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Home » Recipes » Starters

Easy Raita Recipe

Published: May 28, 2023 · Modified: Aug 13, 2024 · by Khin · This post may contain affiliate links.

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A simple, refreshing Easy Raita Recipe made with creamy yoghurt, vegetables, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice. One of the best side dish recipes that complement curries and biryani. Let's create the creamy, cool, and delicious raita at home in 5 minutes!

A white bowl containing, Indian yoghurt sauce with vegetables and garnished with a sprinkle of ground spices.

Raita goes well with curries, biryani, parathas, kebabs, and various Indian dishes. It complements spicy curries like Indian Potato curry, Chicken Rogan Josh, Lamb Tikka Masala, Vegetable Bhuna, etc.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Top Tips
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Raita is a traditional Indian condiment. The term " Raita " comes from Hindi and it refers to a traditional Indian yoghurt-based side dish. It is famous for its soothing and refreshing properties and for harmonizing the spiciness of strong-flavoured dishes.

One of the most versatile condiments is that the ingredients can be customized according to your own preferences.

Ingredients

The following is a quick guide. Please scroll and see the recipe card for the measurements.

Labelled ingredients of making Raita, displayed on the wooden tray.

Yoghurt & Vegetables

  • Natural yoghurt is the key ingredient in making Raita a creamy, sour base.
  • Vegetables: cucumber, carrot, onion
  • Fresh herbs: coriander or mint leaves
  • Green chilli
  • Lime

Ground spices & Seasonings

  • Chaat masala
  • Chilli powder
  • Cumin powder
  • Salt to taste

Top Tips

  • Beyond curries and rice, raita can be enjoyed in many ways.
  • Serve it as a dip for fries and chips or serve it as a spread in sandwiches, tacos, wraps, burritos, etc.
  • It can also be added as a filling for stuffed bread, naan, chapati, or parathas.

Variations

  • Vegetarian & Vegan Option: Substitute natural yoghurt with plant-based yoghurt. You can also try my no-yoghurt Easy Indian Onion Salad recipe.
  • Popular options are coconut milk yoghurt, soy milk, almond, and cashew yoghurt.
  • Yoghurt sauce texture: The consistency of raita can vary according to the type of yoghurt used.
  • If you prefer a thicker, creamier texture, opt for thick natural yoghurt. Alternatively, if you like a thinner consistency, you can add a splash of water or use a thinner yoghurt.

Instructions

2 image collage showing how to prepare vegetables and how to combine them with yoghurt and seasonings.
  1. First, gather the ingredients and prepare the vegetables. Finely chop or grate the cucumber, onion, carrot, and coriander ( cilantro ). Cut green chilli into thin slices.
  2. Then, place the chopped vegetables in a mixing bowl and add the yoghurt, salt, chilli powder, cumin powder, and chaat masala. Mix everything well.
A white bowl containing Indian yoghurt sauce with vegetables and garnished with ground spices. Naan bread and mint leaves on the side.

Recipe FAQs

What type of yoghurt to use?

To make raita, you can either use natural, greek-style, full-fat, or low-fat, to your personal choice. But recommend using unflavoured, unsweetened plain yoghurt.

How to make it ahead?

Raita can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cover the bowl with a cling film or place it in an air-tight container and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, transfer the chilled raita into the serving bowl and garnish with coriander or a sprinkle of Chaat masala and chilli powder.

Is raita good for health?

Raita is a healthy condiment because it is made of yoghurt, which is rich in probiotics and calcium. It also contains fresh vegetables and herbs, which are loaded with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.

Serving Suggestions

Raita pairs well with spicy dishes like biryani, pulao, curries, Chicken kebab, tandoori dishes, etc. It can be either served as a side dish or a dip for a soothing, pleasant combination. From Chicken Tikka Masala to Prawn Bhuna, here are more delicious spicy Indian curry recipes that you can pair with raita:

  • A white bowl containing bone-in chicken curry with Hyderabadi style curry sauce.
    Hyderabadi Chicken
  • A steel metal bowl with handles, containing lamb curry with coriander and green chillies.
    Lamb Balti
  • A metal serving bowl containing chicken curry with garlic chilli sauce, garnished with ginger strips and coriander.
    Garlic Chilli Chicken Curry
  • An Indian copper serving bowl containing, chicken curry with spicy naga curry sauce.
    Spicy Naga Chicken Curry

If you've enjoyed this raita recipe, please share your feedback in the comments and give me star 🌟 ratings!

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📖 Recipe

A white bowl containing Indian yoghurt sauce with vegetables and garnished with mint leaves and ground spices.

Easy Raita Recipe

Simple and refreshing classic Indian raita recipe, made with creamy yoghurt, vegetables, fresh herbs, and a hint of spic. One of the best yoghurt-based versatile side dish recipes that complement curries, biryani, or any spicy dish. Let's create the creamy, cool, and delicious raita at home in 5 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 4 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute minute
Servings: 4 - 6
Calories: 61kcal
Author: Khin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Plain yoghurt Natural yoghurt, curd, or Greek yoghurt. ( About 250 grams )
  • 1 Onion Shallot or salad onion, chopped
  • ½ cup Cucumber About 75 grams, chopped
  • ¼ cup Carrot About 40 grams, finely chopped or grated
  • 4-5 tbsp Coriander Finely chopped
  • 2-3 Green chillies Cut thin slices

Seasonings and Spices

  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp Cumin powder
  • ¼ tsp Chilli powder
  • ¼ tsp Chaat masala

Instructions

  • First, gather the ingredients and prepare the vegetables. Finely chop or grate the cucumber, onion, carrot, and coriander ( cilantro ). Cut green chilli into thin slices.
  • Then place the chopped vegetables in a mixing bowl and add the yoghurt, salt, chilli powder, cumin powder, and chaat masala. Mix everything well.

Notes

  • How to serve Raita? Raita pairs well with spicy dishes like, biryani, pulao, curries, kebabs, tandoori dishes, etc. It can be either served as a side dish, spread, fillings, or a dip for a soothing, pleasant combination. 
  • Yoghurt: Recommend using unflavored, unsweetened natural yoghurt or a choice of plain yoghurt. 
  • Ground spices: are optional. You can omit ground spices if you prefer simple unflavored raita. 
  • Vegetables: You don't need to add the exact same vegetables used in this recipe. Feel free to add your favourite vegetables and herbs. 
  • Can you make it without chilli? Adjust the chilli heat by adding more or less fresh chillies and chilli powder. If you prefer mild raita, you can omit chillies. 
  • Nutritional facts: are calculated approximately and can be varied by a number of different factors. 

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1475IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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Hi, I'm Khin! This blog is all about my family home cooking recipes. I want to share how to make delicious meals from simplest method with step-by-step cooking videos.

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