Cucumber Raita

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This delicious, cooling Indian raita is made of grated cucumber combined with creamy yogurt, cilantro, and tempered with curry leaves. This yogurt dip is a perfect way to wrap up a spicy Indian meal. 

Cucumber raita served in a black bowl accompanied by jeera rice in a black bowl along with a black napkin on the side

Just like sour cream and Mexican dishes go hand in hand, so do raitas and Indian food. Indian meals are known for being delicious, flavorful and of course, spicy. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt contain casein (a protein) which helps neutralize the capsaicin found in spicy foods. That’s why cucumber raitas are such an integral part of an Indian meal. Cucumbers and yogurt both have a cooling effect and will help settle your stomach after spicy food.

What do you eat cucumber raita with?

Cucumber Raita is a great accompaniment with biryanis such as- 

  1. Shrimp / Prawns biryani
  2. Egg Biryani
  3. Vegetable biryani
  4. Chettinad chicken biryani

How do you make cucumber raita

This cucumber raita is one of a kind, and our friends and family can’t stop raving about it. In all fairness, this recipe is not mine to claim – my nanny who hails from Gujarat (a western state in India) is the one who came up with it.  

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What makes this recipe different?

  1. Most raita recipes call for grating the cucumber and squeezing out the juice. Skip that step and use thick yogurt instead. That way you don’t have to worry about watering down the yogurt. 
  2. Using black salt – Black salt has an umami taste that just livens up this dish. 
  3. Using sugar – A tiny bit of sugar complements the tanginess of the black salt really well. Feel free to skip it, if you prefer your raita to be more savory than have a hint of sweetness. 
  4. Using roasted jeera powder –  Those who use roasted cumin powder, swear by it. A tiny bit goes a long way and boosts the flavor in any dish. This is an optional ingredient and you can use regular cumin powder if you don’t have any. 

Step by step recipe to make cucumber raita

  1. Whisk yogurt, salt, black salt, sugar, cumin powder, and salt together.
  2. Add cucumber, chopped cilantro, green chilies and blend it in.
  3. In a small pan kept over medium heat, add oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard and cumin seeds. When they start to splutter, add curry leaves. Let it fry for about 10 seconds. Remove from heat and add the tempering to the raita. 
  4. Serve chilled.

Cucumber raita variations

  1. Add grated carrot along with cucumber. 
  2. Add onions and tomatoes as I did in this cucumber tomato raita recipe. 
  3. Chop the cucumber instead of grating it.

How long can you keep raita?

Raita is chilled before serving. It tastes best if you refrigerate and consume it within a day or two. 

Check out a few more raita recipe ideas to go with your Indian meals below or click here to find a list of ten raita recipes – some classics, a few new, and some with a twist. 

  1. Pineapple raita – Eat it as a dessert or pair it with biryanis – it tastes delicious either way.   
  2. Onion raita – If you have been craving some Indian raita to go with your biryani, then this recipe is for you. Make it with ingredients that you have at home and in less than 5 minutes. It is the perfect way to finish off a delicious Indian meal.   
  3. Boondi raita – crispy chickpea flour balls soaked in spice-infused creamy yogurt, that’s what this delicious boondi raita is made of.  
  4. Mango raita – If you love mangoes, then this mango raita recipe has your name written all over it. Enjoy it as a dessert or as a side dish along with a spicy Indian meal.  
  5. Mint Raita – This refreshing yogurt-based dip made from mint is a worthy accompaniment to delicious biryanis, parathas, and other grilled Indian foods. Learn how to make it in under 5-minutes. 
  6. Cucumber tomato raita – A simple raita recipe made from everyday pantry ingredients.

Savor them with biryanis and parathas such as paneer paratha and aloo paratha

An overshot of biryani served with cucumber raita and a few slices of cucumber on a gray plate
Cucumber raita served with biryani
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Cucumber raita served in a black bowl accompanied by jeera rice in a black bowl along with a black napkin on the side
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5 from 2 votes

Cucumber Raita

This delicious, cooling Indian raita is made of grated cucumber combined with creamy yogurt, cilantro, and tempered with curry leaves. This yogurt dip is a perfect way to wrap up a spicy Indian meal. 
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Whisk yogurt, salt, black salt, sugar, cumin powder, and salt together.
  • Add cucumber, chopped cilantro, green chilies and blend it in.
  • In a small pan kept over medium heat, add oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard and cumin seeds. When they start to splutter, add curry leaves. Let it fry for about 10 seconds. Remove from heat and add the tempering to the raita. 
  • Serve chilled.

Notes

  1. For best results use fresh yogurt as they tend to be less sour.
  2.  Use thick yogurt – strain the yogurt if needed. This allows you to skip the step of straining the yogurt.
  3. Black salt has an umami taste that just livens up this dish. If you don’t have it replace it with regular salt. 
  4. Using sugar – A tiny bit of sugar complements the tanginess of the black salt really well. Feel free to skip it, if you prefer your raita to be more savory than have a hint of sweetness. 
  5. Using roasted jeera powder –  Those who use roasted cumin powder, swear by it. A tiny bit goes a long way and boosts the flavor in any dish. This is an optional ingredient and you can use regular cumin powder if you don’t have any. 
Read the post…For helpful information on ingredient swaps, storage tips, meal prep ideas, and variations!

Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.

Nutrition

Serving: 1small bowlCalories: 66kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 8gFat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 338mgPotassium: 173mgSugar: 4gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 14.9mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 0.3mg
Diet: Vegetarian
Course: Indian
Method: Stovetop
Keywords: summer, tempered, yogurt dish
Cuisine: Accompaniments
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