Tamarind Paste Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (2024)

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Tamarind paste recipe, Learn how to make tamarind paste at home with my easy step by step guide. When I first moved to Singapore, I bought tamarind paste since we had not set up our kitchen yet and cooking was new to me. That was the time I developed a dislike towards tamarind and would always try to substitute lemon juice or amchur for tamarind in most recipes.

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The ready made tamarind paste had stones, sand or mud with a rusty, oily smell. Few years ago I started to make my own, by just soaking little tamarind in boiling water, cool it and then bottle it along with water and pulp, refrigerate it.

The pulp absorbs water and becomes soft. Whenever needed I just dilute it with more clean water, squeeze and then filter to the dish directly while cooking. This method works well if we are going to use up within a week else itgoes bad, even though refrigerated.

Ever since I learnt making Pulihora from my friend Siri, I began to like tamarind in my foods and so began to make this paste in larger quantity that is handy to use for chutney, sambar or pulihora.

How to Make Tamarind Paste (Stepwise Photos)

Preparation

1. Firstly clean tamarind to remove any unwanted particles. Heat 2 to 3 cups of water in a pot. Water should be hot not warm.Set aside half of this hot water in a bowl. In the water pot, layer the tamarind.

It must be fully immersed in water. If not pour more hot water as needed. Do not use excess water. The more water we use the more hot splashes we will have to encounter later. So use your judgement.

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2. Leave it for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Tamarind turns soft.

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3. Squeeze off the tamarind well.

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4. Pass this through a strainer to another heavy bottom tall utensil, that is non reactive. you might find stones or covering of the tamarind or seeds, discard them. Do not use a wide pan.

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5. Add the pulp back to the tamarind pot, add more water that was set aside and squeeze it again and repeat passing the left over pulp through the filter. You can do this once more if you wish.

Do not overdo, you might get the mud or stones, just discard the pulp. or you can even make thin tamarind water and refrigerate to use the next 2 days.

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Make the Tamarind Paste

6. Now you see a thick paste.

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7. Boil it on a medium flame. Be careful as it splashes on to the person cooking it. I generally cover it partially with a lid (lid open towards the wall), protecting myself from the splashes and then a cling wrap on to the tiles, so that I can discard it later.

Boil just for about 4 to 5 minutes. Make sure it doesn’t get burnt. I stir it twice while boiling without taking off the lid fully. Off the stove.

You can even warm up and switch off, but that may go bad depending on the weather conditions even if refrigerated.

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8. Cool the tamarind paste completely and store it in a clean dry glass jar.

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Refrigerate and use within a month. Do not use plastic jars and spoons.

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Notes and Tips to make a good tamarind paste
1. Do not overcook tamarind, the flavor and taste is lost. Soak it well to extract as much as possible.
2. Do not filter the tamarind till the last bits, you end up getting dirt and stones. Rather discard the last portion to keep the paste clean. You do not want to waste even little bit of the tamarind, you can extract further, by adding 1 cup of water and squeeze and then filter the thin tamarind water. Refrigerate and use up with in the next 2 days for sambar or pulusu.
3. Do not use utensils made of reactive materials like aluminum or copper to cook tamarind.It is harmful to health.

Storage :
Never store tamarind paste in plastic containers always use glass jars, and if using glass jars with plastic lids, make sure the paste doesn’t touch the lid.

Even plastic ware that is made from virgin plastic or BPA free are not 100% safe to use since chemical plasticizers are used during the manufacturing. Also tamarind reacts with plastic.

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Recipe Card

Tamarind Paste Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (17)

Tamarind Paste Recipe

Homemade tamarind paste is flavorful, without any additives and lasts long. This can be used in Indian, mexican, Thai and south Asian foods.

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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time45 minutes minutes

Cook Time7 minutes minutes

Total Time52 minutes minutes

Servings1 cup

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 250 grams tamarind or chintapandu
  • 3 cups water (use as needed, refer notes)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Clean up tamarind. Check for any seeds, skin or unwanted particles and discard them.

  • Heat 3 cups of water.

  • Soak tamarind in 1.5 to 2 cups of hot water for about 45 to 60 minutes in a large bowl.

  • If your tamarind is clean then blend it well until smooth. This saves lot of time. Avoid blending if your tamarind has debris or is unclean.

  • Mash the tamarind as much as possible and pass through a filter to a heavy bottom tall pot(no wide pan). Discard more stones or debris that you might find in the filter.

  • Add the pulp back to the bowl along with left over water that was heated. Use only as required, we want to make a thick paste. Squeeze the pulp and pass through the filter once more.

How to Make Tamarind Paste

  • The filtered pulp will be thick. Boil this for about 5 minutes on a medium flame. This keeps the tamarind good for a long time.

  • Cover the pot partially towards you to prevent splashes. You may stir it twice while boiling without opening the lid fully from a side.

  • After 5 minutes, turn off the flame.

  • Cool tamarind paste completely and store it in an airtight glass jar. Prevent using plastic jars and spoons.

