Cilantro Yogurt Chutney

Cilantro Yogurt Chutney is high on my list of favorite condiments. This recipe first appeared in my book The Lazy Gourmet. It tops Bombay Sandwiches and serves as a flavorful marinade for Pistachio Crusted Roast Leg of Lamb.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure.

What Is Chutney?

Chutneys are sauces or condiments that are served with nearly every meal in India. Most chutney includes both vinegar or another acid (like lime juice) and sugar.

They are generally flavorful mixtures of herbs, spices, chilies, and aromatics like garlic and ginger. Many chutneys also contain fruit like mango, raisins, or tamarind.

Chutney is commonly served with rice dishes like biryani, curries, and meats. It can also be served as a dipping sauce for flatbreads, samosas, pakoras, and other appetizers or snacks.

What Is In Cilantro Yogurt Chutney?

This quick and easy yogurt-based chutney is like a cross between a classic fresh herb chutney and raita. It is full of flavorful ingredients like cilantro, garlic, ginger, chilies, and the spice mixture called garam masala.

What Is Garam Masala Made Of?

Garam masala is a combination of spices including black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, and possibly other spices like fennel, star anise, mustard seeds, etc. You'll find garam masala in the spice section at most supermarkets, in an Indian market, or buy it online.

How Do You Use Cilantro Yogurt Chutney?

Chutneys are an essential part of Indian cuisine. No Indian meal is complete without one or more chutneys on the table. This one is easy to make and it is versatile, too.

I love to serve this chutney with Instant Pot Chicken Biryani or Chicken 65. Use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, salad dressing, dip for vegetables or flatbread, or as a condiment for grilled meats or curries.

This chutney is a great condiment to serve with Samosa, Onion Samosas, Air Fryer Samosas, Chicken Pakoras, or Paneer Pakoras, or to use in Samosa Chaat.

Cilantro Yogurt Chutney

Robin Donovan

It would be nearly impossible for us to choose our favorite condiment, but if we had to, this tart, tangy, flavorful sauce would be a top contender. We use it as a spread for our Bombay Sandwiches and as a marinade for Pistachio-Crusted Roast Leg of Lamb.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Sauce Recipes

Cuisine Indian

Servings 1.25 cups

Calories 26 kcal

Cook Mode(keep your screen awake)

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 medium clove garlic peeled
• ▢ 1 2- inch piece fresh ginger peeled and cut into chunks
• ▢ 1 –3 small Serrano chiles stemmed and seeded
• ▢ 1 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro (leaves and thin stems)
• ▢ 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• ▢ 2 tablespoons garam masala*
• ▢ Zest and juice of 1 lime

Instructions

 

• In a food processor or by hand, mince the garlic, ginger, chiles, and cilantro and place in a medium bowl.
• Stir in yogurt, garam masala, lime zest, and lime juice and stir to combine well.
  
  

Notes

• If you can’t find garam masala, you can substitute individual spices: 1½ teaspoons each ground cumin, coriander, and cardamom; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; and ¼ teaspoon each ground cloves and nutmeg.

• Garam masala is a spice blend and its exact composition differs from brand to brand. Some mixtures contain salt, while others do not. And even among those that do include salt, the amount of salt varies widely. All of this to say, add the garam masala first and taste before adding any salt—you may need just a little, you may need a lot, and you may need none at all.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 14mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

Have a question about this recipe?Email us! We're happy to help!