Hey everyone! Are you craving a flavorful and authentic South Indian sambar but don't want to spend hours slaving over a stove? Well, you're in luck! This guide is all about making delicious Instant Pot sambar – and the best part? It's without the traditional tedious soaking or the need for sedalse! That means you can enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal in a fraction of the time. We're talking about a quick and easy recipe that doesn't compromise on taste. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it's a total lifesaver on busy weeknights. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, infusing the lentils, vegetables, and spices with incredible flavor.

The Magic of Instant Pot Sambar

The secret to this amazing Instant Pot sambar lies in the pressure cooking. The Instant Pot traps all the flavors, creating a rich and aromatic broth that perfectly complements the lentils and vegetables. Because the Instant Pot seals everything tight, the flavors meld together beautifully, resulting in a depth of taste that’s hard to achieve with stovetop cooking, especially when you're short on time. We're skipping the traditional soaking process for the lentils, which significantly speeds up the cooking time. No more pre-planning the night before! Plus, we're doing away with the sedalse, which is often used to add more body and flavor. Instead, we'll achieve that perfect consistency and flavor through a few clever tricks.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It dramatically reduces the cooking time compared to traditional methods.
• Flavorful: The Instant Pot locks in flavors, creating a rich and aromatic sambar.
• No Soaking Required: Skip the overnight lentil soaking – a huge time saver!
• No Sedalse: Get the authentic taste without the added effort. This recipe delivers big on flavor without requiring any fancy techniques. It's all about simple steps and delicious results.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to your preferences. Add your favorite vegetables and adjust the spice levels to your liking. Feel free to experiment! This recipe is a great starting point, and you can make it your own.

Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients You'll Need

To make this delicious Instant Pot sambar, you'll need the following ingredients. Don't worry, the ingredient list is straightforward, and you can find most of these items at your local grocery store. I've broken it down to make it super easy for you:

Lentils

• 1 cup Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas): This is the star of the show! Toor dal is the traditional lentil used in sambar. It gives the sambar its characteristic texture and flavor. Make sure to rinse it well before using.

Vegetables

• 1 cup Mixed Vegetables (e.g., carrots, potatoes, drumsticks, onions): This is where you can get creative! Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Drumsticks are a classic addition for that authentic touch.
• 1 medium Onion (chopped): Onions add a base flavor and sweetness to the sambar. Brown or red onions work equally well.
• 2 Tomatoes (chopped): Tomatoes provide acidity and body to the sambar. Use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.

Spices & Flavorings

• 1-2 tablespoons Sambar Powder: This is the key to that authentic sambar flavor. You can find sambar powder at most Indian grocery stores or online. Adjust the amount to your spice preference.
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder: Adds color and a subtle earthy flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida (Hing): This adds a unique savory flavor to the sambar. Use it sparingly, as it has a strong taste.
• 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds: These add a lovely pop of flavor and texture to the sambar. We’ll be using these in the tempering.
• 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds: Another flavor-packed addition to the tempering.
• 2-3 Dry Red Chilies (broken): Adds a touch of heat. Adjust according to your spice preference.
• Curry Leaves: Fresh curry leaves are essential for that authentic South Indian aroma.
• Salt to taste: Don’t forget to season your sambar! Salt is crucial to balance the flavors.
• Tamarind Pulp (optional): A little tamarind pulp can add a tangy flavor that really makes the sambar pop. You can find this at Indian grocery stores.

For Tempering (Tadka)

The tempering, also known as tadka, is the final touch that elevates the sambar to another level. Here's what you'll need for this:

• 1-2 tablespoons Cooking Oil: Use any neutral oil, such as vegetable or sunflower oil.

Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. It makes the whole process smoother!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, guys, let's get cooking! This Instant Pot sambar recipe is super easy to follow, and I've broken it down into simple steps. Let’s get to the fun part: making the sambar!

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

• Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes any impurities.
• Chop all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. If using drumsticks, chop them into 2-3 inch pieces.
• Chop the onions and tomatoes.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics (Optional but Recommended)

• Turn on your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add a little oil.
• Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
• Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften. This step will help deepen the flavors of your sambar. It’s also optional, but I highly recommend it!

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Instant Pot

• Add the rinsed toor dal, mixed vegetables, sambar powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida, and salt to the Instant Pot.
• Pour in 4 cups of water. The water level should be enough to cover all the ingredients. If you prefer a thinner sambar, you can add a little more water. If you want a thicker one, add less.
• Give everything a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Pressure Cook the Sambar

• Close the lid of your Instant Pot and make sure the sealing valve is in the sealing position.
• Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and set the timer for 12 minutes on high pressure. If you are using a newer Instant Pot model, you might have a dedicated “Bean/Lentils” setting. You can use that as well.
• Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can release the remaining pressure manually by carefully turning the venting knob to the venting position.

Step 5: Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)

• While the sambar is pressure cooking, prepare the tempering.
• Heat some oil in a small pan or a tadka pan over medium heat.
• Add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add the cumin seeds, dry red chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida.
• Sauté for a few seconds until the spices become fragrant. Be careful not to burn the spices.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

• Carefully open the Instant Pot and add the tempering to the sambar. Stir well.
• If you're using tamarind pulp, add it now and stir to combine.
• Taste the sambar and adjust the salt and spices as needed. You can add more sambar powder if you want a stronger flavor.
• Serve the delicious Instant Pot sambar hot with rice, idli, or dosa. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (optional).

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Sambar

• Adjust Spices to Taste: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spice levels. Start with a smaller amount of sambar powder and add more to your liking.
• Vegetable Variety: Feel free to use a variety of vegetables in your sambar. You can add eggplant, okra, or even pumpkin.
• Consistency: If your sambar is too thick, add more water. If it’s too thin, you can mash some of the lentils and vegetables to thicken it.
• Fresh Curry Leaves: Don’t skip the curry leaves in the tempering! They add an essential flavor to the sambar.
• Storage: Leftover sambar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day! You can also freeze it for longer storage.

Troubleshooting

• Sambar is too sour: If your sambar is too sour, add a pinch of sugar or jaggery to balance the flavors.
• Sambar is too bland: Add more sambar powder and salt.
• Sambar is too thick: Add more water and simmer for a few minutes.
• Lentils are not cooked: If the lentils are not cooked properly, pressure cook them for a few more minutes.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Quick and Easy Sambar!

And there you have it, folks! A simple and incredibly flavorful Instant Pot sambar recipe that's ready in no time. This is a game changer, especially during the busy weeknights, and the taste is just as good, if not better, than the traditional recipes. I hope you guys enjoy making this recipe as much as I do. Don’t forget to share your photos and let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Happy cooking!

Enjoy your meal, and feel free to ask any questions. Happy cooking, everyone! This is the perfect dish to bring a taste of South India to your home, quickly and easily! I am sure you can’t get enough of this tasty and flavorful recipe.