Traditional Sambar recipe made in Instant pot. Sambar is one of the popular South Indian recipes. It is a lentil-based stew served with idlis, dosa, and vada. Sambar is ideally a combination of lentils and vegetables. Now, the Vegetables used here are very minimal and basic. Making this recipe in the instant pot is very very easy and fuss-free.
Fun facts about sambar
I am a die heart South Indian recipes fan here and Idli with sambar is like a match made in heaven. I have already shared so many south indian recipes on the blog before which you can check here. Before moving to the recipe, Let me share few exciting facts about Sambar first.
- Sambar is Popular recipe in India as well as in Sri Lanka
- Sambar was founded in the 17th century.
- Sambar was invented by a Maratha ruler called Sambhaji.
- The invention of Sambar was accidental. Sambhaji was trying to make dal and he accidentally added tamarind in it and sambar was born.
- Sambar with Idli is considered as light, healthy and low-fat breakfast combo.
Ingredient to make Sambar
Toor dal / pigeon peas split is the main ingredient here. Apart from that, potato, brinjal, onion, tomato, cumin, mustard seeds, oil, sambar powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, curry leaves are the ingredients used here.
In sambar, Sambar powder is the main ingredient. I used homemade sambar powder here but MTR and Everest both are my trusted brands for sambar powder.
How to make sambar in instant pot?
Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat oil in it. Add all the tempering ingredients.
When the mustard seeds and cumin start to splutter, add the curry leaves, chopped onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
Add the vegetables. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
Add salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder and mix well.
Toor dal and water to the instant pot. Add tomatoes and sambar powder.
Add water.
Change the instant pot setting to manual or pressure cook mode for 8 minutes at high pressure with vent in sealing position.
When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Stir the sambar so it is mixed well.
Garnish with cilantro. Serve Sambar with idli and chutney.
More south indian recipes you may like to check,
- Tiffin Sambar – Stove TOP version of sambar recipe
- Urad dal vada – a delicious snack that goes best with sambar
- Tamarind Rice – Tamarind flavored rice recipe.
- Tamil garlic curry – This one is my personal favorite curry recipe.
- Carrot stirfry recipe – quick and easy carrot stir fry recipe to serve with roti.
Instant Pot sambar recipe
Ingredients
For Tempering
- 1½ tbsp oil
- ¼ tsp mustard seeds
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 8 methi seeds
vegetables
- 2 baby brinjals, chopped
- 1 small potato, chopped
other
- 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon lentils), prefered soking for 15 min
- 3-5 curry leaves
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2½ cups water
- salt to taste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp sambar powder
- coriander, for garnishing
Instructions
- Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat oil in it. Add all the tempering ingredients. When the mustard seeds and cumin start to splutter, add the Curry leaves, chopped onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the vegetables. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder and mix well.
- Toor dal and water to the instant pot. Add tomatoes and sambar powder.
- Add water.
- Change the instant pot setting to manual or pressure cook mode for 8 minutes at high pressure with vent in sealing position.
- When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Stir the sambar so it is mixed well.
- Garnish with cilantro and sambar is ready to be served.
Yum! Looks delicious.
thank you so much.
Delicious sambar! So much flavor with just a handful of ingredients. Do you shop for your spices online or did you find a good Indian Provision store in Canada?
Yes, I found a good Indian grocery store in Canada. Actually there are a lot of Indian and Asian grocery stores here. The spices are brought from Indian grocery store at the time of settling down here. So, I am quite sorted as of now.