Buy Sambar Masala Online

Sambar Masala vs Sambar Powder — What's the Difference?

Both are used for making sambar, but they're slightly different products. Sambar powder is typically a pure spice blend — ground chillies, coriander, cumin, and pepper — that forms the heat and spice base. Sambar masala often includes additional aromatics and is marketed as a more complete, ready-to-use blend with pre-balanced proportions. Some cooks use both together.

At Velspices, we stock both sambar masala and sambar powder so you can choose the version that works best for your recipe.

What Goes Into Sambar Masala?

A quality sambar masala includes:

• Coriander seeds — the primary flavour base
• Dried red chillies — heat and colour
• Cumin — earthy depth
• Black pepper — pungency
• Chana dal (toasted) — adds body and nuttiness when ground
• Urad dal (toasted) — similar role to chana dal
• Dried curry leaves — authentic South Indian flavour
• Turmeric — colour
• Cinnamon and cloves — subtle warmth
• Asafoetida (hing) — the characteristic South Indian back-note

How to Make Sambar Using Sambar Masala

1. Cook toor dal until soft and set aside.
2. Soak tamarind in warm water and extract juice.
3. Boil tamarind water with vegetables (drumstick, tomato, onion, carrot) for 10 minutes.
4. Add mashed dal, sambar masala (1.5–2 tablespoons for 4 servings), and salt.
5. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened.
6. Temper mustard seeds, dried red chilli, and curry leaves in oil and add to sambar.
7. Finish with fresh coriander and serve with idli, dosa, or rice

Shop Sambar Masala online at Velspices — quality South Asian groceries delivered across Australia.