34 Best Onam Recipes – Kerala Onam Sadya Recipes

Onam is another colourful festival that is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in India. Onam is celebrated in the southern state of Kerala, and by the Malayalee diaspora across India and the World. Onam is marked by unique events and celebrations like Vallam Kali which refer to the dramatic boat races of Kerala, the Pookkalam which are the exquisite Onam rangoli made with flowers, and not to forget the Onam Sadya which gives expression to the authentic Onam recipes of Kerala. Pulikali is a colourful dance performed by dancers who are dressed as tigers.

The celebration of Onam is an integral part of the colourful mosaic of Kerala which glitters with the beauty of its backwaters, beaches, and forests, waterfalls, and cultural heritage. Onam celebrates the harvest and also commemorates what is believed to be the annual visit of the spirit of the mythological king Mahabali or Bali, who was the grandson of Prahalad. One of the highlights of Onam is, of course, the Sadhya, which is an elaborate festival spread of vegetarian dishes that include the very best of Onam recipes. Read on for authentic Onam Sadya recipes for a great Kerala Sadya experience that includes Kerala Avial recipe and Kichadi Onam recipe.

34 Best Onam Recipes – Kerala Onam Sadya Recipes

A mind-boggling medley of colours, flavours, and aromas spread on a shiny, emerald banana leaf. It is a sight to behold, a complete treat for the senses, a feast to savour, and an experience that lingers in the memory for a long, long time. That, dear readers, is the famous Sadya of Kerala. It is more than a feast, it is an icon of Kerala’s culture and heritage.

Whether you are looking for an elaborate Onam Sadhya recipe, Simple Onam Sadya recipes, or a specific Sadhya Avial recipe, you are sure to find this post on Onam recipes useful. So join us on an epicurean journey into the world of Kerala Onam Sadya recipes. Read on to check out our specially curated Onam Sadya recipes for Onam festival.

Onam Sadya – An Elaborate Ritual

The Onam Sadya platter or rather a plantain leaf is the smorgasbord of colours, flavours, and aromas. It is the canvas against which an array of Onam special food recipes find expression. Just like the feast on auspicious occasions in the other south Indian states, there is a pre-defined order of serving each of the Onam special dishes.

Not only do each of the Onam feast recipes culminate in an orderly fashion on the emerald canvas of the banana leaf, but each of the Onam food recipes also has a preordained place on the leaf. From the Onam Payasam and other Onam sweets to the other Onam special dishes, each has its own reserved place on the Sadya banana leaf.

It is now time to delve deep into the world of Kerala Onam Sadya recipes and plan your own personalized Kerala Onam Sadya Recipes – Onam Sadhya Lunch Menu.

Onam Sadhya Items Recipes / Onam Special Recipes

Whether you are looking for easy Onam special recipes to cook for Onam Sadya or recipes of Onam special sweets, you are sure to find this list of Onam food recipes really useful and handy.  So go ahead, take a look at these Kerala recipes, and decide what Kerala special sweets you want to prepare for this Onam and the Onam dishes recipe that you want to try out.

Onam Recipes – Main Dishes

Choru / Red Rice

One of the easiest and yet basic Onam recipe is that of Choru or red rice which is served as the main dish in the Sadya. The rice is eaten with the various curries, Sambhars, and other side dishes.

Here is the Onam recipe for Choru.

Varutharacha Sambhar / Kerala Sambhar

The bland taste of the Choru or cooked red rice is infused with spiciness and taste when mixed with Sambhar and eaten. The Varutharacha Sambhar is a spicy Sambhar prepared with different vegetables, lentils, and heaps of roasted coconut.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Varutharacha Sambhar.

Cheriya Ulli Sambhar

A tasty Sambhar prepared Kerala style is the Cheriya Ulli Sambhar which contains Shallots or small onions. The Cheriya Ulli Sambhar makes for an excellent combination with the red rice made during Onam.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Cheriya Ulli Sambhar.

