The sheer variety and abundance of flavor in South Indian dishes is insane! Here are 65+ tried and tested South Indian recipes that hit the spot every single time!
I’m a North Indian who married into a Mangalorean family. So most of my real introduction to South Indian cooking happened in my husband’s home kitchen. Over time, I’ve learned that there is a whole world beyond the familiar breakfast staples. From comforting rice dishes and homestyle curries to quick stir-fries and chutneys, every recipe carries layers of flavour and tradition.
This collection of 65+ South Indian recipes comes straight from our family’s kitchen. These are tried and tested dishes that we cook on regular weeknights and for special occasions alike. They are bold, balanced, and full of flavour, and I hope they bring the same warmth to your table that they bring to ours.
Jump to section: South Indian Recipes
Breakfasts
Ragi Dosa Batter
This ragi dosa batter delivers the same soft, fluffy idlis and dosas as the regular dosa batter. But this one’s wayyy healthier!
Chilli Idli Fry
Spicy and crunchy, this chilli idli fry recipe is the perfect way to jazz up leftover idlis and turn it into something addictive, quickly!
Mysore Masala Dosa
Mysore Masala is a popular South Indian breakfast where a spicy red chutney is spread on the dosa while it’s cooking to give it a spicy twist and it is then stuffed with a yummy potato filling. Legend says it originated in Mysore but now its made all across the country!
Uttapam | Uthappam
Uttapam (savory South Indian pancakes) is like the comforting cousin of dosa – it’s thick, soft, and loaded with heaps of veggies. Crispy edges, fluffy center, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner.
Appe | Paniyaram | Paddu
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these appe are going to be your snack-time best friend.
Dosa Recipe | How To Make Dosa
This dosa recipe with my easy homemade batter will help you nail the perfect dosa right at home – so you can make dosas just how you like, whenever you want!
Idli | How to Make Idlis
The secret to really soft, fluffy, melt-in-the-mouth idlis? It starts with the right batter and I’m showing you exactly how in this recipe.
Idli Dosa Batter | How to Make Dosa Batter
Making idli dosa batter at home is incredible easy if you follow my timeline. This produces super soft idlis and incredibly crispy dosas every single time.
Medu Vada
Medu Vada can be a tough recipe to crack but I have detailed step by step + tips to give you a foolproof recipe for crispy, fluffy vadas
High Protein Dosa
An instant no fermentation recipe, this high-protein dosa is really healthy and nutritious. This is like a chilla and makes for a delicious breakfast
Neer Dosa
Neer Dosa is a unique dosa recipe from Karnataka where the batter is only made from 3 ingredients – rice, coconut and water and doesn’t need any fermentation. These are like soft, thin, lacy french crepes but gluten-free and can also be made vegan. They are the perfect vehicle to soak up spicy curries.
Oats Dosa – Healthy Breakfast Recipe
Instant Oats Dosa is a fast, healthy breakfast recipe that’s spiced with ginger, cumin, curry leaves, onions and coriander. These have a lacy texture, are golden brown and really crispy!
Millet Mysore Masala Dosa
If you want to include more millets in your diet, this is a perfect recipe. This mysore masala dosa is made with a fermented millet batter that makes beautiful, crispy dosas.
Instant Ragi Dosa
Ragi dosa is an instant dosa recipe that’s also a great way to include millets in your diet. It doesn’t need any grinding or fermenting. Rich in iron and fibre, these dosas are healthy, hearty & nutritious. The trick is to make sure the batter is the consistency of milk.
Beetroot Appe
A really fun breakfast or snack, the bright pink colour of these beetroot appe makes sure kids are excited to try them! It’s the best way to use up leftover idli dosa batter.
Sides
Mangalorean Prawn Pickle
Tangy and spicy with authentic South Indian flavors, this prawn pickle is one of those recipes that feel comforting and zingy in the same bite!
Coconut Chutney
This Coconut chutney recipe is quick, fresh, and the easiest way to turn a regular breakfast into something worth slowing down for.
One Pot Sambar | Fast & Easy
This is an easy vegetable sambar recipe where I show you how to transform store bought Sambar Powder into an amazing Sambar. Perfect for idlis, dosas and uttapams.
Rice Idiyappam
Light, delicate, beautifully steamed and absolutely addictive, these rice idiyappams look complicated but are insanely easy to make!
Orange Rasam
Spicy, tangy, zesty, yet incredibly refreshing, this Orange Rasam will be your new favorite way of making this traditional South Indian staple dish.
Ragi Idiyappam
Quick and easy, this ragi idiyappam is a healthy addition to your meal rotation. Tastes delicious with chutney as well as curry
Horse Gram Soup | Kollu Rasam
This horse gram soup aka Mangalore’s kollu rasam, is a hearty, warming soup that makes for the perfect cozy winter evening meal on its own or with some ghee rice.
