Easy Sambar Masala
Sambar Masala is a flavourful and aromatic blend of spices and dal. This traditional and authentic Sambar Masala without oil is an easy and fail-proof recipe and definitely enhances the taste of your sambar.
Preservative free masala
I love homemade masala. I try to make fresh or make my own whenever possible. Fresh masala has its own unique taste and aroma. And you exactly know what is inside that masala. They are preservatives free. One can make them in small batches or bulk, the choice is ours.
I regularly use my mom's Garam Masala. The taste it adds to different dishes like in this No Onion No garlic Chole (Chickpea Curry) or in this simple Gajar Aloo matar without onion and garlic is just amazing.
I even make my own Roasted Cumin powder and Coriander Masala Powder at home. I add a few more ingredients to coriander masala powder which adds to the taste as well as the nutrient content of the masala. For me, these two masalas are used almost every day and I cannot compromise on the taste and texture of this.
This Easy Sambar Masala recipe is authentic yet simple and easy to make with the ingredients at home. I halved the quantity of the ingredients from the original recipe and was able to make approximately 180 gms of Masala.
Oil-Free Sambar Masala
This masala does not use any oil. We just dry roast the ingredient one by one, on a slow to the medium stove. Once the ingredients are roasted they change color slightly and release a nice aroma. Once done, we allow it to cool completely and then grind it. Fill it in an air-tight sterile jar.
I used to buy Sambar and Rasam Masala but was always in search of an authentic or traditional recipe as the true flavors lie in them. So when I hopped on to The Food Samaritan (more details below), I didn't know my patience was about to be rewarded. I hopped on to her Sambar Masala Recipe as it was too good to resist. She mentioned that it was her Grandma's special recipe and exactly what I was looking for all this while.
Shelf Life
This masala stays good at room temperature for at least 6 months. Do maintain sterile conditions and use sterile jars.
Did you try our Instant Pot Pumpkin Sambar? A quick and easy fuss free sambar, curry or a stew made in Instant Pot.
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So here goes the recipe:
Easy Oil-Free Sambar Masala
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Dried Red Chillies
- ½ Cup Coriander Seeds (Akha Dhania)
- ¼ Cup Split Pigeon Peas (Tur/Arhar) Dal
- ⅛ Cup Split Yellow Lentils (Chana Dal)
- ⅛ Cup Split White Lentils (Urad Dal)
- 1 teaspoon Peppercorns (Whole KaliMirch)
- 1 teaspoon Cumin (Jeera)
- 1 teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana)
- ⅛ Cup Curry Leaves
- 1 tablespoon Asafoetida (Hing)
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric (Haldi)
Instructions
- Assemble all the ingredients and dry roast them slowly one by one except Turmeric.
- Roast the ingredient's in the following order. 1. Dried Red Chillies2. Coriander Seeds3. Tur Dal4. Chana Dal5. Urad Dal6. Pepper Corns 7. Jeera8. Fenugreek Seeds9. Curry Leaves½ Cup Dried Red Chillies, ½ Cup Coriander Seeds (Akha Dhania), ¼ Cup Split Pigeon Peas (Tur/Arhar) Dal, ⅛ Cup Split Yellow Lentils (Chana Dal), ⅛ Cup Split White Lentils (Urad Dal), 1 teaspoon Peppercorns (Whole KaliMirch), 1 teaspoon Cumin (Jeera), 1 teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana), ⅛ Cup Curry Leaves
- Switch off, and add asafetida and quickly mix it.1 tablespoon Asafoetida (Hing)
- Cool completely at room temperature.
- Powder all the above ingredients in a mixer, add Turmeric Powder and mix.1 teaspoon Turmeric (Haldi)
- Store in a clean, sterile and Air Tight Jar/Container.
Updates
This recipe was first posted on my blog on 7th August 2018. Today, 26th March 2023, I am updating the contents. The recipe and pics remain the same.
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I shared this Sambar Masala recipe with our group Recipe Swap Challenge, where we are paired. Jolly Makkar and Vidya Narayan with fellow food bloggers. We search for recipes from each other's blogs, prepare them and share them in the group as well as on our blogs, with due credit to each other. This Month I am paired with Amrita Iyer from The Food Samaritan.
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This recipe sounds wonderfully flavorful! I've never heard of pigeon peas. Is the best place to find these online or is there a good substitute?
Jen, you can get that in Asian Shops and nowadays even supermarkets do have them. If not you can use this link if you want (Affiliate Link - you will get the same price as on Amazon, but I might get a small commission) - https://amzn.to/2Kf7haK
Nothing can beat the aroma of freshly grounded homemade masala powder.. love my sambar with these sort of homemade spice powder.
Thank you Renu for trying out the recipe!This was passed on from my great grandmother almost a century ago to my grandma when she got married!My mom got all emotional seeing ur post and has praised you at her best words! My grandma would be doing the same from above!Thanks dear!You made our family proud!
Thank you so so much Amrita. You are making me emotional, and I am happy that I selected this one and made a your mom proud. Thanks.
Nothing can beat the aroma of the freshly grinded masala this sambar masala rocks Renu, just love to prepare my spice powders at home. WOnderful pick yaar.
Renu, firstly I love the images you have captured. then, the masalas made at home have a unique feel to them. I make most of the south Indian ones at home. Next time I will like to try this sambhar masala.
Nothing in the world can beat the aroma that fills the home when one makes Sambar Powder at home. I hope you enjoy Sambar with this homemade powder.
The only thing I miss from India is the family recipe for sambhar powder. After amma passed away, I yearn for her hand made sambhar powder and other masalas. Slowly I have started making them myself. This recipe sounds really good and you have done a great job. Sambhar would taste amazing with homemade fresh masala powder.
I just love the aroma of roasted spices and when mixed to form a special spice powder, its a moment of joy. Love making spice blends at home. My sambhar masala is nearly getting over and will try this one.
I use store bought sambar masala but fresh homemade is always best. Masala sounds flavourful and better than ready-made masala. Awesome share.
Homemade spice mixes are the best. They are fresh flavorful and hygienic than the store bought ones plus we have the liberty to alter the quantity of spices as per our preferences..this share masala sounds very flavorful ..thanks for the share Renu.
Loved the freshly made aromatic masala powder... Homemade is always the best !
making sambhar masala is really great, ingredients flavors and aroma will be awesome.
Flavorful ad aromatic masalarecipe. Nothing can beat the fresh ground masala taste. This sambar masala recipe is a keeper.
Nothing can beat homemade masala. Very useful post and lovely clicks. Thanks for this beautiful share, loved it.
Nothing beats the flavour, taste and aroma of freshly ground Sambar Masala. Every South Indian home has a unique recipe and every sambar tastes different, yet delicious. Masalas are the key to great food. Loved that you chose a lovely recipe and dedication from Amrita's blog for the theme.
Such a delicious masala. I can imagine the smell when the sambhar is cooking.
I always make similar masala as wet masala along with coconut. But I will try this powder version for quick busy days.
Nothing to replace homemade fresh masala ans I am sure this sambhar masala must have tasted great with loads of flavourful. Brilliant clicks!!
Home made sambar masala is so very aromatic and fragrant . The taste of sambar increases Manifold when we use home ground masala ... it is a must have in my kitchen
Your sambhar masala is different from what I make and sounds so delicious. Making some tomorrow as my girls want some and will carry it. Thanks.