Raita Recipe-Quick, Easy and Authentic
No meal is complete without a side dish. Do you agree with me 🤔? If I talk about Indian meals, well side dish is a must have. Today I am going to share homemade raita recipe with you. Your rice based dish is incomplete without a perfectly made raita.
A perfectly made raita is such a popular side to round off any Indian meal. Raita is especially had with a rice based dish like a biryani or a veg pulao. Ideally people prefer eating raita to counter the heat from spices present in rice or a curry dish.
In this blog post I am going to tell you everything you need to know about raita. This side dish is so simple, it will take you no more then fifteen minutes to prepare. You will be delighted and surprised to discover different ways in which this side dish is made.
Moreover, raita can be sweet and sour or plain and spicy. It can be made by clubbing yogurt with vegetables or fruits or boondi. Seriously, I often get intrigued by different variations that this simple side dish has.
So without further adiue, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Is Raita And Tzatziki The Same?
Before I share my raita recipe with you, time for some myth buster for you regarding raita.
One distinct factor about an Indian meal is its “contrast”. An India meal very well accommodates a wide array of flavors. A side dish plays a prime role in adding contrasting flavors to an Indian meal.
Raita is one such popular condiment that you will find as a side dish in an Indian meals. But very often I have found here in the west, Raita being confused with Tzatziki. Let me share some differences between the two in this post.
Difference In Cuisine
Raita is part of Indian cuisine which is commonly made of yogurt, herbs, raw or cooked vegetables, freshly cut fruits, boondi etc. Perhaps, the ingredients that go into preparing this side dish makes it healthy, refreshing and delicious.
Please refer to the image below for ingredients that go in to making a basic raita.
Tzatziki is part of Greek cuisine and most commonly eaten along southeast Europe and the Middle East. This side dish is made of salted yogurt, herbs, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, and vinegar.
Please refer to the image below for ingredients that go in to making a basic Tzatziki.
Difference in Consistencies
Raita comparatively has a thinner consistency because it is made from plain yogurt. Tzatziki has a thicker consistency because it is made from a thick Greek yogurt.
So, now you see; there is a difference in the type of yogurt used to prepare the two side dishes.
Raita Recipe Ingredients
Now you have a better understanding of what a raita is. Not only that, you also know how a raita is different from a tzatziki.
The type and number of ingredients that go into a raita really depends on what variation of raita you are making. And boy! as I have told you at the start, raita has many variations.
But let me tell you what all basic ingredients you need to make a good raita.
Yogurt
Yogurt is an integral part of making a good raita. Any raita recipe is incomplete without yogurt. Whenever I visit India and I am making a raita, I use yogurt of “Mother Dairy” brand.
But I am currently staying in USA as I am writing this post. I recommend using yogurt of “Nestle” brand. It is easily available here.
Spices
Depending on what variety of riata you decide to make, choose the right spices for it. Choice of spices will impact in giving the right flavor to your raita.
Later in my step by step raita recipe guide, I will tell you exactly what spices to use for which variety of raita you decide to make.
Vegetables Or Fruits
Depending on what variety of riata you decide to make, choose the right vegetables or fruits. Later in my step by step raita recipe guide, I will tell you exactly what spices to use for which variety of raita you decide to make.
Steps For Simple Raita Recipe
Please review the image carousel below for an easy four step guide on making a simple raita.
For my detailed recipe on different types of raitas, please read below my in-depth recipe guide. The best part is that you can also print these recipes for free. In this way you will have my recipes in your record.
I really hope you like my recipe and that you enjoy my recipe with your friends and family.
Below is my detailed step-by-step guide on most popular and commonly made raita recipes.
Cucumber Raita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yogurt or Curd (dahi)
- 1/2 cup Cucumber (peeled and finely cut) (kheera)
- 1 piece Onion (finely chopped) (pyaaj)
- 1 piece Green Chili (de-seeded and chopped) (mirch)
- Salt / black salt as per your taste (namak)
- 1 tbsp Cilantro / coriander (finely chopped) (dhaniya)
- 1 tbsp Mint leaves (optional) (finely chopped) (pudina)
- 1 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (jeera)
- 1/2 tbsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Preparation for Cucumber Onion Raita Recipe
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth texture.
