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 huge fan of our South Indian foods.
South Indian foods have a distinct flavor that differentiates them from other cuisines. There is a tanginess in the preparation of this cuisine. The taste of spices also differs 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, and garlic. Also, the food is not very heavy and rich like our Punjabi cuisine, nor is it very light.
When we say South Indian food, the most common and popular are idli, vada, and dosa. 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 Idli Sambar and chutney. But they are increasing nowadays. Dosa is widely accepted in almost all parts, but again, 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 carbohydrates. 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 in their food, unlike North Indian food, where potatoes play a vital role. 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.
South Indian Snacks
Tiffin is generally a meal that is neither very heavy nor very 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 and Lunch/Dinner menu Items. I have also compiled a few related items.
1. South Indian Idli
Idli is a snack or tiffin recipe. You can make it 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 idli.
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 important for making crispy dosa.
6. Onion Uttapam
Onion uttapam is thicker than that of dosa. These are like pancakes. You can add onion, tomato, green chilies, and any other toppings of your choice.
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 in between.
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 healthier option.
10. Mysore Bonda
Mysore bonda is normally a urad dal fritter. This is a quick tea-time 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 idli, 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 sauteed 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 tangi delicious.
14. Karam Podi/ Idli Podi/ Gun Powder
15. Spot Idli
Spot idli recipe is yet to be published on 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 this super easy shallow fried spot idli.
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 for a minute until it's mushy. Now, place one spoonful of batter on top of the spice mix and cover with a lid. Cook on low flame for 5 - 7 minutes or until the batter is cooked well. Spot idli is ready.
16. Kara Chutney
Kara Chutney is a spicy red onion and tomato chutney. This is a quick and easy chutney than that of 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 equally loved across the country. This is a sour, tangy, mushy rice recipe. The tempering of hing, curry leaves, and mustard seeds add 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 what not. 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 Hydrabadi recipe. These are the side dish with biryani rice in Hyderabad.
22. Rava Upma
Rava upma or sooji upma is one of the most popular dish 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 a popular street food in Mumbai. This is the most loved South Indian snack across the country, I must 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.
In fact, there is a long list if we want to capture all authentic South Indian recipes. 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.
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