Spicy Yogurt Mint Chutney (Pudina Raita)
This delicious mint yogurt chutney will become your go-to because it can easily boost the taste of your dishes! Smooth, creamy, and with a delightfully spicy kick, you’ll love using this deep and rich condiment to up the ante of your meals.
Indian food is my ultimate comfort food and always my first choice when ordering takeout. Part of any good Indian food experience, in my opinion, is one of the many delicious condiments of Indian cuisine. Enter this mint chutney! Also called Pudina Raita, this spicy mint chutney pairs well with many classic dishes from India, such as biryani, pulao, and pakoras.
Forget about buying expensive tiny bottles from restaurants to savor the taste at home. With this easy peasy mint chutney recipe, you’ll be able to enjoy the unique and refreshing blend of mint and spices whenever you want!
Why You Will Love It
- It’s so easy to make at home! The whole process takes 5 minutes.
- It’s made with ingredients that you might already have in your pantry or can be easily bought in nearby stores.
- You’ll love how rich and deep the flavor is.
- You’re free to change the recipe based on your taste preferences.
- It’s a worthy addition to many dishes as it complements and heightens the flavors.
- Naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and can easily be made dairy-free and vegan by using a dairy-free yogurt.
Ingredient Notes
- Mint leaves: When added, they provide a lingering cooling sensation to the mouth thanks to their high menthol content. They also offer some sweetness and sharpness to the spicy mint chutney.
- Top tip: You can use any variety of mint for this recipe! I just used spearmint in mine since I’m partial to the taste. If you like a more intense flavor, use peppermint.
- Cilantro leaves: Also known as coriander leaves, this herb lends dishes a bright, fresh, and citrusy flavor that works so well for this chutney.
- Serrano chiles: These green chilies will add a delightful heat to the mint chutney. We’ll use two chilies for this recipe, but you can adjust the amount if you feel it’s too hot or mild.
- You can use a different green chile if you prefer.
- Ginger: Gives the mint chutney a mildly spicy flavor and aroma.
- Garlic: Provides a fantastic tangy flavor, aroma, and depth to the green chutney.
- Lime: Adds a nicely tart and acidic taste while enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Lemon juice can be used instead of lime juice.
- Coconut sugar: Gives the pudina chutney sweetness that comes with some delicious caramel notes.
- Yogurt: Provides creaminess and a refreshing taste to the chutney.
- You can use Greek or any type of dairy-free/vegan yogurt for this recipe.
- Salt: Gives saltiness to balance the sweetness while also helping preserve the chutney.
- Cumin seeds: Gives depth and a smoky undertone to the chutney.
How to Make Mint Yogurt Chutney
- Combine the mint, cilantro, chiles, garlic, ginger, sugar, lime, yogurt, cumin seeds, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until it resembles a smooth paste.
- Use this chutney immediately, or keep it in an air-tight container inside the fridge.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with Vegan Samosas: Use this chutney as a dipping sauce for these Baked Vegan Gluten-Free Samosas. The brightness of the mint chutney complements the rich and complex flavors of the samosas.
- Roasted Vegetables: You can marinate vegetables with it before roasting. Or, drizzle this spicy mint chutney over roasted vegetables for a flavor boost. I like it on roasted potatoes!
- Flavored Rice, Pulao, or Biryani: I love stirring some spicy yogurt mint chutney into plain rice. It makes a flavorful side dish! Better yet, pair the chutney with this Vegan Biryani for an unforgettable Indian-inspired experience!
- Enhance Vegetarian Indian Recipes: Use the chutney with any of these vegetarian Indian recipes for a more memorable experience. Pair it with vegetable pakora, and you’ll love this tea-time snack even more!
- As a Spread: Use it on sandwiches, wraps, or veggie burgers for an extra burst of flavor.
- For Salads: Add enough water to thin out and create a salad dressing. It’s incredibly delicious on salads with cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
- With Indian bread: Serve it alongside roti, paratha, naan, or dosa.
Storage
To keep your spicy mint chutney at its best, store it properly in an airtight container and then put it in the refrigerator. When kept this way, you can continue using the sauce to boost the flavors of your dishes for up to a week.
A good tip is to label the jar with the date you made the chutney; that way, you can easily keep track of the time frame.
Beyond a week, it’s best to inspect the mint yogurt chutney well before using it. If it appears moldy, develops a foul smell, or looks discolored, then it’s time to discard the old one and make a new batch.
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Spicy Yogurt Mint Chutney
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh mint leaves packed
- ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves packed
- 2 serrano chiles stemmed
- ½ inch piece fresh ginger root peeled
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- ¼ cup plain yogurt greek or dairy-free/vegan
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin seeds
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine the mint, cilantro, chiles, ginger, garlic, lime, sugar, yogurt, salt, and cumin seeds. Blend until smooth.
- Enjoy this chutney right away or keep it stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 10 days.