No matter the flavor, they’re full of goodness. And they’re just what you need after a spice-packed Indian curry! Served as a dip or sauce, raita is a super popular Indian side dish. Made from yogurt and spices, it’s cool, refreshing, and loaded with healthy ingredients. You’ll often find it brimming with chopped veggies, such as cucumber, onions, and tomatoes. But I’ve also had it full of fruit, including pineapple and mango. From traditional to creative, you’ll love every single one of these raita recipes!
How To Make Indian Raita
1. Cucumber Raita
If you’re a fan of tzatziki, you’ll love this cucumber raita recipe. Made with yogurt, fresh cucumbers, and herbs, it’s wonderfully light and refreshing. This type of raita is often served as a side to biryani or pulao, but it’ll be lovely with any of your favorite Indian meals. Hot tip: Make sure to use fresh, non-sour cucumbers. And for the best texture, remove the seeds and the skin. Trust me, the attention to detail is worth it!
2. Boondi Raita
Boondi is a crunchy fried treat in the shape of little balls. They’re made using gram flour and are often gobbled up as a snack or in dishes like raita. The crunchy balls add so much texture to the smooth and creamy raita. They also absorb whey from the yogurt, leaving them absolutely mouth melting. Just be sure not to use Greek yogurt to make the raita. Otherwise, the boondi won’t soak up any of the leftover whey.
3. Pineapple Raita
This sweet and savory pineapple raita is the perfect side dish for just about everything. Refreshing, tangy, and sweet, it’s bursting with delicious flavors. And the juicy chunks of fruit add a lovely burst of sweetness to each bite. You’ll whisk yogurt with herbs and essential spices before mixing in the fruit to create the most delicate and balanced side dish. Serve it with stuffed flatbreads, theplas, kebabs, fried rice, curries, or lentils. It can also be eaten as a dip for crackers. Talk about versatile!
4. Onion Raita (Pyaz ka Raita)
Need a cooling side dish ready in under 10 minutes? This onion raita has you covered. There’s no need to suffer under the heat of your favorite Indian curries and spicy dishes anymore! Simply take a refreshing spoon of this soothing raita and say ‘ah.’ Plus, it’s no-cook and stores well in the refrigerator. So, if you fancy having a curry two or three times this week, you already have the perfect side at the ready.
5. Capsicum Raita
This tasty side dish is a slightly spiced and flavorful raita made with capsicum (bell peppers). Pair it with any of your favorite Indian main meals, from curry to flatbread. Or, I highly recommend enjoying it with roti-sabzi! Toasted mustard seeds add a lovely depth of flavor to this side dish. It’s so tasty when paired with red chili pepper and cumin powder.
6. Burani Raita
What’s better than a side dish you can make in under 10 minutes? A side dish you can make in under 5 minutes, of course! This burani is so quick and easy to throw together. And as the name suggests, it’s a condiment usually made for biryani. The use of raw garlic makes it unique from other raita recipes. This adds a fantastic, pungent flavor to the yogurt. That said, you can always sauté the garlic for a more mellow taste.
7. Fruit Raita
This sweet style of raita works well with curry, but it can also be eaten as a dessert. Brimming with bananas, pomegranates, and apples, every bite is simply delish! And it’s super adaptable, too, so throw in any fruits you have on hand. Top it with dry fruits, chopped cashews, or sliced almonds for a more filling and nutritious dish.
8. Mint Raita
Mint adds a lovely refreshing kick to creamy raita. Plus, it’s super good for you, which is always good to hear! It’ll help boost your digestion and numb the taste of spice. So if you’ve bitten off more than you can chew with that vindaloo, add a dollop of this mint raita! There are actually two kinds of mint raita: one that goes well with biryani and pulao and one that’s ideal for grilled meats and kebabs.
9. Cucumber Tomato Raita
This cucumber and tomato raita is another delicious side dish for all your favorite Indian dishes. And it only takes five ingredients! It’s refreshing, packed with veggies, and terrifically spiced. Cucumber and tomatoes bring lovely texture and a refreshing bite. But you can use any kind of cooling veggies you have in the fridge.
10. Mango Mint Raita
If you’ve been here before, you’ll know I’m slightly obsessed with mangoes. So when I say this mango and mint raita is incredible, you know it’s true! Juicy, refreshing, and sweet mangoes add a lovely balance to the tart yogurt and herbaceous mint. This is definitely the perfect side dish for summer.
11. Pomegranate Raita
Juicy pops of fresh and fruity pomegranate bring so much fun texture to this raita recipe. Delicate and eye-catching, it looks as good as it tastes too! Loaded with subtle notes of garlic, coriander leaves, and ground cumin, every mouthful is a flavor-filled dream.
12. Beetroot Raita (Beet Raita)
Searching for a show-stopping side dish to brighten your table? This stunning purply-pink beetroot raita is just the ticket. The more beets in your diet, the better. These purple veggies are super nutritious, and they’re wonderfully cooling too. One taste of this gorgeous beetroot raita, and you’ll want to eat it by the ladle.
13. Makhana Raita (Phool Makhana Raita)
Looking to try something new? This makhana raita is perfect for the adventurous eaters out there. It’s made with yogurt, roasted phool makhana (puffed lotus seeds), and Indian spice powder. Makhana are dried edible lotus seeds that come from a type of water lily found in southern Asia. So, they may be tough to get your hands on. But if you can, it’s definitely worth a try!
14. Beet and Cucumber Raita
Here’s another dazzling raita recipe to add to your table. It’s visually striking, deliciously aromatic, and delightfully cooling – that sounds pretty perfect to me! In my opinion, the easiest way to cook beets is to use an Instant Pot. By steaming them, you keep all the nutritious juices. Pair this delicious and stunning side dish with spicy curries. Or simply enjoy it as a dip. It’s delicious either way.
15. Aloo Raita (Potato Raita)
Need to use up some potatoes? Try this aloo raita recipe. Plus, it comes together in under 20 minutes. And it’s even quicker to make if you have leftover boiled potatoes. The best part about this dish is that it’s super easy to modify. So, keep it savory or sweeten it with a light touch of tamarind chutney or sugar. It’s all up to you!
16. Lauki Ka Raita (Bottle Gourd Raita)
Lauki is the Hindi name for bottle gourds, also known as calabash or opo squash. They’re a cooling and watery vegetable that’s a perfect addition to summer raita recipes. Packed with nutrients and everything you need to stay refreshed, it’s best served with an Indian rice dish for a deliciously light meal.
17. Masala Raita
In need of a near-instant side dish? This masala raita can be on the table in just 2 minutes. Yes, you read that right! There’s no chopping or cooking required here. Simply throw the curd in a bowl, whisk, and add your spices and water. Then refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Yeah, it really is that easy.
18. Carrot Raita
This carrot raita is the ultimate summer side dish and dip. It’s cooling, refreshing, and super nutritious. Plus, vibrant grated carrots add a wonderful pop of color, making it ideal for your summer table. Add a handful of chopped chilies for an extra kick.
19. Vegetable Raita / Mixed Veg Raita
Packed with raw, crunchy veg, this vegetable raita is the healthy side dish you never knew you needed. The slight tang from yogurt is balanced by a mild sweetness from the vegetables. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of fresh herbs and a bit of heat from chili powder. This simple classic dish is fuss-free, oil-free, and a great way to include raw vegetables in your diet!
20. Strawberry Raita
Bursting with juicy strawberries, this fruity raita is one of the best summer side dishes you’ll ever try. Not only is it pretty and tasty, but strawberries are jam-packed with antioxidants. Serve this raita with Indian parathas, fried rice, curries, or lentils.
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