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    You are here: Home / RandomPosts / Poondu Kuzhambu | Garlic Kulambu

    Poondu Kuzhambu | Garlic Kulambu

    Last Updated On: Feb 27, 2025 by Sharmilee J

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    Poondu Kulambu is a spicy and flavorful curry made using garlic, tamarind, spice powders, herbs and spices. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of vegetables and perfect to serve with rice, idli and dosa. Learn to make tasty Poondu Kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video.

    garlic kuzhambu served with rice

    I’ve tried many versions of puli kuzhambu, each one different in its own way. But finally settled down with this one which is my keeper as its our family favorite. This is a very easy and quick recipe that you can prepare in just 20 minutes if you have all the ingredients in hand. I served it with rice, sutta appalam and sundakkai kootu. Do try and enjoy this poondu kuzhambu!

    Jump to:
    • About Poondu Kuzhambu
    • Garlic Kuzhambu Video
    • Garlic Kuzhambu Ingredients
    • How to make Garlic Kuzhambu Step by Step
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving & Storage
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    About Poondu Kuzhambu

    ‘Poondu’ in tamil means Garlic and ‘Kuzhambu’ means Curry so Poondu Kuzhambu translates to Garlic Curry. This Poondu Kuzhambu is a tangy spiced South Indian curry perfect to pair up with idli, dosa, rice, chapati etc. It is one of the easy and quick side dish that you can prepare for lunch to pair up with rice and use left overs for dinner with idli, dosa.

    This South Indian curry is packed with flavors and keeps well for 2 days. It tastes best the next day with idli or dosa, pairs well with hot steamed rice too. I love it even with curd rice so delicious.

    I love garlic in any form, so this kuzhambu is obviously my favorite. The spicy and tangy taste with a dash of sweetness is perfect for rice, idli or even dosa. This keeps well for 3-4 days. You can add any other vegetable of your choice like ladies finger, brinjal etc.

    garlic kuzhambu just cooked

    Garlic Kuzhambu Video

    Garlic Kuzhambu Ingredients

    • Garlic – Garlic is the main ingredient here which flavors the curry. You can use small garlic variety or big ones according to your liking.
    • Small Onion – Small Onion adds flavor to the curry.
    • Tamarind – Tamarind forms the base for this curry along with the grind paste.
    • Tempering – A basic tempering is done with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves.
    • Spice powders – Turmeric powder, red chili powder and coriander powder is added to this curry.
    • Jaggery – Powdered jaggery is added at the last stage to balance the taste.
    ingredients needed to make garlic kuzhambu

    Similar Recipes

    • Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu
    • Puli Kuzhambu
    • Pattani Kuzhambu
    • Butter Beans Kuzhambu
    • More curries

    How to make Garlic Kuzhambu Step by Step

    1.To a bowl add 1/4 cup tamarind (tightly packed). Add around 1 and 1/2 cups water to it.

    soak tamarind

    2.Crush it well and set aside.

    crush well

    3.To a kadai add 3 tablespoon gingelly oil. Gingelly oil is best to use however you can use any cooking oil too.

    heat oil

    4.Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter. Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, few curry leaves and a pinch of hing. Let it crackle.

    splutter the items

    5.Add 10-15 small onion, 20-25 garlic cloves.

    add onion, garlic

    6.Fry until it turns slightly golden.

    fry until it is golden

    7.Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoon red chili powder and 3 tablespoon coriander powder. Spice powders give thickness to this curry.

    add spice powders

    8.Saute well for few seconds.

    saute well

    9.Strain and add tamarind extract.

    strain and tamarind extract

    10.Add 1/2 cup water.

    add water

    11.Cook covered for 15 minutes or until thick and oil separates. Stir in between to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom.

    cook covered

    12.Oil separates and the curry becomes thick. Add 1 teaspoon jaggery powder to it and mix well.

    add jaggery powder

    13.Switch off.

    switch off

    Serve it hot with rice and vegetable of your choice.

    garlic kuzhambu served with rice

    Store in a clean container and it keeps well in room temperature for 2 days.

