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Dabeli Recipe | Kacchi Dabeli | Dabeli Masala
By VC Recipe Diary
Latest Update: June 30, 2023
Latest Update: June 30, 2023
Vegan, Vegetarian
When one mentions the lively state of Gujarat, one must also mention its most famous street food, the sugary and tangy Dabeli. While Kacchi Dabeli is its more well-known name, this Dabeli recipe of mine will also transport you to Gujarat as you savor it, bite by bite! The Dabeli Spice Mix is one of the unique selling points of this snack, which is also quite popular in Maharashtra.
What is Dabeli
Whether you're in Gujarat or Maharashtra, it is quite common to come across the simple yet incredibly satisfying and tasty snack called Dabeli. Whether on the streets, at eateries, or in a traditional Gujarati household. Also, the next time you make a Vada Pav, notice how similar it is to the Dabeli recipe. I would say they are like close relatives! So, you must be wondering what the name of this dish actually means. In the Gujarati language, Dabeli means 'pressed.' This is evident from the way this dish is prepared, with the flavorful Dabeli Spice Mix-laden potato mixture being stuffed or pressed between buttered pav (dinner rolls).
Also known as Kacchi Dabeli or 'Double Roti,' the original Dabeli recipe is said to be the creation of a man named Keshavji Gabha Chudasama, who lived in Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat. He started selling Dabeli in 1960, and his family has continued his business in Mandvi to this day.
Dabeli Spice Mix
One of the reasons why Dabeli explodes with a variety of flavors in your mouth is the humble yet powerful Dabeli Spice Mix, which is a crucial component of the Dabeli recipe. The Dabeli Spice Mix is simply a dry ground powder made primarily with dried red chilies, a selection of whole spices, and salt. However, the homemade version that I use for this Dabeli recipe includes Kashmiri dried red chilies, cumin seeds, cloves, coriander seeds, and cinnamon. Although Dabeli Spice Mix is available in major cities across India, the authentic Kacchi Dabeli uses the Dabeli Spice Mix sourced from Mandvi and Bhuj in Kutch. These are preferred for their unique authenticity and flavor.More on Dabeli Recipe
Whether Kacchi Dabeli or the one I make at home, this sugary, tangy, and zesty snack is for keeps. Just imagine a beautiful dish that comes to life by just stuffing a Dabeli Spice spiked potato filling within our Indian buns or Pav.
Then, jazzed up with extras like delightful chutneys, fresh pomegranate or grapes, crispy onions, and the savory sev or fried chickpea flour vermicelli.
And since the day I made one at home, I’ve never visited any of the Dabeli stalls near my home in Mumbai. Happiness and real tasty food indeed are homemade! One more Mumbai special dish that I now cook at home most of the time is the Pav Bhaji.
Preparing dabeli recipe is literally a breeze if you have everything ready at home. Like prepare the Dabeli Spice, chutneys, and potato stuffing, and go on assembling the Dabeli. It may look intricate but is quite hassle-free, trust me.
Since I love working on recipes that are ‘homemade’ from the word go to the end, I also made my own whole wheat buns for this Dabeli recipe.
I had prepared the dough a day earlier and baked the buns on the day I was actually working on this recipe. If you don’t intend to go overboard, opt for readymade pavs or burger buns.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to make Dabeli Spice
1. In a small skillet or frying pan, dry roast 1 dried red chili (seeds removed), ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 to 3 cloves, ½ inch cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon coriander seeds until fragrant and lightly toasted or roasted.
Transfer the roasted spices to a plate and set aside to cool.
You can’t see the coriander seeds here, as I have used my homemade roasted coriander powder while grinding the spice.
2. Put all the spices in a dry grinder or coffee grinder. Take off the stem from the red pepper, before grinding it.
3. Crush into a fine powder. You will have some powder remaining even after including it in Dabeli. You can utilize it in certain vegetable or rice recipes.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to Prepare Dabeli Recipe
You will require many components to prepare Dabeli. Apart from the potato filling, you will also need two sauces and various topping ingredients.
Since the Dabeli Masala is already prepared, we start by making the spicy chili garlic sauce. You will also need Tamarind Sauce – it can be made in advance or purchased from the store.
Make Red Chili Garlic Sauce
4. Soak 1 to 2 dried red peppers (stems and seeds eliminated) in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain all the water after the peppers are softened.
