Top 4 Substitutes for Sambar Powder

Sambar powder is a gently spicy condiment that is often used in genuine Indian cuisine. It has a variety of rich tastes that provide real flavor to recipes.

Since sambar powder is not a well-known spice combination in the West, you may have difficulty locating it; here are some sambar powder replacements you may use instead.

What Is Sambar Powder and What Is It Made Of?

Sambar powder is a spice powder from South India that is often delicious and coarse-textured.

Sambar powder is created by grinding coriander seeds, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, black peppercorns, dry coconut, cinnamon, and other basic Indian spices with chana dal.

Sambar Powder Substitutes

1. Rasam Powder

Rasam has an aromatic and spicy taste characteristic comparable to SambarSambar. Both spice mixes, however, differ depending on the locale and the cook’s tastes.

Both sambar and rasam powder originated in the state of Tamil Nadu but are now famous across India. Depending on who cooks them, the meals might differ greatly or be quite identical. Rasam powder mixes often include spices similar to those found in Sambar powder.

Choose a Rasam powder mix that has elements close to your chosen Sambar powder blend. When replacing Rasam powder for Sambar powder, use a 1:1 ratio.

2. Chaat Masala

The predominant acidity taste note in Rasam comes from tomato or tamarind. Chaat masala, on the other hand, includes its own souring ingredients, which increase the acidity in SambarSambar, although it may be used in lieu of the tomato or tamarind totally.

Chaat masala is a spice combination used to flavor chaat, a fried street meal made out of fried finger foods such as potatoes and fried flatbread. Chaat masala may be used in place of Sambar powder in a 1:1 ratio.

3. Madras Curry Powder

This is a British spice mix designed to replicate the taste characteristics of famous Indian spice blends.

Madras curry powder has many of the same components as Sambar powder blends, thus it may be used to generate a similar flavor profile.

4. Vindaloo Curry Powder 

Like madras curry powder, vindaloo was developed in an effort to recreate a Portuguese meal using Indian ingredients; it is the hottest curry powder mix and shares numerous spices with Sambar powder, providing a similar taste profile.

How To Make Homemade Sambar Powder

Homemade versions of difficult-to-find spice mixes, such as Sambar powder, are the finest alternative choice. This enables you to customize the mix to your liking, and you get a more powerful flavor since you are more likely to utilize fresh whole spices that you ground yourself.

Keep in mind that all of the components in a Sambar powder mix may be difficult to acquire in a conventional grocery shop. You may need to visit Asian stores or Indian marketplaces, or you may look for efficient substitutes for the most difficult-to-find components.

This is a simple method for making homemade Sambar powder.

Ingredients:

• 16 destemmed Kashmiri chillies
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 cup curry leaves
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp. chana dal
• 1 teaspoon urad dal
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 4 tbsp fenugreek seeds3
• 2tablespoonhing1
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Directions:

• Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the seeds become a light brown color and become aromatic (this may take 1 to 2 minutes). Remove the seeds from the heat and set them aside in a large mixing bowl.
• Heat the Kashmiri chilies in the same pan over medium-low heat. Stir periodically until the Kashmiri is roasted and begins to gently brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the chilies from the fire and combine them with the coriander and cumin seeds in a mixing dish.
• Fenugreek seeds, black peppercorns, chana dal, urad dal, curry leaves (which should be crisp before adding to the spice bowl), mustard seeds, and hing should all be toasted.
• Before adding the spices to the big mixing bowl, toast each spice separately for a few minutes until nicely toasted.
• Add the turmeric to the spice dish and gently mix before letting the spices to cool to room temperature before grinding.
• Grind the spices into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. This may take some time, but after you have a fine powder, transfer the spice mixture to a bowl.
• You may use your homemade Sambar powder right away or store it in an airtight container and carefully seal it for later use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SambarSambar in Indian food?

Sambar is a South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with pigeon pea lentils, tamarind, and a specific spice combination called as sambar powder. Many people like it, and it is a staple cuisine in South Indian households.

What is the difference between rasam powder and sambar powder?

In Tamil Nadu, rasam powder is often produced using pepper, coriander seeds, jeera, chana dal, and tur dal. Sambar powder includes these components as well, however it is frequently boosted with fenugreek seeds and lacks jeera.

What is a substitute for sambar masala?

Use equal portions cumin and coriander, as well as a pinch of turmeric powder and cayenne pepper powder or red chili powder. This tastes similar to sambar masala.

Is curry powder same as sambar powder?

Absolutely, in South Indian cookery, Sambar powder is practically the same as curry powder.