25+ South Indian Recipes | Easy South Indian Food

Here is a list of popular and easy South Indian Recipes. This includes a few typical South Indian Breakfast Items and South Indian lunch or dinner items. These are not restricted to South Indian states, though.

25 Easy South Indian Food Recipes

India is a place of diversity, and we believe in unity in diversity. Different parts have different specialty foods, but other people love them equally. I'm a massive fan of our South Indian food.

South Indian foods have a distinct flavor that differentiates them from other cuisines. The flavor profile of this cuisine is tangy. The use and taste of spices also differ from those used for North Indian cuisine.

For example, Mustard seeds, curry leaves, and tamarind are major spices in South Indian food, whereas for North Indian flavor, we use cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, and other ground spices. Also, South Indian food is not as heavy and rich as North Indian food, e.g., Punjabi cuisine. Coconut milk is widely used in South Indian cuisine instead of dairy milk. Here, the use of dairy and cream is limited to a minimum.

When we say South Indian food, the most common and popular are idli (steamed rice and lentil cakes), vada (fried lentil fritters), and dosa (crepes). These items are also great street foods. In Mumbai, every corner has South Indian street-side vendors selling these South Indian breakfast items.

The neighboring states always influence their food habits. So, Mumbai has also accepted and loved the flavor of its neighboring states. In the North, the influence gradually decreases. Very rarely will you find any South Indian Food stalls selling Medu Vada, Idlis, Sambar, and chutney. But they are increasing nowadays. Dosa is widely accepted in almost all parts of India, but the authentic taste is also important.

How healthy is South Indian food?

This is the most frequent question I have encountered. Yes, South Indian food is light and doesn't contain much oil or fat. Also, they prefer steamed dishes rather than fried ones. The vast use of lentils, vegetables, coconut, and curry leaves makes the food healthier. There is little or no cream in any of the recipes.

They don't use potatoes as much as in North Indian food, where potatoes are widely used in everyday curries (like aloo gobi, aloo baingan, aloo tomato, etc.). This cuisine focuses heavily on vegetables.

Since they use coconut oil for cooking, it makes them extra healthy with the added benefits of coconut oil. Coconut oil has high healthy saturated fats. These fats can boost fat burning and provide the body and brain with quick energy. So this is helpful in weight reduction. They raise good HDL cholesterol in the blood and keep our hearts healthy. This is excellent because the skin helps build collagen and brings in elasticity. Coconut oil can also reverse Alzheimer's disease to some extent.

These are more vegan-friendly and easily customized without compromising the dish's taste.

South Indian Snacks and Recipes

Tiffin is generally a meal that is neither very heavy nor light and can be taken as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. South Indian tiffins are easy dishes like idli chutney, idli sambar, sambar rice, dosa sambar, etc.

Rice and lentil dishes are popular on South Indian lunch and dinner menus. Rice is special in South Indian cuisine, and lentils are popular. Ragi, or finger millet, is a staple food in Karnataka.

Here is a list of popular and easy South Indian Breakfast, lunch, and/Dinner menu Items. I have also compiled a few related items.

1. South Indian Idli

Idli is a snack or tiffin recipe that can be made for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The batter is a mixture of rice and dal (urad dal). Before making this item, the batter is fermented for 8 - 10 hours. Fermentation is an important method for getting perfectly soft and fluffy idlis.

2. Rava Idli/ Semolina Idli

This is a quicker version of regular idli that doesn't require any fermentation. Rava, or semolina, is used for this recipe, and the sourness comes from the curd.

3. Ragi Idli/ Finger Millet Idli

Ragi is a staple food of Karnataka. Karnataka is the highest producer of this millet. This is a gluten-free and healthier food option. You can make many other things from ragi, like ragi adai, ragi dosa, ragi kanji, ragi mudde, ragi laddu, and many more.

4. Ragi Adai/ Ragi Crepes

I loaded this with lots of veggies. The batter is a mixture of powdered ragi, semolina, and curd. This is also an instant recipe that doesn't require fermentation.

5. Masala Dosa/ Dosa Recipe

Masala dosa is one of the most popular South Indian Recipes. This is made with the same batter we use for the idli recipe. The ratio and proportion of rice to lentils are essential for making crispy dosa.

6. Onion Uttapam

Onion uttapam is thicker than dosa. These are like pancakes. You can add onion, tomato, green chilies, and other toppings.

7. Masala Uttapam

This is another version of regular uttapam or onion uttapam. Potato stuffing is used on top of the uttapam. This is even tastier and more filling.

8. Sandwich Uttapam

I love this South Indian Breakfast Recipe. This uttapam has two layers of batter and a layer of potato stuffing.

