5 Must-Try Onasadya Dishes You Can Make at Home

Are you worried about missing the authentic taste of Onam Sadhya this festive season? Many home cooks feel overwhelmed by the complexity of preparing traditional Kerala dishes perfectly. The good news is that you can recreate the magic of onam sadhya recipes right in your kitchen! With Onam celebrations running from Tuesday, 26 Aug, 2025 to Friday, 5 Sept, 2025, there’s perfect timing ahead.

Milkbasket’s online milk delivery and grocery services ensure you get all fresh ingredients effortlessly. This blog will guide you through five essential dishes that capture Onam’s authentic flavors beautifully.

What is Onasadya?

Onasadya represents Kerala’s most elaborate and sacred feast served during the Onam festival annually. This traditional vegetarian meal consists of multiple courses served on fresh banana leaves ceremoniously.

The elaborate spread showcases Kerala’s culinary heritage through generations of authentic preparation methods.

1. Avial – The Royal Mixed Vegetable Curry

Avial stands as the crown jewel of onam sadhya recipes with its perfect blend of vegetables. This creamy coconut curry combines drumsticks, beans, carrots, and raw banana harmoniously together. The dish represents Kerala’s agricultural abundance and showcases the state’s love for coconut-based preparations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed vegetables (drumstick, beans, carrot, raw banana)
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 2 green chilies
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 10 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Boil vegetables with turmeric and salt until tender but firm texture remains.
2. Grind coconut with green chilies and cumin to make smooth paste for flavoring.
3. Mix coconut paste with cooked vegetables and simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
4. Temper with curry leaves in coconut oil and serve this authentic onam sadhya recipes dish.

2. Olan – Creamy Coconut Milk Delight

Olan brings elegance to onam sadhya recipes with its subtle flavors and creamy texture. This gentle curry combines ash gourd and black-eyed peas in rich coconut milk perfectly. The dish requires minimal spices, allowing natural ingredient flavours to shine through completely.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ash gourd (cubed)
• 1/2 cup black-eyed peas (soaked overnight)
• 1 cup thick coconut milk
• 2 green chilies
• 10 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cook soaked black-eyed peas until soft and tender in salted water completely.
2. Add ash gourd cubes and cook until just tender without becoming mushy.
3. Pour thick coconut milk, add green chillies, and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
4. Finish with curry leaves tempered in coconut oil for this classic onam sadhya recipes preparation.

3. Erissery – Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Curry

Erissery represents the perfect balance of sweet and savory in traditional onam sadhya recipes. This hearty curry combines pumpkin and lentils with aromatic coconut and spice mixture. The dish provides comfort food vibes while maintaining authentic Kerala flavors throughout preparation.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pumpkin (cubed)
• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 4 dry red chilies
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 10 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cook pumpkin and moong dal separately until soft and mashable texture forms.
2. Roast grated coconut with red chilies until golden brown and aromatic fragrance emerges.
3. Grind roasted coconut mixture to coarse powder and mix with cooked vegetables.
4. Temper with curry leaves and serve this nourishing onam sadhya recipes dish warm.

4. Thoran – Crispy Coconut Vegetable Stir-fry

Thoran adds delightful crunch and freshness to any onam sadhya recipes spread perfectly. This dry preparation showcases Kerala’s technique of combining vegetables with fresh coconut beautifully. The dish works with various vegetables, making it versatile for home cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups beans (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 2 green chilies
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 10 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Heat coconut oil and add mustard seeds until they splutter and pop.
2. Add curry leaves, green chilies, and chopped beans to the hot oil immediately.
3. Sprinkle turmeric and salt, cook until beans become tender but retain crispness.
4. Mix fresh grated coconut and cook for 2 minutes more for authentic flavor.

5. Payasam – Sweet Coconut Milk Pudding

No onam sadhya recipes collection completes without the divine sweetness of traditional payasam. This creamy dessert made with coconut milk brings perfect ending to the feast. The aromatic cardamom and jaggery create heavenly flavors that linger pleasantly on palate.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice (soaked)
• 2 cups thick coconut milk
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 4 cardamom pods
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Cashews and raisins for garnishing

Method:

1. Cook soaked rice until a very soft and mashable consistency is achieved perfectly.
2. Add coconut milk gradually while stirring continuously to prevent curdling or separation.
3. Dissolve jaggery in little water, strain, and add to rice-coconut mixture slowly.
4. Add crushed cardamom and simmer until thick consistency forms, then garnish with fried cashews.

What are the ingredients in Onam Sadhya?

Fresh vegetables like drumsticks, gourds, yam, and plantains form the foundation of most dishes. Coconut appears in various forms, creating the distinctive Kerala flavor profile throughout preparations.

Milkbasket stocks all these speciality ingredients, making your grocery shopping delivery convenient and reliable.

What are the 26 items of Onam Sadhya?

The complete Onasadya traditionally features 26 distinct dishes, each contributing unique flavors and textures. Rice forms the centerpiece, accompanied by sambhar, rasam, and various vegetable preparations systematically.

Modern celebrations often adapt the feast to practical limitations while maintaining complete authenticity.

What is kalan in Onam Sadhya?

Kalan represents one of the most beloved and essential dishes in every traditional feast. This thick, creamy curry combines yam and plantains cooked in seasoned coconut milk.

The dish showcases Kerala’s expertise in creating complex flavors from simple local ingredients.

What is the myth of Onam?

The Onam festival celebrates the annual return of the legendary King Mahabali to Kerala. According to Hindu mythology, Mahabali ruled Kerala during a golden age of prosperity.

The elaborate feast represents the welcome prepared for the returning king’s annual visit.

Wrapping Up

Ready to create your own authentic Onasadya experience at home? Milkbasket makes preparing these onam sadhya recipes effortless with our comprehensive online food shopping platform. Our 10,000+ items include all traditional Kerala ingredients, from fresh coconut to specialty vegetables.

Deliver groceries to your doorstep by 7 AM when you buy groceries online through our app. Download the Milkbasket app today, add items until midnight, and wake up to fresh ingredients. Experience seamless grocery shopping delivery that supports your festive cooking adventures perfectly and authentically!