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Delicious and healthy dishes that can be made even by first timers.

Tamilnadu Recipes

 Published 2012-Mar-17   Updated 2024-Jan-23
(Tamil Nadu Recipes, சுவையான தமிழ்நாடு சமையல், Tamil Nadu Samiyal)

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Food is an important part of tamil culture. Tamilians are known for their hospitality and are very particular about feeding everyone that comes home with a smile. Even a stranger who comes home is offered at least a cup of water. For occasions, people make sure that their guest go home with a stuffed stomach. It is very common to lovingly force the guests to have some extra servings of each course. Traditionally, food used to be served on the floor on a banana leaf. Even now, during special occasions people prefer eating their food in the traditional style. It often starts with a sweet, followed by rice served with curries like sambhar, rasam, kaara kuzhambu, etc and finishing with curd. It is accompanied by varieties of side dishes and fried snacks like appalam, vadagam, vadai etc. Finally it is common to serve a dessert which is mostly payasam. Tiffin menu includes many dishes made with rice and lentils. Apart from this, there are many specific snacks and sweets made during festivals.

Tamil cuisine is dominated by rice, lentils, tamarind, coconut and curry leaves.  There are many dishes that are native to the state like the idli, dosa, sambhar, upma, filter coffee and many more dishes. Along with these common dishes, there are many region specific dishes. The Karaikudi Chettinad cuisine is known for its use of fresh spices in both veg and non veg dishes. The Nanjilnadu (Kanyakumari and surrounding areas) dishes have an interesting blend of tamil dishes with kerala style since nanjilnadu was part of kerala few decades ago. Madurai people are known for their mutton preparations. They have very unique ways of preparing each part of the mutton including the brain, blood, meat, leg, liver and intestine. The Kongunadu cuisine (Coimbatore and surroundings) are famous for their preparation using many millets. They have some age old recipes which are gaining popularity these days sue to its health benefits.

Here is a huge list of 310+ classic tamilian recipes that have been passed on from our ancestors. Try them and enjoy!!

The recipes from Tamilnadu are classified into 7 major categories. Press the links below to go directly to the specific category or scroll down to see the recipes.

  1. Breakfast & Tiffin Recipes
  2. Rice Varieties
  3. Curries and Side-Dishes
  4. Condiments (Pickles, Chutneys, Podis)
  5. Snack Recipes
  6. Desserts and Sweets
  7. Beverages 

Tamil Nadu Breakfast & Tiffin Recipes

Dosai Dosai Ven Pongal Ven Pongal Idli Idli Onion Uthappam Onion Uthappam
Kuzhipaniyaram Kuzhipaniyaram Masala Dosa Masala Dosa Rava Coconut Upma Rava Coconut Upma Kotthu Parotta Kotthu Parotta
Idiyappam Idiyappam Puli Pongal Puli Pongal Parotta Parotta Aapam Aapam
Kanchipuram Idli Kanchipuram Idli Kambu Koozh Kambu Koozh Kambu Choru Kambu Choru Ragi Adai Ragi Adai
Ragi Idiyappam Ragi Idiyappam Ragi Sevai Ragi Sevai Aval Upma Aval Upma (Poha Upma) Ragi Kuzhi Paniyaram Ragi Kuzhi Paniyaram
Oats Kozhukattai Oats Kozhukattai Ragi Idli & Dosa Ragi Idli & Dosa Kaara Kozhukattai Kaara Kozhukattai Upma Kozhukattai Upma Kozhukattai
Kothamalli Sevai Kothamalli Sevai Vella Kozhakkattai Vella Kozhakkattai Ammini Kozhukattai Ammini Kozhukattai Ammini Kozhukattai Spicy Ammini Kozhukattai Spicy
Kambu Dosai Kambu Dosai Aval Dosa Aval Dosa Sambhar Idli Sambhar Idli Adai Dosai Adai Dosai
Oats Idli/ Dosa Oats Idli/ Dosa Lapsi Upma Samba Godhumai Uppuma Samba Godhumai Ven Pongal Samba Godhumai Ven Pongal Paal Pongal Paal Pongal
Little Millet Rice - Samai Sadam Little Millet Rice (Samai Rice) Little Millet Curd Rice Samai Thayir Sadam Mallige Idli (Kushboo Idli) Kushboo Idli Idli Upma Idli Upma
Moong Dal Dosa Sprouts Kuzhipaniyaaram Rava Dosai Rava Dosai Sevai Sevai Orotti Orotti
Wheat Puttu with Atta Wheat Puttu with Atta Rava Puttu Rava Puttu Red Rice Puttu Sigappu Arisi Puttu Ragi Puttu Ragi Puttu
One Pot Khara Pongal One Pot Khara Pongal Sathu Maavu Sathu Maavu Kara Pidi Kolukattai Kara Pidi Kolukattai Egg Dosa Muttai Dosai
Black Rice Puttu Black Rice Puttu Bamboo Rice Puttu Moongil Arisi Puttu Homemade Rice Flour Arisi Maavu Whole Wheat Puttu Godhumai Puttu
Ilai Appam Ilai Appam Idiyappam with Boiled Rice Idiyappam with Boiled Rice Paal Kolukattai Paal Kolukattai Sigappu Arisi Kozhukattai Sigappu Arisi Kozhukattai
Foxtail Millet Upma Thinai Upma Mudakathan Keerai Dosa Mudakathan Keerai Dosa Kambu Idli Kambu Idli Ragi Malt Ragi Malt
Villupuram Upma Villupuram Upma Set Dosa Set Dosa (Sponge Dosai) Aapam with Rice Flour Aapam (with Rice Flour) Karupatti Pongal (Palm Jaggery Pongal) Karupatti Pongal (Palm Jaggery Pongal)
       

