Sambar Powder Recipe | Sambar Podi
Sambar Powder is a quintessential essential powder in any SouthIndian Kitchen. This podi recipe is an authentic Tamil Brahmin version of sambar powder that my grandmother has perfected over many years.
Learn how to make this homemade Sambar powder masala.
SAMBAR POWDER RECIPE
We always have Rasam Podi, Sambar Podi and Dosa Milagaipodi always stored in a Tamil Brahmin’s Kitchen.
This South Indian Sambar Powder is a special blend of commonly available spices like coriander seeds, tuvar dal, chana dal, mustard seeds, urad dal, black pepper, methi seeds and dried red chilli. Together they add a exceptional flavor to your sambar.
This Sambar Powder will come handy to make Instant Sambar or Tiffin Sambar, to serve with your tiffin recipes.
Growing up in India, my amma only had One Multipurpose powder called Sambar Powder. She would make Rasam with the same powder by adding Cumin Powder and a few more spices. Only the experts know how to play around this combination!!
Ever since I have moved to UK, my mom or patty ( grandmother) will send me packets of this homemade sambar powder & rasam powder. I must admit – for all through these years I had hardly made the powder myself, as nothing beats the authentic flavors from mom and patty.
However, following the hand written recipe from my recipe book, I have make Sambar Powder at home a few time, and they were just as the experts in a Palakkad Cuisine would make.
You may also love these authentic recipes from Palakkad Cuisine
WHAT IS SAMBAR?
Sambar is a popular lentil based stew cooked with lentils, vegetables, tamarind and spice powder called sambar masala podi. This homemade sambar podi will uplift the flavors from your regular vegetable stew to an authentic South Indian Sambar.
Although, you can buy Sambar powder from stores – with various brands like MTR SAMBAR POWDER, RAJAH Sambar Masala and many more. Nothing compares to the aromatic blend of the homemade sambhar masala.
At home, we like to serve sambar with beans poriyal or cabbage poriyal and steamed rice. We also serve sambar with Pongal, Idli, Dosa & Vada too.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE SAMBAR POWDER RECIPE?
This Sambar Powder is one of the most important essential ingredients to make Sambar.
To make this podi at home,
Dry Roast the Dal’s ,Black Pepper ,Mustard & Methi Seeds in a deep pan until they are dark brown in color.
Transfer them to a plate and allow them to cool down.
Add the Coriander seeds and roast for about 2 minutes until they are just about to change color.
Lastly, add the red chillies to the pan and roast until they become warm. Do not over roast the chillies.
Transfer them to a plate and allow them to cool down.
Once all the ingredients come down to room temperature, transfer the roasted ingredients to the mixie ( blender ) and grind them to a fine powder.
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
For Deep Red Color to your Sambar Powder, use Bydagi Chilli from Karnataka or Kashmiri Red Chilli – both are milder varieties. My aunt, who lives in Davangere uses Bydagi Chilli in her Sambar Powder for color.
For this recipe, I would use a combination of dried chilli – 1/2 Bydagi Chilli / Kashmiri Red Chilli & 1/2 Any other hot variety of Dried Red chilli. With this you will have a deeper combo of color and spice.
SAMBAR POWDER SHELF LIFE – This powder has a large shelf life and stays fresh for up to 6 months. Store them in smaller ziplock bags, so that it locks the freshness for long.
DO NOT OVER ROAST – If any of your ingredients are burnt, please discard them.
SAMBAR POWDER VARIATIONS – Every household and every region have their own version of this sambar podi – like Chettinad Sambar, Kerala Sambar
If you enjoy Homemade Spice Blends, I have got few tried and tested homemade masala powder recipes
2 Minutes Instant Garam Masala Powder

Ingredients
- 1 Cup Coriander Seeds
- 1 Cup Dried Red Chilli
- 2 Tsp Channa Dal
- 2 Tsp Tuvar Dal
- 1 Tsp Methi Seeds
- 1/4 Tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/4 Tsp Urad Dal
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- 10-15 Curry leaves Optional
Instructions
- Dry Roast Tuvar Dal, Chana Dal ,Black Pepper, Mustard & Methi Seeds in a deep pan until they are dark brown in color.
- Transfer them to a plate and allow them to cool down.
- Now add the Coriander seeds and roast for about 2 minutes until they are just about to change color.
- Lastly, add the red chillies and curry leaves to the same pan and roast until they become warm. Do not over roast the chillies.
