Dosa is a type of pancake from the Indian subcontinent, made from a fermented batter. It might be seen as a traditional breakfast or a tiffin snack but In South India areas, it is also a dinner time regular. For dosa or idli of South Indian dishes, they serve chutney, sambar, and any curries with dosa. So there are many side dish recipes for dosa.
The side dish includes chutney varieties, sambar recipes, veg curries/kurma, and non-veg curries. Some are easy, without grinding side dishes. These side dishes so healthy and tasty and all are veg, Those who are love veg or vegetables will love these recipes.
All the recipes are very simple, but the Chutney recipes are simple and easy to prepare than other recipes of side dishes for dosa. One of the chutney recipes stays well for more than 2 days, you can store that in a jar or a lidded bowl at room temperature or a freeze. Almost all the curry and chutney recipes are South Indian-style preparations. Mainly South Indian people love these idli, dosa, etc with chutney, curry, or kurma…. Here in this tutorial, I share some chutney and sambar recipes. Take a look below…
Side Dish For Dosa
Dosa and idli are very popular and popular South Indian staples that are loved globally. However, when paired with the right side dish, both its flavor and taste increase manifold and become a complete meal. That's why here are 31 amazing side dish for dosa that will delight every palette in a traditional way.
Classic options include coconut chutney, tangy tomato chutney, spicy onion chutney, and hearty sambar, all steeped in authentic South Indian flavors. For a creative twist, try unique chutneys like peanut, beetroot, or coriander mint. If you're seeking richer options, creamy vegetable kurma, Chettinad egg curry, or paneer butter masala make excellent choices.
Chutney Recipes
White Coconut Chutney
Coconut Chutney is a Southern Indian chutney-side dish that is made with very simple ingredients like chana dal, grated fresh coconut, ginger, curry leaves, mustard seeds, avocado oil, green chillis, etc. Moreover, it can be prepared in just 10 minutes, so you can prepare and serve this chutney freshly when you finish making dosa at home.
Kara Chutney Recipe
This Kara Chutney Recipe is a spicy, tasty, side dish for dosa, idli breakfast, or lunch much more interesting! Although it takes about 20 minutes to make, it is very easy to make. First, roast all the ingredients then cool and grind in a grinder with tamarind paste. After tempering, your kara chutney is ready.
Those who like to eat spicy can use a little more red chili or red pepper powder. Nuts are usually not used in this chutney, but those who like a little texture and nutty flavor can add roasted peanuts or cashews. A little tip for a more refreshing flavor, use fresh coriander leaves while grinding.
Onion Tomato Chutney Recipe
Onion is the main ingredient for this Onion Tomato Chutney used to bring a great aroma to balance the tang from tomatoes. This vegan South Indian chutney is best for dosa and idli which is made very easily at home! It will take you 10 minutes to make this chutney.
You can add fresh mint or coriander leaves while making this recipe which will add a wonderful refreshing flavor to it. You can add cashew nut paste to make the texture more creamy. Not only idli or dosa but also vada, and uttapam this chatney can be served wonderfully.
Red Chilli Garlic Chutney
This Chili Garlic Chutney is for spice lovers and garlic lovers. This recipe is simple, spicy, and tasty chutney prepared from garlic and best also delicious side recipes for dosa. Must try it at home. A very popular staple of South Indian cuisine is this chutney. This amazing recipe can be made with just 3 simple ingredients dry red chilies, garlic, and salt.
This chutney goes beautifully with masala dosa, plain dosa, idli, deep-fried vada, or uttapam. Many people also like to serve it with toast or crackers. If you want you can add ginger and grated coconut for a little flavor change which is my favorite.
Onion Chutney For Dosa
The Onion Chutney recipe is spicy, tasty, sweet, tangy, and perfect for any type of dosa or idli. It is very common in all South Indian homes. With some ingredients like onions, garlic, red chilies, urad dal (black gram), chana dal (split chickpea), tamarind, hing (asafoetida), jaggery, you can make this amazing chutney recipe in just 10 minutes.