    Expert Tips

    • You can omit jaggery if you don’t like sweet taste in your curry  but we love it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
    • The spice powders gives thickness to the curry so add as mentioned. Adjust spice level according to your preference.
    • You can also add vegetables like brinjal, ladies finger with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
    • This is medium spicy, if you like it more spicy add 2 tablespoon red chili powder and 4 tablespoon coriander powder.

    Serving & Storage

    Serve Poondu Kuzhambu with rice and any stir fried vegetables, tastes best when had fresh. Keeps well in room temperature for 5-6 hours, refrigerate it and it keeps well for 2 days in fridge.

    garlic kuzhambu served with rice

    If you have any more questions about this Poondu Kuzhambu Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this  Poondu Kulambu Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Poondu Kulambu Recipe | Garlic Kuzhambu Recipe

    Poondu Kulambu is a spicy and flavorful curry made using garlic, tamarind, spice powders, spices and herbs. Poondu Kulambu is an excellent choice when we run out of vegetables & perfect to have with rice, idli and dosa. Learn to make tasty Poondu Kuzhambu with step by step pictures and video.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Servings2 people
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 10-15 small onion
    • 20-25 garlic
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 and 1/2 tablespoon ed chili powder
    • 3 tablespoon coriander powder
    • 1 teaspoon jaggery powder
    • salt to taste

    To temper

    • 3 tablespoon gingelly
    • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
    • a pinch hing
    • few curry leaves

    For tamarind extract

    • 1/4 cup tamarind
    • 1 and 1/2 cups water

    Instructions

    • To a bowl add 1/4 cup tamarind (tightly packed). Add around 1 and 1/2 cups water to it.
    • Crush it well and set aside.
    • To a kadai add 3 tablespoon gingelly oil.
    • Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds let it splutter. Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, few curry leaves and a pinch of hing. Let it crackle.
    • Add 10-15 small onion, 20-25 garlic.
    • Fry until it turns slightly golden.
    • Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoon red chili powder and 3 tablespoon coriander powder.
    • Saute well for few seconds.
    • Strain and add tamarind extract.
    • Add 1/2 cup water.
    • Cook covered for 15 minutes or until thick and oil separates. Stir in between to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom.
    • Oil separates and the curry becomes thick. Add 1 teaspoon jaggery powder to it and mix well.
    • Switch off.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can omit jaggery if you don’t like sweet taste in your curry  but we love it as the tangy spicy taste compliments well with the sweetness.
    • The spice powders gives thickness to the curry so add as mentioned. Adjust spice level according to your preference.
    • You can also add vegetables like brinjal, ladies finger with garlic. Just saute the veggies like we do for garlic and onion and follow the same procedure.
    • This is medium spicy, if you like it more spicy add 2 tablespoon red chili powder and 4 tablespoon coriander powder.
    Nutrition Facts
    Poondu Kulambu Recipe | Garlic Kuzhambu Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (75 g)
    Calories 286 Calories from Fat 108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12g18%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0.04g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 7g
    Sodium 995mg43%
    Potassium 697mg20%
    Carbohydrates 42g14%
    Fiber 7g29%
    Sugar 18g20%
    Protein 6g12%
    Vitamin A 1419IU28%
    Vitamin C 289mg350%
    Calcium 167mg17%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
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    Filed Under: Chettinad Recipes, Dips and Chutneys, Kerala Special, Kuzhambu - Indian Curries, RandomPosts, Recently Updated, youmaylike

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roshan

      September 22, 2010 at 4:10 am

      spicy, tangy and looks very gorgeous!!

      Reply
    2. Mahimaa's kitchen

      September 22, 2010 at 4:10 am

      love poondu kozhambu! looks very tempting.

      Reply
    3. Sreelekha Sumesh

      September 22, 2010 at 4:30 am

      i love the flavour of garlic" the gravy looks so gy and spicy>yummm

      Reply
    4. RAKS KITCHEN

      September 22, 2010 at 6:55 am

      I love this more than anything,if you give me everyday also I will eat this 🙂 Sounds mouthwatering your version!

