Skip to Content

What to Serve with Upma (12 Easy Options)

Upma is a popular dish from South India that is made with semolina, spices, and vegetables.

It is usually served for breakfast or as a snack, but can also be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.

So, what should you serve with upma? Upma goes well with a variety of side dishes such as idli, dosa, vada, pakora, bhaji, bonda, and even plain yogurt or chutney.

The best way to enjoy upma is with a delicious side dish.

To know more about which dishes go well well this popular Indian dish, read on!

What to Serve with Upma

What to Serve with Upma?

There are many options for what to serve with Upma. You can serve it with chutney, sambar, rasam, or curd. You can also serve it with papad, vada, bonda, bajji, or potato chips. For a more complete meal, you can serve it with idli, dosa, or uthappam.

Still looking for ideas?

Well, here are 12 side dishes that go well with Upma:

Peanut Podi

Peanut Podi
Source: cookingfromheart.com

This tasty spiced peanut powder is a great way to add a little flavor and texture to Upma.

You can use it as a condiment, or you can use it to thicken the dish.

Simply combine the peanut podi with milk or water, and stir until smooth.

You can then use the mixture to top your Upma, or you can use it to replace some of the traditional flours in Upma recipes.

Try adding it to Indian-style vegetable upma, or even sweet potato upma.

In addition to peanut podi, you can also add other spices like cumin, ginger, and cardamom to give your Upma a unique flavor profile.

Experiment and see what flavors work best for you!

Idli Podi

Idli Podi
Source: vegrecipesofindia.com

This flavorful condiment made of lentils, seeds and spices is a great way to add some flavor and texture to your Upma.

You can use it as a side dish or as a condiment for your Upma.

Add it to your Upma just before serving, or use it as a dip.

You can also use it to top your Upma with raita or chutney.

Coconut Chutney

Coconut Chutney
Source: vegrecipesofindia.com

This delicious south Indian chutney is a great addition to Upma, or any other Indian meal.

It’s sweet and spicy, and it pairs perfectly with the oats and nuts in the chutney.

You can also use it as a condiment for other dishes, like grilled chicken or pork chops.

If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can try using different types of fruits in place of the coconut.

For example, try mango or pineapple chutney.

Whatever fruit you choose, make sure to add it at the very end of cooking so that it retains its sweetness and flavor.

Pickles

Pickles

Pickles are not for everyone, but they are a great way to add some flavor and crunch to your Upma.

A variety of pickles will work well, from simple cucumbers in vinegar to more complex options like chutneys or relishes.

You can even make your own pickles using spices and herbs that you have on hand.

Just be sure to store them in a cool, dark place so that they don’t spoil.

For an extra kick, serve your Upma with a side of samosas or naan bread.

Sambar

Sambar
Source: vegrecipesofindia.com

This traditional South Indian dish is a great way to introduce people to the flavors of the region.

Sambar is made from a variety of lentils, rice, and vegetables simmered in a spicy tomato sauce.

It can be served as a side dish or as part of a main course.

  1. For a simple and hearty sambar, start by cooking the lentils and rice in a pot on the stovetop.
  2. Once they’re done, add in some chopped onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper.
  3. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer until all the ingredients are tender.
  4. Serve hot with steamed rice on top for an easy and delicious meal.

You can also experiment with other ingredients to create your own variation of sambar.

For example, you could add fresh cilantro or grated ginger to the mix.

Add whatever spices appeal to you and let your imagination run wild!

Onion Chutney

Onion Chutney
Source: vegrecipesofindia.com

If you haven’t yet tried onion chutney, then you’re really missing out.

It’s a staple in Indian cuisine, and it can be used as a condiment for just about anything.

You can eat it on its own as a dipping sauce, or use it as a base for other dishes.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy onion chutney is as a side dish with Upma.

Upma is an Indian rice and lentil pancake that is often served with vegetables and chutney.

I like to serve my onion chutney along with shredded carrots, boiled eggs, and chopped tomatoes.

It’s a delicious and filling meal that will complement any type of cuisine!

Sugar

White sugar

Believe it or not, Upma is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of ingredients.

If you’d like to make it a bit more interesting, feel free to add in some sugar.

This will help to bring out the sweetness in the potatoes and give the dish a little extra flavor.

You can also add other spices, such as cardamom or cloves, to amp up the flavor.

Whatever you choose to add, just make sure that it doesn’t overpower the taste of the potatoes.

Potato Chips

Crispy Fried Potato Chips
Source: www.bonappetit.com

How about some crunchy potato chips to serve with your favorite Upma recipe?

Not only are they a great way to add some extra flavor to your dish, but they’re also a great source of dietary fiber.

That means they’ll keep you full for a longer period of time, which is definitely an advantage if you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet.

To make sure your chips are the perfect texture, try baking them instead of frying them.

This technique results in crunchy, golden chips that are absolutely delicious.

And don’t forget about toppings!

You can serve them with salsa, guacamole, or even sour cream.

Whether you’re serving Upma as part of a meal or as a snack, potatoes are a great way to add some flavor and nutrients to your dish.

Uthappam

Uthappam
Source: hebbarskitchen.com

Uthappam is also great as a light lunch or dinner, and it can be easily customizable to your own taste.

For example, you could add chopped onions, peas, or chopped chicken to the batter for a more substantial meal.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, try topping your uthappam with roasted cashews, chaat masala, or even some diced tomatoes.

Channa Dal

Channa Dal
Source: vegrecipesofindia.com

Channa dal is a type of lentil that is popular in India.

It has a slightly nutty flavor and is perfect for adding texture and depth of flavor to your Upma.

Cilantro Leaves

Cilantro Leaves

Cilantro leaves are an essential part of any Indian kitchen.

They add a fresh, herbal flavor and aroma to your Upma.

Green Peas

Green peas

Green peas are another common lentil that can be used in Upma.

They provide a nice sweetness and crunchy texture that will complement the savory flavors of the dal and spices.

Upma Sides

What to Serve with Upma (12 Easy Options)

There are many great reasons to serve a side dish with upma.
For one, it helps to round out the meal and provide more nutrients and variety.
Additionally, it can help to offset the spiciness of the upma, making it more enjoyable for all.
Finally, a side dish can simply add more interest to the meal, making it more enjoyable to eat.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people
Calories 399 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Peanut Podi
  • Idli Podi
  • Coconut Chutney
  • Pickles
  • Sambar
  • Onion Chutney
  • Sugar
  • Potato Chips
  • Uthappam
  • Channa Dal
  • Cilantro Leaves
  • Green Peas

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite recipe from this list to serve with your meal.
  • Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
  • Enjoy in no time!
Keyword What to Serve with Upma
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.