Name: The Ultimate Sabudana Guide: Soaking & Cooking Tips
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup sabudana or tapioca pearls (medium-sized); 1 cup water (for soaking)

Like this recipe? Share it!

Ever struggled with Sabudana? read this blog post to learn the soaking secret!

Navratri is here! Time for me to share some delicious and easy sabudana recipes. But first, you need to know how to soak sabudana like a pro.

Sabudana (Tapioca/Sago) Tips And Tricks

Tip No.1 – How To Buy Sabudana

Always buy even-sized, whole and white-coloured sabudana. Make sure the pearls are not crushed or broken.

Large pearls are great for making vada, medium-sized pearls are suitable for khichdi and mini pearls are good for kheer or payasam.

Tip No.2 – How To Rinse Sabudana

Rinse sabudana pearls with water until the water becomes clear to get rid of the starch. This would prevent the sabudana from becoming sticky and clumpy.

Tip No.3 – How To Soak Sabudana

Soak sabudana in water, just enough to immerse them. There should be ¼ inch of water above the level of sabudana. If you soak it in a lot of water, then it can become gloopy and clumpy.

Depending upon the quality of sabudana, soak for 4-6 hours or overnight.

After soaking, check if the sabudana has softened. To check that, press a pearl between your thumb and index finger. If it gets mashed up, then it’s ready. But if the centre still feels hard, then pour 2-3 tbsp water and soak for 30 minutes.

Tip No.4 – How To Drain Sabudana

Drain in a colander or strainer to ensure there is no excess moisture. Let it stay in the colander for a couple of minutes.

Tip No.5 – How To Prevent Sabudana From Becoming Sticky

If the sabudana becomes sticky every time, then after draining, transfer it to a plate. And refrigerate for a couple of hours.

If you don’t want to refrigerate it, you can toss the soaked sabudana with melted ghee or oil.

Tip No.6 – How To Cook Sabudana Perfectly

Always cook sabudana for a few minutes only until most of the pearls become translucent.

Watch how to soak sabudana:

If you liked this video then subscribe to my YouTube channel. And don’t forget to hit the bell icon so you’ll know whenever there is a new video.

Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 0 min | Total Time: 5 min

How to Soak Sabudana

Ingredients:

1 cup sabudana or tapioca pearls, medium-sized

1 cup water, for soaking

Instructions:

Rinse the sabudana pearls with water 2-3 times or until the water becomes clear to get rid of all the starch.

Add the sabudana to a bowl and pour water. The ratio between sabudana and water should be 1:1 or there should be at least ¼ inch of water above the level of sabudana.

Let it soak for 4-6 hours. Depending on the quality of sabudana you are using, the soaking time will change. Some might become soft after 4 hours of soaking and for some, you might have to soak overnight.

After soaking, check if the sabudana has softened. To check that, press a pearl between your thumb and index finger. If it gets mashed up, then it’s ready.

But if the centre still feels hard, then pour 2-3 tbsp water and soak for 30 minutes.

Drain the sabudana in a colander or strainer to ensure there is no excess moisture.

Let it stay in the colander for a couple of minutes.

Print It Or Pin It For Later!