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Clear golden-red rasam in a small bowl with curry leaves

Thin, tangy South Indian pepper-tomato broth

Rasam

Rasam

25 minEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

25 min

Servings

4

4 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Rasam

Thin, tangy South Indian pepper-tomato broth

A fiery, sour, and aromatic broth made from tomatoes, tamarind, black pepper, and cumin. Served as a soup course or poured over rice in South Indian meals.

10m

Prep Time

15m

Cook Time

25m

Total Time

4

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Indian CuisineSoup & StewVeganGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

July 12, 2024(Updated April 12, 2026)

Rasam is South India's answer to chicken soup—a thin, peppery, tangy broth that warms you from the inside out. It is drunk as a soup or mixed with rice as part of a traditional meal.

Why This Recipe Works

Toasting black pepper and cumin before grinding releases volatile oils that give rasam its characteristic punch. The broth is intentionally thin—it is not meant to be thick like dal.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste dissolved in 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp black pepper, coarsely crushed, and 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 cup cooked toor dal (optional)
  • 8 curry leaves, 2 dried red chilies, 1/4 tsp asafoetida
  • 1 tbsp ghee or oil, fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Crush tomatoes by hand; mix with tamarind water, turmeric, salt, and rasam powder if using.

  2. 2

    Dry-toast 1 tsp cumin and 1 tsp peppercorns until fragrant, then crush coarsely.

  3. 3

    Bring the tomato-tamarind mixture to a boil, add crushed spices, and simmer 8 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in cooked dal if using; continue simmering until the rasam froths on top (do not over-boil).

  5. 5

    Prepare a tadka with ghee, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chilies; pour into rasam and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with warm naan bread or basmati rice

  • Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime

  • Pair with a cooling cucumber raita on the side

Substitutions

Tamarind pasteLemon juice (2 tbsp)

Different tang profile but works in a pinch

Toor dalSkip it entirely

Many rasam recipes are purely tomato and spice based

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Soy Sauce

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the soy sauce matters

This is doing more than adding salt. The right soy sauce gives the recipe a rounder, more savory base than a thin generic bottle.

This pantry choice affects depth more than most seasonings here.

  • Builds savory backbone quickly
  • Useful across stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces

A better soy sauce is one of the easiest pantry upgrades for Asian cooking.

Shop soy sauce for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Stop simmering as soon as the rasam froths up—over-boiling dulls the fresh, peppery flavors.

  • Rasam is traditionally served in small cups as a palate cleanser between courses.

Storage

Best served immediately. Refrigerate for up to 2 days but flavor diminishes.

Reheating

Warm gently; do not boil vigorously or the delicate flavors will be lost.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings

Calories70
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein3g
Carbohydrates10g
Fat2g
Fiber380mg
Sugar2g
Sodium3g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rasam powder?
A spice blend of coriander, cumin, pepper, chili, and turmeric used specifically for rasam.
Is rasam the same as mulligatawny?
Mulligatawny is an Anglo-Indian adaptation of rasam made thicker and richer with added ingredients.

Explore More

More Indian RecipesMore Soup & StewVegan RecipesGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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