Every year around Onam, kitchens across NRI households in the UAE start looking like a Kerala tharavad kitchen. Banana leaves are ordered in advance, sambar and rasam simmer on the stove, and one small steel bowl is always set aside just for pickles. An Onam Sadya without pickles is just a plate of rice, avial, and thoran. For NRI Malayalis planning to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE this Onam, from sliced mango pickle to puliinchi pickle, tender mango pickle, mango ginger pickle, dates & lemon pickle, mixed vegetable pickle, garlic pickle, and lemon pickle, this guide covers exactly what is needed and where to get it across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Key Takeaways
| What You Need to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Core Onam Sadya pickles | Sliced Mango Pickle, Pulinchi Pickle, Lemon Pickle, Garlic Pickle, Dates & Lemon Pickle |
| Bonus varieties available | Mango Ginger Pickle, Tender Mango Pickle, Mixed Vegetable Pickle |
| Where to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE | Tasty Foods UAE, delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah |
| Shelf life (unopened) | 6 to 12 months, store in a cool, dry place |
| Best served with | Payasam, avial, olan, thoran, sambar, rasam, pappadam, and banana leaf sadya |
| Delivery type | Ready to eat, no cooking required, sourced using traditional Kerala recipes |
| Community relevance | Popular among Malayali expatriates during Onam Sadya, Thiruvonam, and Vishu Sadya |
Why Onam Sadya Feels Incomplete Without Kerala Pickles
For most Malayalis, the memory of sitting on the floor of a tharavad, banana leaf in front of them, waiting for that first dollop of sliced mango pickle to land beside the payasam never really fades. That tang, that heat, that unmistakable smell of gingelly oil stays with people long after they leave Kerala.
For most Malayalis abroad, Onam is the one day families try to recreate home exactly as it was, right down to the pappadam and the banana leaf itself. The Thiruvonam sadya can have twenty dishes on the leaf, from avial and olan to thoran, kaalan, and erissery, but if the pickle tray is missing or the taste is off, something feels incomplete. That is why so many NRI families now search to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE weeks before Onam, instead of waiting for a trip back home or depending on a relative’s suitcase. Even bonus varieties like Mango Ginger Pickle and Mixed Vegetable Pickle have started finding a place on modern Onam tables in the UAE, alongside the classic five.
What Are the 5 Kerala Pickles Every Onam Sadya Needs?
Every proper Onam Sadya needs five essential pickles: Sliced Mango Pickle, Puliinchi Pickle, Lemon Pickle, Garlic Pickle, and Dates & Lemon Pickle. These five cover the full range of Kerala’s traditional sadya flavors, from tangy and spicy to sweet and sour, and together they balance the entire banana leaf meal alongside sambar, rasam, and coconut-based curries like olan and kaalan.
Here is a closer look at each one, the way most Kerala mothers explain it before every Onam.
Sliced Mango Pickle
Sliced Mango Pickle, made from raw mango pieces marinated in red chili and gingelly oil, is the most requested pickle on any Onam sadya leaf. Raw mango, cut into thick slices, sits in a deep red masala of chili powder, mustard seeds, and fenugreek. The gingelly oil floating on top is almost a signal that it has been aged properly. Households that also enjoy a milder version often keep Tender Mango Pickle in the same pickle tray for guests who prefer a softer bite.
Puliinchi Pickle
Puliinchi Pickle is a tamarind and ginger-based pickle with jaggery, chili, and curry leaves, known for its thick, sweet-sour-spicy gravy that Malayalis often eat mixed directly with rice. That combination of sweet, sour, and spicy in one bite is a distinctive combination of sweet, sour and spicy flavours, and it pairs naturally with the earthy tang of Mango Ginger Pickle for those who like a stronger ginger note.
Kerala Lemon Pickle
Kerala-style Lemon Pickle is made from whole lemons fermented in their own juice with red chili powder and mustard seeds, giving it a strong tangy punch that pairs perfectly with curd rice. It is one of the simplest yet most craved pickles among NRIs living abroad, especially in Malayali communities across the UAE. The lemon skin softens over weeks, the juice thickens, and the chili coats every piece. For many NRIs in the UAE, this is the pickle that brings back the strongest memories of home.
Garlic Pickle
Garlic Pickle, prepared with whole garlic cloves in a spicy red masala, is valued for its bold flavor and is often the pickle of choice for those who want extra heat with their meals.
It also aids digestion (Source: Cleveland Clinic – Health Benefits of Garlic) after a heavy sadya rich in coconut oil and curry leaves. The cloves soften just enough to bite through, releasing a punch of spice and pungency. On a sadya leaf loaded with coconut-based curries like erissery and kaalan, a spoon of Garlic Pickle resets the palate before the next dish arrives.
Dates & Lemon Pickle
Dates & Lemon Pickle combines sweet dates with tangy lemon in a mildly spiced gravy, offering a gentler alternative to the sharper pickles on the table, and is especially popular with children and elders.
Its balanced sweetness makes it a favorite even outside the sadya context, much like Mixed Vegetable Pickle, which also appeals to milder palates. Dates bring natural sweetness, lemon adds brightness, and the spice level stays mild.