Tamil Nadu Rice Varieties

White Rice White Rice (Sadam) Curd Rice Thayir Sadam Tomato Rice Takkali Sadam Elumichai Sadam Elumichai Sadam
Kothamalli Pudina Sadam Kothamalli Pudina Sadam Karuvepillai Sadam Karuvepillai Sadam Coconut Rice Thengai Sadam Drumstick Leaves Porridge Murungai Keerai Khanji
Manga Sadam< Manga Sadam Sambhar (Kadamba) Sadam Sambhar (Kadamba) Sadam Nellikai Sadam Nellikai Sadam Carrot Rice Carrot Rice
Khuska Biryani Khuska Biryani Ellu Sadam Ellu Sadam Vegetable Biryani Vegetable Biryani Kaadai Biryani Kaadai Biryani
Mushroom Soya Biryani Mushroom Soya Biryani Kondai Kadalai Biryani Kondai Kadalai Biryani Chicken Biryani Chicken Biryani Shrimp Biryani Shrimp (or Prawns) Biryani
Turkey Biryani Vaan Kozhi Biryani Puliyodharai Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice) Mutton Biryani Aatu Kari Biryani Thalappakatti Chicken Biryani Thalappakatti Style Chicken Biryani
Ghee Rice Ghee Rice Ulutham Choru Ulutham Choru    
       

