This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy
Watch the recipe
See how to make a flavorful cumin mustard seed tadka that will elevate your dishes with its aromatic and spicy punch. Perfect for adding depth to dals, vegetables, and more!
Introduction to Cumin Mustard Seed Tadka and Its Uses
If you’re wondering why your Indian dishes, such as curries or dals, aren’t reaching the level of deliciousness that you might find from a restaurant, then don’t worry! It’s not your fault! You may just be missing a 60 second step that can completely transform your dishes to take them to the next level!
What is a Tadka?
Tadka is the Hindi term for “tempering.” Sometimes, the aroma and fragrance of certain spices are sleeping, so we need to wake them up for them to reach their full potential! and achieve maximum flavor! More specifically, a tadka is the Indian cooking technique where you add hot oil to a pan, then add the spices. You'll see that the sizzling spices bring out incredible fragrances into your kitchen!
As I mention in my NEW motivational guides to get you cooking your very best right from home, The Cook’s Mindset, you may want to guide what you’re cooking up today not based on a recipe, but on a flavor profile. A tadka can give you smokiness that rounds out a dish by allowing the spices to bloom in the hot oil. I have quite a few recipes on the blog that feature different tadkas. This special tadka is being used to top my fusion smashed cucumber salad recipe, and be sure to be on the lookout for that recipe to drop shortly after this one! I suggest you subscribe to my email newsletter so you’re the first to get it!
To follow along on the steps that I outline here with a visual guide, I strongly recommend you check out the video! If you’re not already, it would mean a lot to me if you could please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and press the bell button so you’re notified when all of my new recipes are live! Let’s get tempering!
Nutrition Info for This Tadka Recipe
This tadka recipe is...
Tools Needed for Cumin Mustard Seed Tadka
Ingredients Needed for the Tadka
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy cumin mustard seed tadka recipe. For all measurements and the full recipe instructions, make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD!
- Cumin seeds: Cumin seeds provide a warm and earthy aroma and once roasted, adds a bit of smokiness to the tadka.
- Brown mustard seeds: A staple of South Indian cooking. Brown mustard seeds go hand-in-hand with curry leaves!
- Coconut oil: I love the aroma of coconut oil, so that's what we'll be using here. It also keeps the recipe vegan.
- Curry leaves: I can only find them dried at Indian grocery stores in the freezer section. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find them fresh at other specialty stores!
- Red chilies: You can use Kashmiri red chilies, but I actually didn’t have them on hand! My substitution here was chiles de árbol, which are Mexican dried red chilies!
- Salt: This is optional. Add if the dish you’re going to add this into isn’t already heavily seasoned.
How to Make Cumin Seed Tadka
Heat a pan on medium-high heat and once hot add oil.
Add the remaining ingredients for the tadka and allow the spices to crackle as you stir them around in the oil.
Once the spices have turned golden brown and aromatic, immediately take it off the heat and pour over the dish you prepared this tadka for.
Enjoy!
How To Pour The Tadka Over Your Dish▼
Once the ingredients turn golden brown and become aromatic, that means the tadka is ready. As soon as it’s ready, carefully pour it right over your dish as soon as possible when the tadka is fresh to experience the flavor and aromatics added to the dish at its peak.
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
This cumin mustard seed tadka is perfect to top lentils or even for the fusion smashed cucumber salad recipe! It's easy, smoky, and delicious!
Stovetop
5.0 · 1 rating
2 min
Prep
3 min
Cook
5 min
Total
20
grams
makes ½ oz
easy
Level
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tap any quantity to scale
Instructions
- 1
Heat a pan on medium-high heat and once hot add oil.
Heat a pan on medium-high heat and once hot add oil.
- 2
Add the remaining ingredients for the tadka and allow the spices to crackle as you slosh them around in the oil.
Add the remaining ingredients for the tadka and allow the spices to crackle as you slosh them around in the oil.
Learn the technique - 3
Once the spices have turned golden brown and aromatic, immediately take it off the heat and pour over the dish you prepared this tadka for.
Once the spices have turned golden brown and aromatic, immediately take it off the heat and pour over the dish you prepared this tadka for.
- 4
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Nutrition per gram
6
Calories
0g
Protein
0g
Carbs
1g
Fat
0g
Fiber
0g
Sugar
0mg
Sodium
Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi
Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
Recipe history
- June 15, 2026 — Reworked and refreshed for the 2026 relaunch — new photography, restructured and standardized ingredients & instructions.
Variations
- Oil: If you don't need your tadka to be vegan, ghee is also an excellent option for making tadka.
- Asafoetida: Also known as hing. In Indian cuisine, some of the strong spices can be harsh on the stomach. As a result, hing aids in digestion. I didn't add it in this particular tadka because I used it over a salad and not a dish that’s spice-heavy. If you need the recipe to remain gluten-free, then ensure you use a gluten-free hing or skip it.
- Green chilies: In some of my tadka recipes, I add some Thai green chilies sliced lengthwise for heat and smokiness. Add Indian green chilies if you can.
- Red chili powder: You can also flavor your tadka with ground chili powder for heat, also known as Kashmiri mirch. Just make sure to add it towards the end to prevent it from burning.
- Other aromatics: Ginger, garlic, and onions.
- Fennel seeds: Adds a sweet, aromatic depth to the tadka.
How Do I Know the Oil Is Ready?▼
You’ll know the oil is ready because it will shimmer. You can test if the oil is ready by adding a couple of whole spices, such as cumin seeds or mustard seeds, into the oil. If they crackle, that means the oil is ready.
What to Serve It With
I made this tadka for my Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe, which will be dropping soon! However, this tadka can definitely be used to top off traditional recipes.
Tadka is often used as a flavoring layer over lentils, such as:
You could also serve this over your Coconut Chutneys or your South Indian Peanut Chutney! Furthermore, a tadka is also typically topped over sambar to have with dosa or idli.
Can I Make This Tadka in Advance?▼
You can make the dish itself in advance that uses the Tadka, but there is no point to making the Tadka ahead of time because you want to do this step right before serving. What can help you out is having the mix of spices ready ahead of time to make the Tadka process seamless.
You might also like
Discover Three Mouth-Watering Coconut Chutney Recipes
Discover three creamy, flavorful coconut chutney recipes perfect for dosa, samosa, and more. Quick, easy, and authentically Indian, these versatile dips belong in every kitchen.
Flavorful Instant Pot Dal Tadka - Mixed Lentils
Cozy, flavorful Dal Tadka made easy in the Instant Pot! Mixed lentils simmered with aromatic spices make the perfect homestyle Indian dinner. Serve over rice for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Easy Maseladar Instant Pot Chana Dal Recipe
Make this easy Maseladar Chana Dal in your Instant Pot for a rich, flavorful Indian lentil dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Serve with rice for a comforting homestyle meal.
Delicious South Indian Roasted Peanut Chutney Recipe
Creamy, smoky, and ready in minutes, this South Indian roasted peanut chutney is the perfect dip for dosas and idlis. A simple vegetarian essential you will want to make again and again.
Discover The Aromatic Panch Phoran Recipe
Unlock the secrets of Panch Phoran, the essential Bengali five-spice blend. Quick and easy to make, this aromatic mix transforms everyday dishes with bold, authentic Indian flavor.
Easiest Blender Ginger-Garlic Paste Recipe
Make flavorful Indian ginger garlic paste in minutes using a blender. This easy, authentic recipe is perfect for prepping ahead and storing for all your favorite Indian dishes.
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!
Leave a review
Be the first to share how it went — your note helps other cooks (and earns the recipe its stars).