Lemon rasam recipe | Lemon dal rasam | Elumichai rasam | Nimbe hanina saaru



Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


Lemon rasam recipe | Lemon dal rasam | Nimbu rasam recipe | Elumichai rasam | Nimbe Hannu/Hanina saaru | Kat Saru or kattu saaru with detailed step by step photos.

Lemon rasam is quite different from the usual rasam, as lemon is used instead of tamarind which makes the rasam as delicious as a mild thin digestible soup. It is quite easy and simple to prepare this tangy lemon rasamIt can be consumed as a soup or eaten with rice and goes well with side dishes like Potato fry, Carrot Beans Stir Fry, etc.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


I have been learning some interesting and traditional recipes from my mother-in-law. When she said we will make lemon rasam for lunch, I was quite amazed as the lemon rasam was new to me and I have never heard or tasted it before. So, I immediately said okay!! Being a huge fan of citrus fruits, lemon is one of my favorites. I use olive oil with lemon dressing every day in my salad.

Lemon rasam is simple and easy to prepare. I was eagerly waiting to taste the hot and flavorful rasam. When I took the spoonful of lemon rasam with rice, Wah...the taste was so divine..!!! I loved the zesty flavor very much. 

Our entire house was filled with the fresh aroma of lemons. Now, the lemon rasam has become my favorite. As I liked it so much, I insisted my MIL prepare it for the second time in the same week. Also, we took some pictures to post it here in Pavi's Kitchen. I'm so glad that I came to know about this recipe through my Mil. Alright, now let's get into the recipe!


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru

Recipe - Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


Serves - 4 to 5
Prep time - 5 | Cook time - 30 min
Cuisine - Indian
Region - Tamil Nadu
Diet - Vegetarian & Vegan
Course - Soup | Main 
Author - Pavithra 

Lemon Rasam Ingredients: 


Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Tomatoes - 2 
Cumin & pepper powder - 1 and 1/4 tsp
Water - As required. (I used one-liter water)
Green chilly - 4 
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Lemon - 3 nos 
Salt - As per taste
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Coriander leaves - 5 sprigs


For Seasoning:

Ghee / Oil -1 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - A pinch


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


How to prepare lemon rasam(pre-prep):


1. Wash Toor dal and pressure cook for 15 mins. Once it is cooked, mash dal using the back of a ladle. (Note: Add a pinch of turmeric powder and a drop of oil whenever you cook Toor dal).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


2. Take a blender jar, add one chopped tomato, and mashed toor dal. Grind it nicely until you get a smooth paste. (Note - Do not grind the hot mashed dal in a blender. Let it cool down and then grind).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru

How to prepare lemon rasam:


1. Take a thick-bottomed saucepan or Kadai. 
2. Pour one cup of water. 
3. Add turmeric powder, asafoetida
4. Finely chopped tomato, curry leaves, green chilies.
5. Add required salt
6. Now turn on the flame and Cover it with a lid.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


7.  Cook until the tomatoes become soft. This takes around 10 minutes on a medium flame.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


8. Once the tomatoes are cooked well, pour the dal and tomato paste into the same saucepan. Add the required amount of water to it. (Note: I used around 1 liter of water).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


9. Now sprinkle Cumin & Pepper powder. Mix it well. (Note: Add more powder if you want the rasam to be extra spicy).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


10. Let the rasam be on a medium flame.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


11. Wait till the frothy rasam slowly rises to the brim of the pan. Now switch off the flame. (Note: Rasam should not be allowed to boil).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


12. Now, take a small pan for seasoning. Pour ghee and temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


13. Pour the seasoning over the rasam.


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


13. Finally pour a generous squeeze of lemon juice over the rasam. (
Note: I used 3 lemons which are 4 tbsp approximately. Lemon juice is added only after switching off the flame, otherwise, the rasam will turn bitter).


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


14. Finally, garnish with cilantro / Coriander leaves. 


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


The tangy flavorful lemon rasam is ready to be served. 


Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru

Health benefits of Lemon:


1. Lemon contains a high amount of vitamin C,
2. It is good for skin
3. It helps in digestion

Check out my other South Indian rasam varieties: 



3. Pineapple Rasam Recipe

South Indian side dish for Rasam:

Try this lemon rasam recipe and let me know how it turns up. Thank you so much for visiting my space. Stay tuned to Pavi's Kitchen and have a great day!



Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru


Learn how to make Lemon Rasam Recipe | Lemon Dal Rasam | Nimbe Saaru with detailed step-by-step photos.