Description

This sweet and tangy tram sauce recipe is a flavor-packed condiment made from tamarind juice, jaggery, and warming spices like cumin and Kashmiri chili powder. Known for its rich, reddish-brown color and sticky-smooth texture, it’s the perfect drizzle for fries, roasted veggies, grilled proteins, or grain bowls. It’s naturally vegan, easy to prepare, and can be made in under 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup tamarind juice (filtered, about 120 ml)
2–3 tablespoons jaggery (unrefined palm sugar), crumbled or chopped, adjust to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½–1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder (or sweet paprika for milder heat)
Pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Soak tamarind: If using a tamarind block, soak a small piece in warm water for 10–15 minutes. Strain to yield about ½ cup of clear tamarind juice.
Start the base: Pour the tamarind juice into a small saucepan and heat gently over medium heat.
Add sweetness: Stir in the jaggery until completely dissolved.
Spice it up: Add cumin, chili powder (or paprika), and a pinch of salt.
Simmer: Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a syrup-like consistency.
Adjust flavors: Taste and tweak the flavor by adding more jaggery for sweetness, chili for heat, or a splash of lemon/lime juice for brightness.
Cool and store: Let the sauce cool slightly before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Notes

For convenience, store-bought tamarind concentrate can be used. Adjust thickness and tartness accordingly.
Brown sugar or honey can substitute jaggery if unavailable.
For a smokier profile, try smoked paprika instead of Kashmiri chili powder.
Use as a dip, drizzle, or marinade for meats, tofu, or roasted vegetables.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 10–15 minutes soaking, if using tamarind block)
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce, Condiment
Method: Simmered
Cuisine: Fusion, South Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 30 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 30 mg
Fat: 0.2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg