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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Dal

    Published: May 4, 2022 | Last Updated On: Oct 23, 2023 by Neha Mathur

    Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar

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    Jump to Recipe

    This Kerala Sambar (Varutharacha Sambar) is made using lentils, vegetables, tamarind, and freshly ground coconut masala. Try this traditional recipe at home (vegan, can be easily made gluten-free).

    Do try my Mullangi Sambar and Traditional Sambar.

    Kerala Style Varutharacha sambar served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Kerala Sambar
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar

    Kerala Sambar, traditionally known as Varutharacha Sambar is a tangy and spicy lentil recipe from the state of Kerala (South India).

    Varuthuracha means roasted and ground coconut paste. Kerala Sambar has this freshly ground coconut paste added to it hence the name.

    This recipe is easy to make and uses simple pantry ingredients. It is loaded with amazing flavors and I can assure you that once you have a sip of this lentil curry, you will be hooked to it.

    Kerela style sambar is served with steamed rice and a dollop of ghee in Kerala households. It also tastes great with breakfast recipes such as idli, dosa, vada, or uttapam.

    You can cook the lentils in either a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot. I am sharing both methods in the post below, choose the one that suits you the best.

    I make this Kerala style varutharacha sambar recipe in my 3-quart instant pot or 3.5-liter pressure cooker. You can scale the recipe but make it in bigger pots. The time of cooking will remain the same.

    Here are some more Kerala Recipes that you may like

    • Kerala Parotta
    • Moru Curry
    • Ulli Theeyal
    • Kerala Style Pineapple Pachadi
    • Kerala Rasam
    • Kerala Style Ginger Chutney
    • Sambaram
    • Kerala Shrimp Curry
    • Mambazha Pulissery

    Ingredients

    Kerala style sambar ingredients 1
    Kerala style sambar masala ingredients
    Kerala sambar tempering ingredients

    For The Sambar

    Lentils – Just like most sambar recipes, this Kerala sambar recipe also uses toor dal (yellow pigeon peas lentils). You can replace tuvar dal with yellow moong dal or pink masoor dal also.

    Veggies – You can add any vegetable of your choice to the Kerala sambar recipe. I have added carrots, drumsticks, potatoes, brinjal, yellow pumpkin, and tomatoes, but you can also add cauliflower, white pumpkin, ladies finger, bottle gourd, snake gourd, french green beans, etc.

    This recipe is a great way to use up all the leftover veggies sitting in your fridge.

    Tamarind – Tamarind pulp is used to add tanginess to the sambar.

    Others – You will also need turmeric powder, water, and salt.

    For The Kerala Sambar Masala

    Kerala Sambar is made using a freshly ground sambar masala paste prepared with coconut oil, Bengal gram (chana dal), split & skinned black lentils (white urad dal), fenugreek seeds (methi dana), whole coriander seeds, dry red chilies, asafetida (hing), onions, curry leaves, and fresh coconut.

    Avoid adding asafetida (hing) to make it gluten-free.

    For The Tempering (Tadka)

    Kerala sambar is tempered with a tadka of coconut oil, brown mustard seeds, dry red chilies, and curry leaves.

    How To Make Kerala Sambar

    Cook The Lentils

    In An Instant Pot

    Rinse 1 cup toor dal well with water 2-3 times until the water runs clear.

    Add the lentils to a 3-quart instant pot along with

    • 4 cups of water
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

    and stir gently.

    Lentils, salt and turmeric added to instant pot.
    Water added to the pot.

    Close the lid of the instant pot and set the valve to the sealing position.

    Lid closed and valve set to sealing.

    Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 10 minutes at high pressure.

    Timer set to 10 minutes.

    Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

    Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

    Mash the lentils with the back of a ladle.

    Note – To cook the lentils in a traditional pressure cooker, pressure cook (in a 3.5-4 liters cooker) for 1 whistle on high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.

    Cooked lentils.

    Make The Kerala Sambar Masala Paste

    While the lentils are cooking, make the sambar masala paste.

    Heat 3 tablespoon coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

    Coconut oil heating in a pan.

