Tomato Thokku

Updated: May 3, 2023, By Swasthi

Thokku in Telugu means “Pounded” (crushed) and Tomato Thokku literally translates to Tomatoes that have been crushed with spices. Made in various ways, Tomato Thokku is a simple side dish that is a staple in South Indian homes, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This Tomato Thokku is the simplest you can make without actually having to crush the tomatoes. A lot lesser work because you don’t actually have to cook, cool & crush the tomatoes in a grinder.

Tomato thokku



In South India, You will find many ways of making Tomato Thokku, ranging from a simple basic chutney like condiment to a pickle like tasting dish. So there is no one right or wrong way to make a Tomato Thokku.

In traditional Telugu speaking households, many kinds of Thokku are made with various ingredients like, using raw green mangoes, unripe tamarind, fresh red chilies and even with green unripe tomatoes and ripe tomatoes.

Mamidikaya thokku, Chintakaya thokku, Mirapakaya thokku are some of such preparations. Some kinds can be preserved for longer than a year while the rest do not keep good for longer than a day.

About Tomato Thokku

Basically a Thokku is made by slightly crushing the ingredients in a manual stone motar using a pestle. This traditional equipment helps in achieving a coarse texture and retain the flavours of the spices.

Thokku made using such stone motar & pestle taste much flavorsome as they are not crushed in a high speed electric grinders which actually diminish the flavours. Since the modern world has moved away from such equipment, Tomato Thokku in the present days is made in numerous ways.

This Tomato Thokku tastes tangy, hot, spicy, slightly sweet & has a traditional thokku like coarse texture. It goes well with plain rice, snacks and with all breakfasts like idli, dosa, parathas and uttapam. I can say this recipe is a cross between the Tomato Chutney and the Tomato Pickle I have shared earlier.

You can also make a big batch as it stores well for a month & can be easily tweaked to your taste. You can reduce the red chilli powder to make it less spicy.

Since this is a no-blend dish, deseed the tomatoes before cooking. Also use ripe tomatoes that are not too sour. The recipe is divided into 2 simple steps – first sauté and cook the tomatoes. Lastly add the spice powder and temper the thokku.

More Recipes
Tomato Chutney
Tomato Pachadi
Andhra Tomato Pickle
Easy Tomato Rice
Tomato Bath
Tomato Rasam

Photo Guide

How to make Tomato Thokku (Stepwise photos)

Preparation

1. Heat a pan with 1 tablespoon oil. When the oil is hot add ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds and 1 tablespoon fine chopped ginger. Saute them well until the ginger turns fragrant but not burnt for about 30 to 60 seconds.

temper spices

2. Then add 500 grams of chopped deseeded tomatoes and ½ teaspoon salt. Saute them for 2 to 3 mins.

tomatoes with salt

3. Cover the pan and cook until completely mushy and soft.

cooking tomatoes for thokku

4. Open the pan and give a good stir. Cook until the mixture turns slightly thick. You will need to evaporate the juices a bit. If the tomatoes are too chunky, mash them with a spatula.

cooked tomatoes

5. This is the consistency you must be looking for before adding the spice powders. Then add 1 tablespoon jaggery (sugar), 1/8 teaspoon turmeric & 2 tablespoons red chilli powder. I also add ½ teaspoon mustard powder and ¼ teaspoon roasted methi seeds powder. Use them only if you like the flavors. Mustard powder imparts a pungent flavor and roasted methi seeds powder will impart slight bitter tones with a nutty aroma.

add ground spices

6. Give a good mix & taste test. Add more salt & red chilli powder if needed. Cook for 2 mins and turn off. Do not overcook at this stage.

add salt to tomato thokku

Temper Tomato Thokku

7. In another small pan, heat 1 to 2 tablespoons oil. Then add ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds ½ tablespoon ginger (optional). When the ginger turns fragrant, add curry leaves and hing. Turn off when the curry leaves turn crisp.

temper tomato thokku

8. Pour this over the hot tomato thokku. Give a good stir and cool completely before storing in a glass jar. This keeps good at room temperature for 2 days and a couple of months in the fridge. This tomato thokku develops a good flavor after a day.

Serve tomato thokku with any snacks, breakfasts and even with plain rice. We usually mix this with hot rice and ghee.

tomato thokku

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

tomato thokku

Tomato Thokku Recipe

5 from 16 votes
Tomato thokku is a quick and delicious side dish of tomatoes, spices and herbs. Serve as a side with rice, snacks and breakfasts like idli, dosa and uttapam.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings36 servings
AuthorSwasthi
Diet : Gluten Free, Vegan

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 500 grams ripe tomatoes (deseeded and chopped)
  • 1 tablespoons oil
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger (¾ inch, peeled and chopped)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons Kashmiri red chilli powder (adjust to taste, I use 3 to 4 tablespoons)
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon roasted methi seeds powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt (more to adjust)
  • 1 tablespoon jaggery (adjust to taste)

Tempering

  • 1 to 2 tbsp oil
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ tablespoon ginger (or garlic, optional)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 pinch hing


Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan and add ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds and 1 tablespoon fine chopped ginger. Let fry until the ginger turns fragrant without burning.
  • Immediately add chopped tomatoes and salt. Saute on a high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover and cook until the tomatoes have softened completely.
  • Later remove the lid and cook until most of the juices evaporate and tomato mixture turns thick. (Check the stepwise pics in the post for consistency)
  • Stir in jaggery, turmeric, red chilli powder, mustard powder & roasted methi powder. If you don't like the flavors of mustard and methi, skip them.
  • Taste test and add more salt & red chilli powder if you want. Cook the tomato thokku for 2 mins and turn off.

Temper Tomato Thokku

  • In a small pan heat 1 to 2 tablespoons oil. Add mustard seeds and half tablespoon ginger or garlic (optional). Let the ginger turn fragrant, add curry leaves and hing.
  • Pour this over the hot tomato thokku. Give a good stir and cool completely. Store in a glass jar . Tomato thokku tastes best the next day after developing the flavors.
  • Store in the refrigerator for a couple of months, but tastes best for a month. It keeps good at room temperature for 2 days.


Notes

  • To store it longer use more oil and cook the thokku for a little longer until it turns thick and begins to release oil on the sides.
  • Nutrition values are per serving – 1 teaspoon

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Tomato Thokku Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 13 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Trans Fat 0.003g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 43mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 0.3g1%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 0.2g0%
Vitamin A 252IU5%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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5 stars
This tomato thokku is amazing. Made a large batch to use up the surplus tomatoes. Turned out delicious. Thank you!

5 stars
Wow!! This is delicious. Loved it. Thanks for posting