Jesse’s Tomato Rasam
Rasam is a staple dish in South Indian homes – it’s a light and tangy soup served piping hot, either on its own or with rice. This tomato rasam recipe is a soul soother and definitely the best thing to sip on, on sick days. Its fast, easy with peppery, spicy flavours.
Horse Gram Soup | Kollu Rasam
This horse gram soup aka Mangalore’s kollu rasam, is a hearty, warming soup that makes for the perfect cozy winter evening meal on its own or with some ghee rice.
Indian Style No Coconut Peanut Chutney
Quick and easy Indian Style No Coconut Peanut Chutney for a delicious South Indian Breakfast. Best with dosas, idlis and vadas.
Coconut Rice
Watch the Recipe Video above. This easy coconut rice is a fantastic side to curries, roasted veggies and meats. In India, it’s even had for breakfast because it really fuels you up. Also a great way to use leftover rice! Its naturally vegan, gluten free and vegetarian.
Easy Lemon Rice (Yellow Rice)
A really simple lemon rice recipe – it’s flavored with lime juice and zest so that the rice really packs a punch and is full of flavor. Made all in one pot from start to finish, this yellow rice is easy to put together and is excellent with raita on the side.
Tender Coconut Appam | Palappam
Soft, fluffy and lacy is the best way to describe these Tender Coconut Appams. With a little prep and a handful of pantry staples, making appam at home is incredibly easy. Serve it with some Veg Stew for a comforting and wholesome meal!
Andhra Style Palak Pappu
A savoury dal powered with toor dal and spinach and aromatics like garlic, onion and chillies. It’s comfort in a bowl, best served with hot rice and a spoon of ghee.
Appetizers
Apollo Fish
Crispy, spicy, saucy, and packed with flavor, this Apollo Fish is the ultimate Indo-Chinese recipe with a South Indian twist that tastes amazing with fried rice or hakka noodles
Chicken Majestic
Spicy, tangy, juicy – this Andhra-style Chicken Majestic dish has the most delicious Indo-Chinese flavors. Plus, it’s so easy to make!
Mushroom Ghee Roast Tacos
Rich, refreshing, and wholesome is the best way to describe these Mushroom Ghee Roast Tacos. You’ve never had anything like this before!
Mangalorean Fish Fry
Spicy, tangy, and zest – this Mangalorean Fish Fry Recipe is a flavor bomb. Serve with neer dosa or appam for a comforting, memorable meal ❤️
Chicken Ghee Roast
When it comes to Mangalorean cuisine, there is no dish as renowned as the Chicken Ghee Roast. This dish has all the elements of a great chicken meal – tender, juicy chicken pieces, a sumptuous masala, and an abundance of flavor in every bite.
Prawn Rava Fry – Mangalorean Style
This easy Mangalorean recipe for Prawn Rava Fry gives you spicy prawns that remain juicy and are super crispy. Perfect for a family get togethers and an evening of drinking.
South Indian Mushroom Pepper Fry
Simple, easy south Indian mushroom pepper fry is a great way to use mushrooms in sabji. Spicy, peppery, this is best served with malabar parottas and rice
Rava Pomfret Fish Fry (Mangalorean Style)
Mangalorean style rava or semolina crusted pomfret fish fry is an authentic spicy, crunchy coastal India recipe. It’s really easy to make, and will make you want to lick your fingers!
Paneer Ghee Roast
Ghee roast is traditionally made with Chicken or even seafood but here’s a vegetarian version which is just as good. Dry roasted spices are ground to a smooth paste and as the name suggests, cooked in a lot of ghee. This ghee roast masala coats the paneer cubes and gives it an irresistible flavour and aroma. You can whiff it from a mile away!
Snacks
Kulkul (Christmas Kuswar)
Crunchy on the outside, soft and flaky on the inside, kulkuls are a delicious Christmas snack that can be eaten as is or with a cup of tea!
Mangalore Buns
Soft, fluffy, crispy Mangalore Buns make for the perfect 5 pm snack with some coconut chutney and chai 🫶
Goli Bajji | Goli Baje
Crispy on the outside, soft and light on the inside, this Mangalorean Goli Bajji make for the perfect 5pm snack with some chai and coconut chutney!
Mysore Curd Bonda
The Mysore Bonda is a beloved street food in South India, known for its crispy exterior and soft, delectable interior. Ideal for snacking with tea, this dish requires only a few basic pantry ingredients and is easy to prepare.
Crispy Masala Vada
This Masala Vada recipe will give you crispy vadai inside out. The trick is to grind everything coarsely and fry these on a medium flame to allow them to cook properly and crisp up.