Not only with masala dosa, plain dosa, idli, or uttapam, this chutney pairs wonderfully with rice or bread. You can vary the amount of red chili, jaggery, and tamarind in the ingredients to get your desired taste.
Carrot Chutney
This Carrot Chutney is made with the main ingredient carrot and goes with some spices, curry leaves, etc. It is very healthy, tasty, easy to make, and ideal for a South Indian dosa side dish. This chutney recipe takes about 50-55 minutes to make, but as an output, you will get a wonderful and healthy chutney.
If you want a little more sweetness, you can increase the amount of brown sugar here. But I would suggest you add fresh cilantro or mint which can bring a wonderful fragrance to this chutney. Not only with dosa, idli, or vada, this chutney is great as a spread on grilled sandwiches or wraps. My dad prefers this chutney as a dip with crackers or pita chips.
Curry Leaves Chutney | Karuveppilai Chutney
Curry leaves chutney is an amazing South Indian recipe. Try this unique, mouthwatering, tasty, and delicious recipe prepared with chana dal, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and spices. It adds special flavor and aroma to the dish. This is the best side dish recipe for dosa for me as I myself love the flavor of curry leaves. Normally this chutney is delicious but when tempering is done separately at the end, it kicks up the flavor of this chutney a few notches.
Vengaya Vadagam Chutney
Vengaya Vadagam Chutney is a delicious Indian recipe served as a Pickles-Chutney. It is a perfect compliment to this tangy and spicy chutney dosa. It will take you about 20 minutes to make this popular South Indian chutney and it is possible to make this very easily with a few ingredients like dried red chili, onion, tamarind, and Thalippu (seasoned vengaya vadagam).
Be it hot, crispy dosa, idli, vada, and other South Indian breakfast items, it pairs beautifully with everything. You can add other ingredients like garlic, ginger, or curry leaves to change the taste and flavor of this chutney. Also, if you prefer a slightly sweeter version of this jati chutney, you can add a little jaggery to it.
Peanut Chutney
Spicy peanut chutney tastes great with dosa. This recipe is not that difficult, this quick peanut chutney will be one of the best and easiest chutneys you will ever make or taste.
Green Chutney Recipe, Green Coriander Chutney
Coriander chutney is made with cumin, lemon juice, and chili which is very tasty, spicy and delicious and easy to make. This veggie chutney is my favorite because it has a bright green color and a refreshing flavor. It is so easy to make that you can make it at home whenever you want and it can be made in just 5 minutes. It is also one of the best side dish for dosa.
Tomato Chutney / Thakkali Chutney
Simple vegan tomato chutney is the perfect accompaniment to idli and dosas! It is a tasty, flavorful, and healthy side dish. This tomato chutney is called Thakkali chutney in Tamil. This amazing chutney can be made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, onions, red chilies, coriander leaves, and sugar. Apart from dosa, uttapam, and idli, this chutney tastes great with crackers as a dip.
Red Coconut Chutney
Red Chili Coconut Chutney is a mouthwatering delicious South-Indian chutney recipe. Made with red chilies, coconut, curry leaves, and spices, the recipe is awesome with dosa, idli, etc.
Mint Chutney - Pudina Chutney
Pudina means mint leaves, which are very tasty and refreshing. This mint chutney recipe is a delicious spicy condiment made from fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, ginger, and garlic. It tastes amazing with dosa. Just give it a try and let me know about your experience.
Potato Chutney with Potato Recipe
Many may be surprised to hear this but it is true that it is possible to make chutney with potatoes. Potato Chutney is a delicious Indian recipe served as a Snacks and is a great side dish for dosa. Actually it is a tangy chutney of potatoes in which the taste of tomato is found which mixes with onion, curry leaves and mustard to create a wonderful combination. If you try this chutney with crispy dosa, I promise you will never forget its taste.