Tomato Rasam

Tomato Rasam cooked in Kerala style is another nice accompaniment to the cooked red rice. It is of a thin consistency and can be eaten after mixing with the rice or can be consumed directly as an appetiser.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Tomato Rasam.

Kerala Avial Recipe

Avial is an original Kerala recipe. It is a thick concoction of different vegetables like Yam, Drumsticks, Carrots, Pumpkin, etc.. Coconut and curry leaves are important ingredients and the Avial is cooked in coconut oil.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Kerala Avial.

Onam Recipes – Side Dishes

The Onam recipes Kerala are full of side dishes that come with a plethora of flavours that range from spicy to sweet to sour. Here is a lost of Onam recipes for side dishes to choose from.

Kootu Kari / Kootu Curry

Kootu Kari is one of the important elements of the Onam Sadya. It is a thick curry that is a mixture of vegetables, legumes, and spices.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Kootu Curry.

Parippu Curry

Another important dish of the Sadya is the Parippu curry. It is a creamy Dal made from Lentils (usually Moong Dal) and cooked along with creamy coconut milk.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Parippu Curry.

Olan

Olan is a stew or curry made with Ash Gourd and black-eyed peas and cooked with coconut milk and fragrant curry leaves.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Olan.

Kurukku Kalan

Kalan is a traditional Kerala curry made of raw bananas, Yam, and curds or Yoghurt. It is a side dish that goes well with rice.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Kalan.

Cabbage Thoran / Cabbage Stir Fry

Thoran is a dry vegetable that is eaten as a side dish. Cabbage Thoran is made with finely grated Cabbage, garnished with coconut gratings. Thoran can be made with other vegetables like Carrots and beans, etc..

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Cabbage Thoran.

Pumpkin Erissery / Mathanga Erissery

Erissery is a traditional Kerala recipe made from different vegetables. and ground coconut paste. One of the popular Erisserys is the Pumpkin Erissery.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Pumpkin Erissery.

Ulli Theeyal

Ulli Theeyal is a vegetable curry that is made from Shallots (small onions) and is a tasty side dish with a blend of different flavours.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Ulli Theeyal

Beetroot Pachadi

Adding a dash of vibrant colour and contrasting with the green of the Banana leaf is the pinkish red Beetroot Pachadi. It is a preparation made of cooked Beetroot mixed with curds.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Beetroot Pachadi.

Potato Mezhukkupuratti

This is a side dish which is a Potato stir fry cooked in Kerala style. The potatoes have a crispy jacket and are soft on the inside.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Potato Mezhukkukkupuratti.

Ash Gourd Thoran

Another popular Thoran, a dry curry is made from Ash Gourd, the Ash Gourd Thoran is a good side dish to prepare for Sadya.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Ash Gourd Thoran.

Raw Banana Stir Fry

Bananas are an integral part of the Sadya. Right from the Banana leaf on which the food is served the Banana makes its presence felt in various forms. Banana stir fry is a nice and tasty dish for Onam Sadya.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Raw Banana Stir Fry.

Chena / Yam Erissery

Chena in Malayalam refers to Yam. The Erissery which can be made with different vegetables is a standard item in the Sadya. One of the more popular side dishes is the Yam Erissery.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Chena or Yam Erissery.

Puli Inji

Puli Inji is a pickle/Chutney which contains ginger and chillies. It is a heady blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavours.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Puli Inji.

Instant Mango Pickle

One of the tastiest and tangy items of the Onam Sadya is the instant mango pickle made in Kerala style. It is made from raw mangoes and spices.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Instant Mango Pickle

Naranga Achar / Lemon pickle

Another important element of the Onam Sadya is a tangy and spice Lemon pickle with the astringent freshness blended with herbs and spices.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Naranga Achar.

Cucumber Pachadi / Vellarikka Pachadi

A cooling and refreshing side dish after dashes of spiciness is the Cucumber Pachadi. It is made from cucumber, curds, coconut, and curry leaves.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Cucumber Pachadi/Vellarikka Pachadi.

