If you are looking to make delicious, piping hot south Indian restaurant-style instant pot sambar. You got to try this recipe. This is the authentic south Indian sambar made in the instant pot. This instant pot sambar is a one-pot recipe that can be enjoyed with rice, dosa, idli, etc.
Being south Indian and vegetarian we get our protein from this lentil stew. Sambar and south Indians are inseparable. Our everyday meal will have varieties of sambhar like brinjal sambar, sambar dahl, pumpkin sambar, moong dal sambar, okra(vendakkai) sambar, drumstick sambar, vegetable sambar, etc.
This instant pot sambar is always my go-to recipe when we have our friends and family who want to enjoy good south Indian sambar. This south Indian sambhar recipe goes well with idli | dosa | Adai(low carb high protein Indian lentil pancake) or you can enjoy it with just plain rice.
Why this instant pot sambar is best with idli ?
As you all know idli is the king of breakfast proved in the recent study.Though the idli has a combination of carbohydrates and protein. Having this sambar makes it wholesome.
Can I use a different dal to make this instant pot sambar recipe?
Yes, you can use but if you want the authentic sambar recipe then you have to use the tur dal to make this sambar. Please make sure you use a non-oily version of toor dal.
What is sambar? How to make sambar?
South Indian sambar is a lentil-based stew cooked with a combination of vegetables, dahl(lentil), tamarind, and some spices.
What is sambar powder made of?
There are varieties of sambhar powder prepared across southern India. The ratios of spices will vary according to region but most of the ingredients used in sambar powder are coriander seeds, red chilies, cumin seeds, and lentils.
Should i use tamarind to make this sambar instant pot ?
Yes, tamarind is a must to make instant pot sambar . If you don’t have tamarind please use the store-bought tamarind paste.IF you are using tamarind soak a small lemon size tamarind in hot water for 15 minutes and extract the tamarind water and use it for this recipe.
What other vegetables can I use?
You can add vegetables like carrot, drumstick, pumpkin even okra for this sambar recipe.
Which brand sambar powder is best to make this Instant pot sambar?
MTR sambar
777 sambar
Grand sweets sambar – my choice
but for this easy instant pot sambar recipe, I’m going to provide the easy sambar powder recipe you can make at home and store it.
Check some of my other instant pot Indian food | instant pot south Indian recipes collections
Adai(Lentil pancake) 
Potato masala 
Immune booster soup
How to make idli sambar | dosa sambar in instant pot?
Let us make our instant sambar powder first in order to make this instant pot sambar. This can be done stovetop or instant pot. Today I’m making the whole recipe in an instant pot to make it a one-pot recipe.
Turn on the instant pot to saute mode. Once it displays ‘HOT’ add the sesame oil followed by
2 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
3-5 numbers dried red chilies
1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
2 tbsp chana dal
Roast all the ingredients mentioned above.Once the lentils turn golden brown turn off the stove or instant pot and add 2 tbsp freshly grated coconut. I have added desiccated coconut in this recipe since I didn’t have fresh coconut and transfer it to another bowl. Let the mix cool down completely. Grind it into a coarse powder and keep it aside.
Turn on the instant pot, saute mode once it displays ‘hot’ add the sesame oil or ghee, add mustard seeds, 1 broken red chili, onion, shallots, tomato, spice powder, salt, water, tamarind water or tamarind paste 2 tbsp, soaked lentil, cilantro leaves and turn on the instant pot to pressure cook mode – high pressure 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
Turn on the instant pot to saute mode again and add 2 tbsp of sambar powder we made and mix it well. Let it come to a rolling boil. Turn off the instant pot check for the taste and finally add chopped coriander leaves.
instant pot sambar
Ingredients
- 3 tsp sesame oil/Ghee-
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 5 nos red chilies
- 1 no onion
- 15 numbers shallots
- curry leaves optional
- 2 numbers tomatoes
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2.5 tsp corainder powder
- 1.5 tsp red chilli powder
- cilatro few strings
- 1/2 cup tamarind water
- 1 cup toor dal
- 2-3 cups water
Sambar powder recipe
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp corainder seeds
- 1/2 tbsp cumind seeds
- 5 numbers dried red chilies
- 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 2 tbsp chana dal
- 2 tbsp coconut grated
Instructions
Instant pot sambar powder
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Turn on the instant pot to saute mode .Once it displays ‘HOT’ add the sesame oil .
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Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds and chana dal. Once the lentils turn golden brown turn off the stove or instant pot and add the 2 tbsp grated fresh coconut or desiccated coconut and transfer it to another bowl. Let the mix cool down completely.Grind it into a coarse powder and keep it aside.
Instant pot sambar
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Turn on the instant pot, saute mode once it displays ‘hot’ add the sesame oil or ghee, add mustard seeds, 1 broken red chili, onion, shallots, tomato, spice powder, salt, water, tamarind water or tamarind paste 2 tbsp, soaked lentil, cilantro leaves and turn on the instant pot to pressure cook mode – high pressure 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
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Turn on instant pot to saute mode and add 2 tbsp of sambar powder we made and mix it well.Let it come to a rolling boil.Turn off the instant pot check for the taste and finally add chopped coriander leaves.
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You can have this sambar with idli , dosa, adai or any savory crepes or just with plain rice or can have this as a lentil soup.It will taste delicious.
Recipe Notes
I washed and soaked lentil for 15 minutes.Its totally optional.
If you dont have raw tamarind use 2 tbsp of tamarind paste for this recipe.
You can increase or decrease thr spice level according to your taste.