• Cuisine

    South Indian

  • Meal Course

    Main Course

  • Serves

    4 Servings

  • Prep Time

    30 Mins

TRADITIONAL SOUTH INDIAN RECIPE

Make Authentic South Indian Sambar at Home

This classic South Indian Sambar is packed with protein rich toor dal, fresh mixed vegetables, and the perfectly balanced spice blend of Half Spoon Sambar Masala, all coming together in one pot.

Learn the right ratio of tamarind, jaggery and masala, how to get the tempering just right, and how to adjust consistency for serving with rice, idli or dosa. One recipe, endless meals.

Priya Nair,

Recipe Writer, Aaahara Kitchen

Recipe

Ingredients

Grouped ingredients with quantities for a clean recipe-style layout.

Main Ingredients

  • Toor dal

    100 g

  • Mixed vegetables (beans, carrot, potato, drumstick, tomato)

    200 g

  • Water

    ~750 ml (adjust as needed)

  • Salt

    to taste

  • Jaggery powder

    to taste

  • Tamarind paste

    1 tbsp

  • Half Spoon Sambar Masala

    100 g

  • Turmeric

    1 tsp

Tempering (Tadka)

  • Ghee

    1 tbsp

  • Mustard seeds

    ½ tsp

  • Cumin seeds

    ½ tsp

  • Curry leaves

    few

Garnish

  • Asafoetida (hing)

    a pinch

  • Fresh coriander leaves

Instructions

  • Pressure cook the toor dal with vegetables and water until the dal is soft and easily mashable (about 3–4 whistles). Lightly mash the dal to create a smooth base while keeping some texture from the vegetables.

  • Add tamarind paste, sambar masala, salt, and jaggery. Mix well and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes. As it cooks, the flavours begin to come together, adjust water to reach your preferred consistency.

  • In a small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add cumin seeds, red chillies, curry leaves, and a pinch of hing. Let the aroma release fully.

  • Pour the hot tempering over the simmering sambar. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, this allows the flavours to settle and deepen.

Note: You can prepare 3 litres of Sambar with 100gm of Half Spoon Sambar Masala

  • Sambar Powder
  • Sambar Powder

Aaahara

Sambar Powder

₹ 49
₹ 49
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Shipping calculated at checkout.
 

Traditional roasted spice and lentil blend designed to make rich, flavourful sambar that pairs perfectly with rice, idli and dosa. Cryogenically ground to preserve 3× more volatile oils - use half the quantity for the same bold flavour.

View full details
  • Sambar Powder
  • Sambar Powder

  • -196°C

    CRYOGENIC COLD CHAIN

  • 2x

    MORE AROMA RETENTION

  • 100%

    QUALITY-TESTED BATCHES

This is why one spoon of Aaahara does more than three spoons of ordinary masala

Chef Notes Icon
Chef Notes

"The secret to a world class Sambar lies in the tadka. Always use coconut oil and let the mustard seeds dance before adding the curry leaves. It unlocks a layer of fragrance that cannot be replicated.

Do not overcook the drumsticks; they should retain their shape while absorbing the spicy tangy broth. This is the hallmark of a balanced Sambar."

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