11 Shorbas Across India That Everyone Needs To Try

Derived from the Arabic word Shurbah meaning soup, shorba is a mixture of vegetable and herbs or meat and herbs with authentic spices and thin gravy. Generally prepared as a one-pot meal during winter months, shorbas are generally made to be light on the stomach without skimping on essential nutrients. The addition of spices ensures that shorbas are in a higher flavor category when compared with bland soups.

Over the years, shorbas with different chief ingredients became popular across different parts of India. From sweet corn to carrots to tomatoes and meats like chicken and mutton, the variety of shorbas available in the country is astounding. Here are the most popular shorbas available across India.

1) Tomato Shorba

An all-time classic, Tomato Shorba is a non-creamy soup. It is made up of ripe tomatoes and a mixture of various Indian spices and herbs like cumin seeds, black pepper, garlic, ginger etc. Garnished with coriander leaves, a bowl of warm Tomato Shorba is best complimented with Jeera Rice and Vegetable Pulao. In various places, it is also served with fried onions and a slice of lemon giving it a tangy taste.

2) Palak Shorba

Palak Shorba is a thick creamy soup that is popular in Northern part of India, especially Punjab. It is made from boiled spinach leaves and mixed with cumin seeds, cinnamon and garlic. Later, some milk is added to it giving it a smooth and creamy texture and taste. Garnished with finely chopped ginger, the green-coloured shorba is highly nutritious.

3) Makai Shorba

Makai Shorba – also known as Corn Shorba – is a thick and creamy soup. Made in two tempting flavours of garam masala and Indian bay leaves, Makai Shorba is the Indian version of a sweet corn soup. Adding onions to this shorba makes it thicker and adds to its flavour profile. A warm bowl of this yellow soup is the most comforting specially during winters. Makai Shorba also acts as a side dish with Pulao.

4) Dal Shorba

Give a makeover to everyday dal with this shorba. Dal Shorba can be prepared with minimum ingredients available such as lemon, red chilli powder and black pepper powder. The end result is a shorba that is both spicy and sour in taste. Garnished with coriander leaves, Dal Shorba is served hot.

5) Ginger Shorba

This creamy shorba is one of the most delicious and refreshing soups of all time. Made up of ginger and a small amount of tomato puree it is cooked on medium and low flame with butter to enhance its aroma and taste. Milk is then added, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. Ginger Shorba helps in keeping the body warm.

6) Curd Shorba

As weird it may sound, Curd Shorba is, in fact, quite healthy and has a high content of protein and calcium. It is also low in calories. A paste of curd and besan is cooked along with cumin seeds, onions and green chilli. Curd Shorba is served hot garnished with coriander leaves.

7) Yakhni Shorba

Yakhni Shorba is also called as Kashmiri Gosht. Yakhni Shorba is a traditional soup from the state (now Union Trritory) of Kashmir. Unlike other shorbas, it is cooked in mustard oil. Goat’s meat or mutton is cooked before adding onions, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, cloves and cinnamon. The gravy is prepared with a mixture of whisked yogurt and saffron. Yakhni shorba is perfect for chilli winter evenings.

8) Shahi Badam Shorba

Shahi Badam Shorba is descended from royalty. The shorba is actually a type of dessert that has a rich and creamy taste. It is cooked with vegetables like bell peppers, onions and potatoes along with a mixture of milk and water. Shahi Badam Shorba is garnished with sliced almonds and a pinch of black pepper powder.

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9) Chicken Shorba

Boneless chicken is cooked gently cooked on low flame along with vegetables, herbs and spices like onions, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaves giving it a strong taste. Along with chicken stock, a generous dose of peppers and fresh cream, this is a shorba that will linger on long after you’ve finished it. Chicken Shorba is the go-to dish for those who’re watching their diet and want to keep up their protein intake.

10) Moong Dal Shorba

Have a fussy eater at home? Feed them Moong Dal Shorba. What’s more, this dish can be had both as an appetizer as well as main course and is completely gluten-free. The use of split yellow lentils makes this shorba protein-rich and its hassle-free method of preparation means it is a top choice for a quick fix. Additionally, it is also a good option for those with weak digestion as this shorba uses minimal spices.

11) Carrot Shorba

This attractive-looking shorba is a nutrient powerhouse thanks to the generous use of carrots used in making Carrot Shorba. It is so nutritious that pregnant women and heart patients are often advised to have Carrot Shorba. You can also add beetroot to make this shorba even more nutritious. Served with garlic bread and some whipped yogurt, Carrot Shorba is best enjoyed during cold winter months.

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