- Wash all vegetables or greens which you are using in raita such as cucumber, green chilly, cilantro, mint. Finely cut them all.
- Don’t forget to peel cucumber skin and then finely cut it, since sometimes cucumber skin tastes bitter, which will make your raita bitter in taste.
- Ensure to de-seed green chilies if you are using them in your raita. If you are making raita for kids then set aside some raita portion before adding chilies.
- Dry roast a tablespoon of cumin seed (jeera) on a low flame so that it won’t burn. Crush roasted cumin seed to form a cumin powder. If you have cumin powder readily available then you can use that as well.
- I usually prepare 8 oz jar quantity cumin powder at a time and store it for later use.
- To crush roasted cumin, you can either use mortar and pestle, spice jar or mixer/blender depending on quantity and your preference.
Method of preparing Cucumber Onion Raita
- In a bowl, take whisked smoothened yogurt. Add salt/ black salt as per your taste.
- Add finely chopped onions, green chillies, cucumber, cilantro and mint. Mix it well.
- Add cumin powder and chaat masala. Give it a nice stir.
- Sprinkle some cumin powder, chaat masala, cilantro, mint on top for garnishing.
- Flavorful, refreshing and healthy raita is ready to serve either with paulo, biryani, paratha or just as a side dish. Isn't is simple to make?
Notes
Boondi Raita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yogurt or Curd (dahi)
- 1/2 cup Boondi of you choice (salted / plain / masala)
- Salt/ black salt as per your taste (namak)
- 1 tbsp Cilantro / Coriander (finely chopped) (dhaniya)
- 1/4 tbsp Mint Leaves (finely chopped) (pudina)
- 1 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (Jeera)
- 1/4 tbsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Preparation for Boondi Raita Recipe
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth and silky texture.
- Dry roast a tablespoon of cumin seed (jeera) on a low flame
- Crush roasted cumin seed to form a powder. If you have cumin powder readily available then you can use that as well.
Method of preparing Boondi Raita
- In a bowl, take whisked silky smoothened yogurt.
- Add cumin powder, salt / balck salt, chaat masala, cilantro and mint; mix it well. Here be careful when adding salt, it depends on the type of boondi you are using and also depends on your taste.
- Add boondi just before serving raita so that boondi retains crunchiness.
- Transfer prepared raita into a serving bowl. Sprinkle some cumin powder, red chilly powder and chaat masala, mint, cilantro on top for garnishing.
- Flavorful and classic boondi raita is ready to serve along with your favorite dish.
Notes
Mint/Pudina Raita Recipe Also Called Kebab Chutney
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yogurt or Curd (dahi)
- 3/4 cup Fresh Mint Leaves (pudina)
- 1 piece Small peeled garlic clove
- 1/4 tbsp Ginger
- Salt / Black salt as per your taste
- 1 tbsp Cilantro/Coriander (finely chopped)
- 2 pieces De-seeded green chilies
- 1 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (jeera)
- 1/2 tbsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Preparation For Mint Raita Recipe
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth texture.
- Wash greens which you are using in raita such as mint, cilantro and green chili. Drain them well.
- Dry roast a tablespoon of cumin seed (jeera) on a low flame, crush roasted cumin seed to form a powder.
- If you have cumin powder readily available then you can use that as well.
Method of Preparing Mint Raita
- In a blender jar add a tablespoon of yogurt, mint, peeled garlic clove (optional) , ginger (optional), green chillies, salt / black salt, chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, blend it to make fine paste.
- In a mixing bowl, take whisked smoothened yogurt, pour blended ingredient paste into it. Now mix everything well.
- Sprinkle some cumin powder and chaat masala, mint and cilantro on top for garnishing.
- Refreshing mint raita is ready to serve along with your favorite appetizer.
Notes
Mix Veg Raita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cup Yogurt/Curd (dahi)
- 1/4 cup Onions (fine chopped) (pyaaj)
- 1/4 cup Tomatoes (fine chopped) (tamaatar)
- 1/4 cup Cucumber (peeled and fine chopped) (kheera)
- 2 tbsp Carrots (shredded) (gaajar)
- Salt / black salt as per your taste
- 1/2 tbsp Green chilies (finely chopped) (hari mirch)
- 1 tbsp Cilantro/Coriander (finely chopped) (dhaniya)
- 1 tbsp Mint Leaves (finely chopped) (pudina)
- 1 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (jeera)
- 1/2 tbsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Preparation For Mixed Vegetable Raita Recipe
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth texture.
