In hotels or at houses, Sambar would be the first thing in our lunch menu. Then comes Rasam, Kara kuzhambu, Vatha kuzhambu, More kuzhambu etc. Sambar can be prepared in varieties of ways. But most of the households have a standard preparation of their sambar recipe using homemade sambar powders. Me too not an exception.
My sambar tastes and smells the best with my MIL’s homemade sambar powder. I never buy store bought sambar powders even though my friends and relatives have tried and told about Sakthi, Aachi and MTR sambar powders. If you don’t have the option of making homemade sambar powder, you can definitely go with store bought ones. It also tastes equally good but you should adjust the spice levels based on the brand you use. Please click the picture below for our Homemade sambar powder recipe. I have also shared a Tamil brahmin sambar powder recipe learning from my neighbour. Please click the picture and check it if you are interested.
In this collection, I have shared nearly 20 varieties of sambar for rice. It includes mixed vegetable sambar, basic sambar adding drumstick, sambar without vegetables, Sambar without dal, Tamil brahmin style sambar adding freshly ground spices, Pongal sambar adding 7 country vegetables, some 4 varieties of keerai sambar, 3 varieties of Kerala sambar and finally a sambar recipe for making bisibelebath.
Friends, do check out this list of sambar recipes for lunch and try your favourite. Please don’t forget to leave your feedback.
BASIC SAMBAR RECIPE ADDING DRIUMSTICK
This is our basic sambar recipe we have been following for years together adapting through generations. You can make a perfect, Tamil Nādu style sambar using this recipe. Click the picture below for the detailed recipe link.
Radish Sambar | Mullangi Sambar
Many beginners refrain from making Mullangi sambar / Radish sambar thinking about its weird smell. But if you try the way I have mentioned in this recipe, you will start to love this sambar and make it often. There is a secret tip I learnt from my aunty/ Athai.
LADY’S FINGER SAMBAR | VENDAKKAI SAMBAR RECIPE
If its a no moon day or any festival, this Lady’s finger sambar without onion will be in our lunch menu without fail. Its a simple and yummy sambar recipe with the goodness of fried lady’s finger.
PONGAL SAMBAR | 7 VEGETABLE SAMBAR FOR PONGAL FESTIVAL
This is our traditional 7 kai sambar for Pongal festival. In this recipe, I have used 7 different country vegetables. Its a must try recipe on Pongal festival. Instead of sambar, we make the same as kootu with slight variation in this recipe. The same sambar can be prepared for Thiruvathirai festival too. In general, I call this as festival sambar.
SORAKKAI SAMBAR / BOTTLE GOURD SAMBAR RECIPE
This is an interesting sambar recipe using sorakkai / bottle gourd. If you are bored of making Sorakkai dal and Sorakkai kootu, try this sambar. You will love it.
ARACHUVITTA SAMBAR – TAMIL BRAHMIN STYLE SAMBAR
I am a big fan of Tamil brahmin style arachuvitta sambar. The aroma of freshly roasted and ground spices takes this sambar to the next level. I have used onion in this recipe. You can use any vegetable like drumstick, brinjal, chow chow etc.
CABBAGE SAMBAR | MUTTAIKOSE SAMBAR
Have you ever tried a sambar recipe adding Cabbage ? If not, try this delicious sambar recipe. You will be amazed by its taste and flavour.
CLUSTER BEANS SAMBAR | KOTHAVARANGAI SAMBAR
Cluster beans sambar is our family favourite recipe. Whenever we buy cluster beans, this sambar would be our priority. Adding in sambar helps to remove the mild bitterness of cluster beans. Do try it and see how you like it.
MIXED VEGETABLE SAMBAR IN A PRESSURE COOKER
This is a super easy and quick, one pot sambar recipe for rice adding mixed vegetables. Ideal for working women and bachelors.
We usually make this sambar with Amaranthus variety. It tastes so good when paired with raw banana curry. Do give it a try.
KERALA SAMBAR WITHOUT COCONUT | ONAM SADYA SAMBAR
Basically I love Kerala food especially Onam sadya is my favourite lunch menu. Here is a simple and easy Onam sadya sambar recipe with mixed vegetables.
VARUTHARACHA SAMBAR | KERALA SAMBAR WITH COCONUT
This is yet another version of Onam sadya sambar. In this recipe, sambar is prepared using freshly roasted and ground spices and coconut. Do give it a try !
Kerala Ulli sambar is one of the simple and yummy sambar varieties that tastes great not only with rice but idli, dosa as well. Do check it out by clicking the picture below.
Mango sambar is my most favourite sambar recipe. We never fail to make this sambar during mango season. With the tangy taste of raw mango, it smells and tastes the best. Check it out friends.
DRUMSTICK LEAVES SAMBAR | MURUNGAI KEERAI SAMBAR
Super healthy and delicious sambar recipe adding Drumstick leaves/ Murungai keerai. You must try this once.
SAMBAR WITHOUT VEGETABLES | ONION SAMBAR
When you don’t have any vegetables in your pantry and still want to make sambar for rice, this onion sambar comes to rescue. You can use either small onion or big onion in this recipe.
PALAK SAMBAR / PASALAI KEERAI SAMBAR
Healthy and delicious Palak sambar / Spinach sambar. You can use regular spinach or even baby spinach for this recipe. Its a yummy variation from the usual Dal palak.
PONNANGANNI KEERAI SAMBAR | GOOD FOR EYESIGHT
Many of you must be aware of this Ponnanganni keerai. Its known as Dwarf copper leaf in English, Gudari Saag in Hindi, Ponnaganti Koora in Telugu, Honagonne soppu in Kannada, Kozuppa, Ponnankanni in Malayalam. Its very good for eyesight and a great coolant for summer. Try it out.
PUMPKIN SAMBAR | PARANGIKAI SAMBAR
With a mildly sweet taste of Pumpkin, this sambar is a super healthy and flavourful one. Tastes good with idli, dosa as well.
Usually Bisibelebath is prepared in one pot by mixing rice, dal, vegetables and spices together. In this version, I have prepared sambar and rice separately and mixed them just before serving. Its a different method but tastes so good. Do give it a try.
Many of my readers asked me to share a sambar recipe without dal. So I tried this variety and posted it. Its a tasty sambar recipe without cooked toor dal. The flavor and taste comes from the freshly roasted and ground spices. I am sure you will love it.
This is my mom’s special Tirunelveli sambar which is popularly known as IDI sambar. I have used Drumstick and mango in this recipe. You can make it adding brinjal or simply onions.
Friends, hope you have gone through and enjoyed my collection of Sambar recipes for rice. Do try them and share your feedback with me.
