Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1142 · Avial

Avial, and where to source it

Avial — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Avial Indian 5best2buy.com

Fold the yogurt in only after the heat is off and the vegetables are cooked — yogurt added to a simmer will curdle and go grainy, and avial should stay creamy and just-sour, never split.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook30 min
MakesServes 6
CuisineIndian
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains  dairy
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
drumstick
1
cut in batons
Local / market
raw plantain
1
batons
yam (elephant foot)
150 g
batons
Local / market
carrot and beans
200 g
batons
Local / market
grated coconut
1.5 cups
360 ml
Local / market
cumin seeds
1 tsp
5 ml
Local / market
sour yogurt
150 g
2/3 cup
Local / market
coconut oil
3 tbsp
45 ml
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Cook the harder vegetables (drumstick, yam, plantain) first in a little water with turmeric and salt, then add carrot and beans; cook till just tender, not mushy.18 min
  2. Coarsely grind coconut, cumin and 2 green chilies with a splash of water.5 min
  3. Stir the coconut paste into the vegetables, simmer 3–4 min till it coats.5 min
  4. Turn off the heat, fold in the whisked sour yogurt, then pour over raw coconut oil and a handful of curry leaves. Cover 5 min.5 min
The Toolkit

Wide pan or uruli · Grinder · Knife

Straight Answers
Can you make Avial in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Avial? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Avial ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Avial gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Avial vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1142