Sarson Ka Saag Recipe | Learn how to make Sarson ka Saag | Punjabi Sarson Ka Saag Recipe

Sarson ka Saag with winter greens like Mustard Greens, Spinach and Fenugreek Leaves or Bathua(Goosefoot Greens)

A popular winter delicacy from the Northern Sates of India, Saron K Saag served with tadka(tempering) of garlic and onions, with a dollop of butter. It is relished with Makkai Ki Roti(Indian Cornmeal Bread).

Mustard Greens or popularly known as Sarson, are available during the winter months mostly in the Northern States of India. If you are from my part of the world where I grew up, then you know how magical is the sight of Sarson fields. The yellow flowers on the green sarson spread across the miles looks like a blanket/sheet that the earth covers to protect itself from cold. Mesmerizing it is!!! The real essence of Sarson ka Saag is so beautifully captured in Bollywood movies. If you are fan of Bollywood then you have surely enjoyed the sight of these fields!!

The leaves of sarson (Mustard Greens) are used in making one of the most popular winter delicacy 'Sarson Ka Saag' that is relished with 'Makkai ki Roti' (an Indian flatbread made with Cornmeal). It's a must make for winters in most of the North Indian households. Since sarson or mustard greens have a bitter taste, these leaves are combined with Palak(Spinach leaves) and another popular winter special Bathua(pigweed/goosefoot/wild spinach/Chenopodium).

Checkout my Bhathua Ka Raita to know more about Bathua Leaves.

Importance of Seasonal Eating

Elders in the family always stressed on eating as per season as, some foods are good in winters that keep the body warm and some foods keep the body cool in summers. Eating food as per the climate and season and it's nature(that we call as Taasir in Hindi/Urdu) has a lot of relevance in Indian Cooking and also in Ayurveda.

Nature has its own way of nurturing and giving us. Winter produce consists mainly vegetables and fruits that keep our body warm and also increases our immunity to colds and infections. Fresh green leafy veggies like spinach, fenugreek, vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, fruits like oranges amla/Indian Gooseberry that are rich in Vit C are winter delights. Though it's a different story that nowadays we get these all around the year.

Popular Winter Foods from North India.. Aloo Matar Ki Tehri, Chilka Urad Dal Khichdi, Aloo Gajar Methi Ki Subzi, Matar Ka Nimona, Matar Mushroom, Mooli Ke Patte Ki Bhurji, Bhatua ka Raita, Lehsuni Dal Palak, Mix Vegetable Curry and many more...

How to cook Sarson Ka Saag

Traditionally, the greens used in saag are cooked on Chulah(earthen stove mainly used in rural India) in an earthen pot/clay pot on slow flame with ginger, garlic and green chilies and no spices at all. Makki ka atta(Cornmeal) is also added to give structure to the dish and it adds to the creaminess too!!

Mathni( a wooden Dasher used in India to churn milk) is used to blend the saag while it is being cooked. As they say in local language 'Ghoonta hua Saag'. Some people add chilka moong (green lentils) in place of cornmeal to it. Since Bathua is not available easily in all regions, you can add methi leaves/mooli ke patte(radish leaves) or Kale or collard greens.. Saag infact, is any combination of Greens cooked together and tempered with ghee, garlic and chillies.

Method..

I pressure cook the leaves with ginger, garlic, some onions, green chillies for 20 minutes in a pressure cooker. This saves the time and speeds up the process.

Then cook with the lid open, for another 20-30 minutes, adding the cornmeal while blending the leaves with a masher or grind very coarsely with hand blender. Do not make a smooth puree. Adjust the texture as per your preference.

I add the tempering of red chillies, onions, ginger and garlic while cooking saag, 10 minutes before taking it off the flame.

Many people add the tadka before serving but for me adding the tadka while it is being cooked, enhances the taste. The flavors of tempered garlic and onions infuse well with saag. Whenever ready to eat, heat saag, add tadka of cumin seeds and red chilli powder and garlic(optional). Or, add a dollop of white butter/ desi ghee. Flavor of this saag increases with time.

People make it in a big batch and store for a week, and also share with their neighbors. I still remember mom and other neighborhood aunties shared food with each other whenever they made something special.

So, if you haven't cooked this saag till now, grab sarson(before it disappears) and other greens from the store or your vegetable vendor and cook up this wonderful winter delicacy, that is enjoyed best with its better-half 'Makki Ki Roti', Gur(Jaggery) and a glass of Chass(Indian buttermilk).

