Potato Masala Recipe (Aloo Masala For Dosa)

Aloo masala, or potato masala, is an Indian side dish curry. It is traditionally made using yellow potatoes with sautéed onions and a blend of delectable spices for dosa. You can make this dish in an instant pot or on a stovetop as you see fit.

If you are getting into cooking your own South Indian cuisine, you have to try out aloo masala. This great dish can be eaten with a variety of main courses or sides. It is up to you how to enjoy this rich and flavorsome dish. 

First, you need to learn how to make this amazing Indian dish. So, in this article, we will go over everything you need to know about making this authentic Indian side at home. From what you need to each of the steps you must follow, we’ve got you covered!

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!

What Ingredients Do You Need for Aloo Masala?

Before you can make this dish, you need to head to the store and grab a list of ingredients. All the ingredients that are required for this dish are listed below: 

• Oil – 2 tablespoons of cooking oil are required for this dish. 
• Mustard Seeds – You will need 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds.
• Cumin – This recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds. 
• Split Urad Dal – You require 1 teaspoon of split urad dal to make this dish. 
• Chana Dal – 1 teaspoon of chana dal is needed for this recipe. 
• Green Chilies – Add 2 finely chopped green chilies.
• Curry Leaves – You require 1 stalk of curry leaves. 
• Fresh Ginger – 1 inch of freshly minced ginger is required for this recipe. 
• Asafoetida – Add just a pinch of asafoetida to this dish. 
• Onion – You need 1 finely chopped onion for this recipe.
• Turmeric Powder – 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder is required for this recipe. 
• Yukon Gold Potatoes – This recipe calls for 3 medium Yukon potatoes.
• Salt – Add just a pinch of salt to taste. 
• Lime Juice – Juice half of the lime for this recipe.
• Fresh Coriander Leaves – Add about 2 tablespoons of fresh coriander to this dish. 

How Do You Make Aloo Masala At Home?

In this section, we are going to tell you how to make the perfect aloo masala on a stovetop. It is remarkably easy to do as long as you follow these simple steps. 

• Step 1 – The first thing you need to do is grab your potatoes and boil them. We recommend using a pressure cooker so that they cook within three to four whistles. Make sure that you have added a little water and properly secured the lid. 
• Step 2 – Once your potatoes are cooked and have cooled down enough to handle, peel them and dice them. Place your potatoes in a bowl and partially mash them. 
• Step 3 – In a pan, heat up some oil and then add cumin, mustard seeds, chana dal, and urad dal. Allow these ingredients to sauté until you notice the dal turn a lovely light shade of brown. 
• Step 4 – At this point, you need to add the following ingredients to the pan: Freshly minced ginger, curry leaves, green chilies, and asafetida. Allow time for these ingredients to sauté for a few seconds. 
• Step 5 – After a few seconds, you should add sliced onion, turmeric powder, and salt to the pan. Cook these ingredients for another two to three minutes. When you see the onions going soft and change to a light brown, you can move on to the next step. 
• Step 6 – Add your boiled and mashed potatoes to the pan and mix everything together. Cook everything for another two minutes before you turn off the flame. 
• Step 7 – Your final step is to chop up some fresh coriander and juice a lemon. Add these two ingredients to the aloo masala, and your dish should be ready for dosa. Yummy!

Can You Make Aloo Masala in an Instant Pot?

Do you want to make this dish using an instant pot? Yes? Well then, this section will be perfect for you. In it, we are going to explore the steps you need to follow in order to make this tasty South Indian dish using an instant pot. 

• Step 1 – First, you need to peel your potatoes and dice them into ¾ 1-inch cubes. We recommend using about 400 grams of Yukon gold potatoes. 
• Step 2 – You should not put your instant pot on ‘sauté’ . Throw in some oil and once it is hot, add cumin, urad dal, mustard seeds, and chana dal. Allow these ingredients to cook until the dal turns a lovely light golden brown. 
• Step 3 – Add chopped green chilies, curry leaves, asafetida, and ginger to the instant pot. Let these ingredients sauté for about thirty seconds before moving on to the next step. 
• Step 4 – Chop up your onion and add it to the instant pot with salt and turmeric powder. Allow further time to cook your onions. This should take two to three minutes. When your onions turn light brown, you know that you are done. 
• Step 5 – Put your potato cubes and ⅓ cup of water into the instant pot. If anything is sticking to the instant pot, scrape it off and mix everything together. The last thing you want is a burn alert going off.
• Step 6 – Seal your instant pot and make sure that the valve is secured. Set the machine on high pressure for four minutes. 
• Step 7 – When your timer runs out and starts to beep, quickly release the pressure. Take care, as the instant pot will be super hot. 
• Step 8 – Add some freshly chopped coriander and half a lime juice. Mix everything together so that all your flavors are nicely dispersed throughout the dish.
• Step 9 – Partially mash your potatoes or leave them whole as you see fit. 
• Step 10 – Serve your aloo masala with a side dish of your choice and enjoy this delicious Indian dish. We recommend enjoying it with dosa, chapatis, parathas, or poori. 