In a small grinder jar or a small blender, add the soaked red peppers, ⅓ cup peeled and roughly chopped garlic cloves, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, and salt to taste.
Make Potato Stuffing 6. Boil 3 medium-sized potatoes in a stovetop pressure cooker or the Instant Pot or in a pan on the stovetop adding water as necessary. The potatoes must be cooked until easily pierced with a fork. Peel, mash, and set aside the potatoes. Next, in a pan or kadai (wok), heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add ⅓ cup of finely chopped onions. Sauté the onions until they become tender.
7. Add 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing) and fry for a few seconds on low heat.
8. Add 2 tablespoons of Tamarind Chutney to the onions and mix well. The sweet tamarind chutney can be store-bought or homemade.
9. Add the mashed potatoes and mix well.
10. Add 2 teaspoons of the prepared Dabeli Masala powder to the mashed potatoes.
11. Mix well and add salt.
12. Cook the potato mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring. If the mixture appears a little dry, then add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. I did not need to add any water to the potato mixture.
13. Once done, spread the potato stuffing on a plate.
14. Sprinkle ¼ cup of grated coconut on the potato stuffing. You can use either fresh grated coconut or desiccated coconut. Note that coconut is optional.
15. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro leaves.
16. Now, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh pomegranate seeds or grapes or both. I did not have grapes.
Roast Buns or Pav for Dabeli
17. While all of the above was happening, my wheat flour buns were ready from the oven.
18. Slice the bun or pav into two. On a tawa or skillet, melt some butter or heat oil. Lightly toast the buns or pav on it. Set aside.
Make Dabeli
19. Assemble all the ingredients in one place for making Dabeli. The picture below shows all.
20. Apply a layer of tamarind chutney on one half of the pav or bun and the prepared red chili garlic chutney on the other half.
21. Place a portion of the prepared potato filling on top of one of the halves of the bun or pav.
23. Garnish it with some roasted peanuts and fresh pomegranate arils. Sprinkle some Dabeli Masala as well.
1. Substitutes: Substitute Coriander Chutney or Mint Cilantro Chutney for red garlic chutney; Pav Bhaji Masala for dabeli masala; spiced or masala peanuts for plain roasted peanuts; chopped grapes for fresh pomegranate arils or even both.
2. If you have store-bought Dabeli Masala, use that. However, I recommend making it from scratch as it brings out different flavors!
3. You can omit the grated coconut in the cooked potato filling.
4. If you have leftover Dabeli Masala after using it in this recipe, sprinkle it on rice dishes, vegetables, or even dal recipes. It will enhance the flavors.
5. If the potato mixture seems a little dry while cooking, add a tablespoon or two of water.
6. If you have leftover potato mixture and no pavs, don't worry. Stuff the mixture between bread slices and make a delicious sandwich out of it.
FAQs
What exactly is Dabeli made of?
Dabeli consists of a spiced potato masala that is stuffed between pav slathered with sweet chutney, red chili-garlic chutney, and then topped with an earthy dabeli masala, chopped onions, coriander leaves, fresh pomegranate pearls, peanuts, sev, etc.
Which cuisine does a Dabeli belong to?
Dabeli is a popular street food from Gujarat. The most authentic version is that of a Kacchi Dabeli which actually belongs to the Kutch district of Gujarat, also famous for its salt deserts.
Is Dabeli a burger?
Well, a Dabeli can be termed as India’s best answer to a Western burger since the look is similar to that of a burger. However, the ingredients of this particular recipe and the unique Dabeli Masala in it make it way different from a burger.
If I don’t have the Dabeli Masala, can I use pav bhaji masala instead?
Yes, certainly you can use the pav bhaji masala in place of the Dabeli Masala. However, my recipe does mention the method to make this special masala as well, and it is quite easy. So, you know what to do!
Alternative to plain roasted peanuts?
You can use masala peanuts or even masala chana dal in place of plain roasted peanuts.
Which other chutney can I use in place of the red garlic chutney?
A mint coriander chutney is a good option in place of the red garlic chutney.
Dabeli Recipe | Kacchi Dabeli | Dabeli Masala
Kacchi Dabeli is a popular street food from Gujarat. This Dabeli recipe is made from scratch with homemade Dabeli Masala, red chili garlic chutney, and spiced potato stuffing.
