Tomato Saar Recipe | Tomato Curry for Rice | Konkani Style Tomato Saar with detailed photo and video recipe. A traditional and flavoured Maharashtrian or Konkan region curry recipe prepared with ripe tomatoes. It is prepared with tomato and onion with other spices and has strong similarities to tomato saaru or tomato rasam from South India. It is generally served with hot steamed rice as a side dish for lunch and dinner.
Tomato Saar Recipe | Tomato Curry for Rice | Konkani Style Tomato Saar with step-by-step photo and video recipe. There are myriad ways the tomato curries are prepared in indian indian cuisine, which is generally used as a side dish to rice. Tomato saar is one such Konkani-style curry recipe prepared in Maharashtra and the Goa region. It is full of flavour and spices and makes an ideal side dish for rice for lunch and dinner.
Even though I have not personally visited the Maharashtrian Konkan region, I have good exposure to the Konkan recipes. My hometown, Udupi, has a significant influence from the Konkan region due to the migration of Konkani people to the area. Even today, I have several friends from the Konkani community, and whenever I plan to visit my hometown, I ensure to book a lunch session with them. I personally love the Dali Tove, Tomato Saar, Veg Sorak, Eggplant Fry, and Tindora Stir Fry with Cashew Nuts recipe. I like the combination of tomato saar with red boiled rice, or locally known as ‘ganji’ in my hometown. But according to my friends, the curry is best suited with dry fish or prawns with boiled rice.
Furthermore, some tips, suggestions and variations while preparing the tomato saar recipe. Firstly, I would heavily recommend using ripe and juicy tomatoes for this recipe to make it colourful and sour. If you have raw tomatoes, then increase the quantity of kokum or tamarind accordingly to make it sour in taste. Secondly, if you are running short of time to prepare the masala, then you can use store-bought rasam powder. Mix the rasam powder with coconut, garlic and ginger and grind it to a fine paste. Lastly, you can prepare the same tomato curry with coconut milk as an alternative to freshly grated coconut. You may find it creamier than regular grated coconut.
Finally, I request that you check my other Rasam Recipes Collection alongside this post on the tomato saar recipe. It includes recipes like Udupi saaru, thakkali rasam, pepper rasam, coconut milk rasam, instant rasam, lemon rasam, mysore rasam, sol kadhi, huruli saaru and beetroot rasam. Further, do visit my other related recipe collections with this post, like,
About Tomato Saar
Tomato Saar traces its roots to traditional Maharashtrian kitchens, where it evolved as a tangy and comforting dish. Over the years, it became a part of daily meals and festive spreads. Unlike South Indian rasams that rely on tamarind and lentils, this saar emphasises the richness of tomatoes blended with coconut. Garlic adds a strong depth that lingers on the tongue. Coriander leaves contribute freshness that balances the sharp flavours. Coconut paste makes the saar smooth and velvety with a touch of sweetness. Its striking red colour and medium consistency allow it to double as a soup. Many families enjoy it piping hot with rice during lunch or dinner. This versatile dish continues to hold cultural and culinary significance.
The uniqueness of Tomato Saar lies in its ability to adapt to different serving styles. Adding coconut transforms it into a dish that feels both hearty and soothing. Garlic brings warmth that complements the tang of tomato. Fresh coriander leaves uplift the aroma and flavour in every spoonful. In some parts of Maharashtra and Goa, cooks prepare it in a thinner form to serve as a refreshing drink. This adaptation makes it suitable even during hot summer months. The smooth texture and bright red appeal make it inviting on the table. Families consider it a bridge between rasam and soup, but with its own distinct identity. Today, it remains a much-loved part of home cooking and restaurant menus alike.
Fun Fact:
Some Maharashtrian households prepare Tomato Saar as a morning drink during the monsoon, believing its spiced warmth helps keep seasonal colds away.
Chef Tips for Tomato Saar
This Konkani-style Tomato Saar bursts with tangy, spicy and earthy flavours. It pairs beautifully with hot rice and brings comfort in every spoonful.
- Roasting: Roast garlic and chillies first to release deep flavours.
- Coconut Paste: Grind coconut with cumin and garlic to create a smooth paste.
- Simmering: Cook ripe tomatoes slowly to bring out natural sweetness.
- Sourness: Add a little tamarind water to enhance tanginess.
- Toppings: Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves before serving for aroma.
Video Recipe
Recipe Card for Tomato Saar
Tomato Saar Recipe | Konkani Style Tomato Curry
Ingredients
For masala paste:
- 3 tomato, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 dried red chilli
- 1 cup coconut, grated
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
For saar:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard
- ½ tsp cumin
- pinch hing
- few curry leaves
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp jaggery
- 4 cup water
- 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
Instructions
- Firstly, in a mixer jar, take 3 tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, 4 dried red chillis, 1 cup of coconut, ½ tsp cumin and 1 tsp coriander seeds.
- Grind to a smooth paste and keep aside.
- In a kadai, heat 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp of mustard, ½ tsp of cumin, a pinch of hing, and a few curry leaves. Splutter the tempering.
- Add in the prepared masala paste
- Add ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp jaggery.
- Cook till everything is well combined.
- Add an additional 4 cups of water and mix well.
- Boil well until the flavours are infused.
- Now add 2 tbsp of coriander and mix well.
- Finally, enjoy the Tomato Saar Recipe with hot steamed rice.
Nutrition
How to Make Tomato Saar with Step-by-step Photos
- Firstly, in a mixer jar, take 3 tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, 4 dried red chillis, 1 cup of coconut, ½ tsp cumin and 1 tsp coriander seeds.
- Grind to a smooth paste and keep aside.
- In a kadai, heat 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 tsp of mustard, ½ tsp of cumin, a pinch of hing, and a few curry leaves. Splutter the tempering.
- Add in the prepared masala paste and cook well.
- Add ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp jaggery.
- Cook till everything is well combined.
- Add an additional 4 cups of water and mix well.
- Boil well until the flavours are infused.
- Now add 2 tbsp of coriander and mix well.
- Finally, enjoy the Tomato Saar Recipe with hot steamed rice.
Notes
- Firstly, if you have time, blanch the tomatoes and peel the skin before grinding to a smooth paste. This helps to enhance the flavour of the tomato.
- Also, if the tomatoes are not sour, add tamarind juice or kokum.
- Additionally, recommend deseeding the red chilli to avoid spiciness.
- Finally, Tomato Saar / Konkan Style Tomato Curry tastes great when prepared slightly spicy.