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South Indian recipes


Last Updated : Oct 05,2024



दक्षिण भारतीय व्यंजन | दक्षिण भारतीय रेसिपी | - हिन्दी में पढ़ें (South Indian recipes in Hindi)
દક્ષિણ ભારતીય વ્યંજન | દક્ષિણ ભારતીય વાનગીઓ | - ગુજરાતી માં વાંચો (South Indian recipes in Gujarati)

South Indian recipes | South Indian dishes, food |

South Indian Cuisine – Awesome, Awe-Inspiring Variety. South Indian Recipes, 950 South Indian Dishes, Food Recipes. An acquaintance had this irksome habit of referring to all South Indians as “Madrasis”. And one fine day she stopped saying so. In an attempt to quell my curiosity I asked – and got to know that after a tour of South India she realised there is so much diversity down South that it is just not fair to generalise – the best example being South Indian cuisine. South Indian cuisine and food habits are so varied that it is common for a person to feel lost in the menu of a neighbouring state. Say, when a person from Tamil Nadu attends a wedding in Andhra Pradesh, it is a common trick to keep an eye on the next person’s plate or banana leaf, to figure out what order and in what combinations the food is to be consumed!

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Tiffin - Much more than idlis and dosas

Idli
Idli

When one mentions South Indian food, idli, dosa and vada are the first dishes that come to one’s mind – and it’s fair enough because these dishes are popular in all the South Indian states. It is a daring risk to venture into the question of which state they originated in – so we will not touch upon that, but the fact remains that these are much-loved foods all over South India. Served with the quintessential Sambhar and Chutney, this “tiffin” platter is enjoyed any time of the day – for breakfast, evening snacks or dinner.

Pongal Kootu
Pongal Kootu

A word that the British introduced us to, tiffin refers to snacks that are neither too light nor too heavy, and can be relished at any time of the day! When it comes to tiffin, there is a lot of similarity amongst the South Indian states, and we find many common favourites like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, upma and pongal. Apart from these, each state has its unique offerings too – like the paniyaram and adai of Tamil Nadu, the aapam, puttu, avial and kadala curry of Kerala, neer dosa, kadubu, benne dosa and rava idli of Karnataka and pesarattu of Andhra. Apart from Sambhar, tiffin is usually served with chutneys like coconut chutney, coriander chutney, tomato chutney, etc., or dry chutney powders like the idli milagai podi or curry leaves powder.
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Lunch – rice is special for South Indians

Curd RiceCurd Rice

Rice holds a special position in the South Indian kitchen. More than a mere ingredient, rice or annam is given a divine connotation and treated with respect. In all South Indian states, rice is the staple grain served during lunch time. Some prefer to use raw rice, while others opt for parboiled or boiled varieties. Rice lovers that they are, South Indians can often tell the difference between rice grown in various regions and different river beds! At lunch time, the rice is freshly steamed and served hot with a spread of dal-based curries and vegetables. There is a lot of difference in the items served during lunch time, and the order in which they are served.
 

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Recipes

PesarattuPesarattu

Lunch is dominated by rice, which is served with dollops of ghee and a range of curries and dals. Depending on whether it’s a normal day or a special occasion, the number of items served may vary. When you see the word ‘pappu’ in a dish’s name, you can understand that it comprises dal. It may be plain or combined with veggies. Usually, a meal begins with rice mixed with pappu and enjoyed with a spicy oorgaya (pickle). Other main course dishes are koora (dry or semi-dry subzi), pulusu (sour and tangy gravy made of tamarind, tomatoes, sour curd or raw mangoes), pachadi (a spicy and saucy accompaniment), charu or rasam (a thin, soupy dish that is mixed with rice), curds, and so on. Pulihore, a peppy rice preparation with tamarind and spices, is much-loved by the Telugu folks and everyone who tastes it!
 

Karnataka Recipes

Tomato GojjuTomato Gojju

A regular meal consists of vegetable preparations, a dal based preparation like sambhar, and saaru or rasam, ending with majjige (buttermilk). Kannadigas also love gojju, a featuring a unique blend of sweet, spicy and tangy notes. There are also one-dish meals like the Bisi Bele Bath, a hot and spicy rice preparation, made of rice, dal and veggies flavoured with a special masala and tamarind pulp. Karnataka within itself has several sub-cuisines like Udupi, Mangalore and Mysore, and a discerning diner can easily tell the difference between these.
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South Indian Recipes, Kerala

Quick IdiyappamQuick Idiyappam

Don’t be fooled by the simple food that the Keralites have on a normal day – visit them on a festive occasion to experience the mind-boggling variety of the state’s cuisine. Kerala food is rich in all things coconuty! From coconut milk to grated coconut and coconut-based spice pastes, it is used in every possible form to make vegetable and curd-based curries. Yellow banana and jackfruit are also used abundantly in the region to make crispies, curries and desserts.
 

