Tomato Thokku Recipe (Thakkali Thokku)
User Reviews
5
22 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
3
-
Calories
210 kcal
-
Course
Side Dish, Condiments
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Cuisine
Indian
Tomato Thokku Recipe (Thakkali Thokku)
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Tomato Thokku is a thick, spiced Indian tomato relish made by simmering pureed tomato with tamarind, spices, and sesame oil until it thickens and oil releases on top. This tangy and flavorful condiment uses ingredients like mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, dried chili, and fenugreek to create a complex savory taste with a slightly sweet touch from jaggery. It is commonly served with dosa, idli, or rice.
Description
Tomato Thokku combines freshly pureed tomatoes and tamarind with tempered spices in sesame oil, including mustard seeds, urad dal, dried red chili, curry leaves, turmeric, asafoetida, red chili powder, and fenugreek powder. The mixture is simmered slowly to reduce moisture, allowing the flavors to concentrate. Cooking on low heat prevents spices from burning and helps develop a rich, tangy depth.
The finished thokku has a thick, jam-like consistency with oil pooling on the surface, signaling readiness. Its flavor balances sourness from tamarind and tomato with moderate heat from chili and bitterness from fenugreek. The seasoning creates a pungent, aromatic relish that complements plain rice and South Indian breakfast dishes.
This condiment is a classic accompaniment providing brightness and spice. It enhances simple meals and can be stored to use as a flavorful spread or side.
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Ingredients
For Tomato Puree
- 2 to 2.25 cups tomato chopped, 300 grams or 3 to 4 medium-sized
- 1 teaspoon tamarind (tightly packed) - seeds removed or swap with ¼ teaspoon tamarind paste
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (gingelly oil) or use any neutral tasting oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon urad dal (husked and split black gram)
- 1 teaspoon ginger - finely chopped or 1 inch ginger, chopped - optional
- 1 dried red chilli halved or broken and seeds removed
- 10 to 12 curry leaves - chopped or whole
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- salt as required
- ¼ teaspoon fenugreek powder or 20 to 22 fenugreek seeds crushed to fine powder in mortar-pestle
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (gingelly oil) or any neutral oil - to be added later
- 1 teaspoon jaggery or add as required, optional
Instructions
- In a blender, puree the tomatoes with tamarind. Do not add any water while blending.
- In a pan, heat oil. Add the mustard seeds and urad dal. Fry till they crackle and the urad dal turns golden.
- Now add chopped ginger, curry leaves and red chillies. Fry for few seconds till the raw aroma of the ginger disappears and the red chillies change color.
- All the frying should be done on a low heat, so that the spices do not get burnt.
- Add turmeric powder, asafoetida and red chili powder and mix very well.
- Add the tomato-tamarind puree and mix very well.
- Season with salt according to taste.
- Cover pan with a lid and simmer on low to medium-low heat till the tomato puree stops spluttering.
- When the puree stops spluttering, remove lid and cook without lid on low to medium-low heat. Stir at intervals.
- Cook on low to medium-low heat for a total time of 15 to 18 minutes or more (with and without lid) till the tomato thokku mixture thickens and you see oil on the top or at the sides. The mixture will also look glossy.
- Lastly add the fenugreek powder, sesame oil and jaggery. Mix well and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes on a low heat.
- When mixture cools, store in a small, clean, dry, airtight glass jar or a small lidded bowl while serving. Always refrigerate the tomato thokku. If you want to store it for more days, then add 1 to 2 tablespoons more oil.
- Tomato Thokku keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week. Remember to always use a dry clean spoon when removing it from the jar or bowl.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
210kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
(47%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Sodium
406mg
(17%)
Potassium
321mg
(7%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1295IU
(26%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
0.1mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.05mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
39mg
Vitamin B6
0.2mg
Vitamin C
102mg
(113%)
Vitamin E
1mg
Vitamin K
13µg
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
412µg
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Magnesium
21mg
(5%)
Phosphorus
41mg
Zinc
0.3mg
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 210kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Sodium | 406mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 321mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1295IU | 26% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.1mg | |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.05mg | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 39mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2mg | |
| Vitamin C | 102mg | 113% |
| Vitamin E | 1mg | |
| Vitamin K | 13µg | |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 412µg | |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
| Magnesium | 21mg | 5% |
| Phosphorus | 41mg | |
| Zinc | 0.3mg |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
22 reviews
Excellent
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