Tamil Nadu Curries and Side-Dishes

Sambar Sambar Arachu Vitta Sambar Arachu Vitta Sambar Vada Curry Vada Curry Paruppu Urundai Kulambu Paruppu Urundai Kulambu
Vendakkai Pulikulambu Vendakkai Pulikulambu Rasam Rasam Mor Curry Mor Curry Beans Paruppu Usili Beans Paruppu Usili
Vazhaipoo Usili Vazhaipoo Usili Bottle Gourd Korma Sorakkai Kurma (Bottle Gourd Korma) Mixed Vegetable Poriyal Mixed Vegetable Poriyal Manathakkali Vathal Kulambu Manathakkali Vathal Kulambu
Vazhakkai Poriyal Vazhakkai Poriyal Kathrikai Fry Kathrikai Fry Neem Flower Rasam (Veepam Poo Rasam) Veppam Poo Rasam Keerai Masiyal Keerai Masiyal
Keerai Masiyal with Paruppu Keerai Masiyal with Paruppu Omelette Omelette Kothavarangai Varuval Kothavarangai Varuval Beetroot Poriyal Beetroot Poriyal
Neem Flower Rasam (Veepam Poo Rasam) Veepam Poo Rasam Eral Thokku Eral Thokku Chettinad Vellai Kurma Chettinad Vellai Kurma Crab Fry Nandu Varuval (Crab Fry)
Poondu Vengaya Kulambu Poondu Vengaya Kulambu Kozhi Rasam Kozhi Rasam Egg Masala Egg Masala Ennai Kathrikai Ennai Kathrikai
Aviyal Aviyal Vazhaipoo Usili Vazhaipoo Usili Beetroot Paruppu Usili Beetroot Paruppu Usili Podalangai Kootu Podalangai Kootu
Chettinad Mushroom Masala Chettinad Mushroom Masala Urilai Kilangu Masala Urilai Kilangu Masala Cabbage Poriyal Cabbage Poriyal Turnip Poriyal Turnip Poriyal
Mullangi Poriyal Mullangi Poriyal Brussels Sprouts Poriyal Brussels Sprouts Poriyal Carrot Poriyal Carrot Poriyal Kadalai Kuzhambu Kadalai Kuzhambu
Mixed Vegetable Kurma Chapatti Kurma Tkakkali Kurma Tkakkali Kurma Pattani Kurma Pattani Kurma Cauliflower Kurma Cauliflower Kurma
Mutton Kuzhambu Mutton Kuzhambu Dry Fish Curry Karuvaatu Kulambu Meen Kuzhambu Meen Kuzhambu Kathrikai Poricha Kulambu Kathrikai Poricha Kulambu
Kollu Kuzhambu Kollu Kuzhambu Vaazha Poo Sambar Vaazha Poo Sambar Vaazha Thandu Sambhar Vaazha Thandu Sambhar Avicha Muttai Avicha Muttai
Nettili Varuval Nettili Varuval Meen Varuval Meen Varuval Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu Kozhi Milagu Kuzhambu Chicken Fry Chicken Fry
Ennai Kathirikkai Ennai Kathirikkai Capsicum Gojju Capsicum Gojju South Indian Egg Masala South Indian Egg Masala Banana Stem Mor Kootu Banana Stem Mor Kootu
Fish Puttu Sura Puttu Curry Leaves Chicken Karuvepillai Chicken Vazhakkai Podimas Everyday Dal Paruppu Kulambu Dal
Kale Poriyal Kale Poriyal Cauliflower Kurma Cauliflower Kurma Radish Sambar Mullangi Sambar Pavakkai Paruppu Kootu Pavakkai Paruppu Kootu
Pavakka Thoran Pagarkkai Poriyal Spring Onion Poriyal Vengaya Thal Poriyal Zucchini Sambar Zucchini Sambhar Keerai Kootu Manathakkali Keerai Kootu
Zucchini Mor Kulambu Zucchini Mor Kulambu Mussels Roast Chippi Meen Fry Snow Peas Poriyal Snow Peas Poriyal Clove Beans Poriyal Kaambu Kathrikkai Poriyal
Turkey Kurma Vaankozhi Kurma Chicken/Turkey Kurma Kozhi Kurma Mango Ginger & Raw Turmeric Moru Curry Maa Inji Pacha Manjal Mor Kuzhambu Paruppu Rasam Paruppu Rasam
Mutton SukkaMutton Sukka Potato Kurma Potato Kurma Celery Poriyal (Celery Stir-Fry) Celery Poriyal (Stir-Fry) Mutton Kola Urundai Mutton Kola Urundai
Chicken Thokku Chicken Thokku Murungakkai Poriyal Murungakkai Poriyal Kanyakumari Fish Curry Kanyakumari Fish Curry Plain Salna Plain Salna
Udaitha Muttai Kulambu Udaitha Muttai Kulambu (Egg Drop Curry) Sundakkai Vattal Kulambu Sundakkai Vattal Kulambu Kovakkai Poriyal Kovakkai Poriyal Karuveppilai Kuzhambu Karuveppilai Kuzhambu
Crab Curry Crab Curry Beans Carrot Poriyal Beans Carrot Poriyal Yellow Pumpkin Mor Kuzhambu Manjal Poosanikai Mor Kuzhambu Paruppu Urundai Kulambu Paruppu Urundai Kulambu
Attukal Soup Attukal Soup Peerkangai Kadayal Peerkangai Kadayal Mullangi Poriyal Mullangi Poriyal Drumstick Poriyal (Sautéed Moringa) Drumstick Poriyal
Sundakkai Poriyal (Turkey Berry Sauté) Sundakkai Poriyal Pachai Sundakkai Kuzhambu Pachai Sundakkai Kuzhambu Drumstick Thokku Drumstick Thokku Cabbage Potato Fry Cabbage Potato Fry
Kalaki Omelette Kalaki Omelette Vendakkai Thoran Vendakkai Thoran Yam Kaara Kuzhambu Yam Kaara Kuzhambu Athikaai Poriyal (Raw Figs Poriyal) Athikaai Poriyal
       

