Sarson ka Saag

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Peppery, pungent and deeply nutritious, Punjabi Sarson ka Saag (or Sarson da Saag) is a favorite during the cold North Indian winters, especially when paired with Makki Ki Roti. Making this authentic dish is not hard, but it does take some time. Once you taste how vibrantly creamy and delicious it is, you won’t mind the work!

sarson ka saag in a white bowl topped with chopped onions and served with a piece of makki ki roti.

About Sarson Ka Saag

Sarson is the Hindi/Punjabi word for mustard and saag means greens; thus, this recipe is for the traditional Indian preparation of mustard greens. Other versions of saag include: Palak Saag (spinach greens), bathua saag, or Chane ka Saag (chickpea greens).

Sarson ka saag is a type of curry, so it is creamy, saucy and simply addictive. Traditionally, it is served with an unleavened corn-based flatbread known as Makki di Roti, though it can also be served with Paratha and steamed basmati rice.

This sarson ka saag recipe is a labor of love, requiring both time and patience. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut method for making this dish.

You’ll need to sort the greens, then wash, chop, and cook them before blending them, after which you’ll need to cook them again. It is a labor-intensive process, but none of the steps are difficult.

While I’m aware that everyone wants their curry in a hurry nowadays, if you really want to savor the taste of an authentic sarson da saag then you’ll have to invest some time in preparing it.

The sarson ka saag recipe is very easy, but does take a lot of time to make; as such I like to break up the steps over the course of a few days.

Usually, I clean the greens one day before and keep them in the fridge in airtight containers so half of the work is over. Making the saag the following day makes it feel much easier.

At home, we generally use 5 different leafy green vegetables to make the saag. They are:

  1. Mustard Greens (sarson)
  2. Chenopodium/ Goosefoot leaves (called bathua in Hindi)
  3. Spinach (palak)
  4. White Radish Root and Greens (mooli)
  5. Fenugreek (methi)

You can see all the greens (with the exception of methi) in the photo below.

collage photo of mustard, bathua (also known as chenopodium in english), spinach, radish and fenugreek leaves.

The predominant flavor in this saag recipe comes from the spicy, bitter mustard greens. The presence of spinach, bathua, and radish helps to lessen the bitterness of the mustard and methi so you end up with a creamy, mellow saag that is simply bursting with flavor.

Winter is the season for both mustard and bathua here in India. Sarson ka saag is therefore considered a cold-weather dish in North India, especially in Punjab from where this traditional recipe comes from.

The sarson da saag is usually topped with Homemade Butter and served with makki ki roti (flat breads from maize flour); this meal is not only comforting but also serves to warm up the palate and body.

With all of the dark, leafy greens, sarson ka saag is a bowlful of antioxidants and phytonutrients, so that extra topping of butter is alright.

The saag is also usually served with an accompaniment of sliced or chopped onions and some green chilies for some extra piquancy.

sarson ka saag in a white bowl topped with chopped onions and served with a piece of makki ki roti.

Because this is a time-intensive recipe, I always make sarson ka saag in bulk and keep it in the fridge. Then, when I need to serve it, all I have to do is temper the saag and then enjoy!

From what I have observed, the taste of the saag improves after about a day; all of the flavors meld as it ages. Mine usually does not last for more than 4 to 5 days, after which you can freeze any leftovers.

Saag Proportions

The recipe I present here is the traditional way we make saag at home. The proportion of bathua to spinach and mustard is 1:1:2. So for example, if you are using 1 whole bunch of mustard leaves then use a ½ bunch of bathua and a ½ bunch of spinach.

You can also consider using this ratio in cup measurement. Example for 2 cups of mustard greens use one cup each of spinach and bathua. Note that you can easily increase or decrease this ratio proportionately.

The other two greens – radish and fenugreek – are added using the Indian method of andaaz, which means we just eyeball it. Fenugreek is optional, though I love the flavor and health benefits it brings to this cozy winter meal.

This sarson ka saag recipe makes roughly 8 to 9 servings, but it can be easily halved or doubled.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Sarson ka Saag

Prep, chop and clean all the greens

1: Remove the lower end of the mustard seems just a few centimeters from the base. The mustard stems can be tough, so it is up to you whether you want to discard the stems or keep them. If you keep them, then they have to be cooked really well so that they become soft.

Sort and prep the remaining greens as well – spinach, bathua, fenugreek leaves. For the radish, sort the leaves and peel, chop the root.

If prepping ahead a day earlier, refrigerate the greens and the radish root in ziplock bags or air-tight containers for a day.

You will need the following leafy greens:

  • 1 bunch of mustard greens – cleaned & sorted
  • ½ bunch of bathua or a small bunch
  • ½ bunch of spinach or a small to medium-sized bunch
  • 1 cup chopped tender radish greens
  • 1 cup fenugreek leaves – optional
  • 3 to 4 inches white radish root
prepped greens for sarson ka saag in bowls on a table.