- Wash all vegetables which you are using in raita such as cucumber, onion, tomato, carrot, green chillies, cilantro, mint. Finely cut them all. Grate/ Shred the carrot.
- Don’t forget to peel cucumber skin and then finely cut it as sometimes cucumber skin tastes bitter, which will make your raita bitter in taste.
- Ensure to de-seed green chillies if you are using them in your raita. If you are making raita for kids as well then set aside some raita portion before adding chillies in the rest.
- Dry roast a tablespoon of cumin seed (jeera) on a low flame so that it won’t burn, crush roasted cumin seed to form a cumin powder.
Method of Preparing Mixed Vegetable Raita
- In a bowl, take whisked smoothened yogurt.
- Add salt/ black salt as per your taste.
- Add finely chopped onions, green chilies, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, cilantro and mint. Mix it well.
- Add cumin powder and chaat masala. Give it a nice stir.
- Sprinkle some cumin powder, chaat masala, cilantro, mint on top for garnishing.
- Healthy vegetable raita is ready to serve.
Notes
Burani Raita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yogurt/Curd (dahi)
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves (medium sized) (peeled) (lahasun)
- Salt / black salt as per your taste
- 1/2 tbsp Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (jeera)
Instructions
Preparation For Burani Raita Recipe
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth texture.
Method of Preparing Burani Raita
- In a blender jar or in a pestle and mortar add a tablespoon of yogurt, peeled garlic cloves to make a fine paste.
- In a mixing bowl, take whisked smoothened yogurt, pour blended garlic paste, salt / black salt, chili powder. Now mix all the ingredients well.
- Sprinkle some cumin powder on top for garnishing.
- Burani raita is ready to serve along with your favorite biryani or pulao.
Notes
Mix Fruit Raita /Pomegranate Raita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup Yogurt/Curd (dahi)
- 1/4 cup Pomegranate seeds (anardana)
- 2 tbsp Ripe Sweet Mango (cut into small cubes)
- 1 tbsp Grapes (slitted)
- 1 tbsp Pineapple (finely cut into small pieces)
- Salt / black salt as per your taste
- 1/2 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder (jeera)
- 1/3 tbsp Chaat Masala
Instructions
Preparation For Mixed Fruit Raita
- Keep refrigerated yogurt or curd ready, whisk it well until it gets a smooth texture.
- Wash all fruits which you are using in raita, finely chop them all.
- Dry roast a tablespoon of cumin seed (jeera) on a low flame so that it won’t burn, crush roasted cumin seed to form a cumin powder. (completely optional)
Method of Preparing Mixed Fruit Raita
- In a bowl, take whisked smoothened yogurt. Add salt/ black salt, cumin powder, chaat masala as per your taste.
- Add pomegranate seeds, any other finely cut fruits of your choice and mix it well.
- Healthy pomegranate raita/ fixed fruit raita is ready to serve.
Notes
Is Raita Healthy?
Oh yes! For sure raita is healthy. You can be rest assured and enjoy this side dish guilt-free. Are you wondering how? Let me share some valuable tips that will make your raita healthier.
- Use full fat and freshly made yogurt. You can also use greek yogurt or hung curd.
- You can use black salt (kala namak) instead or regular salt.
- Use refrigerated yogurt than a room temperature yogurt.
Closing Thoughts
I am very glad that you discovered my raita recipe. If you want to make your main course meal more interesting, raita is just the side dish that you are looking for. Raita recipe for biryani is very popular and widely tried out.
Do try this recipe at home, and share with me what raita variations you like the most. Please let me know in the comments or on your favorite social media channel. If you liked this recipe also do check out my recipe on mirchi ka salan and my masala papad recipe. These are popular side dishes eaten with biryani just like riata. I am very active across all major social media platforms.
Do check out my other recipes too on my portal. You can thank me by sharing my recipes with your friends on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. Also, subscribe to my recipe newsletter. In this way, you will get notified every time I post new recipes.
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I love coming to your blog and reading your easy recipes!!
Wow! nicely covered raita recipes