Prep Time45
Cook Time15
Total Time1
For The Dabeli Masala
▢1 dried red pepper
▢1 teaspoon cilantro seeds or ½ teaspoon cilantro powder
▢½ inch cassia bark
▢2 to 3 cloves
▢½ teaspoon jeera seeds
For The Red Pepper Garlic Chutney
▢1 to 2 red peppers (seeds and stems removed), soaked in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes
▢⅓ cup garlic cloves – peeled and roughly chopped
▢½ tablespoon lime juice
▢salt to taste
For Potato Filling
▢3 potatoes (medium-sized) – boiled, peeled, and mashed
▢⅓ cup onions – finely chopped
▢2 teaspoons dabeli masala
▢1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
▢½ teaspoon jeera seeds
▢2 tablespoons Tamarind Chutney
▢2 to 3 tablespoons grated coconut – fresh or desiccated, optional
▢2 to 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
▢2 to 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
▢2 tablespoons oil
▢2 tablespoons water – optional
▢salt
For Serving Dabeli
▢4 to 5 Pav or burger buns, sliced in equal halves and lightly toasted in some butter or oil
▢¼ cup roasted peanuts
▢¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
▢¼ cup sev – finer variety
▢¼ cup pomegranate arils
▢chili garlic chutney (prepared as mentioned in the recipe), as needed
▢Tamarind Chutney – as required
Instructions
Creating Dabeli Spice Mix
1. Toast the crimson chili, jeera, cloves, cinnamon, and dhania seeds in a small frying pan or skillet until they become aromatic and lightly toasted.
2. Transfer them to a plate and set aside to cool.
3. When they have cooled down, put all the ingredients in a dry grinder or coffee grinder.
4. Grind them into a fine powder. Set aside.
Preparing The Crimson Chili Garlic Chutney
1. Remove the stems and seeds from 1 to 2 dried crimson chilies. Soak the chilies in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. When the chilies become soft, drain the water.
2. In a small mixer-grinder or blender, add the soaked crimson chilies, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Grind or blend them into a fine and smooth paste.
3. Add water if necessary while blending. Keep aside.
Creating Potato Filling
1. Boil the potatoes in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot or in a pan on the stovetop with water until they become fork-tender.
2. Peel and mash them. Set aside.
3. In a frying pan or wok(kadai), heat oil. Add jeera seeds and let them crackle.
4. Then add chopped onions and fry them till they become soft.
5. Add asafoetida/hing and fry for a few seconds on low heat.
6. Add the sweet Tamarind chutney to the onions and mix well.
7. Add the mashed potatoes and stir to combine them evenly.
8. Add the prepared dabeli spice mix to the mashed potatoes. Mix well and add salt.
9. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring the mixture frequently.
10. If the mixture looks a little dry, then add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. When done, spread the potato filling on a plate.
11. Sprinkle some grated coconut on the potato filling.
12. Add chopped coriander leaves on top.
13. Next, add pomegranate seeds or grapes, or both. Keep the potato filling aside.
Creating Dabeli
1. Gather all the ingredients mentioned under the list "For Serving Dabeli" in one place.
2. Apply the sweet tamarind chutney on one half of the pav or burger bun and the crimson garlic chutney on the other half.
3. Take a portion of the potato filling and place it on top of one of the halves of the pav or bun.
4. Add some chopped onions and coriander leaves.
5. Add a generous amount of roasted peanuts and pomegranate seeds on top.
6. Also, sprinkle some dabeli masala. Finally, garnish it with sev.
7. Place the other half of the pav or bun on top to cover.
8. Repeat the same process for the remaining dabeli pav and serve while still warm.
Notes
1. Instead of the crimson garlic chutney, you can also utilize Coriander Mint Chutney or Coriander Chutney.
2. Dabeli masala powder is readily accessible in Indian cities and online. So you could use pre-made dabeli masala.
3. Another option is to incorporate pav bhaji masala instead of dabeli masala. The dabeli will still have a delicious flavor.
4. Lastly, to enhance the spiciness, include spiced or masala peanuts instead of regular peanuts.
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
Nutrition Facts
Dabeli Recipe | Kacchi Dabeli | Dabeli Masala
Amount Per Serving (2 g)
Calories 327Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Sodium 713mg31%
Potassium 878mg25%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 3080IU62%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.3mg20%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.3mg18%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 5mg25%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 37mg45%
Vitamin E 6mg40%
Vitamin K 20µg19%
Calcium 131mg13%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 54µg14%
Iron 5mg28%
Magnesium 76mg19%
Phosphorus 179mg18%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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