Ready in

45 mins

Cuisine

Indian · South Indian

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

35 min

Serving

4 People

Difficulty

Easy

Calories / Serving

~180 kcal

Spicy Level

Recipe by NayanasVegKitchen on YouTube
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All Ingredients

Main Ingredients

All Ingredients

For Tempering

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.

  1. Cook the Radish

    Add 1 cup of peeled and sliced radish to a pot. Pour in 1 cup of water.

  2. Season and Cook Radish

    Add 1/4 tsp of salt to the radish and water. Stir well, then cover the pot and let it cook for until the radish is tender.

  3. Add Sambar Powder

    After , uncover the pot. Add 1 tbsp of sambar powder.

  4. Continue Seasoning

    Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp of red chili powder to the pot.

  5. Add Sweetness (Optional)

    Optionally, add 1 tsp of jaggery for a touch of sweetness.

  6. Incorporate Coconut

    Stir in 1 tbsp of grated fresh coconut.

  7. Add Curry Leaves and Simmer

    Add a few curry leaves to the mixture. Cover the pot and let it boil for another to allow the flavors to meld.

  8. Add Cooked Dal

    Once the radish is cooked well with the spices, add 1/2 cup of cooked and mashed toor dal to the pot. Stir to combine.

  9. Add Fresh Coriander

    Stir in chopped coriander leaves.

  10. Add Tamarind

    Pour in 1 tbsp of tamarind water. Adjust jaggery and tamarind to balance the taste according to your preference.

  11. Adjust Seasoning and Simmer

    Add 1 tsp of salt (or to taste). Let the sambar for another .

  12. Prepare Tempering

    In a separate small pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil or ghee. Add 1/4 tsp of mustard seeds and let them splutter.

  13. Add Cumin and Hing

    Add 1/4 tsp of cumin seeds and a pinch of hing to the hot oil.

  14. Finish Tempering

    Add a few curry leaves to the . Switch off the flame and let them splutter for a few seconds.

  15. Combine and Serve

    Pour the prepared into the radish sambar. Mix well. Your delicious radish sambar is now ready to be served hot with rice, idli, dosa, or flatbreads.

Before You Cook

Helpful details before you start
Ingredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.
View 6 swaps
  • No Jaggery?

    • Dark brown sugar (1:1)
    • Muscovado sugar (1:1)
  • No Curry leaves?

    • 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
  • No Cilantro?

    • Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
    • Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
  • No Tamarind paste?

    • 1 tbsp lime juice + 1 tbsp brown sugar (per 1 tbsp paste)
    • Pomegranate molasses (1:1)
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
  • No Asafoetida (hing)?

    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1/4 tsp onion powder

Helpful Tips

Small details that can improve the final result.

  • TipServe with Rice

    Idli, dosa, chapati, or bhakri.

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