- Transfer them to the plate and allow them to cool down.
- Once all the ingredients come down to room temperature, transfer the roasted ingredients to the mixie ( blender ) and grind them to a fine powder.
I am seeing the pic, but can actually smell it, that's how beautiful the pic is 🙂
thanks priya.. tat was very quick !
Wow …. what can I say ! Thanks to you n granny dear for the wonderful recipe ..
wow what a beautiful click …i always love the home made sambar powder ..
Satya
Very useful post Sandy.Will try for sure.Beautiful clicks too:)
Nice version dear…awesome clicks..
Dear Sandhya
How are you? I am so irregular these days that I am missing out many good recipes…
after eating the great Rawalpindi chhole, i am here to learn the finer aspect of sambar powder… :-).
Never tried to make at home ..but friends say the home made ones are much better than the best brand one gets in the market ..
I will try the Chhole 1st, before making this one.
Have a nice day
im sure that would taste a 100 times better than the mediocre ones i get from the store..if only i was as motivated as you and grind them..sigh!
maybe il get my mil 2 do it for me when i head down to india this dec…nice pics as usual
I agree with Priya 🙂 A beautiful click indeed!
Gorgeous pics Sandhya. It is so nice of your granny that she uses measurement cups for you.
Hey sandhya,
thats a vera traditional powder ! always wanted to make one but never did. This one lokks absolutely spicy and i could actually smell it 🙂
could u pls. give me the "puliyogarey" recipe if possible?
Sandhya,perfect clicks and a great recipe for sambar powder…
Stunning click!!
I always wanted to make sambhar powder of my own will try your recipe..Thanx to your granny:)
Always love home made sambhar powder,its universal powder for southindian cooking ;)Nice clicks and love the header by the way!
Beautiful pictures ……. thanks for the recipe …..
Hi Sandhya,
A good description indeed!!!
Sameena@
Nice clicks as usual.. Will try BG pickle soon 🙂
My mom too make sambhar powder and pack for me everytime. Though i make my own sambhar powder, nothing can beat our mom or grandmom.looks very nice with the beautiful click
Wonderful sambar powder. Sure the aroma would have been great
I cant live without sambar powder and rasam powder…Prefect looking sambar powder..
Thanks for the authentic Sambhar powder recipe.
The pics are soo good i can almost smell in d aroma of freshly ground masala!
hi sandhya…visited ur space after a long time..my 7month old baby s taking my all time.. :)..
i was in search of a sambar powder recipe..normally my mother in law prepares it and send to me..it was almost over..thank god i got this one.. 🙂
thanks for sharing dear…nice click
Sandhya, in these many years of marriage, I srill call my amma and paternal grand aunt for rescue recipes…I am so thankful that you can drag your patty's recipes here to share…wonderful!
@ Jeyshri…
No matter wot I learn and how much ever I make well , cant beat the flavour tat come from home!
@ Ushnish : Good to see u back.. Sometimes balancing time between work and other things become difficult.. totallyunderstand.
Oh yeah .. doo try the chole..
Powders made at home.. impart their distinct flavour..
@ Satya , Nivi , Satrupa & Chitra..
thanks for ur lovely comments!
@ Latha AUnty…
Guess its a matter of tradition and want to learn from the older generation.
I remember a stage , where I used to get angry with amma when she would try telling me things when I m about to do the cooking.. But I totally realise the value now..Miss u ma.. and sorry abt it!
@ Lena: Thanks for following me..
Good to see u here after a while!
Yeah do try the powder n let me know…
tc of ur lil and urself..
@ Pratima , Sanjeetha , Priya and Shanthi Aunty…
Indeed fresh ground powder has its aroma all over… But I didnt grind this one.. It comes from Patty's house still..
Hi Sandhya
thanks for the recipe, as I always looking for diffrent sambhar poder recipes..looks great!
Hy dear,
Awesome, delicious paneer recipes. Thank you for sending..!
Luv,
Jay
Nothing like paatis' podi..love the pictures! I add sambar podi to everything ..I would even add it to italian dished sometimes for an extra kick!!
choo cute mrignayani… !!
@Jay
Any time ….
thanks for hosting such a lvoely event
HI Sandhya,
It is very authentic recipe. Thanks for sharing it.
I can go on drinking sambhar made with this masala.
Really its tasty Sambar Powder.
Thanks for share.
Nice Blog Thanks to sharing