Moru Curry

Moru Curry is a curry made of curds or buttermilk and laced with spices and curry leaves.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Moru Curry.

Kichadi – Kichadi Onam recipe

Kichadi is similar to Pachadi and is a side dish made with curds and different vegetables based on individual preference. It is an essential component of the Onam Sadya.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Kichadi for Onam.

Onam Sweets Recipes – Kerala Style Special Onam Payasam Recipes

No Indian festival can be complete with sweets and tantalizing desserts. Onam is no exception and many Kerala sweet recipes find expression on the banana leaf as the Onam Sadya is served. Here are some of the best Onam sweet recipes curated for you right here.

Unniyappam / Banana Appams

Banana Appams with their unique aroma of cooked bananas are great as part of the Onasadya. They are made from bananas and rice flour.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Banana Appams.

Paal Payasam

Payasam or Kheer is an item that is cooked and served on each and every festival and auspicious occasion. There are different types of Payasam as well as Pradhanam based on ingredients used. Paal Payasam is made of milk, rice, and a little ghee and is one of the easiest Payasam to prepare.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Paal Payasam.

Moong Dal Payasam / Parippu Pradhaman

The Moong Dal Payasam as the name itself suggests is a Payasam made of Moong Dal along with Jaggery, and milk and garnished with nuts and raisins.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Moong Dal Payasam.

Ada Pradhaman

Ada Pradhaman is an authentic Kerala sweet pudding made with coconut milk and jaggery.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Ada Pradhaman.

Aval Payasam

Aval Payasam is a Payasam made from flattened rice.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Aval Payasam.

Chana Dal Payasam

Another Payasam that is made with lentils is the Chana Dal Payasam. It is made from cooked Chana Dal, Jaggery, Coconut milk, and flavoured with Cardamom.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Chana Dal Payasam.

Chakka Pradhaman

Chakka Pradhaman is a Pradhaman or pudding made from Jackfruit and has a unique flavour and aroma. It also has jaggery and coconut milk.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Chakka Pradhaman.

Pineapple Payasam

A payasam with the unique fruity flavour of pineapple blending with jaggery and coconut milk is a fine dessert serving for the Onam Sadya.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Pineapple Payasam.

Semiya Payasam

Semiya Payasam is one of the standard Payasam that is made and served in most festivals and other auspicious occasions in South India. It is made from vermicelli and milk.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Semiya Payasam.

Chips & Pappadams / Fritters

Upperi / Kerala Banana Chips / Nendran Banana Chips

The Nendran Banana Chips is well known and is made from the Nendran variety of banana. Though chips are usually brought, one can also make them in the house.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Banana Chips.

Sharkara Varatti

This is a dry sweet equivalent of the famous Kerala Banana chips. It is made from raw banana and jaggery. The banana variety used is the famous Nendran variety.

Here is one of the best Onam recipes for Sharkara Varatti.

Kerala Onam Shopping

Like all other festivals, Onam celebrations involve a lot of preparation. Shopping for Onam starts a few weeks before the festival. Everything from the new clothes, jewellery, decoration items, flowers, fruits, ingredients for Onam recipes – the Onam Sadya recipes need to be purchased. Onam shopping brings with it a lot of excitement within the family.

If you are looking for Onam decoration ideas or thinking of doing Onam shopping and want to buy some puja items for ThiruOnam festival, we have it covered here. Go ahead and do your Onam shopping online.

You can buy these items online for the Onam festival:

• Puja items
• Onam Puja Kit
• Onam decoration items
• Kerala Sarees
• Jewellery for Women
• Dress for Kids
• Ethnic wear for Women
• Ethnic wear for Men

Order food online: Faasos, Firangi Bake, Pizza Hut, Swiggy, Oven Story, Dominos

We hope you find this specially curated list of the best Onam recipes useful and handy in preparing your Onam Sadya dishes. We are sure you are excited as you do your Onam shopping for those special Onam sarees, Onam dresses, and Onam sweets.

Happy Onam, have a great Onam.

 

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