How To Make Authentic South Indian Sambar? Follow These Steps

By Garima Johar

July 17, 2025

Sambar is a South Indian staple that can be enjoyed with a range of dishes like dosas, idlis, vadas, uttapams, and so on. If you want to try making this healthy staple at home, follow this recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups mixed vegetables (pumpkin, drumstick, onion, carrots) 1 cup toor dal 3 cups water 1/2 tsp turmeric Pinch of hing 1 tbsp tamarind paste 2 tbsp sambar podi Salt to taste 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 tsp cumin seeds Curry leaves 1-2 dry red chillies

Step 1

Rinse toor dal and pressure cook with water, haldi, and hing. Mash the cooked dal.

Step 2

Cook the assorted veggies with a little water till soft.

Step 3

Add tamarind paste, cooked toor dal, sambar podi, and salt. Simmer for a few minutes.

Step 4

Make the tempering with oil, mustard, cumin, curry leaves, and red chillies.

Step 5

Pour the tempering over the prepared sambar and pair it with South Indian dishes.