Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (2024)

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posted by Izzah Cheemaon June 20, 2019 (updated February 22, 2024)

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5 (14 ratings)

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Learn how to make Raita with this easy and traditional recipe! Raita is a classic yogurt salad that completes many Pakistani and Indian meals. I’ve included my family’s trick for avoiding the cucumber’s bitterness, plus optional add-ins to give you an idea of the endless possibilities.

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (1)

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“Thanks for the quick and simple Raita recipe. It went well with the Instant Pot Chicken Pulao recipe of yours that I made.”

Talha

Navigation

  • What Is Cucumber Raita?
  • A Key Tip For Using Cucumber In Raita
  • How To Make Cucumber Raita
  • Recipes That You Can Pair With Raita
  • Easy Cucumber Raita Recipe

What is Raita?

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).

Raita harmoniously balances a meal: yogurt for cool and creamy acidity, vegetables for crunch and texture, and herbs for vibrance and freshness.

Though restaurants will often serve this blended Mint Cilantro Raita (also called Dahi Chutney), this simple raita of mixed vegetables Raita is more common in South Asian homes.

P.S. Prefer Raita sans yogurt? Try Kachumber Salad.

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (2)

A Key Tip for Using Cucumber in Raita

I remember when I first saw my husband chop a cucumber. He cut off about half an inch from the stem and rubbed both parts against each other. He explained that he does it because his mom did it, and he’s not sure how it works but it’s supposed to remove bitterness.

I thought it was a typical ‘grandma’s pot roast’ scenario. When you call mom to ask why she cuts the ends off the pot roast and she says because that’s the way grandma did it. You ask grandma only to find out she cut it off to fit it in her oven.

But then I came to find out Julie Sahni in Classic Indian Cooking recommends the same trick – rub the stem end against the cucumber until a white film starts to build. Epicurious echoes this, explaining how cucurbitacins(a bitter compound) accumulate at the peels and ends. They suggest you cut off the ends before peeling it to avoid spreading the bitterness.

If you’re able to find young Persian cucumbers, you likely won’t have the bitterness problem. But if you do, now you know how to remove it. It wasn’t just a weird thing my in-laws did after all.

How to make Raita

To make this raita:

  1. First you’ll whisk together the yogurt, milk, salt & spice powders.
Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (3)
  1. Next, stir in the chopped vegetables and herbs. Taste and add salt to taste, more red chili for heat, and cumin for earthy flavor.
Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (4)

Tips & FAQs

I remember googling how to make raita many years ago when I would always eyeball the salt and it would always be too much. So exactly how much salt do you need? And how many vegetables? Should the cucumber be peeled or unpeeled? I had questions. Here are some answers:

How much salt should you add?

I like to keep the salt subtle. Start with 1/4 tsp sea salt or table salt per cup of yogurt, then add up to 1/8 tsp more, if desired.

What type of yogurt should you use?

I always use plain, whole milk yogurt. I wouldn’t recommend using Greek, but if you do, you’d need to increase the milk to make it thinner for a raita-like consistency.

Should you peel the cucumber skin?

If you aren’t using organic cucumbers, I’d suggest peeling it due to pesticide residue. Also peel if the skin is waxy or bitter, or if you just prefer it that way.

How many vegetables should you add?

Of course, this is a preference, but I found each of my vegetables to measure in between 1/4 and 1/3 cup. If using more vegetables, use less of each.

Here are some recipes that you can pair with Raita:

  • Instant Pot Chicken Pulao
  • Pakistani Chicken Pulao (Yakhni Pulao)
  • Chicken Biryani
  • Chana Pulao and Aloo Ki Tikki
  • Easy Spinach and Potato Curry (Aloo Palak)
  • Pakistani Seekh Kebab
  • Chapli Kabab
Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (5)

Tried this recipe? If you have a minute, please consider leaving a comment telling me how it was! If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I truly love hearing from you. Thank you!

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!)

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Learn how to make Raita with this easy and traditional recipe! Raita is a classic yogurt salad that completes many Pakistani and Indian meals. I’ve included my family’s trick for avoiding the cucumber’s bitterness, plus optional add-ins to give you an idea of the endless possibilities.

Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 g) plain whole milk yogurt
  • 1/4 cup (59 ml) whole milk, or water, depending on desired consistency
  • 1/4 tsp table salt or sea salt, more to taste
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp cumin powder (roasted or regular)
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp red chili powder or red chili flakes
  • 1 small (60 g) Persian cucumber or 1/4 large cucumber, ends trimmed, peeled, and finely diced
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) finely diced red or yellow onion
  • 1/2 small (50 g) tomato, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro , or mint leaves (or a combination of the two)

Optional Add-Ins:

  • 1/2 (30 g) carrot (See Note), finely diced
  • 2-3 (30 g) radishes (See Note), finely diced
  • 1/8 tsp chaat masala
  • 1/2 small serrano pepper, deseeded for less heat, finely chopped

Equipment

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, milk, salt, and spice powders.

  • Stir in the vegetables and cilantro, reserving some for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt to taste, cumin for earthiness, and black pepper or red chili for heat.

  • Garnish with additional chopped cilantro or mint. Serve immediately or place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

Notes

Note: If using optional vegetables, decrease the other vegetables for a less vegetable-heavy raita.

Calories: 68kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 191mg, Potassium: 309mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1637IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 117mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Izzah Cheema

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani

Gluten-free Indian Recipes Pakistani Recipes Punjabi Recipes Vegetarian

posted by Izzah Cheema on June 20, 2019 (updated February 22, 2024)

22 comments Leave a comment »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

    22 Comments on “Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!)”

  1. Trevor Reply

    Easy. Delicious. Perfect accompaniment to any Indian dish but I used it for the Chana Masala that was equally amazing.

    • Izzah Cheema Reply

      So glad to hear that, Trevor! Thank you for sharing!

  2. Jenny Reply

    Clear, simple and knowledgable. Thank you!

    • Izzah Cheema Reply

      Thank you, Jenny!

  3. Sayed Hassan Reply

    Raita is one thing everyone assumes everyone to some how just know. Well that’s not the case and that’s why thankyou for sharing this. It complemented perfectly your channa pullaou recipe and all done within an hour.
    Thank you for sharing these quick recipes where it takes less time to prepare them from scratch vs ordering DoorDash.

    • Izzah Reply

      So true..ratios are always helpful. 🙂 Thank you so much for writing!

  4. Faiza Reply

    I love pulling this recipe out for the perfect raita, every time! Making this right now to accompany your insane chicken biryani recipe. I don’t know you, but I love you.

    • Izzah Reply

      Hahaha aww thank you so much, Faiza. Your comment truly means so much to me! 🙂

  5. Julia Reply

    Loved this raita- refreshing, delicious and simple! I also appreciated the fun fact about cucurbitacins 🙂

    This is my first time exploring your website, and I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes! Your website is gorgeous and the pictures and writing are both lovely.

    • Izzah Reply

      Thank you for such a nice compliment, Julia. It truly means so much to me!

  6. Talha Khan Reply

    Thanks for the quick and simple Raita recipe. It went well with the Instant Pot Chicken Pulao recipe of yours that I made.

    • teaforturmeric Reply

      Thanks very much, Talha!

  7. Shirley A Harrison Reply

    will this go well with a persian dish of tahchin morgh. have a boyfriend staying and would like to make this

    • teaforturmeric Reply

      It could work, but I think the Mast-o Khiar may be a better accompaniment because of the flavor profile.

  8. Fatima Cooks Reply

    Sometimes, you really DO need a recipe for even the most basic of things! I remember Googling similar things too when I first got in the kitchen ???? Google has become a lot more helpful for Pakistani cooking in recent times though!

    • teaforturmeric Reply

      So true! 🙂

    • Marty Johnston Reply

      Agreed, even if I know how to make something, there is always variations, its great for ideas and expanding ones recipe database.

      Raita is like any other recipe, make it to your taste. I like it minty and thick, salting the grated cucumber to remove the excess moisture, but don’t throw the liquid away, need a bit of salt in Raita or like it a little thinner, add some of the cucumber juice, or throw it in the curry, after all Raita tastes better when its had a chance to stand allowing the flavors to blend.

      • teaforturmeric Reply

        Very true, Marty! Thanks for sharing!

    • Sahjo Brown Reply

      Perfect! I love the balance of flavors and the flexibility. I added a squeeze of lemon and carrots & radishes.

      • teaforturmeric Reply

        Yum! Thanks so much, Sahjo!