South Indian Recipes, Tamil Nadu

More KuzhambuMore Kuzhambu

Different regions of Tamil Nadu have different styles of cooking, the popular strains being Tanjore, Tirunelveli, North Arcot and Chettinad. However, a three-course lunch broadly consists of rice served with sambhar and/ or mor kuzhambu, then rasam and finally curd, accompanied by a range of vegetable dishes. If lunch is had out of a dabba, people often opt for what is colloquially known as ‘mixed rice’ or ‘variety rice’. Tomato Rice, Tamarind Rice, Sambhar Rice, Curd Rice and Peanut Rice are some of the common options. On special days, vada, kheer and pachadi (raita) are also served with lunch.
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Sweets and savouries for South Indians

Ela Ada Recipe
Ela Ada Recipe

Like the rest of the country, South India also loves sweets and snacks! From the Ela Ada and Unni Appam of Kerala to the Kajjikaylu of Andhra Pradesh, the Jangiri and Chakkarai Pongal of Tamil Nadu, and the Obbuttu and Mysore Pak of Karnataka, each sweet delight has a culinary anecdote to tell with distinct flavours, native ingredients and exclusive cooking techniques.

Mysore Bonda
Mysore Bonda

Snacks are also an integral part of the South Indian food scene – they are enjoyed at practically any time of the day but mostly in the evening with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It is amazing how they never tire of having a steaming hot cuppa however sweltering the weather might be! But then, nothing can complement a Masala Vada, Mysore Bonda or Plantain Bajji as well as a cup of South Indian filter coffee or Chukku Kaapi (a tea of dried ginger and spices). Keralites enjoy snacking on steamed yellow bananas and Kattan Chaai (black tea).

Every kitchen in South India is also well-stocked with pickles, dry chutney powders, vadams and papads (that can be roasted or deep-fried), which are served in perfect combos to make a simple meal seem like a special treat!
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The magic of the South Indian tempering

Homemade Rasam PowderHomemade Rasam Powder

If you are going to experiment with South Indian cooking, your kitchen needs to be stocked with rice, tamarind (or kokum), sambhar powder and rasam powder, ghee and cooking oils like groundnut, coconut or sesame oils. More importantly, you need to get your masala box or ‘anjarai petti’ (literally five-compartment box, although the modern ones have seven) equipped with mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, sesame seeds, red chillies, broken urad dal and chana dal, as these are frequently used in South Indian cooking. These ingredients in different combinations are used to make masalas for South Indian curries. Sometimes, they are ground raw, while sometimes they are roasted and ground. The method and proportions give each dish a distinctly different flavour even when the same ingredients are used. That said, the final master stroke in most South Indian dishes is the zesty tempering of mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves, which gives the food a trademark South Indian seal!
 

More food stories to tell from each nook and corner

Each nook and corner of Tamil Nadu has a different food story to tell, and we realise now that it’s a mistake to try and cover it all in one article, so we urge you to read more about each of these cuisines (Andhra and Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) and recreate the magic in your own kitchen using our authentic recipes. In India there is so much variety in each cuisine that it is difficult for an individual to entirely master their own cuisine. Just when you think you know all your native foods, someone busts the misconception and widens your horizon by sharing yet another treasure! While we focus on our own cuisines, we should also try and set aside at least a day every week to try the culinary gems from other Indian regions, so that we grow to appreciate the unity in diversity.

Enjoy our South Indian Recipes, 950 South Indian Dishes, Food Recipes and other South Indian Recipe articles below.

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30+Karnataka Cuisine
15+Kerala Cuisine
20+Tamil Nadu Cuisine
10+South Indian Appe
125+South Indian Breakfast
45+South Indian Chutney
175+South Indian Curries / Subzis
125+South Indian Dosa
125+South Indian Idlis
10+South Indian Pachadi, Raita
5 South Indian Pickle
10+South Indian Podis
55+South Indian Rasam
50+South Indian Sambar
45+South Indian Snacks
90+South Indian Sweets
15 South Indian Uttapam
35+South Indian Vada


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Oats Mutter Dosa ( Fibre Rich Recipe )
Recipe# 35079
04 Jan 21

