Cucumber Raita – Easy Indian Raita made with cucumber, yogurt, herbs and mild spices! The ultimate companion to any curry! Step by Step method included.

We really love serving this Indian Raita with cucumber along with Vegetable Biryani, Paneer Biryani and Chana Masala. Do you?

An Indian meal is absolutely incomplete without yogurt. This yogurt condiment aids the cooling factor to balance the heat & spice from the curries.

HOW TO MAKE EASY INDIAN RAITA – CUCUMBER RAITA?

Name: CUCUMBER RAITA RECIPE
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 4 People
Ingredients: 1 Cup of Plain Full fat Yogurt; 1/2 Cup of Cucumber (finely diced); 1/2 Tsp Roasted Cumin Powder; 1/4- 1/2 Tsp Red Chilli Powder; 1/2 Tsp Chaat Masala Powder (optional); Salt & Pepper to taste; 1 Tbsp Coriander leaves (chopped)

Making Indian Raita is easier than pie for sure. J 🙂 We require basic ingredients like yogurt, cucumber, spices, herbs and just about 10 minutes at hand to whip up this cooling cucumber yogurt dip.

My simple mantra for a great Indian Raita is – For every 2 cup of yogurt, I would like to add 1 portion of vegetables. So that’s basically 2:1 ratio for Yogurt to Vegetables. This proportion gives us a nice consistency of yogurt and the added ingredients.

Now, it’s time to add in some simple spices to flavour our yogurt. I like to keep it simple with roasted Cumin Powder and Chilli Powder most of the times. Cumin Powder adds the delicious cooling punch to the yogurt whereas Chilli Powder adds the teeny heat to the raita.

You may also choose to add Chaat Masala if you like (easily available in Grocery stores across UK).

Did you know – Cumin Seeds are great for your digestion? Every once in a while I like to enjoy a teaspoon of cumin seeds with a glass of water after the meal.

Season with salt & pepper to your flavour and tip in lots of finely chopped cilantro leaves. Serve Chilled!

For spicier Raita, add finely minced green chilli. ( this is optional. )

Two ways to make simple Cucumber Raita

Grate the cucumber, squeeze out the juice and then add it to the yogurt along with spices. Cover and Chill the Cucumber Mint raita in the fridge , until serving. I prefer not to discard the cucumber juice, instead you can use this liquid to dilute the yogurt, if you prefer.

My favourite way of making cucumber raita recipe is to finely dice the cucumber or mince the cucumber and add it to the chilled yogurt, cumin powder, herbs like coriander or mint, salt & pepper and serve. You many as well store it in the refrigerator until it is time for serving.

I really cannot imagine serving Curry dishes without its accompaniments – popadoms, pickle, raita and naan bread.

You may also love to check out Plum Raita & Lauki Raita – Preparation for this raita is quite different to the simple no cook raita’s.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF RAITA?

Yogurt – Plain Yogurt or Greek Yogurt – Both works well. If you are using Greek Yogurt, just dilute it with a little water.

Cucumber – Just Cucumber! But, you can always use a mixture of vegetables too like onion, tomato and cucumber too , if you fancy.

Spice Powders – Cumin Powder, Chilli Powder. Some people opt to add chaat masala. But I have chosen to leave it out.

Herbs – I have used coriander leaves. But you can also use mint leaves too.

Salt & Pepper to taste.

HOW TO MAKE CUCUMBER RAITA STEP BY STEP

Place Yogurt in a bowl and whisk until smooth. If you are using Greek yogurt, dilute it with a little water.
Add the diced cucumber, cumin powder, chilli powder and salt.
Also add finely chopped coriander leaves. Reserve some for garnishing.
Stir until completely mixed. Taste and add more seasoning. Serve it chilled.

INDIAN RAITA – FAQ’S & TIPS

Can I use Greek Yogurt for making Raita? Greek Yogurt is thick and creamy. Add some water to dilute the consistency and whisk smooth.

What is the difference between raita & tzatziki ? Tzatziki is a greek yogurt dip made with cucumber, garlic, greek yogurt, herbs like dill, coriander leaves and mint. Cucumber raita is made with cucumber, yogurt, cumin powder, chilli powder and coriander leaves.

Indian Raita has many variations – You can make Pineapple Raita, Mixed Vegetable Raita, Tomato Raita, Boondi and many more.

How To Make Roasted Cumin Powder / Bhuna Jeera Powder – In a deep pan, add cumin seeds and roast them at medium heat unti till they are golden and aromatic. Transfer the roasted cumin seeds on a plate and allow them to cool down. Transfer the cooled cumin seeds into a grinder and blend them to a fine powder. You may place this roasted cumin powder masala in an airtight container and store them in room temperature.

HAVE YOU MADE MY EASY CUCUMBER RAITA DIP ?

Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #sandhyaskitchen. I would love to see your take on this summer cooling cucumber raita sauce!

CUCUMBER RAITA RECIPE BELOW

5 from 3 votes

CUCUMBER RAITA RECIPE

Prep Time

10 mins

Cucumber Raita - Easy Indian Raita prepared with cucumber, yogurt, cumin & coriander leaves.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: cucumber raita, easy indian raita, raita, yogurt side dish

Servings: 4 People

Author: Sandhya Hariharan

Ingredients

1 Cup of Plain Full fat Yogurt
1/2 Cup of Cucumber finely diced
1/2 Tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
1/4- 1/2 Tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 Tsp Chaat Masala Powder optional
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Tbsp Coriander leaves chopped

Instructions

Place Yogurt in a bowl and whisk it until smooth. If the yogurt is thick in consistency, add 1/4 Cup of water and whisk again to adjust the consistency.
Tip in cucumber, spice powders, salt,pepper & coriander leaves and mix until combined.
Garnish with more coriander leaves and serve cucumber raita chilled.