Tamil Nadu Condiments (Pickles, Chutneys, Podis)

Idli Podi Idli Podi Curry Leaf Powder Curry Leaf Powder Veppan Poo Podi Veppan Poo Podi Kothamalli Podi Kothamalli Podi
Orange Peel Pachadi Orange Peel Pachadi Pavakkai Urugai Pavakkai Urugai Mangai Thokku Mangai Thokku Idli Milagai Podi Idli / Dosa Milagai Podi
Nellikai Urugai Nellikai Urugai Vadu Mangai Urugai Vadu Mangai Urugai Thakkali Urugai Thakkali Urugai Poondu Urugai Poondu Urugai
Pachai Poondu Chutney Pachai Poondu Chutney Carrot Chutney Carrot Chutney Pulicha Keerai Chutney Pulicha Keerai Chutney Nellikai Chutney Nellikai Chutney
Vaazha Thandu Chutney Vaazha Thandu Chutney Peerkangai Tol Thuvayal Peerkangai Tol Thuvayal Kollu Thuvayal Kollu Thuvayal Kara Chutney Kara Chutney
Thengai Chutney Thengai Chutney Thenga Chammanthi Thengai Thogayal Roasted Garlic Chutney Poondu Chutney Ver Kadalai Chutney Ver Kadalai Chutney
Thengai Paal Chutney Thengai Paal Chutney Banana Stem Pickle Vazhaithandu Urugai Beetroot Chutney Beetroot Chutney Pirandai Chutney Pirandai Thuvayal
Fried Egg Bulls Eye Egg Instant Mango Pickle Maangai Pisaral Mango Onion Chutney Paccha Maanga Chutney Kothamalli Karuvappilai Thokku Kothamalli Karuveppilai Thokku (Rice Mix)
Sambar Powder Sambar Podi Homemade Chicken Masala Curry Masala Green Coconut ChutneyKothamalli Chutney Tomato ChutneyTakkali Chutney
Javvarisi Vadam Javvarisi Vadam Elai Vadam Elai Vadam Kuzhambu Karuvadam Kuzhambu Karuvadam Veppam Poo Thuvaiyal (Neem Flower Chutney) Veppam Poo Thuvaiyal
       

Tamil Nadu Snack Recipes

Sundal Sundal Medhu Vadai Medhu Vadai Cauliflower Pakoda Cauliflower Pakoda Bajji Bajji
Vazhaipoo Vadai Vazhaipoo Vadai Navadhanya Sundal Navadhanya Sundal Masala Vadai Masala Vadai Curd Idli Thayir Idli
Curd Vadai Thayir Vadai Peanut Sundal Nila Kadalai Sundal Nombu Adai Savory Nombu Adai Savory Uppu Cheedai Uppu Cheedai
Ribbon Pakoda Ribbon Pakoda Thattai Thattai Plantain Chips Nendrapazham Chips Cashew Pakoda Mundiri Pakoda
Mixture Snack Mixture Kaara Boondi Kaara Boondi Oma Podi Oma Podi Mullu Murukku Mullu Murukku
Masala Biscuit Masala Biscuit Chana Masala Sundal Chana Masala Sundal Kadalai Paruppu Sundal Kadalai Paruppu Sundal Sambhar Vadai Sambar Vada
Ajwain Patta Bajia Omavalli Ilai Bajji Boiled Sweet Potatoes Boiled Sweet Potato Thaen Mittai Thaen Mittai Egg Bonda Muttai Bonda
Susiyam Susiyam Boiled Peanuts Boiled Peanuts Vazhaipoo Bajji (Banana Flower Fritters) Vazhaipoo Bajji  
       