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
oats mutter dosa | mixed vegetable oats dosa recipe | healthy oats matar dosa | instant oats dosa | with 31 amazing images. Oats mutter dosa is a healthy snack op ....
Bread Uttapam, Instant Bread Dosa
Recipe# 42122
21 Jun 22

  This recipe has an associated video
 
by Tarla Dalal
bread uttapam recipe | instant bread dosa | instant breakfast | easy Indian leftover bread recipe | with 22 amazing images. bread uttapam recipe |
Semolina and Vermicelli Idli, Rava Semiya Idli
Recipe# 1514
15 Oct 23

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
semolina and vermicelli idli recipe | Indian rava semiya idli | instant vermicelli idli | instant breakfast recipe | with 33 amazing images. semolina and vermicelli idli ....
Cabbage Vada
Recipe# 1509
25 Mar 22

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
cabbage vada recipe | cabbage vadai | cabbage dal vada | gobi vada | with 20 amazing images. Cabbage Vada are mouth-watering deep-fried vadas of crushed chana da ....
Mysore  Masala Dosa, Traditional Crispy Dosa
Recipe# 807
15 Nov 22

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Mysore masala dosa recipe | traditional Mysore dosa | crispy Mysore masala dosa | with 71 amazing images. Mysore masala dosa is made by smearing dosas with a special Mysore chutney that is ....
Sabudana Vermicelli Payasam Recipe
Recipe# 32883
27 Jan 23

  This recipe has an associated video
 
by Tarla Dalal
No reviews
sabudana vermicelli payasam | vermicelli sabudana kheer | vermicelli sago kheer | with 18 amazing images. sabudana vermicelli payasam is a very tasty and traditional dish usually prepared d ....
Malabari Curry, South Indian Vegetable Curry
Recipe# 8657
14 Aug 21

 
 by Tarla Dalal
malabari curry recipe | veg malabar curry | South Indian malabari curry | with 20 amazing pictures. A mouth watering South Indian curry which features a spect ....
Coconut Stew
Recipe# 194
05 Mar 24

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
coconut stew recipe | coconut vegetable stew | South Indian coconut stew | with 30 amazing images. South Indian coconut vegetable stew, also known as "Vegetable Ishtu
Tava Alasanda Vada, Healthy Non Fried Vada
Recipe# 42526
14 Apr 23

 
 by Tarla Dalal
tava alasanda vada recipe | non fried black eyed beans tikki | healthy Andhra cowpea cutlet | tava chawli non-fried vada | with 30 amazing images. tava alasanda vada
Rice and Moong Dal Idli
Recipe# 4665
17 Oct 20

 
 
by Tarla Dalal
rice and moong dal idli | rice and green gram idli | rice and green moong dal and urad dal idli| with 30 amazing images. Rice and Moong Dal Idli is a variant of the most popular
Tomato Upma, South Indian Tomato Upma
Recipe# 41543
19 Apr 24

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
tomato upma recipe | tomato rava upma | South Indian tomato upma | with 18 amazing images. tomato upma recipe is a quick tangy upma recipe made from simple everyday ingredients like tomatoe ....
Doodhi Pachadi / Spicy Doodhi Raita
Recipe# 32869
06 Oct 20

 
 by Tarla Dalal
doodhi pachadi recipe | healthy bottle gourd pachadi | South Indian style doodhi pachadi | with 16 amazing images. doodhi pachadi recipe is made with cooling bottle gourd and curds, perked ....
Instant Bread Idli, No Fermenting Required
Recipe# 42095
18 Apr 22

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
instant bread idli recipe | no fermenting idli | instant bread idli with curd | quick bread idli - breakfast recipe | with 10 amazing images. instant bread idli i ....
Kala Chana Sundal, Sundal Recipe
Recipe# 32816
02 Feb 23

 
 
by Tarla Dalal
kala chana sundal recipe | black channa sundal | healthy kondakadalai sundal | protein, fibre, magnesium rich kala chana sundal | with 30 amazing images. kala chana sund ....
Kerala Parippu, Kerala Dal, Onam Recipe
Recipe# 41975
01 Oct 20

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Simple yet rich, the Kerala Parippu is something beyond explanation – an experience to be savoured. This authentic Kerala dal recipe uses common, everyday ingredients, yet it is addictively tasty when had with freshly steamed rice ! Cooked moong dal is flavoured ....
How To Make Coconut Milk, Healthy Coconut Milk
Recipe# 32646
17 Jan 24

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
how to make coconut milk | Indian style homemade coconut milk | healthy coconut milk | with amazing 10 images. Nothing better than Indian style homemade coconut milk with it's soothing fla ....
Methi Leaves Sambhar
Recipe# 5708
28 Sep 20

