Sambar I Recipe (Ready in 60 Min)

An easy vegetarian built around toor dal, mixed vegetables, cubed and sambar masala — roughly 60 minutes start to finish, and rated medium to make. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 6 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.

You'll mainly reach for pan and large pot. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.

How to make it

Rinse the toor dal in several changes of water until it runs clear, then add it to a pot with the water and turmeric.
Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then simmer covered for about 30 minutes until the dal is very soft and breaks apart, mashing it lightly to a coarse puree.
Add the cubed mixed vegetables and the sliced onion to the dal, top up with a little hot water if needed, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the tamarind paste, sambar masala, sugar and salt, then let the sambar simmer gently for another 8 to 10 minutes so the flavors meld.
Heat the oil or ghee in a small pan over medium heat, add the mustard seeds and let them crackle, then add the curry leaves and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
Pour this hot tempering over the sambar, stir it through, and serve hot with rice or idli.

You'll use: Pan · Large pot · Saucepan

Tips & common questions

How long does Sambar I take to make?

About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 12 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.

Can I scale this recipe up or down?

Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.

Is Sambar I vegetarian?

Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.