Tomato Thokku
Gowda Kitchen
All Recipes
Main Course

Tomato Thokku

Rich, flavorful recipe for Tomato Thokku (Thakkali Thokku)—perfect as a spread, a side for idlis, dosas, or chapatlis, or mixed directly with hot steamed rice and ghee!

Prep

30

Cook

30

Serves

10

Cuisine

South Indian

🧂Ingredients

Primary Ingredients

  • Ripe Tomatoes(finely chopped or coarsely blended)
  • Garlic Cloves(peeled; keep half whole and coarsely crush the other half)
  • Tamarind(soaked in 1/4 cup warm water and extracted into a thick pulp)

Tempering (Tadka)

  • Sesame (Gingelly) Oil(essential for flavor and long shelf life)
  • Mustard Seeds
  • Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
  • Asafoetida (Hing)
  • Curry Leaves

Spices & Seasoning

  • Kashmiri Red Chili Powder(adjust to heat preference; Kashmiri gives a deep red color)
  • Turmeric Powder
  • Roasted Mustard & Fenugreek Powder(optional, but adds an authentic aroma—dry roast a pinch of mustard and fenugreek, then powder them)
  • Jaggery(balances the tanginess)
  • Salt(to taste)

Ingredients

Tomatoes, Sesame Oil, Mustard Seeds, Methi (Fenugreek), Kashmiri Red Chilli, Turmeric, Asafoetida, Curry Leaves, Salt, Tamarind.

👩‍🍳Instructions

1

Prep the Tomatoes & Tamarind

Wash and finely chop the tomatoes or pulse them in a blender 2-3 times for a coarse texture. Extract the thick tamarind pulp and set aside.

2

Tempering & Sautéing Garlic

Heat sesame oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Add garlic and sauté on low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.

3

Cook the Tomatoes

Add tomatoes, turmeric, and salt. Cover and cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.

4

Add Spices & Tamarind

Add Kashmiri red chili powder and tamarind pulp. Mix well and simmer on low-medium heat, stirring periodically to prevent burning.

5

Cook Until Oil Separates

Cook for 12-15 minutes until the mixture thickens into a paste and oil separates. Stir in jaggery and roasted spice powder, simmer for 2 more minutes, and turn off heat.

📝 Notes & Tips

Use sesame oil as it is essential for the flavor profile and acts as a preservative for a long shelf life. Ensure the tomatoes retain some texture rather than blending into a completely smooth puree for the best thokku consistency.

How to Store

  • We don't use preservatives, keep them refrigerated always

  • Store in Airtight Container

Serving Tips

  • handled with a dry spoon.

5.0

Based on 1 review

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Reviews (1)

Jyoti Tiwaari

Sep 04, 2026

Loved the taste! 👌