Instant Pot Sambar

Instant pot sambar is an easy way to make sambar for Instant pot users/fan. Typically sambar is made in 2 steps. The toor dal (lentils) is cooked separately and then added to the tamarind stew. This separation is essential because the acidity in the tamarind would not allow the dal to get cooked thoroughly.

On one hand, you want to get sambar done quickly, But…Gaah!! you also don’t want to deal with the hassle of a separate pressure cooker for the lentils. No problem.. I found a way to circumvent the problem.

If we par-cook the toor dal in the stove while we are getting the instant pot ready with the other steps, then the partially cooked dal can be added just before closing the lid. This results in a well-cooked dal + a well-integrated sambar without the hassle of dealing with multiple pressure cooking steps.

Step By Step Pics

To a pan add 3/4 cup toor dal and 1.5 cup water and let it boil in the stove

Let the toor dal boil in the stove while you prep and get the other parts of the sambar ready

Set Instant Pot to ‘Saute’ mode. Let the pan get hot. Add oil and spices to pan.

Add veggies to pan, and give it a quick saute.

Add tamarind water to the pan and let it come to a boil.

Add turmeric powder, sambar powder and salt to the boiling liquid.

Add the par-boiled lentils to the stew and close the instant pot lid

Set pot to ‘Pressure’ mode for 10 minutes.

Let the instant pot cool down naturally. Open lid, mix well and add chopped coriander.

Notice how well cooked and soft the toor dal is…

Serve.

Recipe

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Instant Pot Sambar

Make a South Indian Sambar (vegan) very easily with this Instant Pot recipe

Ingredients

• 1-1.5 cups Chopped Mixed Veggies (Onions, Carrots, Bell Pepper etc)
• 3/4 cup Toor Dal
• 1 Golf ball size Tamarind soaked in 2 cups water

Spices and herbs

• 2 tsp Oil (any neutral oil)
• 2-3 tsp Sambar Powder
• 3/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
• 4-5 Curry Leaves
• 1-2 pinches Hing
• 4-5 tsp Chopped Coriander leaves
• Salt

Instructions

1. To a small saucepan add 3/4 cup toor dal and 1.5 cup water and let it boil in the stove. Also remember to soak tamarind in a cup of water to soften.

2. Set Instant Pot to 'Saute' mode. Let the pan get hot. Add oil to pan. Add mustard seeds when hot, then methi seeds, hing and curry leaves. Saute

3. Add veggies to pan, and give it a quick saute.
4. Add tamarind water to the pan and let it come to a boil.
5. Add turmeric powder, sambar powder and salt to the boiling liquid.
6. Add the par-boiled lentils to the stew and close the instant pot lid
7. Set pot to 'Pressure' mode for 10 minutes.
8. Let the instant pot cool down naturally. Open lid, mix well and add chopped coriander. Serve.

Recipe Notes

Get the par-boiling of dal started while prepping the veggies itself. This will give it more time to soften.

Conclusion

There’s another way to make sambar in the instant pot. This involves cooking everything in the instant pot except the tamarind water. While the instant pot is cooking the rest of the ingredients, boil the tamarind water in a stove. Once the instant pot pressure is released, open it and add the cooked tamarind liquid to it and give it one boil.

I personally like the first method (with par-boiled dal) better because the authentic sambar taste, for me- comes from cooking the veggies and spices in the tamarind. But, there is no hard and fast rules in cooking. Do, whatever is more convenient for you.

I hope you try this recipe. The instant pot makes your cooking life so much easier, and now you can add making sambar to the list as well. Please post your comments/feedback down below. I look forward to reading them.