Sambar Rice – Traditional South Indian Rice and Lentil Dish

Sambar Rice prepared with medium grain rice and lentils served warm

Servings: 10 | Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes

What Is Sambar Rice?

Sambar Rice is a traditional South Indian dish made by combining cooked rice with lentil-based sambar and vegetables. Unlike more layered dishes such as Bisi Bele Bath, Sambar Rice is simpler and commonly prepared as an everyday meal.

It is typically made using medium-grain varieties such as Sona Masoori rice, which absorb gravies well and produce a soft, cohesive texture.

Ingredients

1 cup medium-grain rice (Sona Masoori preferred)
½ cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, pumpkin)
2 tablespoons sambar powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon ghee or oil
Mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried red chilli (for tempering)

Step 1: Cook the Rice and Dal

Wash the rice and dal thoroughly. Pressure cook them together with turmeric and sufficient water until soft. The texture should be soft but not watery.

Step 2: Prepare the Sambar Base

In a separate pot, cook the vegetables until tender. Add tamarind pulp, sambar powder and salt. Allow it to simmer briefly so the flavours integrate.

Step 3: Combine and Temper

Add the cooked rice and dal mixture to the vegetable sambar. Mix gently until cohesive. Prepare a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red chilli in ghee, and pour over the mixture.

Step 4: Adjust Texture and Serve

Adjust consistency with warm water if needed. Sambar Rice should be soft and spoonable. Serve warm, ideally with papad or curd on the side.

Choosing the Right Rice for Sambar Rice

Medium-grain rice varieties absorb lentil gravies effectively and create the desired soft texture. If you are unsure which rice type suits your cooking style, you can read our Indian Rice Guide for a detailed comparison of basmati, Sona Masoori, Ponni and other varieties.

February 20, 2026 | View: 19