65+ South Indian Recipes (Beyond Idli & Dosa)

Admin Friday, February 20, 2026

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!

a collage image of 4 south indian recipes with text overlay

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
Sides
Appetizers
Snacks
Main Course

Breakfasts

5 from 2 votes

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!

freshly made idli fry served in a white bowl with a fork

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!

Serving mysore masala dosa with two chutneys on a banana leaf

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!

uttapams served with chutneys on a banana leaf platter

5 from 1 vote

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.

Freshly cooked paniyaram served on a banana leaf platter with accompaniments

Appe | Paniyaram | Paddu

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these appe are going to be your snack-time best friend.

freshly made dosas served on a banana leaf platter with accompaniments

5 from 1 vote

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!

soft and fluffy idlis served with chutney

5 from 1 vote

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.

Two picture collage with pictures of soft, fluffy idlis stacked on a plate and crispy dosas served on a banana leaf lined plate

4.85 from 33 votes

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 served over a banana leaf in a bowl with chutney and sambar on the side

4.75 from 4 votes

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 served on a banana leaf with chutney and curry on the side

5 from 2 votes

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 Dosas served on a plate with chutney and curry

5 from 3 votes

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.

Instant oats dosas served on a banana leaf lined plates with coconut chutney

5 from 2 votes

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 served on a steel plate with chutney and filter coffee

5 from 4 votes

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.

Ragi dosa served in a steel plate on a banana leaf with coconut chutney and podi

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 Paniyaram served on a plate with coconut chutney and tomato chutney

5 from 1 vote

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

A bottle of prawn pickle labelled in green tape

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!

an image of coconut chutney made served in a bowl placed over a banana leaf platter

5 from 1 vote

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 cooked in the pressure cooker with ladle

4.64 from 11 votes

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 idiyappams served on banana leaf in a plate

Rice Idiyappam

Light, delicate, beautifully steamed and absolutely addictive, these rice idiyappams look complicated but are insanely easy to make!

orange rasam in a container with a ladle

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.

freshly steamed ragi idiyappams placed in a in steamer

4 from 1 vote

Ragi Idiyappam

Quick and easy, this ragi idiyappam is a healthy addition to your meal rotation. Tastes delicious with chutney as well as curry

thick & wholesome horse gram soup garnished with birista and coriander, served with bread

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.

Picture of rasam in the brass pot that it was cooked in with a wooden ladle and some papad on the side

5 from 3 votes

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.

thick & wholesome horse gram soup garnished with birista and coriander, served with bread

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 served in a white bowl.

5 from 2 votes

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 served in a kadhai topped with roasted cashews and curry leaves

4.50 from 2 votes

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.

Flavorful lemon rice served on a wooden plate with a spoon.

5 from 2 votes

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 in a wicker basket

5 from 1 vote

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!

rice served on banana leaf with andhra pappu, with fryums and chutney podi

5 from 1 vote

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

close up of apollo fish to show it's glossy, saucy texture

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 served on a white platter with accompaniments

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 served on a leaf

5 from 1 vote

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!

a close up image of Mangalorean fish fry

5 from 1 vote

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 served on a white bowl over a plantain leaf

5 from 3 votes

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 served on a beige platter with chutney and sliced onions on the side

5 from 3 votes

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.

Mushroom pepper fry served in a bowl

4.98 from 40 votes

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

The fried fish coated with rava aka semolina in a pan.

5 from 2 votes

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 served on banana leaf with neer dosa

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!

shot of andhra chilli chicken in a kadai

5 from 2 votes

Andhra Chilli Chicken

Snacks

a close up image of kulkuls to show the crispy texture

5 from 1 vote

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 🫶

a close up image of goli bajji to show it's crunchy texture

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 served on a white and blue plate with one bonda cut open

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 vadas served on a banana leaf lined white plate with coconut chutney on the side

4.50 from 4 votes

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 scooped up in a ladle from the cooking pot

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.

close up shot of chettinad chicken curry to showcase it's texture and color

4.84 from 6 votes

Chettinad Chicken Curry

Chettinad Chicken Curry is made with whole ground spices, is fragrant, fiery hot and a popular Tamil Chicken recipe.

close up image of south indian style egg curry to show the creamy texture and perfectly boiled eggs

4.95 from 54 votes

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 served in a copper handi style bowl

4.84 from 6 votes

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.

close up image of Kerala egg roast served on Malabar Parotta

4 from 1 vote

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.

freshly made mangalorean chicken sukka in a kadai

5 from 1 vote

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 picked up in a ladle to show the texture

5 from 1 vote

Mangalorean Prawn Curry (Sungta Ambat)

This Mangalorean Prawn Curry is rich, spicy, tangy, and the perfect way to bring the coast to your kitchen!

a close up image of dindigul mutton biryani to show it's texture

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!

an image of freshly made nadan chicken curry in a kadai

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 🫶

a bowl with white rice topped with green prawn curry with roundels of o

5 from 3 votes

Prawn Green Curry

A beautifully fragrant and creamy green prawn curry inspired by flavours from Kerala.

Picture of stuffed brinjal curry in a red enamel pan

4.75 from 8 votes

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 served in a brass pot that it was cooked in

4.86 from 7 votes

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.

Fish curry in the mud pot that it was cooked in

4.95 from 18 votes

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.

Mango Curry pictured in the clay mud pot that it was cooked in

4.70 from 10 votes

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 served on a plate with pickle and fryums

5 from 4 votes

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.

Chicken Pulao served on a grey plate with raita

4.77 from 13 votes

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.

Mutton stew with coconut served in a bowl with naan bread

4.64 from 11 votes

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 served in a white plate.

5 from 28 votes

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!

close up of Mangalorean crab curry

Mangalorean Crab Curry

Spicy and robust, this Mangalore Crab Curry boasts of incredible balance of flavors and comfort in every bite 🫶

kerala veg stew served with appam

5 from 1 vote

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 served on a plate lined with banana leaf

5 from 1 vote

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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