Name: Thakkali Thokku Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients: 10 large ripe tomatoes; small lemon sized tamarind (1 tablespoon thick extract or paste); 6 tablespoons sesame oil (divided); 2 teaspoons mustard seeds; 1/2 teaspoon methi seeds; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 3 teaspoons chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon jaggery; salt (to taste)

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Thakkali thokku recipe or tomato thokku is a easy and delicious tomato pickle from Tamil nadu cuisine. This versatile tomato thokku is so easy to make and you can serve it in multiple ways. Here is how to make best thakkali thokku with step by step by photos.

What Is Thakkali Thokku?

Thakkali thokku is popular pickle recipe from south Indian recipe. Among various south Indian pickle recipes this thakkali thokku is my top favorite. Thakkali means tomato in Tamil and thokku is a sort of pickling. This tomato thokku is so easy to make and tastes very delicious.

This pickle has a very concentrated flavor and complex taste making it a very apt side dish for various dishes like idli, dosa, curd rice, paratha and many more.

There are many ways to make thakkali thokku ranging from simple to complex methods. Here I am sharing my usual way of making tomato thokku. It is simple yet very delicious and quick recipe. \

If you want to make an instant pickle in 20 minutes that is delicious and flavorful, this recipe is for you.

An easy thakkali thokku recipe that is

vegan
can be made gluten free
very tasty
flavorful
easy
quick and simple

Store tomato thokku in airtight jar and serve as required. It stays good for a week at room temperature but you can refrigerate it for 10 days. Use a clean dry spoon to serve.

Thakkali Thokku Ingredients

Tomato

Use ripe, red and juice tomatoes. I prefer to use desi tomatoes as they are more juicy and slightly tart. You can either finely chop the tomatoes or puree it. We like chunkier tomato thokku so I chop it a bit finely.

Pickling Spices

The usual south Indian pickling spices are used in this recipe. Mustard seeds, methi seeds, turmeric powder and red chili powder. If you are making thakkali thokku in large quantities you can dry roast and powder the mustard seeds. Here I have added them as such.

Seasoning

Usually we season this pickle with asafoetida. For gluten free tomato thokku you can use minced garlic as seasoning.

Which Oil Is Best For Thakkali Thokku?

Sesame oil is the best for south Indian pickles. This oil lends a wonderful as well as it acts as natural preservative. You can however use light olive oil or any vegetable oil in this recipe.

How To Make Thakkali thokku?

To make tomato thokku first of all rinse, wipe and chop the tomatoes. Soak a small tamarind ball in water and extract the pulp.

Heat 4 tablespoons sesame oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add mustard seeds and let it crackle. Add turmeric powder and chili powder. Saute very well. Add the chopped tomatoes and mix well. Season with salt and add jaggery. Mix, saute and cook in medium flame till the tomatoes get completely cooked and pickle releases oil from the sides. Finally add 2 tablespoons sesame oil and mix well. Remove from flame. Cool thoroughly before storing.

Top Tips For Best Thakkali Thokku

Use good ripe tomatoes for best tasting thokku

Adding a small pinch of jaggery rounds off the flavor.

Do not leave out tamarind as it acts as natural preservative

Add more oil if you want to store thokku for more days

The recipe can be doubled.

More South Indian Recipes

How To Make Thakkali Thokku Recipe Step by Step

Rinse, wipe and chop the tomatoes.

heat 4 tablespoons oil in a heavy pan. Add mustard seeds and let crackle.

Add turmeric powder, chili powder and saute well.

Now add the chopped tomatoes and mix. Season wit salt and jaggery. Mix well and cook for 8-10 minutes.

The tomatoes should get cooked, turn mushy and release oil from sides. Finally add remaining oil and mix well. remove from flame. Cool and store airtight.