A Good Indian Raita Recipe (2024)

This basic Indian Raita is a quick, tried and tested, restaurant-style recipe that only takes 10 minutes to make. High in protein and packed with gut-beneficial raw veggies, this chilled Indian yoghurt-based condiment is super delicious and will make your next Indian feast extra special. Try my easy Veg Raita today!

🇮🇳 What Is Raita?

Raita is an Indian condiment made with salted yoghurt, grated or chopped vegetables fruit and herbs. A staple side dish, the Indian Raita is always served chilled at restaurants, wedding parties and in humble households all over the country. The purpose of this throw-everything-in-the-bowl dish is quite simple. To have something cooling that aids digestion and combats the fieriness of the spices in the main Indian meal. The Indian cousin of the Greek Tzatziki, raita is also known as pachadhi, yoghurt dip, curd (yoghurt) dip or dahi (yoghurt) chutney.

With documented instances as early as the 19th century, the Indian Raita has probably been around for much longer. Growing up in Mumbai in the eighties, hastily put-together raita and a bowl of sliced onions and tomatoes were a constant at every single meal in my mum's kitchen. A task that was relegated to me from the age of 10.

My raita recipe always had grated cucumber and coriander while the onion and tomatoes were always sliced and sprinkled with salt and pepper. These two side dishes added a fresh and crunchy element to the simple mains which were often just homecooked daal and a dry curry of seasonal vegetables cooked in spices.

👍🏼 Why You'll Love This Raita Recipe

Let me tell you all the ways in which this basic Indian raita recipe is not only perfect but also very good for you.

It is healthy! - This raita recipe is an excellent source of protein and fibre. Raw veggies are great for your gut and provide heaps of nutrients. Yoghurt is one of the best sources of probiotics and helps with maintaining good gut bacteria. Toasted cumin helps with digestion, bloating and weight control. The raita also helps balance the spice and acidity of a rich Indian feast.

One serving of vegetables - One serving of this delicious raita will roughly give you a serving of your daily vegetables.

No cooking! - Raita is a delicious raw, vegetable and yoghurt-based condiment. All you need to do is chop and mix. There is no cooking involved.

Quick, easy and can be made ahead! - This raita recipe only takes 10 minutes to make. It also stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

📝 Ingredients

When eating out at Indian restaurants, you might be used to a creamy green mint yoghurt dip or raita that has grated cucumber and coriander. My raita recipe might seem slightly unconventional to regular patrons of Indian restaurants in western countries, but it is one that is served in a lot of restaurants in Mumbai where I grew up. Often listed as Mixed Veg Raita or simply Veg Raita on the menu, this is a basic textural, chunky raita made with finely chopped (not grated) salad vegetables and herbs. A proper side dish with a lot of heft and a joy to eat.

1. Yoghurt - Traditional raita is made with full-fat, unsweetened, thick Greek yoghurt. But you can use low-fat or fat-free yoghurt as it is a healthier everyday choice without compromising the taste or creaminess. Unsweetened coconut yoghurt is a good vegan option. If you can buy Buffalo Yoghurt, your raita will be even more authentic. Buffalo milk and yoghurt are widely used in India. Buffalo milk yoghurt has a beautiful tang and acidity.
2. Onion - Spanish onion or red onion is widely used in raita and salad dishes in India due to its colour and milder flavour. Dice your onion really fine for a better eating experience.
3. Cucumber - The cucumber is the stalwart of most raita recipes. I use small Lebanese cucumber for my raita. These are sweeter and have a beautiful flavour. When preparing cucumbers for raita, I cut them in half lengthways and use a spoon to scoop out the seed and pulp. I reserve the scooped seeds in a bowl. After chopping the cucumbers really fine and adding them to the raita, I also add the scooped cucumber seeds to the yoghurt. This helps loosen the raita a tiny bit and enhances the flavour.
4. Tomato - Use the freshest and firmest ripe tomatoes you can find. Deseed the tomatoes before dicing them finely and adding them to the raita.
5. Coriander - Use fresh coriander leaves and some stalks. Wash them well to remove grime and sand. Pat dry them and chop them finely.
6. Cumin - Toast cumin seeds in a dry pan before adding to the raita. If you don't have cumin seeds, you can add a teaspoon of ground cumin instead.
7. Seasoning - Salt, sugar and pepper really help draw out the flavour of the yoghurt. If you like, you may add a dash of ground chilli or cumin to the finished raita.

🥣 How To Make Raita

1. Add chopped cucumber, tomato, onion, coriander, yoghurt, cumin seed, salt, pepper and sugar to a large bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients well until the raita is thoroughly combined. Top with extra coriander.

🔪 Helpful Tips

I learned a thing or two from my years of making that cucumber raita and slicing the tomatoes and onion quite diligently.

Streamlining!

When I moved out, I started chopping all three veggies and stirring them through my yoghurt to get vibrant, crunchy raita that felt very grown-up and restaurant-style fancy I might add. It was the cookbook Dishoom that inspired me to start toasting whole cumin seeds and adding them as a garnish rather than stirring ground cumin through the raita. The result was highly aromatic and the colour of the yoghurt was vibrant white and unsullied by the ground spice.

• The ratio of the yoghurt to vegetables should be almost 1:1. For this recipe I use 1 1/2 cups yoghurt (375g) and 1 1/2 cups of chopped veggies.
• Most recipes call for the cucumber to be de-seeded and the soft centre to be scooped out. I like to add this de-seeded soft centre of the cucumber back into the raita. Why waste all the lovely green cucumber goodness? It also amplifies the raita's flavour.
• All veggies should be chopped into very tiny pieces.
• Raita should be made a couple of hours ahead of serving and chilled in the fridge to allow for the flavours to develop.
• Raita can be made prettier for serving with a sprinkle of ground cumin, ground chilli, toasted cumin seeds and micro herbs.

🤔 Serving Suggestions

There are so many delicious ways to eat raita. Try it in wraps and buddha bowls. Eat it with curries and biryanis. Here are some great Indian recipes to go with it,

1. Make breakfast extra special by topping these crispy Cabbage Fritters with the raita.
2. We absolutely love eating raita with this delicious Aloo Gobi Traybake.
3. It is an excellent side for this Spinach Garlic Chicken Masala.
4. Try topping these delicious Chilli Garlic Potatoes with the raita for a very satisfying meal.
5. Serve the raita along with this yummy biryani-like Smoked Salmon Kedgeree.

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