This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2024)

The cue to what the texture of a raita should be can be found in an old Hindi phrase: “raita fel gaya.” Raita fel gaya is used when you’re trying to denote a situation that gets botched up, with the word “fel” standing for something spreading out too thinly. Therefore a raita, under all circ*mstances, should effortlessly dribble.

Raita Should Be Thin

Unlike the thick yogurt-based dip that a raita is often thought to be, an Indian raita is more liquidy. It’s made with fresh yogurt or curd that hasn’t rested in the refrigerator for too long, or that hasn’t been strained like Greek yogurt. When whisked, this yogurt has a lot of natural whey, coupled with the water that the onions and tomatoes will release after swimming in a pool of cold curd for a while.

Different Types of Raita

Raita also has several variations. Some raitas come loaded with chunks of pineapple; some have grated cucumber; some are seasoned with a tempering of mustard seeds, coconut oil, and curry leaves. Sometimes even grated fruits such as an apple make their way into the raita.

Instant Pot Yogurt

My Favorite Addition to Raita

For my recipe, the standout ingredient though is boondi. Since I like to keep it minimal with onions, tomato and cucumber, it’s the addition of the fried and savory droplets of chickpea flour that, when added to cold yogurt, makes all the difference. Boondi moistens enough to have a texture, yet it does not disintegrate too soon. It also gives a unique bite to the raita.

What To Serve Raita With

A raita could also have only one of the ingredients mentioned in my recipe, like finely chopped tomatoes, spices and herbs, or just the onions and so on. Raita is served with a variety of dishes ranging from biryani, paratha, pulao, or with the great Indian thali, a smorgasbord of multiple Indian dishes that come together in one plate. A raita is a happy addition to the same.

What's the Difference Between Raita and Tzatziki?

Raita is made on the base of regular yogurt while tzatziki is made using Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner in consistency, while tzatziki has a dip-like thick texture. A raita will never have olive oil, while tzatziki is flavored with olive oil in certain recipes.

Tips for Making Cucumber Raita

  • Raita should be made fresh — It’s best to make the raita fresh, an hour before eating is ideal. Since ingredients such as cucumber, tomato and onion will release water and alter the consistency of the raita, always make it for immediate serving.
  • Don’t use Greek yogurt — For raita, use a regular yogurt, not Greek yogurt. Raita should have a thin consistency and Greek yogurt will make it too thick. If you only have Greek yogurt on hand, thin it out with cool water or milk.
  • How to roast cumin seeds — To make roasted cumin powder, add cumin seeds to a small skillet over medium-low heat. Let the seeds toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the cumin is fragrant, 4 or 5 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and let cool completely before grinding.
  • About Kashmiri chilli powder — You can find Kashmiri chilli powder at Indian markets or online. If desired, you may substitute cayenne pepper, but keep in mind that cayenne pepper is hotter, so start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more to taste.

This cucumber raita was a wonderful accompaniment to the Indian food we had last night. The Kashmiri chili powder and chaat masala truly enhanced this condiment and will be great additions to your spice pantry. The boondi is easy to find in any well-stocked Indian market and adds a bit of delicious texture to the raita." —Diana Andrews

This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain yogurt

  • 1/2 cup grated cucumber

  • 1/4 cup finely choppedwhite onion

  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped tomato

  • Salt, to taste

  • 3 tablespoons finely choppedfresh mint leaves, more for garnish, optional

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, more for garnish, optional

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1/2 medium lemon)

  • 2 teaspoons roasted cumin powder, more for garnish

  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder, more for garnish

  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala

  • 1/4 medium green chilli, such as serrano, finely chopped, more to taste, optional

  • 1/4 cup boondi, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (3)

  2. Whisk the yogurt in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in the cucumber, onion, and tomato. Season to taste with salt.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (4)

  3. Stir in the mint, cilantro, lemon juice, cumin, chilli powder, chaat masala, and green chilli, if using.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (5)

  4. 4 to 5 minutes before serving, mix in the boondi, if using. The boondi should absorb the yogurt and be moistened, but not disintegrated.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (6)

  5. Just before serving, garnish with a pinch more of cumin and chilli powder. If desired, garnish with more chopped mint and cilantro.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (7)

How To Store Raita

Raita should be eaten fresh and not stored.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Add more or less spice—Vary the spices to suit your taste, adding more or less cumin, chilli powder, and chaat masala.
  • All ingredients are "to taste"—The proportions of onion, tomato, cucumber, and fresh herbs can also be modified as desired.
  • Use green onion—Substitute green onion for the white onion.
  • Make it spicy—For a raita with more heat, add the whole green chilli. Leave the seeds in for more spice or remove them for less.