Notes

some variety of tamarind need less water since they are not pulpy. Adjust the water quantity depending on how pulpy your tamarind is.
Always handle the paste with dry hands and spoons for better shelf life. Do not use plastic spoons while using.
Some people add salt, turmeric and oil for a better shelf life. All those are optional.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts

Tamarind Paste Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 597Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Sodium 107mg5%

Potassium 1570mg45%

Carbohydrates 156g52%

Fiber 12g50%

Sugar 143g159%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 75IU2%

Vitamin C 8.7mg11%

Calcium 208mg21%

Iron 7mg39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

Tamarind Paste Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (18)

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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Tamarind Paste Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does tamarind paste last in the refrigerator? ›

Tamarind paste has a long shelf life. In the fridge, it will last 4-5 weeks and in the freezer for many months. Freeze in ice cube trays for convenience, one tablespoon portions to use in sauces, stews, marinades, etc.

What can you use tamarind paste for? ›

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What is the ratio of tamarind paste to concentrate? ›

Ready made Regular Tamarind Paste (labelled concentrate)

One tablespoon of this stuff is about equal to 1.5 tablespoons of the homemade soaked and strained tamarind paste. This type is commonly comes from Thailand in a jar.

How much water do you put in tamarind paste? ›

Simply reconstitute the thick paste with water. Add 2 parts water to 1 part concentrate and stir until combined. Measure and use in any recipe calling for tamarind paste. If your recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of tamarind paste, mix 1 tablespoon of tamarind concentrate and 2 tablespoons of water.

Can tamarind paste go bad? ›

A: Two years at room temp (it will darken) at least, indefinitely in the fridge. The paste is quite acidic so it isnt prone to spoilage.

Can I use expired tamarind paste? ›

Unopened tamarind paste can typically last for up to a year past its printed date when stored in a cool, dry place. Once you've opened the jar, the tamarind paste should be consumed within a month if stored at room temperature. But, if you refrigerate it after opening, it can last for about 6 months.

Is tamarind paste a laxative? ›

According to these modern's perspectives, tamarind acts as an irritant laxative that may be helpful to detach the hard stool from the intestinal mucosa due to its irritant properties, irritates the colon's lining resulting in an increased urgency to pass bowel materials.

What are the side effects of tamarind? ›

Tamarind consumption is also detrimental to the appearance of the teeth. One of the most common drawbacks of tamarind is allergy. Many choose to eat this fruit, but it can cause ringworm, itching, swelling, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, and shortness of breath.

What does tamarind do to the body? ›

Tamarind fruit may serve as a natural laxative, and its components have the potential to promote muscle relaxation, which can be beneficial for managing diarrhea. Furthermore, tamarind seeds contain antioxidants that may help combat free radicals, potentially aiding in conditions such as stomach ulcers.

Which is better tamarind paste or concentrate? ›

Tamarind Paste vs.

In most grocery stores, tamarind paste and tamarind concentrate are the same thing. If a recipe calls for tamarind concentrate, you can usually use tamarind paste without any issues.

Does tamarind paste concentrate need to be refrigerated? ›

Tamarind paste can be kept in a cool, dry place, like a cupboard, but refrigeration will extend its shelf life.

How do you balance tamarind paste? ›

If it is too sour for your taste then you could add some extra lentils, though you would need to cook them thoroughly first, or you could try adding a little honey to the dish to boost the sweetness. We would however mention that the recipe uses ready prepared tamarind paste from a jar.

Should tamarind paste be runny? ›

The thickness and strength of tamarind paste vary widely depending on which brand you use. If the paste is runny, you will need to add more to achieve the right flavor. Taste-test your recipe to achieve the right sweet-sour balance, adding more paste or more sweetener until the desired flavor is reached.

What is a good replacement for tamarind paste? ›

The Best Tamarind Paste Substitutes
  • Lime or Lemon Juice. While I have used tamarind in the past, these days I prefer to keep my pantry more simple so if I'm cooking something that calls for tamarind my first go-to is a squeeze of lime juice. ...
  • Balsamic Vinegar. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Tomato Ketchup. ...
  • Coconut Aminos. ...
  • Leave it Out.

Do I need to dilute tamarind paste? ›

Tamarind pulp is rarely used in cooking unless diluted. Instead it is commonly used to make tamarind water before adding it to a recipe.

How long can you keep tamarind paste once opened? ›

Expiration and Best By Dates

Tamarind paste may last up to two years if unopened and stored properly. Once opened, its freshness can decline. It's generally safe to consume for up to a month in the cabinet or three months in the refrigerator.

Do you need to refrigerate tamarind paste after opening? ›

Tamarind paste can be kept in a cool, dry place, like a cupboard, but refrigeration will extend its shelf life.

How do you store fresh tamarind paste? ›

As previously answered a block of tamarind can be stored wrapped at room temperature. but anything processed like a paste or juice should be refrigerated after opening.

Can tamarind be stored in fridge? ›

Squeeze the pulp and use what you need. Cover and store the rest in the refrigerator for upto a week. I've been doing this for a while now, and I love how there's tamarind in my fridge ALWAYS!

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