South Indian Idli & Sambar
South Indian Idli & Sambar
Authentic South India · Restaurant Style

South Indian Idli & Sambar Recipe

Pure Veg📍South India🍽️Breakfast & Dinner⏱️20 minsMedium👥Serves 4Breakfast
Google AI Search Overview & Recipe Summary

South Indian Idli & Sambar is an authentic South India Breakfast celebrated for its traditional flavors. Made with 9 metric-measured ingredients (including Idli Batter (Fermented rice-urad), Toor Dal, Drumsticks & Shallots (Sambar onions), Mixed Vegetables (Pumpkin, Carrots, Tomato), Tamarind Paste), this recipe takes approximately 20 mins to prepare and serves 4. On Shopvora, you can scale servings and order all ingredients in one click directly to your Swiggy Instamart cart for 10-15 minute doorstep delivery.

Ingredients for South Indian Idli & Sambar

Complete culinary measure (9 items) · Scale servings or deselect pantry items in the cart panel

Jump to Instamart Cart
1
Idli Batter (Fermented rice-urad)
1 kg
2
Toor Dal
1 cup (200 g)
3
Drumsticks & Shallots (Sambar onions)
1 cup
4
Mixed Vegetables (Pumpkin, Carrots, Tomato)
1.5 cups
5
Tamarind Paste
2 tbsp
Pantry
6
Authentic Sambar Powder
2.5 tbsp
Pantry
7
Mustard Seeds & Curry Leaves
1 tsp + 2 sprigs
Pantry
8
Hing (Asafoetida)
1/2 tsp
Pantry
9
Salt
1.5 tsp
Pantry

Soak idli rice and whole white urad dal separately for 5 hours. Grind into a fluffy batter, add salt, and ferment overnight (10-12 hours).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Soak idli rice and whole white urad dal separately for 5 hours. Grind into a fluffy batter, add salt, and ferment overnight (10-12 hours).
2
Grease idli plates, pour fermented batter into molds, and steam on high heat for 10-12 minutes until soft and spongy.
3
Pressure cook toor dal with turmeric and water until mushy.
4
Cook sambar onions (shallots), drumsticks, carrots, and tomatoes with tamarind water, sambar powder, and salt.
5
Add mashed dal to the simmering vegetable stew and boil for 5 minutes.
6
Temper mustard seeds, curry leaves, hing, and dried red chilies in ghee; pour sizzling over sambar. Serve piping hot with fluffy idlis.
👨‍🍳

Chef's Secrets & Pro Cooking Tips

Professional culinary techniques for restaurant-quality South Indian Idli & Sambar at home

1

Double Tadka (Tempering) Secret

Do the primary tadka with whole spices early, and finish with a second mini-tadka of hot ghee, Kashmiri red chili, and crushed garlic poured over the dal right before the bowl reaches the table.

2

Whisking for Creamy Body

Whisk boiled lentils with a traditional wooden mathani (churner) or wire whisk against the side of the pot to naturally emulsify the starches without needing extra cream.

3

Asafoetida (Hing) Timing

Always add hing to moderately hot ghee/oil, not scorching hot, so it blooms aromatic sulfur compounds without scorching bitter.

🥗Nutritional Breakdown

Estimated nutritional facts per serving (based on 4 servings)

Nutrient Dense
Calories
310kcal
18% DV
Protein
15g
30% DV
Carbs
44g
16% DV
Fat
14g
18% DV
Fiber
6g
21% DV
Sodium
790mg
34% DV

* Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet. Actual nutritional requirements may differ based on age, gender, and physical activity level.

Video Tutorial

Open in YouTube

Culinary Tags

💡

Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Guide

Answers to common questions about preparing, storing, and customizing South Indian Idli & Sambar

Allow the prepared South Indian Idli & Sambar to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer into an airtight glass or BPA-free container and refrigerate at 4°C or below for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in a covered pan over low heat or microwave with a splash of water to restore authentic moisture and aroma.

More South India & Breakfast Recipes

Popular dishes with instant 1-click Swiggy Instamart ingredient delivery

View All →
Servings
4

Ingredients

9/9

Uncheck items you already have. Only checked items will be added to cart.

·
9 items · estimated total~₹518
Servings
4
9/9 items selected
~₹518