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Sambhar is a dish that is synonymous with South Indian cooking. As it is, sambhar is very nutritious as it combines toovar dal with an assortment of vegetables. While vegetables like red pumpkin, drumsticks and bottle gourd all contribute to the nutrient content of this recipe, the bumper iron top-u ....
Coriander Onion Chutney
Recipe# 1655
13 Mar 21

 
 
by Tarla Dalal
coriander onion chutney recipe | onion chutney with coriander leaves | coriander chutney for idli and dosa | dhaniya pyaaz ki chutney | with 27 amazing images. coriander ....
Gongura Chutney, Ambada Chutney, Andhra Style Pachdi
Recipe# 41979
25 Sep 20

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Gongura is one of the most famous greens used in Andhra Pradesh. It has a unique flavour that is naturally tangy and slightly tart – just perfect to make a tongue-tickling chutney. Gongura leaves are cooked with spices and flavour-enhancing ingredients like tomatoes and garlic and then blended i ....
Onion Tomato Uttapam, Tomato Onion Uttapa
Recipe# 40921
02 Aug 21

 
 by Tarla Dalal
onion tomato uttapam recipe | uttapa Mumbai style | how to make onion tomato uthappam | South Indian tomato onion uttapa | with 51 amazing images. onion tomato uttapam ....
Kerala Sambar, Kerala Sambhar with Coconut
Recipe# 42047
26 Sep 22

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
Kerala sambar recipe | Kerala style sambhar with coconut | Varutharacha sambar Kerala style | Indian sambar with coconut for dosa | with 33 amazing images. Kerala sambar ....
Palak Pachadi, South Indian Spinach Raita
Recipe# 1462
18 Aug 22

  This recipe has an associated video
 by Tarla Dalal
palak pachadi recipe | South Indian spinach raita | spinach yoghurt raita | with 22 amazing images. palak pachadi recipe | South Indian spinach raita |
Rava Dosa, How To Make Rava Dosa
Recipe# 32837
16 Oct 20

 
 
by Tarla Dalal
rava dosa recipe | instant rava dosa | sooji dosa | South Indian rava dosa | crispy semolina dosa | with 17 amazing images. Rava dosa ....
Cabbage Foogath
Recipe# 32849
16 Feb 24

 
 by Tarla Dalal
cabbage foogath recipe | Goan style cabbage foogath | healthy cabbage with coconut sabzi | with 12 amazing images. Cabbage foogath is a dry Goan sabzi made with cabbage and few spices. Fo ....
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South Indian
5
 on 03 Sep 20 09:59 AM


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Tarla Dalal    Ashraf thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes, articles you loved.
Reply
03 Sep 20 01:28 PM
South Indian
5
 on 27 Aug 20 12:41 PM


My name is Manik Das. I read your all articles and your food article are so delicious.
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Tarla Dalal    Manik thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes, articles you loved.
Reply
27 Aug 20 12:46 PM
South Indian
5
 on 08 Feb 20 06:43 AM


South Indian
5
 on 13 Jun 19 06:26 PM


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Tarla Dalal    Glad you liked the South Indian recipes.
Reply
14 Jun 19 02:41 PM
South Indian
5
 on 03 Mar 19 09:04 AM


South Indian
5
 on 11 Jul 18 04:54 PM


Thanks for your big collection of South Indian recipes. So true about your statement of rice holds a special position in the South Indian kitchen. Have tried your 4 flour dosa which our entire family loves.
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Tarla Dalal    Hi Sheetal, Thank you for your kind words. Happy to know you loved the information we shared. Do try more and more recipes and share with us your feedback.
Reply
12 Jul 18 08:58 AM
South Indian
5
 on 11 Jul 18 11:07 AM


Our office is providing evening snacks for all staff everyday in which 2 days is for South Indian snacks in a week i.e. idli & some day dosa. My colleague has given Tarla Madam idlis & Dosas recipe printouts to our office maid. Now she is referring to different variety of Tarla Dalals idlis & Dosas recipes. She enjoys making it because of simplicity & perfection of each recipe and we all enjoys eating fresh, hygienic and tasty snacks. Their are lots of Tarla dalal''s delicious south Indian dishes that are made at my home. I loved that tadka aroma of curries, chillies and many other spices used while making spicy & savory dishes. Sweets pongal, Paal Payasam, rice pancakes is NO.1, which we make it at home and all liked them very much.
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Tarla Dalal    Hi Krutika, That is amazing! Thank you for your kind words. Happy to know you loved the information we shared.
Reply
12 Jul 18 08:47 AM