This flavorful Mint Coriander Chutney is a fresh, tangy green chutney that is bright with the flavors of fresh mint, cilantro, pungent garlic, heady ground cumin, and spicy green chili.
Cilantro Chutney is one of my favorite Indian chutneys. It makes the perfect dipping sauce for Indian Appetizers and a great accompaniment to all sorts of Indian cuisine, like rich Indian Curries.
Why you’ll love this chutney
Cilantro Mint Chutney is spicy, tart, and packed full of fresh herb flavor. Try it on main dishes like Instant Pot Chicken Korma, Tandoori Chicken, or Instant Pot Chicken Biryani.
It’s also a perfect condiment to serve alongside Indian dishes like Instant Pot Chicken Biryani, Chicken Pakora, Paneer Pakora, and Butter Garlic Naan.
I love to dunk Indian snacks like Chicken Pakora, Paneer Pakora, and Samosa (or Air Fryer Samosas or Onion Samosas) into this flavorful Coriander Mint Chutney as well as sweet-tangy Tamarind Chutney. Or spread it onto a Bombay Sandwich or drizzle it over Bombay Toast.
If you love cilantro as much as I do, you should also try cilantro chimichurri!
Ingredients you need
For the complete list of ingredients with quantities and detailed prep and cooking instructions, please see the recipe card that appears at the end of this post.
The ingredients for this green chutney are all easy to find. Here’s what you need:
- Cilantro: For the best flavor and color, use fresh cilantro leaves and stems.
- Mint: Fresh mint leaves provide great flavor and bright color. Discard the mint stems as they can make the color of the chutney dull and brownish.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor. All you need to do is peel them as they’ll be minced in the food processor. You can substitute a tablespoon of ginger garlic paste if you prefer.
- Green chilis: I like to use either jalapeno or serrano chilli peppers. If you prefer a milder chutney, you can remove and discard the seeds and ribs.
- Lemon juice or lime juice: Freshly squeezed citrus juice adds tartness and also helps to preserve the bright green color of the chutney. If you prefer, you can substitute lime juice.
- Seasonings: Salt, sugar, and ground cumin powder add flavor and balance.
How to make it
Mint Cilantro Chutney is so easy to make, you hardly need instructions. Here are the basic instructions for making Cilantro Mint Chutney:
- Place all of the ingredients in a food processor blender, except for the water.
- Add ¼ cup water to start.
- Process until smooth, adding more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed to make a smooth puree.
- Serve the mint coriander chutney immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
How to store it
You can store this Coriander Chutney in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze Mint Cilantro Chutney, portion it into airtight, freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw on the countertop or in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Variations
This simple Cilantro Mint Chutney is endlessly variable. Here are some ideas for variations:
- Roasted cumin powder: Instead of ground cumin, use roasted cumin seeds for even more depth of flavor. To make roasted cumin powder, toast whole cumin seeds in a skillet over medium-high heat, shaking the pan frequently, just until fragrant. This will only take a minute or two. Grind the roasted seeds in a spice grinder or using a mortar and pestle.
- Ginger: Add a 1- to 2-inch piece of peeled, fresh ginger to the food processor along with the other ingredients.
- Coconut: Stir about ¼ cup to 1/3 cup of grated coconut into the chutney for added texture and flavor.
- Yogurt: Stir in ¼ cup to 1/3 cup of whole milk plain yogurt or Greek yogurt for a creamy version.
- Tamarind: Instead of citrus juice or lime juice, use a tablespoon of tamarind concentrate. Tamarind adds unique flavor to this Cilantro Mint Chutney.
- Roasted peanuts: Add 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts which will had a nutty flavor and some texture to the chutney.
How to Serve It
This Cilantro Mint Chutney is delicious as a dipping sauce for Chicken Pakora, Paneer Pakora, Samosas, Air Fryer Samosas, or Butter Garlic Naan.
I love Mint Cilantro Chutney served alongside Indian curries like Palak Paneer and Instant Pot Chicken Korma. It also makes a great condiment for Tandoori Chicken and Butter Garlic Naan.
Cilantro Mint Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro leaves and stems
- 1 cup mint leaves stems discarded
- 4 garlic cloves
- 4 serrano or 2 jalapeno chile peppers
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ to ½ cup water
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.
This was really, really good Robin! Mint chutney was always my favorite thing when eating Indian food and have wanted to learn how to make it for forever, lol. This was probably the best version I have ever had.