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    Home » Kitchen Basics

    Sambar Powder (Podi)

    Published: Jul 21, 2016 · Last Modified: Aug 22, 2022 by Kanan Patel / 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

    Sambar powder recipe - a unique spice powder blend from region of South India. Every household has their own version of making it, and today I am sharing my aunt’s recipe.

    Sambar powder in a bowl with container with spoon in the back.

    When it comes to the homemade spice powders, I always make smaller quantities except the garam masala. Garam masala is the only blend that I use almost every single day in sabzi, curry or dal. The rest are used occasionally. So I make smaller batch and it lasts for 5-6 months for me.

    If you are making sambar every single day then you may consider to make a larger batch of samabr powder. For that, you can double or triple the quantity here.

    It is also called sambar podi or masala.

    This make the BEST sambar in my opinion. You must give it a try. I have been using this since last 8-9 months. Earlier I had good experience with Badshah Madras sambar masala.

    If you made the larger batch then I would suggest store them in big container. And keep another small container or add in your masala dabba for daily use. And fill it up as needed. By doing so, you are not opening the big jar every single day and so the masala stays fresh for longer period of time.

    Check out other homemade spice powder recipes
    Rasam powder  //  Garam masala  //  Pav bhaji masala

    Step By Step Photo Instructions:

    1) First gather all the ingredients, measure it out and then we need to dry roast all the spices and dal one by one. Let’s start with coriander seeds. Take them into a pan and turn the heat on low-medium.

    2) Dry roast them with stirring constantly till they are aromatic and you notice a slight color change. Remove it to a plate

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting coriander seeds.

    3) Next roast the chana dal.

    4) Keep stirring and roasting for even browning. Remove them to the same plate.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting chana dal.

    5) Similarly roast the toor dal as well.

    6) Once light brown in color, dump that to the same plate.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting toor dal.

    7) Next take black peppercorns and small piece of cinnamon stick. Roast till peppercorns are aromatic and remove from the pan.

    8) Then dry roast the red chilies till they are slightly darken in color.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting peppercorns, cinnamon and dried chilies.

    9) Next cumin seeds till they are aromatic. Do not roast too much.

    10) Then add mustard seeds to the pan. Once they starts popping, remove.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting cumin seeds and mustard seeds.

    11) Next roast the curry leaves till they are crisp and no more moisture left. This ensure the longer shelf life of the sambar masala.

    12) Then roast the methi seeds till light brown.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting curry leaves and methi dana.

    13) Now add desiccated coconut and turn off the stove.

    14) The hot pan is enough to brown the coconut. Remove that to the plate as well.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasting coconut.

    15) Let them cool completely.

    16) Once cooled, take that to the dry grinder or spice/coffee grinder. Add turmeric powder.

    Collage of 2 images showing roasted spices in the plate and transferred to a ginger jar.

    17) Make fine powder.

    18) Remove that powder to a plate, while grinding it may become slightly warm. Let it cool down and then store in airtight container.

    Collage of 2 images showing ground powder and removed to a plate.

    this sambar powder stays good for 6-7 months in airtight container. Always use clean and moisture-free (dry) spoon to remove the needed masala powder.

    How To Use?

    • This sambar powder is used for making different sambar recipes like vegetable sambar, onion sambar. Add about 2-3 teaspoons of sambar podi for 2 servings of sambar.
    • It can be added to sabzi or vegetable stir fry, poriyal in place of garam masala or poriyal masal for a different taste and flavor.
    • This can be used in making kuzhambu (Sambar verity from Tamil Nadu) instead of kuzhambu podi as well.
    Sambar powder in a bowl.

    Did you try this sambar powder recipe at home? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.

    Step by Step Photos AboveWant to make it perfect first time? Don't forget to check out Step-by-Step photo instructions and helpful Tips & Tricks !!
    Sambar powder recipe | How to make Sambar masala/podi
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    Sambar Powder (Podi)

    4.50 from 2 votes
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and/or give ★ ratings
    Sambar powder is used while making different kind of south indian sambar.
    Author: Kanan
    Course: Basics
    Cuisine: South Indian
    Calories: 13kcal
    Servings 1 cup or 130 grams
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml) See details

    Ingredients  

    • 35 grams or ½ cup Coriander seeds (sabut dhaniya)
    • 25 grams or 2 tablespoons Chana dal (Split bengal gram)
    • 15 grams or 1 tablespoon Arhar dal (toor dal or split pigeon peas)
    • 19-20 no. or 15 grams or ½ cup Dried red chilies
    • 10 grams or 1 tablespoon Black peppercorns
    • ½ inch Cinnamon stick
    • 10 grams or 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds
    • 2 grams or ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
    • 4 sprigs or 2 tablespoons Curry leaves
    • 2 grams or ½ teaspoon Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
    • 18 grams or ¼ cup Desiccated coconut
    • 1 gram or ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder

    Instructions 

    • First gather all the ingredients, measure it out and then we need to dry roast all the spices and dal one by one.
    • Start with coriander seeds. Take them into a pan and turn the heat on low-medium.
    • Dry roast them with stirring constantly till they are aromatic and you notice a slight color change. Remove it to a plate
    • Next roast the chana dal. Keep stirring and roasting for even browning. Remove them to the same plate.
    • Similarly roast the toor dal as well. Once light brown in color, dump that to the same plate.
    • Next take black peppercorns and small piece of cinnamon stick. Roast till peppercorns are aromatic and remove from the pan.
    • Then dry roast the red chilies till they are slightly darken in color.
    • Next cumin seeds till they are aromatic. Do not roast too much.
    • Then add mustard seeds to the pan. Once they starts popping, remove.
    • Next roast the curry leaves till they are crisp and no more moisture left.
    • Then roast the methi seeds till light brown.
    • Now add desiccated coconut and turn off the stove. The hot pan is enough to brown the coconut. Remove that to the plate as well.
    • Let them cool completely.
    • Once cooled, take that to the dry grinder or spice/coffee grinder.
    • Add turmeric powder and grind into fine powder.
    • Remove that powder to a plate, while grinding it may become slightly warm.
    • Let it cool down and then store in airtight container.

    Notes

    How To Use?
    • This sambar powder is used for making different sambar recipes like vegetable sambar, onion sambar. Add about 2-3 teaspoons of sambar podi for 2 servings of sambar.
    • It can be added to sabzi or vegetable stir fry, poriyal in place of garam masala or poriyal masal for a different taste and flavor.
    • This can be used in making kuzhambu (Sambar verity from Tamil Nadu) instead of kuzhambu podi as well.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2teaspoons | Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.2g | Protein: 0.6g | Fat: 0.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 0.1g
    *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 serving
    Did you make this recipe?Snap a pic, mention @spice.up.the.curry or tag #spiceupthecurry. I would love to see.

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    1. zehra

      December 22, 2019 at 4:22 pm

      Hi konan, I am glad that I found your website. I was also happy to find some recipes of masala. I am Home-Science graduate from College of Home Science, Nirmal Niketan College in Mumbai.

      Reply
      • Kanan

        January 02, 2020 at 10:33 am

        Glad to know that masala recipes are helpful

        Reply

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