Best Kollu Recipes | Easy Horsegram Recipes for Winter

If you’re looking to add horsegram—known as kollu in Tamil and kulthi in Hindi—to your everyday meals, you’re in the right place. Explore delicious kollu recipes to enhance your meals with this nutrient-rich lentil and enjoy its earthy flavors.

Kollu is a humble lentil that has been part of many Indian regional cuisines for generations, but it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. It has a lovely earthy flavor, cooks well in many dishes, and is packed with nutrients. In this post, I’m sharing a simple and comforting collection of kollu recipes that are perfect to make during winter.

What is horsegram?

Horsegram is a hardy lentil that cooks in many South Indian households. The name “horse gram” comes from its traditional use as fodder for horses and cattle. Over time, home cooks started adding it to their meals for the same reason. Kollu naturally offers plenty of plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and minerals. In many traditional systems of medicine, people credit kollu with improving digestion, boosting immunity, supporting weight management, and warming the body during cold months. It’s no surprise that many families rely on it as a winter staple!

Nutritional benefits of kollu

Kollu is considered a winter superfood because it is filling, nutritious, and easy on the stomach. It’s high in fiber, which supports gut health, and its mineral content helps boost overall wellness. It’s a great ingredient to include if you’re looking for wholesome meals.

How to cook horsegram

Cooking kollu is quite straightforward. Rinse it well, soak it to soften the grains, and then pressure-cook it. You can use the cooked lentils in dals, rasams, chutneys, podis, stews, or even biryanis. Its deep, earthy taste pairs beautifully with spices, tamarind, and coconut.

About this kollu recipe collection

In this round-up, you’ll find a variety of kollu dishes—traditional rasams and chutneys, regional favorites, hearty soups, biryanis, and even a wholesome adai. Whether you’re new to horsegram or already love it, this list will give you plenty of easy and tasty ways to enjoy kollu more often.

Kongu Nadu Kollu Kadaiyal | Horsegram Lentil Curry

Kollu kadaiyal – A flavorful and nutritious curry made with horsegram, cherished in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu! Learn how to make this regional delicacy with detailed step-wise pictures.

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Horse Gram Adai | Kollu Adai Dosai

Horse Gram Adai | Kollu Adai Dosai – A healthy and delicious adai prepared with horse gram, rice, and black urad dal!

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Horsegram Dal Rasam Spice Mix | Kollu Rasam Podi

Discover how to make homemade kollu rasam podi, a flavorful spice mix prepared using horsegram (kollu in Tamil). This recipe includes detailed, step-by-step instructions with pictures to guide you.

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Kollu Rasam | Horsegram Rasam with Homemade Rasam Powder

Tingle your taste buds with the delicious homemade kollu rasam. A flavorful and hassle-free recipe for busy days.

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Kollu Chutney | Horse Gram Chutney

Healthy and delicious kollu/horse gram chutney for rice, idli, and dosa! Learn how to make this delicious kollu chutney with detailed step-wise pictures.

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Kollu Sundal | Horse Gram Stirfry

Navratri special kollu sundal or horse gram stirfry! Learn how to make this easy horse gram or kollu sundal with detailed step-wise pictures.

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Kollu Rasam | Horsegram Rasam

Healthy and delicious kollu rasam recipe! You can enjoy this easy-to-make kollu rasam as a soup or serve it with rice as an accompaniment.

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Instant Pot Ulava Charu Recipe | Horsegram Lentil Soup

The traditional rasam/soup from Andhra/Telangana prepared with horsegram lentils/Kollu.

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Ulava Charu Vegetable Biryani | Horse Gram Biryani

Ulava Charu Vegetable Biryani is a traditional and authentic recipe prepared with cooked horse gram water, vegetables and, of course, with exotic biryani spices.

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Instant Pot Gahat Phaanu | Horsegram Kale Stew | Garhwali Recipes

A popular Garhwali lentil recipe, Gahat ki Phanu prepared with horse gram and kale/mustard greens.

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Loved this recipe?

If you try any of these kollu recipes, please don’t forget to comment and rate the individual recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it ASAP. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest or Instagram or join my Facebook Group for recipe updates and simple Indian meal ideas.