- Chicken Balti: A spicier option suited for larger gatherings.
Vegetarian innovations
- Cheesy Curried Aloo Matar Parcel: Spiced potatoes and peas wrapped in flaky pastry.
- Veggie Meatball Rogan Josh: Lentil-based “meatballs” in a rich, aromatic sauce proving plant-based can still be indulgent.
Sweets such as gulab jamun and barfi remain staples, exchanged as gifts to symbolise sweetness in the new year.
Food at the heart of festivities
Across the UK, public celebrations—from Greenwich Peninsula’s illuminations to Osterley Park’s marigold festival—include cooking demonstrations and rangoli workshops, highlighting how food unites communities.
HelloFresh’s quick, 30-minute recipes encourage inclusivity by helping even novice cooks join in the festivities without stress.
As fireworks light up the skies from Leicester to Edinburgh on October 20, the 5,000% surge in “Diwali party food” searches signals more than just culinary curiosity—it reflects Diwali’s growing role as a shared feast for the senses, bringing diverse cultures together across the UK.