Nut-Free Sambhar

Experience the soul-soothing flavors of South India with this Nut-Free Sambhar, a hearty and allergen-friendly twist on a classic dish! Bursting with tangy tamarind, earthy toor dal, aromatic spices like cumin and asafoetida, and a medley of fresh vegetables, this recipe delivers authentic sambhar flavor without the use of nuts. Perfect for family dinners or meal preps, this one-pot wonder is both vegan and gluten-free, making it ideal for a variety of dietary needs. Serve it alongside steamed rice or soft idlis, and garnish with vibrant coriander leaves for a comforting, wholesome meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Don’t let dietary restrictions hold you back—you’ll love how easy and flavorful this nut-free sambhar is to prepare in under an hour!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 5 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons Tamarind pulp
• 2 tablespoons Sambhar powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Oil
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 Dry red chilies
• 10 Curry leaves
• 1 large Onion, chopped
• 2 medium Tomato, chopped
• 1 cup Carrot, diced
• 1 cup Potato, diced
• 1 cup Green beans, chopped
• 0.25 cup Coriander leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed toor dal, 3 cups of water, and turmeric powder. Close the lid and cook for 3-4 whistles or until the dal is soft and mushy. Let the pressure release naturally.

Step 3

Soak tamarind pulp in 1 cup of warm water for 10 minutes. After soaking, squeeze and extract the pulp, straining out any solids.

Step 4

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add mustard seeds and allow them to crackle.

Step 5

Add cumin seeds, hing, and dry red chilies, and sauté for a few seconds until aromatic.

Step 6

Add the curry leaves and chopped onions, and sauté until the onions turn translucent.

Step 7

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft. Then, add the diced carrots, potatoes, and green beans.

Step 8

Stir in the sambhar powder and salt, and mix well. Pour in the tamarind extract and 1 cup water.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the saucepan and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Step 10

Stir in the cooked dal into the vegetable mixture. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if necessary. Simmer for another 5-7 minutes.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning if required. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2513.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1544.7

Total Fat 38.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2609.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 258.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 68.0g	0%
Total Sugars 46.2g
Protein 65.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 906.9mg	0%
Iron 22.1mg	0%
Potassium 6683.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.2%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 63.0%