      Reply
    5. Jaisy James

      September 22, 2010 at 7:59 am

      wow nice recipe

      Reply
    6. Jaisy James

      September 22, 2010 at 8:00 am

      wow nice recipe

      Reply
    7. Anonymous

      September 22, 2010 at 8:35 am

      When do we add the ground paste??????

      Reply
    8. chaitrali pathak

      September 22, 2010 at 8:41 am

      looks superb…lovely clicks

      Reply
    9. Sharmilee! :)

      September 22, 2010 at 8:44 am

      @Anonymous : The ground paste shouls be added after tamarind water…have updated it in the recipe too 🙂 Anyways thanks for the mention

      Reply
    10. Priya

      September 22, 2010 at 9:07 am

      Fingerlicking kuzhambu, very tempting..

      Reply
    11. Angie's Recipes

      September 22, 2010 at 9:09 am

      A very flavourful winter dish! Imaging all the gravy over the steamed rice…mmm…yummy!

      Reply
    12. An Open Book

      September 22, 2010 at 9:23 am

      my mouth is watering just looking at it…

      Reply
    13. Rachana

      September 22, 2010 at 12:11 pm

      Wow! The curry looks so mouthwatering… feel like having some with rice now:-)

      Reply
    14. indianspicemagic

      September 22, 2010 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks for visiting my blog.Good snaps.I too love to watch zee tamil but unfortunately we dont have it in my place.Will be post few more bread snacks & sweets in my blog.

      Reply
    15. jeyashrisuresh

      September 22, 2010 at 12:58 pm

      my fav one, looks very yummy and i am drooling over the pictures. Never tried adding fresh ground masala. bookmarking this

      Reply
    16. Kairali sisters

      September 22, 2010 at 1:25 pm

      This looks so good Sharmilee..I can see how great it would taste with piping hot rice…

      Reply
    17. Torviewtoronto

      September 22, 2010 at 4:40 pm

      yummy curry looks delicious

      Reply
    18. Chitra

      September 22, 2010 at 4:46 pm

      My mom makes similar to this. Looks mouthwatering sharmi 🙂

      Reply
    19. Shabitha Karthikeyan

      September 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm

      Delicious Poondu Kuzhambu. As you said it will be super good with Idly.

      Reply
    20. Yummy Team

      September 22, 2010 at 6:42 pm

      Love your pictures and presentation, Sharmilee..Puli kuzhambu looks very yum!! I love garlic so am sure I would love this kuzhambu..Will try it sometime..

      Reply
    21. Srimathi

      September 22, 2010 at 9:53 pm

      Do you know just looking at your post made my mouth water. I have a strong feeling that its going to be prepared soon.

      Reply
    22. Shyla

      September 22, 2010 at 10:49 pm

      Never heard of this. Delicious, will love to try it! YUM!

      Reply
    23. Nitha

      September 23, 2010 at 1:19 am

      Would love to try this… Bookmarked..

      Reply
    24. GEETHA ACHAL

      September 23, 2010 at 4:04 am

      I love this version…Looks so tempting…

      Reply
    25. Reshmi

      September 23, 2010 at 8:18 am

      hey sharmi…i love the garlic curry…especially it with garlic n ofcourse a chettinad cuisine i love it…looks really special n spicy..

      Reply
    26. Shanthi

      September 23, 2010 at 12:39 pm

      Looks perfect and tempting

      Reply
    27. Kalyani

      September 23, 2010 at 9:35 pm

      totally new to me … looks tempting …….

      Reply
    28. Ananda Rajashekar

      September 25, 2010 at 3:07 pm

      mouthwatering sharmi….i prefer next day with crisp dosa 🙂 Sigh as of now i can only think

      Reply
    29. kothiyavunu.com

      September 27, 2010 at 12:33 am

      yummy looking kuzhambu…I love chettinad cuisine for the spice factor..this looks terffic and mouthwatering.

