You are here: Home> Cuisine > Indian Veg Recipes > South Indian > South Indian Rice > Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes )
tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam |

Tarla Dalal
17 December, 2024


Table of Content
About Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes )
|
Ingredients
|
Methods
|
Like tomato rice recipe
|
What is tomato rice made of?
|
How to make tomato rice
|
Pro tips to make tomato rice
|
Nutrient values
|
tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | with 31 amazing images.
tomato rice, a delightful South Indian rice preparation, which is a perfect blend of flavors and simplicity. Learn how to make tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam |
South Indian tomato rice, also known as thakkali sadam, is a flavorful and aromatic dish that's a staple in many South Indian households. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The key to this dish lies in its simplicity and the perfect blend of spices that elevate the flavors of the rice and tomatoes.
thakkali sadam is a comforting meal that's easy to prepare and equally satisfying. The key to a delicious tomato rice lies in the aromatic spices and the tangy tomato masala that infuses the rice with a burst of flavor. It's a one pot recipe perfect to pack for a lunch box.
South Indian style tomato rice goes well with vegetable raita, fryums, papadams or tomato chutney.
pro tips to make tomato rice: 1. Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. 2. You can cook this recipe in ghee or coconut oil for a twist in the flavour. 3. For tanginess, you can add tamarind pulp or lemon juice to the recipe.
Enjoy tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | with detailed step by step photos.
Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes ) recipe - How to make Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes )
Tags
Preparation Time
15 Mins
Cooking Time
16 Mins
Total Time
31 Mins
Makes
4 servings
Ingredients
For Tomato Rice
1 cup long grain rice (basmati chawal) , washed and drained
1 tbsp ghee
1 tbsp oil
1 cinnamon (dalchini) stick
2 green cardamom (elaichi)
1 black cardamom (badi elaichi)
1 cup thinly sliced onions
1 tbsp ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste
2 green chilli sliced
1 1/2 cups roughly chopped tomato
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
1 tsp coriander-cumin seeds (dhania-jeera) powder
salt to taste
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)
Method
For tomato rice
- To make tomato rice recipe, heat ghee and oil in a pressure cooker, add cinnamon stick, cardamom, black cardamom, star anise, cloves, bayleaf and onions.
- Sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chillies and mix well.
- Add tomatoes and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, biryani masala, coriander-cumin seeds powder and mix well.
- Add basmati rice, salt to taste and 2 cups of hot water. Mix well and pressure cook on a medium flame for 2 whistles.
- Allow the steam to escape and then open the lid.
- Serve tomato rice hot with raita of your choice.
tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | Video by Tarla Dalal
Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes ) recipe with step by step photos
-
-
tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | then do try other South Indian rice recipes also:
- lemon rice recipe | South Indian lemon rice | chitranna rice |
- curd rice recipe | South Indian curd rice | dahi chawal | thayir sadam |
-
tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | then do try other South Indian rice recipes also:
-
-
See the below image of list of ingredients for making tomato rice.
-
See the below image of list of ingredients for making tomato rice.
-
-
To make tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | heat 1 tbsp ghee, in a pressure cooker. Ghee in tomato rice recipe enhances the flavor and aroma of the dish. It adds a richness and depth to the overall taste.
-
Add 1 tbsp oil.
-
Add 1 cinnamon stick. A cinnamon stick adds a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor to tomato rice.
-
Add 2 cardamom. Cardamom's warm, slightly sweet, and citrusy notes add a layer of complexity to the dish, enhancing its overall aroma.
-
Add 1 black cardamom. Black cardamom adds a unique smoky and slightly sweet flavor to tomato rice.
-
Add 1 star anise. Star anise in tomato rice adds a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor profile.
-
Add 3 cloves. Cloves in tomato rice recipes add a warm, slightly sweet, and slightly spicy flavor profile.
-
Add 1 bayleaf. Bay leaf adds a subtle, earthy flavor and aroma to the tomato rice.
-
Add 1 cup thinly sliced onions. The soft, cooked texture of onions contrasts well with the firmer rice grains, adding a delightful mouthfeel.
-
Sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.
-
Add 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste. Ginger and garlic are known for their distinct, pungent flavors.
-
Add 2 slit green chillies. Green chillies add a burst of heat and flavor to tomato rice. They enhance the overall taste and aroma of the dish, creating a spicy and tangy experience.
-
Mix well.
-
Add 1½ cups roughly chopped tomatoes. Tomatoes play a crucial role in tomato rice by providing a rich, tangy flavor and a vibrant red color.
-
Sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
-
Add ½ tsp turmeric powder. Turmeric powder plays a crucial role in tomato rice by contributing to its color and flavor.
-
Add ½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder. It imparts a beautiful deep red hue to the tomato rice, making it visually appealing.
-
Add 1 tsp biryani masala. Biryani masala adds a unique blend of flavors to tomato rice, enhancing its aroma and taste.
-
Add 1 tsp coriander cumin seeds powder. Coriander and cumin seed powder work together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and aromas that elevate the taste of tomato rice.
-
Mix well.
-
Add 1 cup basmati rice. Basmati rice has a unique, fragrant aroma that adds a pleasant, nutty note to the dish. This aroma enhances the overall flavor profile of the tomato rice.
-
Add salt to taste.
-
Add 2 cups of hot water.
-
Mix well and pressure cook on a medium flame for 2 whistles.
-
Allow the steam to escape and then open the lid.
-
Serve tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | hot.
-
Serve tomato rice with raita, papad, or pickle for a complete meal.
-
To make tomato rice recipe | South Indian style tomato rice | thakkali sadam | heat 1 tbsp ghee, in a pressure cooker. Ghee in tomato rice recipe enhances the flavor and aroma of the dish. It adds a richness and depth to the overall taste.
-
-
Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
-
You can cook this recipe in ghee or coconut oil for a twist in the flavour.
-
For tanginess, you can add tamarind pulp or lemon juice to the recipe.
-
Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Energy | 232 cal |
Protein | 3.8 g |
Carbohydrates | 37.7 g |
Fiber | 3 g |
Fat | 7.4 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 11.3 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Tomato Rice ( South Indian Recipes )
The Nutrient info is complete

Akbar.S
March 13, 2025, midnight

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
Thank you for the feedback. Please keep reviewing recipes and articles you love.

Rajan cook L&T se
March 13, 2025, midnight

Deepiga
March 13, 2025, midnight
easy to make and super tasty

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
Hi Deepiga , we are delighted you loved the Tomato Rice recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback and review recipes you have loved. Happy Cooking

sukanya sen
March 13, 2025, midnight
nice recipe. didn''t make spice powder. added chana dal with rice. used chopped tomato & fresh coconut. added methi seeds, hing, dry red chilli with tempering. added coriander powder when tomato is cooked. with all that changes, still tastes nice

Tarla Dalal
March 13, 2025, midnight
Hi Sukanya : Well done. Good to see you innovate.

Rama Awasthi
March 13, 2025, midnight