You can serve this Indian recipe not only with idli or dosa, but also with papadums or crackers or grilled sandwiches in a wonderful way. If you want a little creaminess in this chutney, you can add 1 spoon of coconut milk.
Tamarind Coconut Chutney
South Indian style Tamarind Coconut Chutney is a quick, creamy dish made with grated coconut, coconut oil, mustard seeds, ginger, and curry leaves. It uses tamarind or tamarind for a sour taste. South Indian cuisine is famous for its vibrant flavors and variety of chutneys. One such savory chutney is Tamarind Coconut Chutney, a perfect accompaniment to dosa, idli, and vada.
This chutney can be customized as per personal preference. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less green chilies. For a sweeter chutney, you can add more jaggery or sugar.
Kollu thuvaiyal | Kollu thogaiyal | Roasted Horsegram Chutney
Kollu Chutney is a popular chutney recipe from Kongunadu cuisine. It is a spicy, unique chutney made with red chilies and horse gram, with garlic as the main ingredient in the chutney recipe, and is a great side dish for dosa. You can also serve this chutney with rice for lunch or dinner.
If you want to increase the thickness and texture of this chutney, you can add roasted peanuts or cashews along with leafy greens like spinach or coriander leaves, which will also increase the nutrients in it.
Beetroot Chutney With Coconut For Dosa, Idli
Not only with dosa or idli, but also with rice or roti, this beetroot chutney is a very nice and nutritious accompaniment. Its tangy taste and vibrant color have mesmerized me. To make this chutney, you will need some simple ingredients like beetroot, coconut, green chili, urad dal (split black gram), chana dal (split chickpeas), etc. But one thing is very interesting that this chutney is very versatile, you can customize it according to your taste preferences.
For example, if you like a little sweet taste like me, then you can add a spoonful of jaggery or brown sugar. If you want a little unique and creamy taste, then you can add a spoonful of yogurt. As a healthy snack, you can pair this chutney very nicely with bread or crackers or as a dip with pakoras or samosa.
Red Capsicum Chutney / Red Bell Pepper Chutney / Sivappu Kodai Milagai Chutney
If you already taste onion chutney, garlic chutney, or tomato chutney and want a new kind of taste, try this red bell pepper chutney or Red Capsicum Chutney which is good for dosa as a side dish. This vibrant red-colored sweet and tangy chutney can be a great addition to your breakfast or lunch. You can make this amazing chutney recipe in just 30-40 minutes with simple ingredients like Urad dal, Dry red chili, Tamarind, Red capsicum / Red Bell Pepper.
You can add other veggies like onions, tomatoes, or carrots to this chutney if you want. Apart from dosa, idli, and vada, you can also use this chutney as a spread for sandwiches or wraps. If you have any curry or stew prepared at home, you can add this chutney to it for an extra flavor boost. However, I like it more as a dip with crackers or chips.
CABBAGE CHUTNEY
Cabbage chutney is a healthy and low-calorie veggie-based chutney and is best for dosa or idli. We all make curries or koftas with cabbage, but cabbage in the form of chutney may sound a little tricky, believe me, it is very easy to make. This tangy and spicy chutney can take your meal to a whole new level. With shredded raw cabbage, red chili peppers, urad dal (split black gram), onion, garlic, and a few other spices, you can make this amazing recipe in just 30 minutes.
This cabbage chutney tastes great not only with idli or dosa but also with South Indian snacks like vada or bonda.
Chana Dal Chutney | Kadale Bele Chutney
This Kadalai Paruppu/Chana Dal Chutney is simple yet delicious which is very rich in protein with Idli or Dosa. With ingredients like Chana Dal (Bengal Gram), grated coconut, Red chillies, Tamarind, Mustard seeds and curry leaves, you can make this chutney in just 5 minutes.
You can add coriander leaves or mint leaves to this chutney which can add a different freshness to it. This chutney can be paired very nicely with simple toast crispy Papad or Murukku
Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Chutney
This Eggplant-Tomato Chutney is a mouth-watering chutney that goes especially well with rice and South Indian dishes like dosa and idli. With ingredients like brinjal, tomato, cilantro, green chili, tamarind paste, jaggery, salt, turmeric powder, urad dal (split black gram), and dry red chili, you can make this simple chutney in just 30 minutes.