9. Rava Uttapam or Semolina Pancakes

This is a quicker version of regular uttapam and best for a quick tiffin box for kids' breakfast or school lunch boxes. This is a mixture of semolina or rava and curd. Add vegetables to make this a healthier option.

10. Mysore Bonda

Mysore bonda is usually an urad dal (blackgram lentil) fritter. This is a quick teatime snack and is delicious. This is almost similar to vada or medu vada (in Maharashtra). There is no rice in this batter. This is an easy South Indian snack.

11. Appe/ Paniyaram

This is a regular appe recipe with idli/ dosa batter (a mixture of rice and urad dal). Unlike steaming for idlis, there are different pans (appe pans where we shallow fry the batter. Again, This is a quick recipe for a kid's tiffin box or breakfast. These are healthy finger food options for toddlers and kids.

12. Rava Paniyaram

Rava paniyaram or rava appe is a quicker version of regular appe since this batter has no fermentation. You need to rest the batter for 15 - 20 minutes. Add sautéed veggies to the batter and make this healthy food for kids. These are, again, yummy, quick tiffin box recipes.

13. Sambar Recipe

Sambar is a lentil recipe that is the best accompaniment for any of these South Indian Snacks or lunch items. This goes well with dosa, idli, vada, and rice recipes. Toor dal, or pigeon pea lentil, is the key ingredient in the sambar recipe. Again, the spice mix (sambar masala), curry leaves, and tamarind paste make this extra tangy and delicious.

14. Karam Podi/ Idli Podi/ Gun Powder

15. Spot Idli

The spot idli recipe has yet to be published in the blog. But this is one of the quick idli recipes. However, you don't need an idli maker or steamer to make this dish. This is a popular street food in Hyderabad. The main ingredient is Karam podi or idli podi spice. Then make these super-easy, shallow-fried idlis.

Since I have not yet posted this recipe, I will share it here.

• Take regular fermented idli batter and idli podi.
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add finely chopped onion, curry leaves, and tomatoes, and saute until cooked.
• Add karam podi spice and a little water, and simmer until it's mushy.
• Place one spoonful of batter on the spice mix and cover with a lid.
• Cook on a low flame for 5 - 7 minutes or until the batter is cooked well.
• Spot idlis are ready.

16. Kara Chutney

Kara Chutney is a spicy red onion and tomato chutney. This is a quicker and easier chutney than the coconut chutney. If you don't have the patience to scrape coconut, this chutney is for you.

17. Peanut Chutney

Peanut chutney is my favorite chutney. It's super easy to make this chutney. Also, you can store this chutney in a refrigerator for a week. It goes well with any of the South Indian snack items. This is, again, an easy replacement for coconut chutney.

18. Lemon Rice

Lemon rice is tangy and nutty with lots of curry leaves and lemon juice. This is one of the quick rice recipes and makes a superb makeover with leftover rice.

19. Curd Rice

Amongst all South Indian recipes, curd rice is a popular recipe that is equally loved across the country. This is a sour, tangy, mushy rice recipe. The tempering of hing, curry leaves, and mustard seeds adds an extra punch of flavor.

20. Hyderabadi Bagara Baingan

This one is my all-time favorite dish. Such a heavenly combination of flavors. It's nutty, it's tangy, it's spicy, and whatnot. This is a must-try recipe, I must say. This baby eggplant curry is just perfect for your everyday menu or for

21. Bhindi Salan

This is a similar recipe to bagara baingan. Salan is again a Hyderabadi recipe. These are the side dishes with biryani rice in Hyderabad.

22. Rava Upma

Rava upma or sooji upma is one of the most popular dishes in almost every part of the country. This is a light snack and a breakfast item.

23. Vegetable Upma

Vegetable rava upma is a healthier version of plain upma with lots of veggies. This makes a wholesome breakfast dish.

24. Medu Vada / Vada Sambar

Medu Vada or Vada Sambar is also a popular street food in Mumbai. This is the most loved South Indian snack across the country, I'll say. This is a deep-fried snack of urad dal paste. Vada is a simple recipe. You only need to soak urad dal for 4 - 6 hours. Then, grind it into a paste without adding any or a little water. Make small donut-shaped balls and deep fry them till they turn golden and crisp.

25. Dal Vada/ Masala Dal Vada

Masala dal vada or dal vada is another deep-fried snack made with Bengal gram lentils. This is also a popular and common South Indian snack.

If we want to capture all authentic South Indian recipes, there is a long list. I will keep sharing in the future as well. Some of my upcoming recipes include idiyappam, appam, bisi bele bath, ragi muddy, and more. Bookmark my page.

If you like this post and want to stay updated, subscribe via email. Please also like and share my Facebook Page. Follow My Dainty Kitchen on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

PIN IT FOR LATER