Tamil Nadu Desserts and Sweets

Coconut Burfi Coconut Burfi Nei Payasam Nei Payasam Boli Boli Vatalla appam Vatalla appam
Sweet Vermicelli Sweet Vermicelli (Semiya Kesari) Akkaravadisal Akkaravadisal Nombu Adai Sweet Nombu Adai Sweet Kesari Kesari (Sooji Halwa)
Mango Kesari Mango Kesari Boondi Laddu Boondi Laddu Aval Puttu Aval Puttu Mysore Pak Mysore Pak
Beetroot Halwa Beetroot Halwa Pal Paniyaram Pal Paniyaram Sakkarai Pongal Sakkarai Pongal Banana Bonda Banana Bonda
Sukhiyan Sukhiyan Plantain Payasam Nenthrapazha Payasam Parppu Payasam Parppu Payasam Mampazha Payasam Mampazha Payasam
Rose Cookies Rose Cookies (Acchu Murukku) Vellarikkai Payasam Vellarikkai Payasam Pal Khova Pal Khova Vella Cheedai Vella Cheedai
Maa Ladoo Maa Ladoo Kadalai Muttai Kadalai Muttai Vella Kozhakkattai Vella Kozhakkattai Ellu Kozhukattai Ellu Kozhukattai
Rava Ladoo Rava Ladoo Banana Stem payasam Vazhaithandu Payasam Paal Kozhukattai Paal Kozhukattai Paal Poli Paal Poli
Semiya Payasam Semiya Payasam Kaju Katli Asoka Halwa Asoka Halwa  
       

Tamil Nadu Beverages

Filter Coffee South Indian Filter Coffee Turmeric Pepper Milk Manjal Milagu Paal Ginger Tea Ginger Tea (Inji Chaaya) Masala Buttermilk Masala Mor
Kashayam Kashayam for Cold Rice Water Sadam vadicha kanji Chukku Kaapi Chukku Kaapi Elaneer Smoothie Elaneer Smoothie
Nellikai Sharbat Nellikai Sharbat Cucumber Juice Vellarikkai Juice Elaneer Milk Shake Elaneer Milk Shake Beetroot Milkshake Beetroot Milkshake
Mango Milkshake Mango Milkshake Vazhaithandu Juice Vazhaithandu Juice Palm Fruit Milkshake Nongu Milkshake Masala Milk Masala Milk
Dalgona Coffee Dalgona Coffee Homemade Cappuccino Homemade Cappuccino    
       


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Comments (1 - 50 of 119)

Person   ()
All veg recipes are interested
Person   ()
Thank You
Person   ()
VERY GOOD RECEIPE ,I LIKE IT
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
VERY GOOD RECEIPE ,I LIKE IT
Person   ()
So sweet
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Super
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Super
Person   ()
Best Recipes
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
Actually, I was thinking about starting a restaurant in abroad. So I knew a few recipes only, Thank god here I found a lot of recipes and it looks like healthy foods.
Person   ()
Thank You. All the best for starting your restaurant.
Person   ()
Your dishes are amazing I also started blog about health tips
Vjmsdblog.blogspot.com
I would like to use your dishes for reference in my blog
Person   ()
congratulations on your new blog. You can very well add links to recipes in my website.
Person   ()
thank you for your support
Person   ()
i ate by seeing only
Person   ()
Thank You. Enjoy.
Person   ()
I found all the recipes very good.
I will definitely try a recipe everytime I want to make
South Indian food.
Congratulations on your Publication.
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
Superv
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Wow...what a blog.. Your blog is superb..Thank you for information..
Person   ()
Thanks for your comments.
Person   ()
awesome
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
So many varieties all are in one place ... I appreciate your hard work and excellent collections.
Person   ()
Thank you Rajeswari.
Person   ()
semma
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
Dear Madam,
Thanks you for your great work, your website really helped me to learn cook healthy and tasty. yummy yummy.
Person   ()
So happy to hear the website has been useful to you. Have a great day.
Person   ()
Thank You Super
Person   ()
You are welcome.
Person   ()
health food
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
health food
Person   ()
Its really very very useful thank u so much...
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Supper
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
thank you so much
Person   ()
Enjoy :)
Person   ()
wow nice full of traditional.
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
Being a male living as bachelor for self cooking your recipies are much helpful. Hats off to you.
Person   ()
Thank you so much. I am so glad the site is helpful to you.
Person   ()
Thank you
Person   ()
:-)

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 Published by on and last updated on 2024-01-23.