If you want to add a little aromatic twist to this chutney, you can add mint or curry leaves. This chutney can be served very nicely as a dip with crackers or vegetable sticks or as a spread on toasted bread. Needless to say, this chutney is very versatile, so you can experiment with different ingredients or spices according to your taste preferences to create your own unique taste.
Sambar Recipes
Udupi Sambar Recipe
Udupi Sambar is a Mangalorean-style sambar recipe that goes well with dosa and rice. It is actually a South Indian tangy and aromatic lentil-based soup made with a wonderful blend of spices and vegetables. This sambar is made with toor dal (split pigeon peas), urad dal (black gram), coriander seeds, cumin seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida (hing), mustard seeds, red chili, curry leaves, onion, tomato, jaggery, and coriander leaves and takes about 30 minutes to cook.
You can also add your favorite vegetables like brinjal, okra, or pumpkin to this sambar. This Udupi Sambar pairs wonderfully with crispy dosas, idlis, or vada, but I really like this combination with steamed rice and 1 tbsp of ghee.
Bombay Chutney, Kadalai Maavu Chutney Recipe
Do try this Bombay Sambar recipe, I hope you will like its taste. To make this lentil stew, you will need ingredients like peanut oil, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, curry leaves, asafoetida (hing), onion, ginger, green chilies, tomato, besan flour (kadalai maavu).
You can use chickpea flour instead of besan flour if you want. This sambar looks very nice with steamed rice, roasted vegetables and tofu. Moreover, this sambar is served very nicely with crispy pakoras or samosas in many places.
Pumpkin Sambar
White pumpkin, canned coconut milk, toor dal, chickpea dal, pumpkin powder, tomatoes, curry leaves and other ingredients make this pumpkin sambar recipe delicious with dosa. In fact, this recipe is a great way to add pumpkin to your daily life. It will take you about 50-55 minutes to prepare this sambar and it tastes very delicious with soft, fermented rice and coconut pancakes.
Radish Sambar / Stew - Mullangi Pulusu
It is also known as Mughlai Sambar. You can easily make this Sambar recipe with some ingredients like radish, toor dal, tomato, tamarind, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sambar powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and hing (asafoetida).
Since all vegetables are used in this Sambar, you can use vegetable oil instead of ghee, then this recipe becomes completely vegan.
Vengaya sambar recipe | Onion sambar recipe
The most famous sambar in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, is the onion sambar, which you can call shallot sambar if you like. The combination of onions, tomatoes, and a blend of lentils (urad dal and toor dal) creates a unique flavor that is perfect to impress you. Experiment with different tempering ingredients like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. You can also add a pinch of asafoetida for a distinct aroma. This sambar goes very well with hot rice, crispy papadum, or bread slices.
Mullangi Pesarapappu Sambar Recipe - Radish Moong Dal Sambar Recipe
This sambar made with a combination of moong dal, radish, tomato, and onion tastes amazing with dosa. However, if you want, you can add more vegetables like eggplant, drumstick, or okra to the sambar for a nutritious and flavorful twist.
BRINJAL DRUMSTICK SAMBAR
Drumstick is a common vegetable that we can use in sambar and make that recipe healthy and delicious with brinjal, try this recipe using brinjal broth sambar with dosa. This sambar recipe has a wonderful combination of brinjal (eggplant), drumstick (moringa), and a medley of spices to create a wonderful taste. This sambar tastes very good not only with dosa or idli but also with steamed rice.
Arachuvitta sambar recipe, Kadamba sambar
Arachu Vitta Sambar, a traditional Tamil recipe, is a fragrant and aromatic lentil dish. It is a special dish that is prepared on festive occasions, especially during Tamil New Year. You will need some simple ingredients like Toor dal (pigeon pea lentil), Tomato, Green peas, Cumin seeds, Turmeric powder, Channa dal (Bengal gram), Urad dal (black gram), Grated coconut, etc. to make this Sambar recipe.