Rinse Greens

2: This is perhaps the most time-intensive part of the process. You have to really wash the greens – especially the mustard greens – to get rid of the mud clinging to the stems. Depending on the size of your sink, you may need to do this task in batches.

Note that the prep up to this point can be done up to 1 to 2 days in advance; keep the prepped greens in the fridge until you are ready to rinse the greens and then make the saag. Do not rinse the greens and store them in the fridge – they will rot.

washing greens in batches.

Pressure Cook

3: Add the greens to a 5 or 6 litre stove-top pressure cooker.

adding greens to pressure cooker.

4: Add the other veggies – peeled and chopped radish root (2 to 3 inches), 1 cup chopped onions, 1.5 cups chopped tomatoes, 2 inches ginger (chopped) and 7 to 8 medium-sized garlic (chopped).

adding veggies to pressure cooker with the greens for making punjabi sarson ka saag recipe.

5: Season the greens using 2 green chilies (chopped), ½ teaspoon red chili powder, 2 to 3 pinches asafoetida (hing) & salt as needed.

adding green chilies, red chili powder, asafoetida & salt.

6: Add 2 to 3 cups water.

adding water.

7: Cover and pressure cook for 6 to 7 minutes on medium-high heat, or until the greens become soft. Wait for the pressure to fall naturally in the cooker and then only open the lid.

You can also cook in a pan, though it will take longer. Cover and let the greens cook till they become soft.

pressure cooker on a stove with steam coming out.

8: Let the pressure settle naturally in the cooker. When you open the lid, you will see the greens, onions, tomatoes etc all have cooked well. Let the greens mixture cool to room temperature.

pressure cooked greens and veggies in the cooker base for making sarson ka saag.

Blend The Greens

9: Add some of the greens and their cooking liquid to the base of a blender.

blender with some of the greens and liquid.

10: Add 2 tablespoons of maize flour (fine cornmeal).

Add maize flour to greens mixture in blender.

11: Working in batches, blend to your preferred consistency. I usually make a smooth puree, but some folks like a coarser texture.

You can also use a hand blender to minimize the number of dishes. If doing so, then chop the greens before you pressure cook them to make them easier to blend. The traditional way is to use a Madani (Indian hand blender) to blend the greens.

Blending the greens mixture till smooth.

Cook The Pureed Sarson ka Saag

12: Pour the greens purée in a deep-sided pot, as it will bubble and splutter. You can also add it to the same cooker.

adding greens puree in a pan to simmer more.

13: Simmer for a good 25 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally so that the sarson da saag does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Check the seasonings and add more salt if required. 

Once cooled, the saag can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

simmer the sarson ka saag while stirring occasionally.

Make Tempering

14: The saag is not ready to be served yet – we still have to temper it. We always temper the saag with onions, but you can also add some ginger, green chilies and tomatoes along with the onions. Heat oil or ghee and add aromatics.

The amount of oil/ghee and onions to be added depends on the portions of saag you will be serving. For 3 servings, 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil with 1 medium-sized onion (about one-third cup finely chopped onions) is about right.

making onion Tempering For Sarson Da Saag.

15: Lightly brown the onions.

lightly browned onions in a pan.

16: Add about 2 cups of the cooked sarson ka saag to the tempering. Simmer for a few minutes until the saag becomes hot.

Added the cooked sarson ka saag to onions.

17:  Serve the hot sarson ka saag straight away, preferably with makki di roti and a few jaggery cubes by the side – nothing beats this combination. You can also serve sarson da saag with paratha and steamed rice.

Pair this meal combination of the saag and makki ki roti with a side of freshly chopped onions and green chilies if you like.

sarson ka saag in a white bowl on a rattan table with a white plate of makki ki roti to the side.

FAQs

What can I substitute for bathua?

You can just skip it, or feel free to add in more spinach. Please note that bathua is also known as chenopodium album, melde, lamb’s quarters, goosefoot or fat-hen.

Does the radish have to be white?

White radish root – also known as daikon – is a delicious vegetable. If you are unable to procure it, I suggest substituting white turnips or regular red radishes instead.

Is there a substitute for maize flour? What is it used for?

Maize flour – which is known as fine cornmeal in the US – can be substituted with besan (gram flour), chickpea flour, or rice flour if you prefer. The purpose of this ingredient is to act as a thickener, as well as to tone down the bitterness of the mustard greens.

Is there any way to make the sarson ka saag less bitter?

If your sarson greens are bitter, I suggest that you reduce the amount that you use and increase the amount of spinach proportionally.

Alternatively, you can do as my mother-in-law used to and get rid of the cooking water from the greens; I don’t prefer to do this because you lose out on some of the nutrients, but it should decrease the amount of bitterness you taste.

How long will the saag last in the fridge?

I suggest you use it within 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze any leftovers for up to 1 month. To serve from frozen, defrost, reheat and then add the tempering.

Can this sarson da saag recipe be scaled?