In US checkout the vegetable aisles Leafy Green Section of all leading grocery stores for fresh Sarson or Mustard Greens.

Recipe Card for Sarson Ka Saag

Sarson Ka Saag

Swati

A traditional North Indian recipe Sarson Ka Saag made with Mustard greens, along with Spinach and other seasonal greens like Bathua or Fenugreek leaves with tempering of onions and tomatoes in desi ghee. Learn how to make winter special spicy Sarson ka Saag. 

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian Cuisine, North Indian Cuisine, Punjabi Cuisine

Ingredients

  

• 2 Bunches Mustard Greens(Sarson) approx. 1 kg
• 1-2 Bunches Palak(Spinach) 500gms
• 1 Bunch Bathua / Methi(Fenugreek) leaves around 200gms
• 1" piece Ginger
• 7-8 Cloves Garlic
• 1-2 Green Chillies depending upon your spice level
• 1 Onion
• 2-3 tbsp Makkai Ka Atta / Cornmeal
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
• Red Chilli Powder as per spice level
• Dry Red Chillies
• 1-2 tbsp Mustard Oil
• 1-2 tsp Butter/Desi Ghee
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida

Instructions

 

• Rinse all the greens very well in water. Finely chop all the leaves and put in a pressure cooker with 3-4 garlic cloves(keep the remaining for tempering), ginger, green chillies. 
• Add some water. Close the lid and put on medium flame to cook for 20-30 minutes. 
• Take it off the flame, let the pressure in the cooker subside, mash and blend well the greens with a mathani(dasher) and keep it back to low flame to cook for another 30 minutes. 
• Keep stirring in between. In case you don't have a dasher you can just blend with ladle or masher. While the saag is being cooked, add Makkai ka atta(Cornmeal) and mix it very well. Take care it doesn't form lumps. You can also, dissolve the atta(cornmeal) in half cup of water so that it mixes easily with saag. 
• Prepare the tempering/tadka. Add in saag and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Switch off the flame. Cover and keep it. Let the flavors infuse. In the end, if you want you can blend the saag a little, with a blender (a little) for a more smooth texture. 
  
• Before serving heat the saag, add the tempering of cumin and red chilli powder and add to the saag or add a dollop of butter or ghee.  
• For Tadka(Tempering): Heat oil/ghee in a pan, add a pinch of hing, jeera, add whole dry red chillies, finely chopped remaining garlic cloves, roast it light brown, add the remaining onion and saute till brown and add red chilli powder. 
  
• Transfer the tadka(tempering) to saag. Serve hot.

Notes

• You can use Kale/Collard greens in place of Fenugreek leaves.
• For gluten-free Saag recipe, avoid asafoetida.
• For vegan recipe, avoid ghee and butter.

Keyword Saag recipe, Sarson ka Saag Recipe

Did you try the recipe..Share @foodtrails25 or tag me #foodtrails25!

Tried this recipe?Share @foodtrails25 or tag me #foodtrails25!

Step-wise Pics

Ingredients for Saag

Chopped ingredients for tadka

Cooked saag after 30 min of pressure cooking

After adding cornmeal, mix well

prepare the tadka, saute remaining garlic, ginger in oil/ghee with red chilies

Add onions to the tadka,

Cook Saag to desired consistency

Blend the saag for smooth texture(optional)

Enjoy this hot saag with a dollop of white butter or a spoonful of desi ghee, with garam garam(hot) 'Makkai Ki Roti', some Gur(Jaggery) and a glass full of Chass (buttermilk).

Aloo Gobhi and gajar ki subzi which is a variation of Aloo Gobhi recipe, is another veggie that goes well the saag. The thali of saag, aloo gobhi with makkai Ki roti and curd/yogurt is a perfect winter Punjabi meal!!

Click here on how to make 'Makkai Ki Roti' recipe.

Check out other Saag Recipes with Winter Greens.. Kale and Spinach Saag with Paneer Koftas, Palak Paneer

Whenever you make it, do give me your feedback in comments. You can post your feedback with the pic on my FB page or tag me on Instagram(#foodtrails25). Pin the recipe for later use.

Say Hello!! and visit my social media accounts.. FB, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube.

If you like my work, then do HIT the FOLLOW button and SUBSCRIBE to the blog to get notifications on new posts. Also do share the blog with your loved ones.

Thanks for stopping by and keep coming back!!