Main Course
One-Pot Sambar Rice | Sambar Sadam
One Pot Sambar Rice is a quick and easy rice, lentil and veggie dish from South India. It’s spicy, tangy, nutritious, and absolutely yummy and comforting.
Chettinad Chicken Curry
Chettinad Chicken Curry is made with whole ground spices, is fragrant, fiery hot and a popular Tamil Chicken recipe.
South Indian Style Egg Curry
Learn how to make south indian style egg curry, inspired by Kerala cuisine. Easy, comforting and creamy egg curry recipe!
Boneless Chicken Biryani | Meghana Style
If you love biryani and fried chicken, this Boneless Chicken Biryani from the famous Meghana’s In Bangalore will blow your mind! Super flavorful and layered to perfection, this biryani will become a Sunday ritual!
Pineapple Gojju
If you’ve never tried pineapple in a savoury, spiced curry before, Pineapple Gojju is the perfect place to start. It’s comforting, punchy, and surprisingly balanced.
Kerala Egg Roast | Mutta Roast
Spicy and garlicky, with the nuttiness and aroma of coconut oil – this Kerala Egg roast brings all the flavors of South India we love in one delicious dish.
Mangalorean Chicken Sukka
Spicy, nutty, and full of flavor, this Mangalorean Chicken Sukka is a delicious dish that pairs beautifully with neer dosa!
Mangalorean Prawn Curry (Sungta Ambat)
This Mangalorean Prawn Curry is rich, spicy, tangy, and the perfect way to bring the coast to your kitchen!
Dindigul Style Mutton Biryani
Aromatic and flavor, this dindigul mutton biryani with it’s freshly made masala and jeera samba rice makes for a hearty Sunday lunch!
Nadan Chicken Curry (Village Style Kerala Chicken Curry)
This Nadan Chicken Curry is a really special chicken curry from Kerala that featuring spicy, rustic flavors. Serve with Malabar parotta, neer dosa or rice for a comforting meal 🫶
Prawn Green Curry
A beautifully fragrant and creamy green prawn curry inspired by flavours from Kerala.
Stuffed Brinjal Curry (Gutti Vankaya or Yengai)
Stuffed Brinjal Curry or Eggplant Curry is a delicious South Indian speciality that uses a mix of peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut, chana dal, tamarind, chillies and jaggery to create a nutty, spicy, tangy, sweet base. The ground masala is really easy to make and there’s virtually no chopping involved! Always a win for weeknight dinners or special dinners. Goes well with rotis, biryani, or just steamed rice
Raw Mango Fish Curry
This Raw Mango Fish Curry is also called Alleppey Fish Curry and is a recipe from Kerala. Its flavours are distinctly spicy, tangy and sour which makes this recipe a flavour bomb. Use any first white fish or an oily fish. Fish can also be substituted with squid or prawns. For a vegetarian version, use a fleshy, meaty vegetable like eggplant.
Spicy Fish Curry with Coconut and Tamarind
An easy everyday Fish Curry with coconut and tamarind. This ones spicy, tangy, sour and bursting with flavour.
Mangalorean Ripe Mango Curry
An authentic Mangalorean style ripe mango curry which is a must try if you love combining sweet savoury flavors! This is a unique recipe from Southern India for every mango lover.
Curd Rice – Summer Special
This curd rice recipe is a must make during hot summer months. Creamy, tangy and so refreshing, curd rice will make summer lunches infinitely better. Easy, comfort food.
Easy Chicken Pulao
Inspired by the Donne Biryani and made with green masala, this Chicken Pulao Recipe will become a favourite! Spicy, aromatic, this is no regular pulao.
Kerala Mutton Stew (Ishtu) With Coconut
This Kerala Style Mutton Stew or Ishtu has simple whole spices enhancing the flavour and a mild coconut milk broth. This stew is like a warm hug in a bowl.
Chicken Kori Rotti | Mangalorean Chicken Curry
Authentic chicken kori rotti / mangalorean chicken curry recipe, also known as kori ghassi. Creamy, spicy and perfect for dinner!
Mangalorean Crab Curry
Spicy and robust, this Mangalore Crab Curry boasts of incredible balance of flavors and comfort in every bite 🫶
Kerala Veg Stew
This Kerala Veg Stew is comfort in a bowl. It’s a super simple yet delicious recipe that’s mildly spiced and the perfect vehicle to dip dosas and appams in. It’s usually served as breakfast, but can be eaten for lunch as well as dinner.
Millet Bisi Bele Bath
Made with foxtail millets instead of rice, this Millet Bisi Bele Bath is delicious and wholesome! It’s usually eaten for breakfast but it’s a perfect meal for any time of the day!
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