Tamarind Rice (Puliyogare/Pulihora)

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Leena Kohli (@leenakohli)

Tamarind Rice Recipe – A Tangy & Flavorful South Indian Classic

Tamarind Rice, also known as Puliyodarai or Pulihora, is a beloved South Indian dish packed with bold, tangy, spicy, and nutty flavours. Made with tamarind pulp, fragrant spices, and crunchy peanuts, it offers the perfect balance of taste and...

Prep Time
40min
Cook Time
20min
Total Time
1hr
Tamarind Rice (Puliyogare/Pulihora)  recipe

Ingredients

6 Servings
(1 serving = 1 bowl)

Main Ingredients

  • 2cups
    medium-grained rice
  • 10cups
    water
  • 30g
    tamarind
  • 5tbsp
    oil
  • 1/2cup
    peanuts
  • 1tbsp
    urad dal
  • 1tbsp
    toor dal
  • 1tbsp
    chana dal
  • 1tsp
    mustard seeds
  • 4piece
    dry red chillies
  • 1/3cup
    sliced coconut
  • 1sprig
    curry leaves
  • 1tsp
    chilli powder
  • 1tbsp
    sugar
  • salt to taste
  • fresh coriander for garnishing

How to make Tamarind Rice (Puliyogare/Pulihora)

Prepare Tamarind Pulp

  1. Soak tamarind in 1 cup of warm water for 30 minutes.

  2. Squeeze out the pulp, strain through a fine mesh sieve, and set aside.

    Step 1.1: Squeeze out the pulp, strain through a fine mesh sieve, and set aside

Cook the Rice

  1. Rinse the rice and toor dal under cold water until the water runs clear.

  2. In a deep pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil.

  3. Add the rinsed rice and toor dal to the boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes until tender yet slightly firm. Drain well, let it rest for a few minutes, and fluff with a fork.

    Step 2.1: Add the rinsed rice and toor dal to the boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes until tender yet slightly firm

Prepare the Tamarind Base

  1. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed wok over medium-high heat.

  2. Add peanuts, urad dal, toor dal, and chana dal. Sauté until golden brown.

    Step 3.1: Add peanuts, urad dal, toor dal, and chana dal
  3. Add mustard seeds, dry red chillies, sliced coconut, and curry leaves. Stir for a few minutes until the mustard seeds splutter.

    Step 3.1: Add mustard seeds, dry red chillies, sliced coconut, and curry leaves
    Step 3.2: Add mustard seeds, dry red chillies, sliced coconut, and curry leaves
  4. Add salt, chilli powder, sugar, and the prepared tamarind pulp.

  5. Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer until the raw tamarind smell fades.

    Step 3.1: Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer until the raw tamarind smell fades

Combine with Rice

  1. Add the boiled rice to the wok and mix well.

    Step 4.1: Add the boiled rice to the wok and mix well
  2. Cover and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavours.

  3. Garnish with fresh coriander.

    Step 4.1: Garnish with fresh coriander

Tips & Tricks

  1. Adjust the tamarind quantity based on your taste preference.

  2. This recipe works well with leftover cooked rice. Simply skip the boiling step and mix the tamarind spice mixture directly into the rice.

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Leena Kohli

(@leenakohli)

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