Instant Pot Vegetable Sambar (South Indian Lentil Stew)

Name: Instant Pot Vegetable Sambar / South Indian Lentil Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups toor dal; 3 cups mixed vegetables ((I used carrot, beans, and eggplant)); 1 medium onion; 2-3 cloves garlic; 2 medium tomatoes; 2 tbsp sambar powder ((use store-bought or homemade sambar powder)); 1½-2 tsp salt; 1 tbsp tamarind (see notes); 2 tsp jaggery; 6½ cups water (divided); 1 tbsp ghee ((use store-bought or homemade ghee)); 2 tbsp cilantro; 2 tbsp ghee ((use store-bought or homemade ghee)); 1 tsp black mustard seeds; ½ tsp cumin seeds; ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds; 1 sprig curry leaves; 2 dried red chili; ½ tsp hing (asafetida)

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Vegetable sambar is a flavorful and healthy dish that's a staple in South Indian cuisine. Made with lentils, fresh vegetables, and sambhar powder - a unique blend of spices, this traditional Instant Pot sambar is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that's ready in less than 30 minutes.

And with my easy-to-follow Instant Pot recipe, making sambar has never been easier! Whether as a main course or a side dish with breakfast, sambar is a versatile and delicious option for any mealtime.

Instant pot vegetable sambar placed on a blue surface along with curry leaves.

Hearty and comforting Instant Pot vegetable sambar is a traditional South Indian dish that is made with lentils, vegetables, and a flavorful spice blend. Sambar is a highly nutritious dish, as it is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals from lentils and vegetables. It is an essential part of any South Indian meal and can also be served as a side dish with breakfast.

Why you will love this recipe?

Quick and easy: This recipe is very easy to make in an Instant Pot, without sacrificing flavor and gives you an authentic taste.
Healthy and wholesome: Made with fresh vegetables and lentils, Instant Pot sambar is the perfect dish for a wholesome and satisfying meal that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Customizable: Whether you prefer it spicier, milder, or with a different combination of vegetables, you can easily adapt this recipe and make it your own.

What is sambar

Sambar is a South-Indian style lentil stew made with toor dal (split pigeon pea), tamarind, and an aromatic spice blend known as sambar powder. A traditional sambar has a good proportion of dal, is made mostly with a single variety of vegetables, and is definitely made with homemade sambar powder.

Also referred to as sambhar, this vegetable stew pairs well not just with steamed plain rice but also with idli (savory rice cakes) and dosa. This makes sambhar an integral part of South Indian meals, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

This lentil-based stew is a staple in most South Indian households and there are many varieties of sambar in South Indian cuisine. It is called ‘huli’ in Kannada and can be made with different vegetables - either a single vegetable or a mix of certain types of vegetables. Radish, drumstick, eggplant, green leafy vegetables, summer squash, bottle gourd, and pumpkin are a few most common vegetables to name.

A step showing the pouring ghee on sambar.

Related: Majjige huli.

What is sambar powder?

What sets the sambhar apart from a regular dal is the unique blend of freshly ground spices, known as sambar powder (or huli pudi in Kannada) that is added while making this dish. Even though the main spices used to make sambar masala podi are the same, they are subtly different in quantities, adding a unique flavor to every family recipe in South Indian homes.

The ingredients I use are chana dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies (spicy and mild versions), curry leaves, sliced coconut, turmeric powder, and asafoetida. These spices are dry roasted and ground into a fine powder.

Check out this recipe to make Mysore rasam powder.

One pot sambar

Traditionally, it is made in two (or sometimes three) steps - first, boil the tur dal in a pressure cooker, and next, prepare a masala base with the spice mix, tamarind, and vegetable to which the boiled dal is added. Sometimes, it is finished with an additional tempering made in a small pan using ghee.

This Instant Pot sambar recipe gets done in one step - I make the tempering first, to which I add the dal, masala powder, and vegetables. Once they are cooked, I add tamarind, simmer it, and finish off with some ghee. This one-pot vegetable sambar is very easy to make and needs minimal monitoring. The texture and consistency are perfect when you follow this tried and tested video recipe.

Ingredients

Lentils: Toor dal (also called arhar dal, tuvar dal, or tur dal) is the main ingredient. You can also use moong dal.

Sambar powder: Use store-bought or homemade sambhar masala powder. If you are using a store-bought one, my preferred brand is MTR.

Ghee: I like to use ghee; however, it can be replaced with coconut oil or any other cooking oil for a vegan version.

Vegetables: I have used eggplant, carrots, and green beans (French beans). I am also using tomatoes in this recipe. You can use your choice of vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, chayote squash, bell pepper, etc.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Take the tamarind in a small bowl and add ½ cup hot water. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Extract the tamarind pulp and discard the fiber and seeds.

Step 2: Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add two tablespoons of ghee in the inner pot. Once it heats, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Next, add cumin seeds, methi seeds, dried red chili, hing, curry leaves, and garlic. Saute for a few seconds.

Step 3: Add the onion and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.

Step 4: Add the tomatoes, sambhar powder, and salt.

add dal and vegetables, and pressure cook.

Step 5: Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Next, add the toor dal (split pigeon peas) and vegetables.

Step 7: Add 6 cups of water and give it a good mix.

Step 8: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode on high pressure for 8 minutes.

Step 9: Do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release and open the Instant Pot lid.

Step 10: Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add the tamarind extract (tamarind water) and jaggery.

Step 11: Adjust salt and spices as needed. Also, adjust the consistency as needed. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.

Step 12: Cancel saute mode and add one tablespoon of ghee and coriander leaves.

Vegetable sambar in an Instant Pot. — Piping hot Instant Pot sambar is ready to be served.

Expert Tips

Traditionally, this South Indian stew is mostly made using tuvar dal. However, you can use masoor dal (red lentils), moong dal (yellow lentils), or a mix of dals to make it. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

It is important to add the tamarind after pressure cooking the dal as the tamarind may prevent the dal from fully cooking.

Adjust the amount of spice powder as per your preference. In this recipe, I have used 2 tablespoons of masala for a medium spicy level.

Don't skip the jaggery, as it helps balance the spicy and tangy flavor. You can replace it with sugar.

This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container. It also freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You may also like these Instant Pot recipes:

Serving suggestions

Serve this Instant Pot sambar for lunch or dinner along with these dishes for a complete meal:

Serve vegetable sambar as a side dish with these South Indian recipes for breakfast:

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between sambar and rasam?

Firstly, the spices used in both masala powders are different. Rasam is thin and runny and is usually made using tomatoes as the only vegetable, whereas sambar has a good proportion of dal and is made using a variety of vegetables. Rasam is also more tangy and spicy.

What to serve with sambar?

It is usually served with plain steamed rice along with any vegetable side dish.

Can I freeze sambhar?

Yes. It freezes well and can be stored for up to three months. Cool it to room temperature and place it in a freezer-safe container immediately to freeze.

Mixed vegetable sambar placed in a traditional copper vessel along with steamed rice.

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