The South Indian Pantry

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
57Calories
1g Fat
5g Carbs
8g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories57
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g1%
Saturated Fat 0g1%
Cholesterol 4mg1%
Sodium 96mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 2mg10%
Calcium 98mg8%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 178mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • raita
  • cucumber
  • yogurt
  • appetizer

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This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2024)

FAQs

What is cucumber raita made of? ›

Cucumber Raita also known as Indian Cucumber Yogurt Sauce is a simple side dish made by mixing grated or chopped cucumbers with thick yogurt/Greek yogurt, salt and ground cumin. Sometimes ground black pepper, coriander leaves and mint leaves are also used.

What do we call raita in English? ›

'yogurt cucumber'), whereas in western regions of Nepal it is known as raito. Raita is also sometimes simply called dahi, or "sourmilk", after its main ingredient, particularly in South African Indian cuisine.

Is cucumber raita good for you? ›

Digestion: Helps to better digest your food, gives a cooling effect and improves bowel movements. Weight Loss: Cucumber really hydrating that also helps to get rid of the toxins. And, curd that you mix with cucumber has properties that balance cortisol production.

How would you describe raita on a menu? ›

Raita is a condiment/side dish typically made of yogurt plus some combination of vegetables, spices, and if it's a fancy occasion, teeny fritters made of chickpea flour called boondi.

What is the difference between tzatziki and cucumber raita? ›

What's the Difference Between Raita and Tzatziki? Raita is made on the base of regular yogurt while tzatziki is made using Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner in consistency, while tzatziki has a dip-like thick texture. A raita will never have olive oil, while tzatziki is flavored with olive oil in certain recipes.

How long does raita keep in the fridge? ›

Serve right away or store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

How do Indians eat raita? ›

Raita can be as simple as dressing up plain yogurt with salt and spices, or it can be loaded with herbs, fruits, raw or cooked vegetables, chickpeas, and even boiled potatoes. Raita can be thin and light—ideal alongside rice dishes and curries—or thick and chunky—perfect for scooping up with roti and naan.

What is the difference between raita and salad? ›

Indian salads are dry or yogurt-based and have raw or cooked vegetables. Dry vegetable salads taste great on their own or with rice, while yogurt raitas are usually served with roti and other Indian flat breads, or with different types of flavored rice, such as fried rice and pulao.

What is a raita slang? ›

(India, derogatory, politics, online slang) A Hindu who does not support Hindutva, a liberal Hindu, especially (highly derogatory) as considered a traitor to India or race traitor towards Indians.

Can yogurt and cucumber be eaten together? ›

"In Ayurveda, the combination of curd (yogurt) and cucumber is generally avoided because, these are mucus producing and when consumed together, they can potentially lead sinus congestion," says Nutritionist and Yoga teacher Juhi Kapoor.

Should we eat raita at night? ›

Several people consume curd in direct and indirect ways at night (raita, kadhi, dessert). So the question arises, should you stop consuming curd completely at night? Shilpa Arora, a renowned Health Practitioner, Nutritionist and certified Macrobiotic Health Coach, says, "It is absolutely fine to have curd at night.

What to pair with raita? ›

Serve cucumber raita with roti, parathas, and vegetarian curries like aloo gobhi, masala baingan, paneer makhani, or dum aloo. I also love to pair this raita with Biryani, Pulao, or Dal and Rice. If you are on a low-carb diet, this cucumber raita makes for a perfect pairing with cauliflower rice chicken biryani.

What does raita mean in English? ›

ˈrä‧ētä plural -s. : an Indian side dish made of yogurt, usually diced cucumber, and seasonings.

What is raita sauce made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 250g Greek yogurt.
  • 1 garlic clove.
  • thumb-sized piece ginger, finely grated.
  • ½ small pack coriander, chopped.
  • 0.25 small pack mint, leaves chopped.
  • juice 0.5 lime.
  • ½ tsp garam masala, plus a little extra to serve.
  • ¼ cucumber, grated and lightly squeezed.

What is raita salad made of? ›

Raita is South Asian-style whisked yogurt often made with spices and vegetables such as cucumbers, onion. It is versatile and serves as perfect accompaniment to many South Asian dishes such as biryani, pulao, and vegetarian curries (especially dry ones like this Mixed Vegetable Curry).

What does raita taste like? ›

At its core, raita is yogurt that's been mixed with a little bit of sugar, spices, and oftentimes vegetables and other textural components. When done right, raita has an addictive salty-sweet quality to it—it's the cooling foil to all of the hearty, warm spice-laden flavors of many Indian dishes.

What is the main ingredient in cucumber? ›

Cucumbers consist mostly of water, and they also contain important electrolytes. They can help prevent dehydration in hot weather or after a workout. For people who do not enjoy drinking water, adding cucumber and mint can make it more attractive.

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