    Once the oil is hot, add 2 teaspoon chana dal and 2 teaspoon white urad dal and fry till they turn golden brown, stirring frequently.

    Chana dal and urad dal added to the pan.

    Add

    • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
    • 2 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
    • 5-6 whole dry red chilies (stalks removed)
    • ½ teaspoon asafetida
    • 1 cup thinly sliced onions
    • 15-20 curry leaves

    and fry for 2-3 minutes.

    Fenugreek, mustard, coriander seeds, red chilies, hing, onions and curry leaves added to the pan.

    Add ½ cup grated fresh coconut and fry for another 2-3 minutes.

    Coconut added to the pan.

    Remove the pan from heat and let the masala cool down to room temperature.

    Roasted ingredients in the pan.

    Once the masala is cooled, add it to a blender along with ½ cup water and blend to make a smooth paste.

    Roasted ingredients added to a blender.
    Fine sambar paste made.

    Make The Sambar

    Add the masala paste to the cooked dal in the instant pot and mix well.

    Masala paste added to cooked dal.

    Add

    • 4 cups of mixed vegetables (I used a mix of carrots, potatoes, brinjal, and yellow pumpkin, cut into ½-inch cubes)
    • drumsticks (cut into 2-inch pieces)
    • 1 cup of chopped tomatoes

    to the pot and mix well. Close the lid again.

    Veggies and tomatoes added to the cooked dal.
    Stirred well.
    Lid closed.

    Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 3 minutes at high pressure.

    Timer set to 2 minutes.

    Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

    Cooked sambar.

    Stir in 3 tablespoon tamarind pulp.

    Adding tamarind pulp to the pot.

    Add more water if the sambar is too thick for your liking.

    Check for salt and tamarind pulp and add more if required.

    Note – If cooking the sambar in a traditional pressure cooker, then pressure cook for 3 whistles on high heat.

    Temper The Sambar

    Heat 2 tablespoon coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

    Oil heating in a pan.

    Once the oil is hot, add

    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 3-4 whole dry red chilies
    • 12-15 curry leaves

    and fry for 4-5 seconds.

    Mustard seeds, dry red chilies and curry leaves added to hot oil.

    Pour the tempering over the sambhar and mix well.

    Serve hot with rice.

    Tempering poured over the kerala sambar.
    Ready Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar.

    Serving Suggestions

    Kerala sambar can be served for everyday Indian meals with simple steamed rice topped with a dollop of ghee and papad (Elai Vadam) or banana chips on the side.

    It is also a must preperation for onam sadya and vishu sadya.

    Garnish the sambar with fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) before serving.

    You can also serve your choice of poriyal or thoran on the side for a complete meal.

    It can also be served for breakfast with idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, or pongal.

    Storage Suggestions

    Kerala Sambar will last for 3-4 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan or microwave until nice and warm before serving.

    It is freezer-friendly too! You can freeze it for up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat before serving again.

    You Might Also Like

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      Maharashtrian Katachi Amti
    • Malwa Dal is a light and delicious Indian lentil recipe popular in the Malwa region (some parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh) of India. Make it for your everyday meals using this easy recipe.
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    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    This Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar is made using lentils, vegetables, tamarind and a freshly ground coconut masala. Try this traditional recipe at home.

    Kerala Style Varutharacha Sambar Recipe

    This Kerala Sambar (Varutharacha Sambar) is made using lentils, vegetables, tamarind, and a freshly ground coconut masala. Try this traditional recipe at home.
    3.67 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Vegetarian Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 426kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    For The Sambar

    • 1 cup Pigeon peas lentils (toor dal)
    • 4 cups water
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
    • 4 cups mixed vegetables (I used a mix of carrots, potatoes, brinjal, and yellow pumpkin, cut into ½-inch cubes. and drumsticks cut into 2-inch pieces.)
    • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
    • 3 tablespoons tamarind pulp

