sauceSri Lankan

Pol Sambol

Name: Pol Sambol
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Ingredients: 250 g Grated coconut (fresh or thawed); 2 tbsp Chilli flakes; 1 piece Red onion (very finely chopped); 2 tbsp Maldive fish; 1 piece Lime (juiced); To taste Salt

Pol Sambol is a classic Sri Lankan sauce that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Grated coconut (fresh or thawed), Chilli flakes, Red onion (very finely chopped), Maldive fish and Lime (juiced), the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Kottu Roti.

Difficulty: easyPrep: 15 minCook: 0 minServes 6

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Ingredients

Grated coconut (fresh or thawed)250 g
Chilli flakes2 tbsp
Red onion (very finely chopped)1 piece
Maldive fish2 tbsp
Lime (juiced)1 piece
SaltTo taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

4 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Pound the chilli flakes with the salt and the Maldive fish to a rough paste.

Step 2

Add the onion and keep pounding: it should give up its juice and stain the paste.

Step 3

Work the coconut in by hand, rubbing the mixture between your palms until it turns evenly red.

Step 4🥄 Mix

Add the lime juice, mix and taste. The sambol should be hot, sour and salty at once.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Pol Sambol carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, grated coconut (fresh or thawed) can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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