      Reply
    30. Anonymous

      October 29, 2010 at 5:29 am

      hi, I tried this recipe and it came out tasty and its a coconut free version,so more healthy.
      Thanxs, Deepa

      Reply
    31. Sharmilee! :)

      October 29, 2010 at 5:39 am

      @Deepa : Thats nice to hear that it came out well!

      Reply
    32. nimi

      November 11, 2010 at 12:30 pm

      Nice, delicious kuzhambu, pramadamana kuzhambu… yes, we had it for lunch! Never tried such a curry… so it was different, I dont like tangy taste but the jaggery and spice helped,anyway next time will reduce the amount of tamarind.But it was really tasty with rice and it looked the same as in your pic. I doubt if there will be any left to taste tomorrow!
      Thank you Sharmi once again!

      Reply
    33. Sharmilee! :)

      November 11, 2010 at 12:52 pm

      @Nimi : Wow super….Try next time reserving some for the next day…it tastes yumm 🙂

      Reply
    34. GeethuSathiyaN

      November 27, 2010 at 1:00 pm

      Hi,sharmi recipe luks awesome,gonna try it 2morow.Usually kuzhambu/gojju used to taste at its best when had a day after it is prepared….try tis too

      Reply
    35. Pavithra

      December 21, 2010 at 4:51 pm

      Sharmi i am going to try this version today .. will let u know tomm…

      Reply
    36. Sharmilee! :)

      December 22, 2010 at 7:42 am

      @Pavithra : Sure do try and let me know Pavithra!

      Reply
    37. Pavithra

      December 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm

      Sharmi the poondu kulambu superaa irunthuchu.. we all liked it. Thanks for sharing this recipe sharmi !!! Hope it tastes more the next day too.

      Reply
    38. Sharmilee! :)

      December 22, 2010 at 3:09 pm

      @Pavithra : Was wondering whether it didnt turn out well as there was no feedback since mrg…now I can sleep happily 🙂 Sure it would taste even more better 2mrw

      Reply
    39. miri goes phishing!

      April 21, 2011 at 4:04 pm

      i love the spiciness of the chettinad cuisine…this recipe looks like it is a keeper…:)

      Reply
    40. karkum

      June 15, 2011 at 3:08 pm

      sharmi i tried this came out very good must stick to the quantity given orelse it becomes very spicy.no need of chilli powder.thanks 4 sharing this recepie.

      Reply
    41. Jayanthi

      October 26, 2011 at 10:28 am

      Goodness…it looks so tempting…..

      Reply
    42. Meena Kannan

      November 01, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      gonna try it tomorrow…luks spicy n tempting sharmi!…thnx for sharing so that i planned to cook this for tomorrow's lunch menu…

      Reply
    43. Anonymous

      November 09, 2011 at 10:20 am

      Hi Sharmi,

      Love your site..
      I have a question about the tamarind measure. Can this be replaced by a measure of tamarind concentrate? If so, how much tamarind concentrate would equal to 1 lemon sized ball?

      Thanks in advance,
      Regards

      Reply
    44. Sharmilee! :)

      November 09, 2011 at 10:33 am

      @Anonymous : Yes you can do it by measuring 3/4 – cup of tamarind concetrate(am assuming that the concentrate you are mentioning will not be very thick and pulpy)

      Reply
    45. Shruti Ajay

      December 17, 2011 at 3:03 am

      Hi Sharmi!!

      I tried it today.. it came out to be real great!! My husband said it tastes more good than hotel kuzhambu!

      Also, I added tamarind concentrate which is thick and pulpy. I added 2 tsps of tamarind concentrate plus 2/3 rd cup water when boiling with ground paste.

      Thanks for posting this recepie.

      Reply
    46. Sharmilee! :)

      December 17, 2011 at 3:19 am

      @Shruti Ajay : Thats really great to hear….am glad that you all liked it!