Raw Mango Sambar - Manga Sambar
Nukal Sambar, a vibrant and delicious South Indian delicacy, is a perfect accompaniment to your favorite breakfast dishes like idli, dosa, and vada. This recipe features the tangy and refreshing taste of raw mango, combined with the rich and comforting flavors of tur dal, urad dal, and a medley of aromatic spices. Serve with freshly chopped coriander leaves to take your breakfast experience to the next level.
Peerkangai Oorpu Recipe | Ridge Gourd Dal
Peerkanga Masial Sambar is a vibrant and delicious South Indian dish that pairs perfectly with crispy dosa. This tangy and spicy sambar is a great option that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The unique blend of ingredients including gourd, tur dal, chickpea dal, gooseberry, lemon, and a medley of aromatic spices creates a combination of flavors in every spoonful.
Some common FAQ
Q. What are the most traditional side dishes for dosa and idli?
A. The most traditional side dishes for dosa and idli include coconut chutney, sambar, and Milagai Podi (spicy lentils mixed with sesame oil). These staples have been part of South Indian cuisine for generations and complement the mild flavors of dosa and idli.
Q. How can I make Idli in cooking steamer?
A. It’s very easy to make. Just follow the steps:
- Grind the idli molds with a pinch of oil and garnish with a clean ladle or a large spoon.
- Add 1/2 cup water to the idli steamer and allow it to boil.
- After boiling, place the mold on the steamer and cover with id lid and steam the idli for 10 minutes.Check and if it comes out clean, remove from the mold and steamer, wait for it to cool and serve it.
Q. Are these dishes suitable for a gluten-free diet?
A. Most of these side dishes are naturally gluten-free as they primarily use ingredients like lentils, coconut, vegetables, and spices. However, double-check the ingredients: Make sure the tamarind paste or asafoetida (hing) you use is gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten.
Q. What else can we serve with Idli Sambhar?
A. It is best to serve Sambar with delicious South Indian Idli. But the chutney and curry are good with the idli. You can try.
- Coconut chutney with Rava idli and Brinjal dump stick sambar.
- Onion chutney with idli and vegetable curry.
- Curry leaves with rice idli and pumpkin sambar.
- Peanut chutney goes well with tomato curry and idli.
- Potato chutney and Peerkanga Masial Samba, with vada curry and so on…
Q. Can I make a healthier version of this side dish for dosa?
A. Here are a few ideas:
- Use low-oil cooking techniques for chutneys and curries.
- Replace sugar with jaggery in recipes like tamarind chutney.
- Include fresh or steamed vegetables like spinach, carrots, or zucchini in chutneys and sambar to boost the nutritional value.
- Choose a coconut milk alternative (like almond or cashew milk) for lighter curries.
Q. Can we eat Idli in fever? / Fever me idli kha skte h?
A. Fever is a common term caused by an antigen-antibody reaction or external problem such as viral, fungal or bacterial infections. If you eat healthy foods like fruit juice, eggs, fish, chicken, soup, yogurt, yogurt, yogurt, idli, buttermilk, soybean products, it helps the body fight infection and diseases.
Q. How can I customize these side dishes for special diets?
A. For a keto diet, focus on high-fat, low-carb options like peanut chutney or coconut chutney with minimal tamarind.
For a lower-calorie meal, opt for vegetable-based chutneys like beetroot or spinach chutneys and use less oil.
Add cooked lentils or peanuts to chutneys and sambar for a protein boost.
Q. Can Rava Idli be given to ulcer patients?
A. A South Indian delicacy, Idli, is made with fly pulses and potatoes or rice flour, which is easily digested and contains no oil. It is not cooked but boiled, has nutrients, and is low in fat. The doctor recommends it to all patients, even ulcer patients!
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