Multipurpose Cookware: Pans That Do It All in an Indian Kitchen

In a busy Indian kitchen, the best cookware is the kind that earns its place on the stovetop every single day. With evolving cooking habits, space limitations, and a growing preference for efficient tools, multipurpose cookware has become essential. These versatile pans allow you to cook more with less—saving time, effort, and storage space, while delivering perfectly cooked Indian dishes.

Whether you're preparing sabzi, dosa, dal tadka, pasta, curries, or snacks, the right multipurpose pan can truly transform how you cook. Here’s a complete guide to the pans that “do it all” in an Indian household, along with ideal options from Meyer.

Deep Kadai: The Most Versatile Indian Pan

Why It’s Multipurpose

A deep kadai is one of the most hardworking pieces of cookware in Indian kitchens. Its curved sides and depth make it suitable for both dry and gravy-based dishes.

What You Can Cook

1. Deep-frying pakoras, pooris, samosas

2. Bhuna-style sabzis and gravies

3. One-pot curries like kadhi, chole, rajma

4. Stir-frying vegetables or noodles

5. Steaming (using a stand)

Our Recommendation

Meyer Trivantage Stainless Steel Kadai

1. Nickel-free
2. Even heat distribution due to aluminum core
3. Ideal for frying, sautéing, and simmering

Tawa: Much More Than Just for Rotis

Why It’s Multipurpose

A tawa is flat or concave, with quick heat-up and an ample cooking surface—making it perfect for several dishes beyond rotis.

What You Can Cook

1. Dosa, uttapam, cheela, pancakes
2. Toasts, parathas, rotis
3. Reheating snacks or roasting papad
4. Making pizza bases or grilled sandwiches
5. Shallow-frying tikkis or cutlets

Meyer Recommendation

Meyer Hard Anodized Flat Tawa

1. Non-toxic, metal-safe surface

2. Great for high-heat Indian cooking

3. Long-lasting and uniformly heated

Sauté Pan: The Modern “One Pan Fits All” Choice

Why It’s Multipurpose

A sauté pan offers the perfect combination of depth, width, and straight sides. It is ideal for Indian cooking, where you need to simmer, reduce, fry, and sauté in the same pan.

What You Can Cook

1. Bhuna gravies
2. Paneer dishes
3. Pasta sauces
4. Sautéed veggies
5. Kofta curries
6. One-pot meals like pulao or khichdi

Meyer Recommendation

Meyer Accent Stainless Steel Sauté Pan

1. Tall sides prevent splatter

2. Works on gas + induction

3. Great for frying, simmering, and browning

4. Heavy-gauge construction for even cooking

Meyer Enamel Cast Iron Kadai, 26cm, Grey

Frypan/Skillet: A Must-Have Everyday Pan

Why It’s Multipurpose

A frying pan combines shallow sides with a flat base, perfect for quick, everyday meals—ideal for single or small families.

What You Can Cook

1. Egg dishes, omelettes, and scrambles
2. Stir-fry sabzis
3. Cutlets, kebabs, shallow-fried snacks
4. Tossed pasta, poha, upma
5. Dry masala mixes

Our Recommendation

Circulon Clad Stainless Steel Frypan

1. SteelShield hybrid nonstick + stainless steel
2. Metal utensil–safe
3. Perfect for browning and quick cooking

Dutch Oven/Casserole: Multipurpose Pot for Indian Meals

Why It’s Multipurpose

A Dutch oven is ideal for slow-cooking, simmering, and dum-style preparations—a favorite for festive and weekend meals.

What You Can Cook

1. Biryani or pulao
2. Dal makhani
3. Curries requiring long simmering
4. Soups, stews, and broths
5. Dum aloo, rajma, chole

Meyer Recommendation

Meyer Cast Iron Dutch Oven or Meyer Enamelled Casserole

1. Excellent heat retention
2. Perfect for dum-style cooking
3. Long-lasting and easy to maintain

Multi-Steamer/Stockpot: Perfect for Two-in-One Cooking

Why It’s Multipurpose

A steamer or stockpot helps you layer cooking tasks—steam, boil, and cook simultaneously. It saves time and fuel.

What You Can Cook

1. Dhokla, momos, idlis

2. Boiled pasta, noodles

3. Stocks, soups, and lentils

4. Vegetable steaming

5. Multi-layered meals

Meyer Recommendation

Meyer 3-in-1 Multi Steamer

1. Steam + boil at the same time

2. Saves cooking time and energy

3. Nickel-free and fully customizable

Grill Pan: Multipurpose for Low-Oil, High-Flavor Cooking

Why It’s Multipurpose

A grill pan adds sear marks and smoky flavor without needing a large grill setup.

What You Can Cook

1. Paneer tikka
2. Grilled vegetables
3. Chicken and fish
4. Sandwiches and wraps
5. Roasted corn

Meyer Recommendation

Meyer Cast Iron Grill Pan

1. Naturally nonstick
2. High heat tolerance
3. Perfect for tandoori-style cooking at home

Conclusion

Multipurpose cookware is the backbone of a smart, efficient Indian kitchen. The right pans help you cook faster, save space, and simplify your daily routine without compromising on taste or authenticity. From kadais and tawas to sauté pans and steamers, each piece plays multiple roles—making your cooking time smoother and more enjoyable.

With Meyer’s expertly crafted cookware—like the Meyer Trivantage Kadai, Meyer Hard Anodized Tawa, Meyer Accent Sauté Pan, Circulon Clad Frypan, and Meyer 3-in-1 Steamer—you get durability, versatility, and performance in every dish you create. Equip your kitchen with the right multipurpose pans, and experience the joy of cooking with tools that truly do it all.