Vegan Friendly South Indian Sambar  Full of Flavor

Vegan Friendly South Indian Sambar Full of Flavor

ShutterStock By : Naina Rawool November 08. 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-5fd8d605-f9d5-4d90-aaeb-c65cccdcc687","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70bfdb48-581b-451d-89b6-b577ac660e60","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77f72e9b-d263-4083-9474-be2d482236a1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.312499862333134%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Discover the rich and flavorful world of Sambar, a beloved South Indian dish made with lentils, veggies, and spices. Let’s dive in Discover the rich and flavorful world of Sambar, a beloved South Indian dish made with lentils, veggies, and spices. Let’s dive in ShutterStock Learn more

Ingredients You’ll Need For Sambar Recipe

[{"selector":"#anim-222d1366-4a97-4932-a8ff-0e7a5ecb9890","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40bf7a89-b5cb-4d40-a015-194e6646940d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.85559%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48f63d2a-6ed5-400a-a7e8-6c60f28d3fc6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-310db179-4357-4d86-a521-f90d2d901bcc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 138.81486%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e6fbf7f9-c7b0-49d5-ab6e-feb946631b05 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Toor dal (lentils) Tamarind pulp Vegetables (carrot, potato, drumstick) Onion , tomato , garlic Sambar powder & spice Red chili , curry leave Salt , oil , hing , muster seed

Cooking The Toor Dal

[{"selector":"#anim-7f0723f9-7205-4bef-9524-f37cf4975a3d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a47889e4-0973-4dd6-a029-bb0380324c2d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.59176%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-946ac2a9-7f2a-44bf-a642-c7ce39ab7c83","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39d9bbdf-1d0f-4778-9554-9646b802961a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 151.09127%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ed54ee86-0f2c-45c1-9b55-36df4da0b824 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Begin by washing the toor dal thoroughly. Cook in a pressure cooker with enough water until soft, forming the hearty base for your Sambar.

Prepare The Vegetables

[{"selector":"#anim-61296c8a-15eb-4014-9911-831078f2cf6b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8229e60a-766a-43a5-9220-ba4050a9f176","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.59459%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cdb2d64-9c99-495f-a545-aa6426d2d3c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c899dd00-9ba5-4480-a41d-7dd813b17684","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.41831%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64424ebe-eb00-4961-8ae1-e6392a4611d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Boil veggies with salt and a bit of turmeric until soft. Add chopped tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes.

Tamarind Magic Adding Tang

[{"selector":"#anim-d2577832-e448-41ce-b9db-ae0b7f653b9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1cb95ea-a1ee-413a-b40f-c9087fb3fe7e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.73771%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46e01f3a-cf1e-4b33-8fd8-24af61e35e3c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16881523-c404-4201-8da1-4554aab8e771","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 151.09127%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e92d272c-e4d8-4ba0-9ef5-ce57ba889438 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Soak tamarind in warm water for 15 minutes, then extract the pulp. Add it to your cooked dal for that perfect tangy flavor that defines Sambar!

Spices That Make Sambar Irresistible

[{"selector":"#anim-71da744a-61bd-4f3b-afcd-74577e2975ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc323f21-3fba-4d3c-8bd4-046d410f4de2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad6663d6-eba4-4c46-91ce-595e5a16e8db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c6ac854-fd74-4998-bf8e-bd08453fe4e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 151.09127%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-921f1867-3188-4fa0-a8c6-0d1ad31f13f2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Add Sambar powder, turmeric, and salt to the cooked dal. Stir well for an aromatic, flavorful stew that will make your taste buds dance

Tempering For Extra Flavor

[{"selector":"#anim-c13bee08-f49c-4dfb-9e37-cffe7f5042b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b5294fe-fe63-4009-80c1-b9cfe1596ebb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98ce36a2-085e-44cb-84b1-0d7fbbbcc790","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3efa69e1-81f2-4402-98a4-685569b4157b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 151.09127%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-368da6e5-1ae6-44ff-b0a5-b0b9891febf2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Heat oil and add mustard seeds, dried red chilies, curry leaves, and a pinch of hing (asafoetida). This tempering adds a burst of flavor to your Sambar!

Tempering For Extra Flavor

[{"selector":"#anim-d5ea30d3-f61f-4293-bc2d-8a623af8bf1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28467530-3708-490f-86c5-2dbafb1c72a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e9d3696-12c2-4073-9c27-b77b094e6e64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4214eba5-22f2-4727-b135-4f19fa1a18e1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.62699%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Heat oil and add mustard seeds, dried red chilies, curry leaves, and a pinch of hing (asafoetida). This tempering adds a burst of flavor to your Sambar!

Serve & Savor The Delicious Sambar

[{"selector":"#anim-6a45906d-91fd-4ea2-8a6f-41d8978bf1be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ee0bb0b-44b0-4b5e-bdbc-4957ed131ec3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-136.44444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0ea319e-820c-4f2e-8eb2-b0ea792262ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80a5f9ab-76a3-4fa5-b3dc-e4acd6a212e8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 228.33968%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c584811f-1baf-49e0-bc07-79ce1d50a4a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Once your Sambar is ready, serve it hot with rice, dosa, or idli. Enjoy the authentic taste of South India in every bite! ShutterStock Learn more