With these ten simple steps, you should be ready to enjoy a perfectly cooked aloo masala. It is super easy to do, and it usually comes out perfect each and every time. 

What Do You Serve with Aloo Masala?

Aloo masala tends to be largely used as a side dish or an accompaniment to masala dosa. However, you can always serve this dish with a lovely helping of poori, naan, or chapati. If you want to enjoy another side dish, you can also make paneer jalfrezi, veg kurma, or chana masala. 

If you have leftovers, you can always use aloo masala as a stuffing for pastries, wraps, sandwiches, parthas, or aloo bonda. There is so much you can do with this dish. The options are really quite endless.

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Aloo Masala

Making aloo masala is already very easy. But there are a few things that you can do to make it even easier. Below are three tips that always result in the best and most delicious aloo masala: 

• Spice Tempering – It is important to temper your spices when you are making this dish. If you are aiming for that restaurant-style flavor you really need to temper the following spices: Mustard Seeds, Cumin, Urad Dal, Chana Dal, Curry Leaves, Green Chilies, and Ginger. It will make a world of difference. 
• Add Creaminess – If you want to add a little decadent creaminess to your aloo masala dish, you can always add some milk. This will give off a rich, decadent creaminess to your delicious South Indian curried potatoes. 
• Good Quality Potatoes – If you are making a potato-centered dish like this, you need to make sure that you use the best quality veggies. At the top of the list are the following varieties of potatoes: Yukon Gold Potatoes, Idaho Potatoes, or Russet Potatoes

If you really want to make the best potato masala, you have to consider the tips we have left here for you. 

What Substitutes and Variations Are There for this Dish?

There are things you can do that will tailor this dish to your preferences. Below are a few substitutes and variations you can implement to make this dish suit you:

• Add Some Veggies – By simply adding a few veggies to this potato masala, you can make this dish all the more flavorful and nutritious. Add whichever veggies you like. Some of the most popular options are peas, carrots, bell peppers, and cauliflowers. But our favorite addition to this dish has to be fresh broccoli. 
• Add Some Extra Spice – If you love spicy food, you can always add a dash of chili powder or an extra green chili to this dish. Either way, adding spice to this dish couldn’t be easier. 
• Add Some Protein – If you want to make this dish more filling, you can always add protein. Whether that is paneer, chickpeas, tofu, or chicken, you can add anything you like to this dish to make it more wholesome.
• Add Some Nuts – If you want to add a little nuttiness to your aloo masala, there is always the option to add roasted peanuts or cashews. Not only will you get some additional flavor, but you will also get a delightful crunch. 
• Lentils – There are a lot of different kinds of lentils. This recipe calls for split urad dal and chana dal. Both of which are kinds of lentils. However, if you can’t find these varieties at your store, you can use other types of lentils, including the following: Brown Lentils, Green Lentils, Red and Yellow Lentils, Specialty Lentils, Black Beluga Lentils, or Puy Lentils. 

How Do You Store Leftover Aloo Masala?

Storing your leftover aloo masala could not be easier! There are two main methods that you can use. The first is best if you intend to eat your leftovers within three days. All you need to do is store your aloo masala in an airtight container and leave it in the refrigerator. 

The second method of storage is to freeze your leftover aloo masala. Just put the masala in a freezer-safe bag or container and leave it in the freezer for up to a month. However, it is not really recommended to freeze this dish as the potatoes do not really do well after being frozen. In fact, they do get a little mushy, especially when it is thawed. 

When you intend to reheat your aloo masala, you just need to put it in a microwave-safe dish or a pan on the stovetop. If your aloo masala is frozen, allow time for it to thaw before you start cooking! 

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has inspired you to try making aloo masala at home. 

It’s a flavorful, comforting dish that’s surprisingly easy to prepare, making it perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers with friends. 

Just follow the ingredients list and simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious aloo masala ready in no time. 

Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy every bite of this classic, satisfying dish!

Frequently Asked Questions