Sambar is an iconic South Indian dish that perfectly blends tangy tamarind, hearty lentils, and a medley of fresh vegetables into a comforting stew. This All Veg Sambar Recipe is an absolute delight for anyone looking to enjoy a wholesome, nutritious, and flavorful meal.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and yields a rich, aromatic sambar that can be paired with rice, dosa, or even idli. The vibrant mix of vegetables not only enhances the taste but also adds a beautiful texture and color to the dish, making it both appetizing and healthy.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can use seasonal vegetables or whatever you have on hand, making it a perfect dish for any time of the year.
The traditional tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies creates an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth. Get ready to savor a bowl of sambar that promises comfort, nutrition, and authentic South Indian flavors in every spoonful!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This All Veg Sambar is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it an ideal choice for a balanced diet. The combination of lentils and vegetables provides ample protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.
The tangy tamarind base adds a unique flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
It’s a one-pot dish that cooks relatively quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family meals. The aromatic tempering adds a burst of flavor that elevates this humble stew to restaurant-quality goodness.
If you love experimenting with spices and vegetables, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Toor dal (split pigeon peas)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, pumpkin, drumsticks, and brinjal)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup tamarind pulp (soaked and extracted from a lemon-sized ball of tamarind)
- 3 cups water
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 1 tbsp sambar powder (store-bought or homemade)
- 10-12 curry leaves
- 2 dried red chilies
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
Equipment
- Pressure cooker or large pot
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and chopping board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small frying pan for tempering
Instructions
- Prepare the dal: Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water until water runs clear. Soak for 15-20 minutes to reduce cooking time.
- Cook the dal: In a pressure cooker, add the soaked dal and 2 cups of water. Cook for 3-4 whistles until soft and mushy. If using a pot, cook until the dal is thoroughly soft, which may take 30-40 minutes. Mash the dal lightly and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables: In a large pot, add chopped mixed vegetables, onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and 1 cup water. Cook until vegetables are tender but not mushy, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add tamarind pulp and spices: To the cooked vegetables, add tamarind extract, sambar powder, and salt. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine dal with vegetables: Add the cooked dal to the simmering vegetable mixture. Mix well and adjust consistency by adding water as needed. Let it cook together on low flame for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare the tempering (tadka): In a small frying pan, heat oil or ghee. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Sauté until mustard seeds start to pop and spices release aroma.
- Mix tempering into sambar: Pour the hot tempering over the sambar and cover immediately. This sizzling tempering adds a burst of flavor and aroma.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice, idli, or dosa.
Tips & Variations
Tip: Use freshly ground sambar powder for the best flavor. You can toast and grind coriander seeds, chana dal, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, and mustard seeds at home.
For a richer taste, substitute oil with ghee in the tempering. Adding a pinch of jaggery balances the tanginess of tamarind perfectly.
You can customize vegetables based on availability—try adding drumsticks, bottle gourd, or even spinach for variation.
If you want a thinner sambar, add more water while simmering. For a thicker consistency, cook longer without lid to reduce liquid.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 180 kcal |
Protein | 9 g |
Carbohydrates | 28 g |
Dietary Fiber | 7 g |
Fat | 5 g |
Vitamin A | 25% DV |
Vitamin C | 20% DV |
Iron | 15% DV |
Serving Suggestions
Sambar is traditionally served with steamed white rice or South Indian staples like idli and dosa. It also pairs beautifully with Bread And Gravy Recipe for a fusion twist.
You can enjoy it with crispy papadums or a side of coconut chutney for a complete meal.
For a heartier meal, serve sambar alongside a fresh salad or a simple stir-fried vegetable dish. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, sambar with Breakfast Wellington Recipe makes a unique and satisfying combo.
The warmth and comfort of sambar make it perfect for any meal of the day.
Conclusion
The All Veg Sambar Recipe is a versatile, nutritious, and delicious dish that brings authentic South Indian flavors straight to your kitchen. With its rich, tangy base and colorful assortment of vegetables, this sambar offers the perfect harmony of taste and health benefits.
It’s an excellent way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while enjoying a comforting and hearty meal.
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is simple enough to become a go-to favorite. Don’t forget to experiment with different vegetables and tempering variations to customize it to your taste.
For more inspiring recipes that complement your sambar, check out our Braised Pork Ribs With Radish Recipe and Bluebill Duck Recipes. Happy cooking and enjoy every spoonful of this comforting delight!
đź“– Recipe Card: All Veg Sambar
Description: A flavorful South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with tamarind and spices. Perfect as a wholesome meal accompaniment or on its own.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT55M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, drumsticks, pumpkin, eggplant)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 2 tbsp sambar powder
- 10 curry leaves
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse toor dal and pressure cook with 3 cups water until soft.
- Soak tamarind paste in 1 cup warm water and extract juice.
- Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add tomatoes, green chilies, and mixed vegetables; cook for 5 minutes.
- Add tamarind extract, cooked dal, sambar powder, and salt.
- Add remaining water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and garnish with coriander leaves if desired.
- Serve hot with rice or idli.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 5 g | Carbs: 35 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “All Veg Sambar”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with tamarind and spices. Perfect as a wholesome meal accompaniment or on its own.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)”, “2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, drumsticks, pumpkin, eggplant)”, “1 medium onion, chopped”, “1 medium tomato, chopped”, “2 tbsp tamarind paste”, “2 green chilies, slit”, “1 tsp mustard seeds”, “1 tsp cumin seeds”, “1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing)”, “2 tbsp sambar powder”, “10 curry leaves”, “2 tbsp oil”, “Salt to taste”, “4 cups water”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Rinse toor dal and pressure cook with 3 cups water until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Soak tamarind paste in 1 cup warm water and extract juice.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onions and saut\u00e9 until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tomatoes, green chilies, and mixed vegetables; cook for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tamarind extract, cooked dal, sambar powder, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add remaining water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Adjust seasoning and garnish with coriander leaves if desired.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot with rice or idli.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “35 g”}}