Best 11 Indian Raita Recipes

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**Indian Raita: A Refreshing and Versatile Condiment to Elevate Your Meals**

Raita, a quintessential Indian condiment, is a symphony of flavors and textures that adds a refreshing touch to a variety of dishes. Made with yogurt as its base, raita offers a cooling contrast to spicy curries and biryanis. This versatile condiment can be enjoyed as a dip for kebabs, a side dish with grilled meats, or even as a standalone snack. With its endless variations, raita caters to diverse taste preferences. From the classic cucumber raita to the tangy tomato raita and the aromatic boondi raita, each recipe brings a unique charm to the table. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our carefully curated collection of raita recipes will guide you in creating this refreshing accompaniment that elevates any meal to a culinary delight.

Let's cook with our recipes!

TRADITIONAL INDIAN RAITA



Traditional Indian Raita image

Can't take the heat? Then eat some raita. In India, the condiment is used to cool the palate.

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Condiment/Spread     No-Cook     Low Fat     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Yogurt     Low Cal     Healthy     Low Cholesterol     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup chopped seeded English hothouse cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Season to taste with salt. Chill raita, covered, until ready to serve.

INDIAN CUCUMBER AND YOGURT SALAD: CUCUMBER RAITA



Indian Cucumber and Yogurt Salad: Cucumber Raita image

Provided by Aarti Sequeira

Time 10m

Yield about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups plain whole milk or low-fat yogurt
2 cups grated English or Persian cucumber (unpeeled)
1 clove garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh mint, leaves only, minced finely
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons golden raisins
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Whisk the yogurt until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients, plus a little freshly ground black pepper if you like. Stir, chill, and serve.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH INDIAN SPICES AND RAITA



Basmati Rice Pilaf with Indian Spices and Raita image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cups basmati rice
1 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 green cardamom pods
1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
1 cinnamon stick
8 cloves
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
4 cups water
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste
2 cups fresh green peas
Ground pepper
2 cups yogurt
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and minced
3 tablespoons chopped mint, or to taste
3/4 teaspoon ground roasted cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Wash rice by rinsing in cold water. Then soak in cold water for about 30 minutes. Drain.
  • In a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion is tender. Add garlic, and saute for about a minute. Add cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Saute for another minute and add the rice. Saute until rice is translucent and begins to brown. Add water, bay leaf and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partly covered, for about 10 minutes. Most of the water will evaporate and steam holes will show through rice.
  • Add peas, but do not stir. Cover tightly and let simmer for 5 minutes more. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, covered.
  • Prepare the raita: In a bowl whisk together the yogurt, cucumber, mint, cumin, chili powder and salt and pepper.
  • Uncover the pilaf, season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick. Turn pilaf out onto a serving platter and pour half of the raita over rice. Pass remaining raita.

GRILLED SALMON WITH INDIAN SPICES AND RAITA



Grilled Salmon with Indian Spices and Raita image

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Quick & Easy     Yogurt     Low Cal     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Salmon     Spice     Cucumber     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Healthy     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/4 cup vegetable oil plus more
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garam masala
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 2-pound center-cut piece of boneless salmon fillet, skin on
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
3/4 cup finely chopped peeled, seeded cucumber
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Ingredient info: Garam masala, an Indian spice mixture, is available in the spice section of better supermarkets and at Indian markets.

Steps:

  • Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Purée ginger, 1/4 cup oil, 1 tablespoon garam masala, garlic, coriander, and cumin in a blender until coarse purée forms. Put salmon into a baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Coat salmon with ginger pureée. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, stir yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, scallions, lime juice, and remaining 1 teaspoon garam masala in a medium bowl. Season raita to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Brush the grill rack with oil. Brush off marinade for easier grilling, or leave it on for a better crust. Grill salmon, turning once, until it just begins to flake in center, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer salmon to a platter. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with raita.

INDIAN CUCUMBER RAITA



Indian Cucumber Raita image

Make and share this Indian Cucumber Raita recipe from Food.com.

Provided by mumzcookin

Categories     Sauces

Time 8m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups plain yogurt (european or greek)
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup peeled grated & seeded cucumber, drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander or 1/4 cup cilantro leaf
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (to garnish) (optional)

Steps:

  • Place all ingredients in a bowl. It may be easier to warm the honey, as it is easier to blend with the other ingredients. Make sure the cucumber is drained well, otherwise your raita will be too watery. Mix well, and add to serving bowl.
  • Sprinkle cumin over the top.
  • Serve on top or on the side of your favorite Indian dish, or serve as a dipping sauce with naan bread.

INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN PATTIES WITH CUCUMBER RAITA



Indian-Spiced Chicken Patties With Cucumber Raita image

Taken from Australian Food Ideas December 2006/January 2007. Recipe was originally submitted by Dominique Rizzo.

Provided by Satyne

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 18m

Yield 12 Patties, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 slice white bread
750 g chicken breast fillets, fat trimmed, roughly chopped
1/2 cup mint leaf, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons oil
1 lebanese cucumber
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup mint leaf, finely chopped
1 lemon, rind finely grated, juiced

Steps:

  • Place bread in a food processor. Processs until breadcrumbs form. Add chicken, mint, turmeric, paprika, cumin and coriander seeds. Process until mixture comes together. Using 1/4 cup mixutre pet patty, make twelve 1cm thick patties.
  • Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties, in batches, for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Raita: - Best made for immediate use as per Jubes review.
  • Meanwhile, using a vegetable peeler, peel long, thin strips from cucumber. Place cucumber, yoghurt, parsley, mint, 1 teaspoon lemon rind and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  • Serve patties with normal burger fixings, using Raita as the sauce.