Yes! So long as you keep the proportions the same, you can either halve the recipe or double/triple it as needed.

More Punjabi Delicacies!

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sarson ka saag in a white bowl on a rattan table with a white plate of makki ki roti on the side..

Sarson ka Saag Recipe (Authentic Punjabi Style)

Peppery, pungent and healthy, Punjabi Sarson ka Saag (or Sarson da Saag) is a favorite meal during the cold North Indian winters, especially when paired with Makki Ki Roti. Making this authentic dish is not difficult, but it does take some time.
4.83 from 75 votes
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Cuisine North Indian, Punjabi
Course Main Course
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 8
Units

Ingredients

For sarson ka saag

  • 1 bunch mustard greens (sarson)
  • ½ bunch bathua leaves (chenopodium/goosefoot/melde)
  • ½ bunch spinach leaves (palak)
  • 1 cup chopped radish leaves – use tender leaves, (mooli ke patte)
  • 3 to 4 inches white radish root
  • 1 cup fenugreek leaves – chopped
  • 1 cup chopped onions or 2 medium sized onions
  • 1.5 cups chopped tomatoes or 3 medium-sized tomatoes
  • 2 inches ginger – chopped
  • 2 green chilies – chopped
  • 7 to 8 garlic – medium sized, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
  • 2 to 3 pinches asafoetida or ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida powder (hing)
  • 2 to 3 cups water or add as required
  • 2 tablespoon maize flour or fine cornmeal
  • salt as required

Tempering saag for 3 servings

  • cup finely chopped onions or 1 small to medium-sized onion
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 2 cups cooked saag or as required

Instructions
 

Making sarson ka saag

  • Firstly clean and chop all the greens. Then wash or rinse the greens very well in running water.
  • In a 5 litre stovetop pressure cooker or pan add all the ingredients listed under "for sarson ka saag" except for maize flour.
  • Cover the pressure cook and cook for 6 to 7 minutes or more on medium-high heat.
  • If cooking in a pan, then cover and let the greens cook till tender and softened. Do check occasionally.
  • Pour the greens along with the stock and maize flour in a blender. Blend till smooth.
  • In another deep pan or in the same cooker, pour the pureed greens.
  • Simmer for a good 25 to 30 minutes on a low heat stirring at intervals.

Tempering for sarson da saag

  • In another small pan, heat oil. Use any neutral oil. You can also make the tempering with ghee if you prefer.
  • Add the chopped onions and saute them till light brown on medium-low heat.
  • Add the prepared saag. Stir and simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Stir ocaasionally when the saag is simmering.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve sarson ka saag hot with a side of some chopped onions, whole green chilies or mango pickle. Top the saag with a dollop of white butter and serve with Makki di Roti. Also serve a few jaggery cubes by the side.
  • For a vegan saag, omit adding white butter or use vegan butter.

Storage

  • Store the pureed and simmered saag in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerarot. You can also freeze it for a month.
  • When ready to serve, remove the quantity you need from the refrigerator and temper it with the required amout of oil and onions.

Notes

The approximate nutrition info is for the saag only without the sautéing of the onions in oil.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Sarson ka Saag Recipe (Authentic Punjabi Style)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 59 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 385mg17%
Potassium 142mg4%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 321IU6%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 36mg44%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 4µg4%
Calcium 112mg11%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 10µg3%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 18mg5%
Phosphorus 62mg6%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Sarson ka Saag recipe post from the archives, first published on December 2012 has been republished and updated on November 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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141 Comments

  1. Dassana
    now where did you manage to get the above two greens I mean the mustard , the bathua and the garlic chives is the second one same what is usually refered to in marathi as chandan batua. nice pictures again

  2. Your instructions for cooking this saag dish are very easy to follow…………I am going to make it for myself and my sisters, as since our mother passed away, non of us have an idea as to how to replicate our dear mums dish!!! Thank-you and thank-you again!!!

    1. hi chandra, your comment brought tears to my eyes. i feel so touched & humbled as well. saag is easy to make, but a lengthy process. you will be able to cook a delicious saag for yourself and your sisters. hugs 🙂

  3. Lovely step by step tutorial Dassana! Very helpful for south indians like me 🙂
    Here in Karnataka we make a curry similar to dish called ‘Massoppu’ which is variety of greens cooked with lentils, mashed and seasoned. It’s so lite and flavorful.

  4. Thanks for this… I dont get mustard or bathua…can i try it with methi palak and mooli ? how will that be ?

    1. you can make saag with methi, palak and mooli. just keep the proportion of methi and mooli less in the saag. methi can make the saag bitter. for 1 bunch of spinach, i would suggest 1 cup of methi leaves and a small piece of radish along with 1/2 cup of chopped radish leaves.

  5. In most American restaurants, the classic dish is saag paneer–and as a result I never thought I liked saag. I just don’t care for it with paneer. I now know it is one of my favorites! Usually with poultry or meat, but I like chickpeas ok as well. And I love mustard greens. Looks fantastic.