What to Buy for a Seamless Onam Feast: Your Grocery Checklist

Onam, the grand harvest festival of Kerala, is celebrated with immense joy, vibrant floral decorations, traditional games, and of course, the elaborate Onam Sadhya. This legendary feast, served on a banana leaf, is not just a meal but a celebration of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. With over 20 dishes typically included, preparing for Onam Sadhya can feel overwhelming, unless you’re equipped with the right Onam grocery list.

Onam Grocery List

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a first-timer attempting your first Sadhya, planning ahead and shopping smartly is the secret to a stress-free and delicious Onam. Here’s your ultimate Onam grocery checklist to ensure your feast goes off without a hitch.

Fresh Vegetables – The Heart of Sadhya

A traditional Onam Sadhya is incomplete without an array of vegetable-based dishes. These are some of the key vegetables you’ll need:

• Raw banana (plantain) for dishes like upperi and kaya mezhukkupuratti
• Yam (chena) used in erissery or mezhukkupuratti
• Ash gourd (kumbalanga) for olan and pachadi
• Pumpkin (mathanga) is essential for erissery
• Cucumber (vellarikka) for kichadi or pachadi
• Drumsticks (muringakka) for sambar
• Snake gourd (padavalanga) for avial
• Carrots, beans, and long beans (payar) all go into avial and thoran
• Green chilies, curry leaves, and ginger are essential flavoring agents

Stock up on these early, as vegetable markets tend to get crowded closer to Onam.

Coconut & Coconut Products – The Flavour Foundation

Kerala cuisine is synonymous with coconut. For an authentic Sadhya, make sure your Onam grocery list includes:

• Freshly grated coconut for avial, thoran, pachadi, and more
• Coconut oil for cooking and final seasoning (don’t substitute)
• Coconut milk for dishes like olan

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can buy frozen grated coconut or good-quality coconut milk powder as alternatives.

Lentils, Pulses & Grains – The Base Ingredients

Sadhya isn’t just about vegetables. Several dishes rely on lentils and grains:

• Parippu (moong dal) for the simple yet divine parippu curry
• Toor dal (thuvaram parippu) is used in sambar
• Chickpeas (kadala) for kadala curry or sundal
• Green gram (cherupayar) for thoran or mezhukkupuratti
• Matta rice (Kerala red rice) is the centerpiece of the Sadhya

Get these in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.

Spices & Seasonings – For Authentic Kerala Flavour

A fragrant tempering or ‘thaalichu kuthal’ is what elevates a Sadhya. Here are the essential spices:

• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Dry red chilies
• Fenugreek seeds (uluva)
• Turmeric powder
• Asafoetida (hing/perungayam)
• Black pepper
• Curry leaves – fresh is best

Keep your spice box stocked and fresh. The flavors of Kerala are subtle, but missing even one ingredient can change the taste.

Pickles, Pappadams & Sides – The Crunch & Tang

A true Sadhya is all about contrast: sweet, sour, crunchy, soft. Include the following in your Onam grocery list:

• Nendran banana chips (upperi)
• Sharkkara varatti (jaggery-coated banana chips)
• Pappadam (Kerala-style papad) – to be fried fresh
• Mango pickle (kadumanga achar)
• Lime pickle (naranga achar)
• Inji curry (ginger-tamarind curry)

These are store-bought by many households, but making them at home adds an extra touch of tradition.

Fruits & Sweeteners – For That Sweet Ending

Onam Sadhya includes payasams that add a rich, sweet ending to the meal. For these, you’ll need:

• Jaggery (sharkkara) is used in sharkkara payasam
• Sugar for semiya payasam or pal payasam
• Ripe bananas (ethapazham) served as part of the meal
• Cashews and raisins for garnishing payasams
• Cardamom (elakka) for a warm, aromatic touch

Also, keep some extra milk and ghee on hand for richness.

Essential Kitchen Tools & Serveware

While not part of your Onam grocery list, the right tools can make a big difference:

• Banana leaves are the traditional way to serve Sadhya
• Large pots and pans for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously
• Steamers for idiyappam or puttu, if included in your menu
• Traditional ladles make stirring payasams easier

And don’t forget enough plates, bowls, and glasses if you’re hosting a big group.

Onam Grocery List: Final Thoughts

Preparing a traditional Sadhya can seem like a monumental task, but with the right Onam grocery list, it becomes a joyous ritual that brings the spirit of Onam alive. The aroma of spices, the sizzle of coconut oil, the vibrant vegetables, and the final spread on a banana leaf, it’s an experience like no other.

Download the Milkbasket app and start your shopping spree. Don’t hesitate to delegate or prep ingredients ahead of time. After all, Onam is not just about the food but about celebrating togetherness, prosperity, and tradition.

Happy Onam and happy feasting!