Where to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE
To buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE, Tasty Foods UAE offers a full range of authentic Kerala pickles across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah, sourced using traditional recipes and delivered ready to eat. This makes it possible for NRI families to recreate a proper home-style sadya without depending on travel or imported stock from relatives.
Along with the five essential sadya pickles, Tasty Foods UAE also stocks a few extra varieties that many Malayali households grew up eating but rarely find outside Kerala.
- Mango Ginger Pickle: Made from mango ginger root, this has a unique earthy aroma with a raw mango-like tang, different from regular ginger pickles. This goes well with rice, curd rice, and even chapathis.
- Tender Mango Pickle: This version is a little less intense in texture than the classic Sliced Mango Pickle, made with young, soft raw mangoes, making it a good option for guests who prefer less heat.
- Mixed Vegetable Pickle: A combo pickle of carrot, cauliflower, and other vegetables, with a crunchy texture and the traditional masala base, and a good side dish for both rice and chapati.
Where to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE
| Pickle | Main Flavor | Best Paired With | Spice Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sliced Mango Pickle | Tangy, spicy | Rice, avial | High |
| Pulinchi Pickle | Sweet-sour-spicy | Rice, curd | Medium |
| Lemon Pickle | Tangy, fermented | Curd rice | Medium-High |
| Garlic Pickle | Bold, pungent | Sambar rice | High |
| Dates & Lemon Pickle | Sweet-tangy | Rice, payasam | Mild |
| Mango Ginger Pickle | Earthy, tangy | Rice, curd rice | Medium |
| Tender Mango Pickle | Tangy, soft | Rice, curries | Medium |
| Mixed Vegetable Pickle | Crunchy, tangy | Rice, chapati | Medium |
How Should You Store Kerala Pickles at Home in UAE?
Keep your Kerala pickles in a cool, dry spot, away from direct sunlight. When serving, always use a clean and dry spoon to avoid the moisture from spoiling the oil-based masala. Refrigeration can prolong freshness after opening, especially in hotter climates like UAE, with cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Just make sure that the oil layer stays on top; it’s a natural preservative (Source: National Center for Home Food Preservation). Never keep the pickle jar open for long, and do not put pickles into wet containers. This is true for all varieties, from sliced mango pickle and puliinchi pickle to lighter ones like mixed vegetable pickle and tender mango pickle. If you are buying in bulk for Onam, you can buy a little in advance as long as the storage conditions are correct.
Building Your Onam Sadya Pickle Tray, Step by Step
- Begin with the zesty main ingredient: Sliced Mango Pickle.
- Add Puliinchi Pickle for that sweet-sour balance.
- Add Lemon Pickle for that classic fermented punch.
- Garlic Pickle for guests who enjoy hot heat.
- Finish with Dates & Lemon Pickle for a mild, family-friendly choice.
- You can optionally serve sambar, rasam and pappadam with Mango Ginger Pickle, Tender Mango Pickle or Mixed Vegetable Pickle for variety.
The sequence of serving on the banana leaf is similar to a traditional Kerala sadya, from mild to strong flavours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pickles are commonly relished during Onam Sadya?
Sliced Mango Pickle, Puliinchi Pickle, Lemon Pickle, Garlic Pickle, and Dates & Lemon Pickle are considered the core five for a traditional Onam sadya leaf.
Where can NRIs Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE?
Tasty Foods UAE delivers authentic Kerala pickles online across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Al Ain, including all five core sadya pickles and additional varieties.
What other pickle varieties does Tasty Foods UAE offer besides the core five?
Tasty Foods UAE also stocks Mango Ginger Pickle, Tender Mango Pickle, and Mixed Vegetable Pickle for those who want more variety on their sadya table.
How long do Kerala pickles last after purchase?
Unopened Kerala pickles typically last 6 to 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, refrigeration helps maintain freshness longer (Source: US FDA), especially in the UAE climate. Always follow the instructions on the bottle label for storage.Tasty Foods UAE also stocks Mango Ginger Pickle, Tender Mango Pickle, and Mixed Vegetable Pickle for those who want more variety on their sadya table.
Is Puliinchi Pickle the same as ginger pickle?
No. Puliinchi Pickle is a tamarind and ginger-based pickle with a sweet-sour-spicy gravy, while regular ginger pickle is simpler and more focused on ginger’s sharpness without the tamarind base.
What is the difference between Sliced Mango Pickle and Tender Mango Pickle?
Sliced Mango Pickle uses firmer raw mango cut into thick pieces, while Tender Mango Pickle is made from younger, softer mangoes, giving it a milder texture and taste. Whether it is the first bite of Sliced Mango Pickle or that familiar Puliinchi Pickle taste mixed into rice, these small jars carry a lot of home in them. For NRI families across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah ready to Buy Kerala Pickles Online UAE, Tasty Foods UAE has the full lineup, from the classic five to Mango Ginger Pickle, Tender Mango Pickle, and Mixed Vegetable Pickle, ready to order online.
Ready for Onam?
Order authentic Kerala pickles online from Tasty Foods UAE and get delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
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