Sambar Sadam (South Indian Sambar Rice)
Soft rice stirred through a tangy, vegetable packed sambar. A cosy South Indian comfort meal.
Made with Tarka dal base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.04 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice and cook it in 400 ml boiling water, covered, for 12 minutes until very soft. Fluff and leave covered.
12 min - 2
In another pan, simmer the carrot, beans and tomato in the 500 ml water for 10 minutes until tender.
10 min - 3
Stir in your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe), the sambar powder and tamarind. Simmer for 10 minutes.
10 min - 4
Heat the oil in a small pan. Add the mustard seeds and curry leaves and fry until the seeds pop. Pour into the sambar.
1 min - 5
Fold the rice into the sambar, adding water until it is loose and porridge like. Season with salt.
- 6
Scatter with coriander and serve in bowls.
Tips
- Overcook the rice a little. Sambar sadam is meant to be soft.
- Add hot water as it stands, because the rice keeps drinking up liquid.
- Serve with papad or a spoon of mild pickle on the side.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour, chill and eat within 24 hours because it contains cooked rice. Reheat once, adding a splash of water, until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is sambar powder?
A blend of dried chillies, coriander, cumin, fenugreek and lentils ground together. Check the label for wheat, as some brands add it.
Can I use leftover rice?
Yes, if it was cooled within an hour and chilled. Stir it into hot sambar until steaming hot all the way through.
Is it spicy?
It is medium. Use less sambar powder for a milder dish.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.