No Tomatoes? Here Are 10 Alternatives In Indian Cuisine

NewsPoint

Jul 11, 2023

Tamarind

This tangy fruit pulp adds a similar level of acidity and tanginess to dishes, commonly used in chutneys, curries, tangy lentil soups like sambar, and tangy tamarind-based sauces.

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Raw Mango

With its delightfully tart flavor, raw mango can be grated or sliced to provide a zesty and tangy taste in refreshing salads, tangy pickles, spicy curries, and tangy mango-based sauces.

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Kokum

This sour fruit native to coastal regions of India is widely used to enhance the flavor of curries, dals, refreshing summer drinks, tangy lentil soups, and tangy kokum-based chutneys.

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Yogurt

Adding a creamy texture and slight tang, yogurt can substitute tomatoes in curries, rich gravies, and tangy marinades while providing a hint of acidity to balance the flavors.

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Lemon Juice

A versatile alternative, fresh lemon juice brings a sharp and citrusy taste to dishes, suitable for replacing tomatoes in salads, rice dishes, tangy marinades, tangy lemon-based sauces, and tangy lemon-flavored drinks.

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Bell Peppers

These vibrant and crunchy veggies offer a sweet and crisp texture, making them an excellent tomato substitute in stir-fries, curries, stuffed dishes like stuffed capsicum, and tangy bell pepper-based sauces.

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Amchur Powder

Derived from dried unripe mangoes, this powdered spice lends a tangy and fruity taste to dishes, commonly used in chutneys, marinades, tangy amchur-based curries, and tangy amchur-flavored snacks like chaat.

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Pomegranate Seeds

With their juicy and slightly tart flavor, pomegranate seeds can be sprinkled over salads, raita, biryanis, tangy pomegranate-based chutneys, and tangy pomegranate-flavored drinks.

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Bottle Gourd

When cooked, bottle gourd provides a mild and neutral flavor that works well as a tomato replacement in soothing soups, hearty stews, flavorful curries, tangy bottle gourd-based dal, and tangy bottle gourd-based chutneys.

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Jaggery

Adding a hint of natural sweetness and depth, jaggery can balance out the flavors in dishes, particularly in tamarind-based recipes, spicy chutneys, tangy lentil soups, and tangy jaggery-based desserts and candies.

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