    For The Sambhar Masala

    • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
    • 2 teaspoons Bengal gram (chana dal)
    • 2 teaspoons split & skinned black lentils (white urad dal)
    • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
    • 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds (dhaniya)
    • 5-6 whole dry red chiies
    • ½ teaspoon asafetida (hing) (skip for gluten-free)
    • 1 cup thinly sliced onions
    • 15-20 curry leaves
    • ½ cup grated fresh coconut

    For The Tempering

    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 3-4 whole dry red chilies
    • 12-15 curry leaves
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    Instructions

    Cook The Lentils

    • Rinse the lentils well with water 2-3 times until the water runs clear.
    • Add the lentils to a 3-quart instant pot along with 4 cups of water, salt, and turmeric powder, and stir gently.
    • Close the lid of the instant pot and set the valve to the sealing position.
    • Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 10 minutes at high pressure.
    • Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
    • Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.
    • Mash the lentils with the back of a ladle.
    • Note – To cook the lentils in a traditional pressure cooker, pressure cook (in a 3.5-4 liters cooker) for 1 whistle on high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.

    Make The Sambar Masala Paste

    • While the lentils are cooking, make the sambar masala paste.
    • Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
    • Once the oil is hot, add chana dal and urad dal and fry till they turn golden brown, stirring frequently.
    • Add fenugreek seeds, whole coriander, seeds, dry red chilies, asafetida, onions, and curry leaves, and fry for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add coconut and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
    • Remove the pan from heat and let the masala cool down to room temperature.
    • Once the masala is cooled, add it to a blender along with ½ cup water and blend to make a smooth paste.

    Make The Sambar

    • Add the masala paste to the cooked dal in the instant pot and mix well.
    • Add the vegetables and tomatoes to the pot and close the lid again.
    • Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 3 minutes.
    • Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
    • Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.
    • Stir in the tamarind pulp.
    • Add more water if the sambar is thick for your liking.
    • Check for salt and tamarind pulp and add more if required.
    • Note – If cooking the sambar in a traditional pressure cooker, then pressure cook for 3 whistles on high heat.

    Temper The Sambar

    • Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
    • Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, dry red chilies, and curry leaves and fry for 4-5 seconds.
    • Pour the tempering over the sambhar and mix well
    • Serve hot with rice.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsV1HxNGQ6c&t=32s

    Notes

    You can replace tuvar dal with yellow moong dal or pink masoor dal also.
    You can add any vegetable of your choice to the Kerala sambar recipe. I have added carrots, drumsticks, potatoes, brinjal, pumpkin, and tomatoes, but you can also add cauliflower, bottle gourd, french green beans, etc.
    Avoid adding asafetida (hing) to make it gluten-free.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 1048mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 7269IU | Vitamin C: 218mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 6mg
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    More Dal Recipes

    • Panchmel Dal (Panchratan Dal) is a popular Rajasthani lentil recipe that is prepared with a combination of 5 lentils. It is traditionally served with bati but you can also enjoy it with steamed rice or phulka. Make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or in an instant pot.
      Panchmel Dal
    • Make North Indian style White Urad Dal (Dhuli Urad Dal) using my easy recipe and serve it for everyday Indian-style meals. You can make this recipe in a traditional pressure cooker or in an instant pot (vegetarian).
      North Indian Style White Urad Dal
    • Navratan Dal is a North Indian lentil recipe prepared with 9 different types of dals (lentils). It is best served with jeera rice or lachha paratha (gluten-free and can be made vegan).
      Navratan Dal (Mixed Spicy Lentils)
    • Dal is a staple in most Indian households and this North Indian Home Style Toor Dal (Arhar Dal) along with steamed rice is my ultimate comfort food. Make it in a traditional pressure or an instant pot (vegetarian, can be easily made vegan and gluten-free).
      North Indian Home Style Toor Dal (Arhar Dal)

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      Recipe Rating





    1. Nipoon Mankad

      August 08, 2021 at 4:26 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic….. since a long time was wanting to make sambhar Kerala style….since I have a Kerala connection, and being a gujju i’am a foodie to the core. Thank you very much for the recipe. 🙏🙏….. and by the way we are from the same profession……. except that i’am a dental technician.

      Reply

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