INDIAN LAMB BURGERS WITH GREEN RAITA SAUCE AND RED ONIONS



Indian Lamb Burgers with Green Raita Sauce and Red Onions image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 31m

Yield 8 sliders

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
A handful cilantro leaves
A handful mint leaves
1 clove garlic, peeled and grated or mashed into paste
Pinch salt
1 lime, juiced
4 (1/2-inch thick) slices small red onion
1 lime, juiced
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds ground lamb
2 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1 red or green chile, finely chopped
1-inch piece ginger, grated or minced
1 teaspoon (1/3 palmful) turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked sweet or sweet paprika, granulated onion or onion powder*
Pinch ground cinnamon
Baby spinach leaves
8 soft potato rolls or slider rolls (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)

Steps:

  • Put all of the ingredients for the sauce in food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a small serving dish and reserve.
  • Put the red onion rings in a small bowl and separate the rings. Add the lime juice and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Add the lamb to a mixing bowl along with the garlic, chile, ginger, spices, cinnamon, and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix to combine. Form the meat mixture into 4 sections and make 2 slider-size patties form each portion, 8 (3-ounce) burgers in total, thinner at the center and thicker at the edges.
  • Heat a large skillet or a griddle pan with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook a few minutes on each side.
  • Put a few leaves of spinach on each of the bun bottoms and add the burger. Top with the onions and green sauce. Cover with the bun tops and serve.
  • * Toast and grind your own coriander and cumin if you have a coffee grinder or spice mill.

INDIAN RAITA (CUCUMBER MIX)



Indian Raita (Cucumber Mix) image

The mixture is served chilled. Raita has a cooling effect on the palate that makes it a good choice along with spicy foods such as currys. Raita is also eaten with kebabs.

Provided by Deantini

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 10m

Yield 2 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup cucumber, grated
1 cup plain 1% yogurt
2 tablespoons mint, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seed
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Grate cucumber and let sit in strainer over a bowl for about 30 minutes.
  • Place cucumber and remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

SOUTH INDIAN LENTIL CAKES WITH RAITA



South Indian Lentil Cakes with Raita image

At Philadelphia's Bindi, legumes and rice are soaked, ground with herbs and spices, then formed into patties and pan-fried to make these cakes.

Yield Makes 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

Raita:
1 head of garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled seeded cucumber
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon minced seeded jalapeño
1/2 teaspoon (or more) fresh lemon juice
Lentil cakes:
1/2 cup mixed dried legumes (such as lentils and whole mung beans)
1/4 cup basmati rice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/2 jalapeño, seeded, minced
1 cup leaves from pea tendrils, arugula, or spinach, chopped
1/2 cup peas (from about 8 ounces peas in pods), chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped scallions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Steps:

  • For raita:
  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Cut top 1/2" off head of garlic; discard. Place garlic on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze cloves from skins, keeping cloves intact.
  • Stir cumin in a small dry skillet over medium heat until deep brown, 2-3 minutes. Let cool. Finely grind in a spice mill.
  • Mix yogurt, cucumber, cilantro, mint, jalapeño, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice in a medium bowl. Stir in cumin. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
  • For lentil cakes:
  • Rinse legumes; place in a medium bowl with rice. Add water to cover by 3". Let legumes and rice soak at room temperature for 3-5 hours.
  • Drain legumes and rice; transfer to a food processor. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeño. Process until grainy paste forms (add 1-2 tablespoons water if necessary). Transfer to a large bowl; mix in tendrils and next 6 ingredients.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon 4 scant 1/4-cupfuls of batter into skillet, flattening with the back of a measuring cup into 1/4"-thick cakes. Reduce heat to medium; sauté until golden brown and cooked through, adding 1 more tablespoon oil when cakes are flipped, about 4-5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining oil and batter. Divide raita among plates; top with a roasted garlic clove. Place 2 cakes on each plate.

INDIAN-INSPIRED CHICKEN WITH RAITA



Indian-Inspired Chicken With Raita image

I have not tried this dish yet; however, the yogurt-spice combination sounds really delicious along with the raita. Prep time does not include marinating time.

Provided by DailyInspiration

Categories     Chicken

Time 50m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup plain yogurt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
chicken, cut into 8 pieces (about 4 pounds chicken parts)
2 medium cucumbers (peeled, seeded and thinly sliced)
1/3 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Mix 1 cup yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, salt through red pepper in a large re-sealable food storage bag to blend. Add chicken; marinate in refrigerator 4 to 24 hours.
  • Preheat broiler. Cover baking sheet with foil. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from heat about 30 minutes or until cooked through, turning once.
  • Meanwhile, make Raita. Mix cucumbers, 1/3 cup yogurt, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Serve alongside chicken.

RAITA FOR SOUTHERN INDIAN CHICKEN CURRY



Raita for Southern Indian Chicken Curry image

This yogurt condiment is served with Southern Indian Chicken Curry with Mustard Seeds.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Yield Makes about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and seeded
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (8 ounces), whisked until smooth
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Chili powder, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Grate enough cucumber on the large holes of a box grater to measure 1/2 cup. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • Stir together cucumber, yogurt, and salt in a small bowl. Stir before using, and sprinkle with chili powder.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the raita will taste.
  • Don't overmix the raita. Overmixing can make the raita watery and bland.
  • Adjust the seasonings to taste. Add more salt, pepper, or cumin as needed.
  • Serve the raita chilled. Raita is best served cold, so make sure to chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish the raita with fresh herbs or spices. This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Raita is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of Indian dishes. It is also a healthy and refreshing snack. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a raita recipe that everyone will enjoy. Try experimenting with different ingredients and flavors to find your own favorite raita recipe. You can also use raita as a base for other dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, and wraps. The possibilities are endless!

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