      Reply
    47. Anonymous

      December 19, 2011 at 4:09 pm

      Hai sharmi,

      Great recipe, loved it…"woww" its fabulous!!

      kalpana

      Reply
    48. Chitra

      December 23, 2011 at 1:51 pm

      Hi Sharmi
      I tried this kulambu.It was awesome. You have a beautiful site with interesting recipes.

      Reply
    49. Suba

      January 29, 2012 at 1:28 am

      Tried this recipe sharmi., it became instant hit… 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us!

      Reply
    50. Anonymous

      February 02, 2012 at 9:06 am

      Hello Sharmi,

      I have become fan of yours. Its wonderful to look at your blog specially the step by step instructions and beautiful photography. By look of it people can understand so easily. Simply great keep going. Great job!!!

      Reply
    51. Raji

      March 31, 2012 at 11:31 am

      Hi sharmi akka …

      I recently came to know about ur blog.. I tried it today and its awesome… Thanks alot for sharing.. It was like my moms preparation.. but i never knew i can prepare so well 🙂 Thanks A lot once again

      Reply
    52. Sharmilee! :)

      March 31, 2012 at 11:35 am

      @Raji : Glad to hear that,keep visiting !! 🙂

      Reply
    53. Shama Nagarajan

      May 22, 2012 at 9:10 am

      super delicious dear..we love this

      Reply
    54. arul

      June 30, 2012 at 5:32 am

      HI Just tried 🙂

      really good.. thanks

      Arul.g

      Reply
    55. nivi

      September 19, 2012 at 4:45 am

      Hi .. i tried it out .. and it came out delicious 🙂 well written…

      Reply
    56. Anu Sasidharan

      September 19, 2012 at 11:45 am

      It came out very well, my hubby loved it!!! Thanks for the wonderful recipie

      Reply
    57. Sharma

      December 18, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      nice recipe. thanks 🙂

      Reply
    58. Dhivya..:)

      December 28, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      I did this for a party…oh god,it's really yummy…everyone appreciated me…it goes to you only Sharmi…Thanks a lot for this wonderful receipe..Gonna try some other receipe from yours..Keep going .

      Reply
    59. kalyani

      March 17, 2013 at 8:28 am

      Just had this for lunch:) superb:)thanks a lot:) shoul I need to refrigerate for next days use?

      Reply
      • Sharmilee! :)

        March 17, 2013 at 10:38 am

        Yes refrigerate it..

        Reply
    60. Janani Ganesan

      March 28, 2013 at 8:28 am

      Hi, the dish turned out lovely. I have a very critical dad when it comes to cooking. He only had to smell it to like it. This is the first time I used ground masala paste for the curry, and I have to say, I am in love with my own cooking. Thanks for such a detailed recipe that could not go wrong.

      Reply
    61. ameen-83

      May 18, 2013 at 6:07 pm

      hi Ms.Sharmi,

      i m n dubai.i tried both of paruppu urundai and poondu kuzambu.

      all my frnds was stunned by the taste.really appreciates ur interest for posting such great recipes in simply manner.

      Reply
    62. Unknown

      September 19, 2013 at 5:22 pm

      Ohh I made this today, It was so delicious, as I wanted it to be. It was tangy, sweet and spicy. I had it with uppuma. It was a good meal as I'm craving for something sour, saviour for my pregnancy.

      Reply
    63. Pavithra

      December 17, 2013 at 3:21 am

      Hi Sharmi,

      Thanks so much! This came out well.

      Reply
    64. Sindhu Ja

      December 14, 2016 at 9:25 am

      Hi Akka,am Sindhu one of your follower of your recipe's, I learned a lot about cooking from your site only.I tried out many recipes from your site, Today I tried out this columbu It came out very well and My family also liked the taste of it.Thank you for providing such a good recipes in your site akka.I dono anything about cooking but I love to cook and your site helped and teaches me a lot to make many dishes.

      Reply
    65. DDD

      October 10, 2019 at 2:23 am

      Hai Sharmilee, I tried this poondu kuzhambu and it came out yummy 😋 thank you 😊

      Reply
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