Homemade Sambar Masala Powder Recipe

Homemade Sambar Masala Powder Recipe. South Indian Spice blend powder for yellow lentil curry known as sambar. Sambar is served at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Sambar Powder or sambar masala is a spice mix used in the South Indian home everyday as sambar is made almost everyday. This spice blend is also referred to as sambar podi or sambar pudi or sambar masala. It is made by roasting the ingredients and then blending them to powder.

This south Indian lentil curry powder can be prepared and stored for 6 to 12 months. The quantity I have given below is for about 2-3 months, depending on the quantity and frequency you make sambar.

This is basic homemade sambar powder and you can add or reduce ingredients as per your choice.

You can also buy the ready powder but then you are missing the fun and the lovely aroma of the freshly made sambar masala.

Sambar is a South Indian lentil curry made with yellow lentils and vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, drumsticks, brinjal(eggplant), white pumpkin and many other vegetables of your choice.

Sambar is generally made using pigeon pea(called toor dal or arhar dal)and vegetables. You can make sambar with or without onions.

Sambar is a side dish served with plain rice or with Idli(rice cakes), uttappa, paddu or Dosa etc. It goes very well with chapati as well as bakery bread/toast too.

Sambar Masala Powder

Making this sambar powder in advance will help you in getting your sambar done fast.

How to make Homemade Sambar Masala Powder

Main ingredients for sambar powder

Ingredients for sambar masala:

• Coriander seeds(dhania) – 1 cup
• Cumin seeds(jeera) – 3 tablespoons
• Chana dal(Bengal gram dal) – 2 tablespoons
• Urad dal(black gram dal) – 1 table spoon
• Black pepper seeds – 1 table spoon
• Red chili powder – 3 table spoons
• Mustard seeds – 1 ½ teaspoon
• Fenugreek seeds(methi) – 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder(haldi) – 1 teaspoon
• Asafetida (hing) – ½ teaspoon
• Curry leaves – 2 table spoons

Step by step instructions for Making Sambar Powder:

1. Dry roast all the items separately on low flame except chili powder,turmeric and asafoetida .
2. Grind together with turmeric powder, chili powder and asafetida to a fine powder.
3. Store in an airtight jar.
4. You can use this sambar  powder as and when you want for up to one year.

Now after learning to make sambar pudi, go ahead and make sambar. Your family is bound to love it.

 Tips and variations

Sambar powder is not just used to make sambar but you may also use it to make some vegetable curries such as Tomato Gojju.