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    Home » Indian Cuisine » South Indian

    Sambar Recipe

    Published: Jul 21, 2016 · Last Modified: Aug 22, 2022 by Kanan Patel / 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    South Indian Sambar Recipe Pin

    Sambar recipe - This is simple and basic south Indian sambar recipe. It is the part of their everyday meal for most of households in South Indian states.

    Sambar served with idli.

    In this recipe, I have used mix of vegetables (eggplant, drumstick, carrot, tomato and onion). Don’t prefer any one or more of these? Suggestions are mentioned below.

    Here I have used homemade sambar masala powder. I have tried making this with ready made, store bought one and I liked the flavor of Badshah brand.

    Step By Step Photo Instructions:

    1) First soak the tamarind in the warm water for 20-30 minutes.

    2) After the soaking time, squeeze and extract the pulp. Strain the mixture. If using seedless tamarind then you may not need to strain it. Keep it aside.

    Soak tamarind in warm water and then extract the pulp

    3) While tamarind is soaking, wash the toor dal under running cold water till water runs clear. Take washed dal into pressure cooker.

    4) Add water and cover with lid, put the weight on. Let it cook for 5-6 whistles on medium heat. Let the pressure go down by itself.

    Collage of 2 images showing toor dal in a pressure cooker and adding water.

    5) Now open the cover and dal should be cooked completely.

    6) Now using hand blender, mash/puree the dal. Keep it aside.

    Collage of 2 images showing cooked dal and mashed.

    7) Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add mustard seeds and let them pop.

    8) Now add cumin seeds and methi seeds. Let them sizzle a bit.

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

    9) Now add dried red chili and saute for 20-30 seconds.

    10) Add green chilies and curry leaves.

    Collage of 2 images showing adding dried chili and curry leaves, green chilies in the tempering.

    11) Now add shallots.

    12) Mix and cook till they are translucent or light pink in color.

    Collage of 2 images showing adding and cooking onion.

    13) Now add all the veggies (tomato, carrot, drumstick, eggplant).

    14) Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes.

    Collage of 2 images showing adding and mixing veggies.

    15) add salt, turmeric powder and sambar powder. Stir well. Add around 2 cups of water.

    16)  Cover with the lid. Cook till the vegetables are soft and tender. Do check in between and add more water if needed.

    Collage of 2 images showing adding water and simmering..

    17) Now add mashed dal and add more water to adjust the consistency. Also add above prepared tamarind water

    18) Mix well and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes. Then turn off the stove, add coriander leaves.

    Collage of 2 images showing adding cooked dal and simmering.

    It is ready to serve. If not serving right away then keep it covered. Keep in mind that as it sits, the consistency will get thicker.

    Serving suggestion: This can be served with many dishes like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, appam, pongal etc. It can be served with steamed rice as well.

    Expert Tips:

    • You can use your choice of vegetables or use just one vegetable. Depending on what you choose, it imparts its flavor and taste so choose accordingly.
    • Taste and flavor also depends on the homemade or what brand of sambar masala powder you are using. Every brand gives different spice level.
    • So if you want little spicy sambar, you can add red chili powder at the time of adding other spice powder. Or you increase the green chili quantity.
    • Instead of gathering different veggies in small quantity, you can use the frozen pack of sambar mix vegetables. Personally I have not tried it but I have seen in the Indian Grocery store here in USA.
    Sambar in a bowl garnished with cilantro and served with idli.

    Did you try this sambar recipe? 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 recipe | How to make sambar (South Indian vegetable sambar)
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    Sambar Recipe

    5 from 2 votes
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and/or give ★ ratings
    Sambar recipe – This is simple and basic south Indian vegetable sambar recipe.
    Author: Kanan
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: South Indian
    Calories: 177kcal
    Servings 6
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml) See details

    Ingredients  

    • 1 cup Arhar dal (toor dal or split pigeon peas)
    • 2 cups Water
    • 1 tablespoon Tamarind ** Instead you can use ready-made 2-3 teaspoons of tamarind paste
    • ½ cup Water (Boiling hot)
    • 2 tablespoons Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
    • 8-10 or ¼ teaspoon Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 2 Dried red chilies
    • 1 sprig or 8-10 Curry leaves
    • 2 Green chilies slit
    • 9-10 Shallots or ⅓ cup sliced onion
    • ½ stick or ¼ cup Drumstick cut into 1 inch pieces
    • 1 or ¼ cup Small baingan (baby eggplant) chopped
    • ¼ cup Tomato chopped
    • ¼ cup Carrot chopped
    • ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
    • 2 tablespoons Sambar powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 ½ +1 ½ cups Water or more or less as needed
    • 1 tablespoons Cilantro or coriander leaves chopped finely for garnishing

    Instructions 

    • First soak the tamarind in the warm water for 20-30 minutes.
    • After the soaking time, squeeze and extract the pulp. Strain the mixture.
    • If using seedless tamarind then you may not need to strain it. Keep it aside.
    • Wash the toor dal under running cold water till water runs clear.
    • Take washed dal into pressure cooker. Add water and cover with lid, put the weight on.
    • Let it cook for 5-6 whistles on medium heat. Let the pressure go down by itself.
    • Now open the cover and dal should be cooked completely.
    • Now using hand blender, mash/puree the dal. Keep it aside.
    • Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat.
    • Once hot add mustard seeds and let them pop.
    • Now add cumin seeds and methi seeds. Let them sizzle a bit.
    • Now add dried red chili and saute for 20-30 seconds.
    • Add green chilies and curry leaves.
    • Now add shallots. Mix and cook till they are translucent or light pink in color.
    • Now add all the veggies (tomato, carrot, drumstick, eggplant). Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes.
    • Also add salt, turmeric powder and sambar powder. Stir well.
    • Add around 2 cups of water. Cover with the lid. Cook till the vegetables are soft and tender.
    • Now add mashed dal and add more water to adjust the consistency. Also add above prepared tamarind water
    • Mix well and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes.
    • Then turn off the stove
    • add coriander leaves and mix

    Notes

    • You can use your choice of vegetables or use just one vegetable. Depending on what you choose, it imparts its flavor and taste so choose accordingly.
    • Taste and flavor also depends on the homemade or what brand of sambar masala powder you are using. Every brand gives different spice level.
    • So if you want little spicy sambar, you can add red chili powder at the time of adding other spice powder. Or you increase the green chili quantity.
    • Instead of gathering different veggies in small quantity, you can use the frozen pack of sambar mix vegetables. Personally I have not tried it but I have seen in the Indian Grocery store here in USA.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.4g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 7.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 3.5g | Vitamin A: 1500IU | Vitamin C: 4.1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.9mg
    *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. Srhrikant sharma

      August 12, 2019 at 12:43 am

      Looks like a delicious Sambhar recipe with all the necessary vegetables and ingredients. The pictures you have shared of each stage look nice. Keep sharing such posts with special recipes from south. I am a big fan of South Indian food. I am going to try this recipe at home.

      Reply
      • Kanan

        August 14, 2019 at 10:12 am

        Sure. do try and let me know how you like it

        Reply
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    Kanan

    Hi, I'm Kanan Patel. I share easy, delicious vegetarian recipes (mostly Indian) and Eggless baking recipes that you can sure count on!

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