        • Jen L Reply

          If I use an English thin skin long cucumber is it better to peel? I have not in the past, and just tossed any larger bits of skin I ended up with, but in light of your explanation, I wondered. Thank you for ratios, just used to wing it when making my own simple raita.

          • Asiya @ Tea for Turmeric

            Hi Jen, If you aren’t using organic cucumbers, Izzah suggests to peel it due to pesticide residue. Also peel if the skin is waxy or bitter, or if you just prefer it that way.

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!) (2024)

FAQs

Easy Vegetable Raita Recipe (15 Minutes!)? ›

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

How long does raita keep in the fridge? ›

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

What's the difference between tzatziki and raita? ›

Raita is made with plain yogurt and tzatziki is made with thicker Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner while tzatziki has a thick consistency. They're used in different ways. Raita is a more versatile dish with many different recipes.

Is vegetable raita good for health? ›

Having healthy vegetable raita will not only help improve digestion but also boost one's immunity. Also, containing vegetables such as carrots, onions, and beetroot makes this an anti-oxidant rich dish with high fiber and naturally low in calories.

What is raita salad made of? ›

Method. Mix yogurt with cucumbers, lemon juice and fennel seeds. Season and chill until needed. Just before serving, fold in mint and olive oil.

What is raita called in English? ›

Raita is also sometimes simply called dahi, or "sourmilk", after its main ingredient, particularly in South African Indian cuisine.

Does plain yogurt go bad in the fridge? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service inspects only meat, poultry and egg products. The United States Food and Drug Administration inspects other foods. Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator (40 ºF) one to two weeks or frozen (0 ºF) for one to two months.

What is Indian raita made of? ›

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.

What do Americans call tzatziki? ›

The word “tzatziki” is a loanword from modern Greek that has come to define a very specific sauce in Greek American cuisine. It's a yogurt-based sauce that is often served as a dip, dressing, or entire side dish.

What to eat with raita? ›

Raita is the savory yogurt condiment that's served alongside everything—from Pakistani lamb biryani to Bengali shami kebabs and South Indian okra stir-fry. The tangy yogurt side offers a refreshing contrast and cooling reprieve from all the heavily spiced dishes.

Can raita be eaten at night? ›

According to Ayurveda curd is known to cause Kapha. Kapha is the reason behind mucus generation which is predominant in the night time. So as per Ayurveda, curd should be avoided at night. 'It doesn't apply to everyone and people who are prone to severe cold and cough should avoid eating curd at night.

Can I eat raita for weight loss? ›

Raita is a low energy food with low calorie content. It increases the feeling of fullness and decreases the feeling of hunger and this makes it a perfect aid for weight loss. 5. Stirred curd with fruits and vegetables has a protective role against weight gain.

Is raita good for the gut? ›

The doctor who's known for sharing his medical know-how on the app said that raita, which he termed 'tzatziki's spicy twin,” is the ideal food for your gut.

What is a salad made of cabbage called? ›

Coleslaw (from the Dutch term koolsla meaning 'cabbage salad'), also known as cole slaw or simply as slaw, is a side dish consisting primarily of finely shredded raw cabbage with a salad dressing or condiment, commonly either vinaigrette or mayonnaise.

What is raita for stomach? ›

  1. In a bowl, add yoghurt and water. ...
  2. Add red chilli powder, roasted cumin seeds, hing (asafoetida), chopped green chilli, and rock salt to the yoghurt-water mixture.
  3. Stir well to ensure all the spices are evenly distributed. ...
  4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to blend before serving.

How long before raita goes bad? ›

How long with raita keep? Store this in the fridge in a covered container. It will keep for up to 4 days, just give it a stir before using.

Can raita be stored in the fridge? ›

Leftover raita will keep for up to three days in the fridge. Remember to cover the sauce well, with cling film or an air-tight lid to prevent unwanted aromas from seeping in. You can also freeze raita.

What is the shelf life of raita? ›

This Raita goes very well with Dishes like Biryani & Pulao. SHELF LIFE: Best before 4 months from manufacturing. Store in cool and dry place & do not refrigerate.

How long before curd goes bad? ›

Information. Commercially baked breads and rolls can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 4 days or 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator. Bread products retain their quality when stored in the freezer for 3 months. Any breads containing meat or hard cooked eggs must be refrigerated within 2 hours.

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