What is Chutney? 12 Authentic Chutney Recipes

Chutney is a savory or sweet and spiced condiment or accompaniment to many dishes.  They are quick to make at home and will help you to level up and add depth to your everyday dishes! See recipe card for 10 minute mint green chutney for samosas, sandwiches and so much more. Plus, learn 12 more chutney recipes.
4 chutneys in a collage for 12+ chutney recipes

In this round up I’ve included a wide variety of chutneys, including staple chutneys we always have on hand.

All recipes are vegetarian. Most are gluten-free and vegan as well!

Chutneys originated in India and have since spread globally and been adopted by various countries. Chutney is derived from the Hindi word chatni which means to lick or eat with appetite.

Chutneys can take every day dishes to a whole new level by adding depth of flavor and variety. Authentic Indian chutneys are easy and quick to make with simple ingredients.

 In Indian cuisine, chutneys are a staple part of many dishes. 

9 chutneys in rectangle bowls.

So, what is a chutney? A chutney is a popular Indian condiment which is made in many different flavors.  It is essentially blend of various ingredients such as spices, herbs, fruits, dry fruits, coconut and vegetables into a paste. Some chutneys are however chunkier in consistency.

Chutneys are served with many Indian dishes. For example, cilantro chutney is often seen served with samosas, dhoklas or even sandwiches. Coconut chutney tastes amazing with dosas. 

Growing up, my Mom made dozens and dozens of types.  I’m sharing some in this post and will update as I document more.

The flavors, texture and thickness of chutneys are varied. Dependent on the dish you are making, you may want a thicker or saucier chutney. The good thing is, it is very easy to change up the consistency.

Read through to learn more about different types of chutneys and the dishes they pair with!

Types of Chutneys

There are many types of chutneys, and they are essentially a blend of main ingredients, such as cilantro and mint, mixed with spices and then mixed with water to make it a perfect consistency. 

Often, Indian chutneys vary regionally across India according to local tastes and fresh ingredients.

Indian chutneys do NOT use vinegar.  They are made with fresh ingredients and used fairly quickly or stored by refrigeration or stored.

They can be a sweet, spicy or savory condiment. There are even yogurt based chutneys like Mint Yogurt Chutney and Jalapeno Chutney. There are many types!

Chutneys are made with a main ingredient and just a few Indian spices that give authentic flavor. You can vary the main ingredient to make different types.

The sauce eaten with samosas is called chutney. Samosa sauces are chutneys that are served alongside samosa and used as a complementary “dipping sauce” for added depth of flavor.

Flavors and ingredients: Many types of chutney. Fruit chutneys, coconut chutneys, tomato chutney and even peanut chutney.

Texture: Smooth chutneys or chunky ones

Moong dal pudla with cilantro chutney.
Serve with chutney of choice

What are the top three sauces at Indian restaurants?

The three sauces at Indian restaurants most commonly served are a green sauce, brown sauce and a red sauce.  In order these are, mint cilantro chutney, tamarind chutney and garlic chutney. They cover the notes of a savory chutney, a sweet/sour chutney and a spicy chutney.  Samosa dipping sauces:

What do you eat chutney with?

Chutneys are eaten with many Indian dishes and Indian snacks. Served at room temperature as a side or accompaniment to meals.

They are used in chaats such as Samosa Chaat or Tater Tot Chaat, sandwiches, with khaman/dhokla, pudla/chillas, and a large variety of Indian food.

Crispy frozen cocktail samosas with samosa sauce.

Samosa

The dipping sauce eaten with samosas is called chutney. Samosa sauces are chutneys that are served alongside samosa and used as a complementary “dipping sauce” for added depth of flavor.

Dosas and idlis

Southern Indian style chutneys that are paired with dosas and idlis typically have the below characteristics but don’t HAVE to have these:

  1. Use coconut (fresh coconut traditionally used, but since it’s not easily accessible to all in the US desiccated can also be used)
  2. Have ground dal (lentils)
  3. Include a tempering of oil (may include mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chilies, chana dal, and urad dal)
Beet Dosas Pink Dosas

Equipment for chutney

To make chutney the equipment will vary dependent on the type of chutney.  But, the basic things needed are:

  1. A blender
  2. Small sauce pan
  3. Mixing bowl
High speed blender making garlic chutney.

Chutney Recipes

Scroll through below to see many classic, popular chutneys as well as a few you may not have come across before!

Garlic Tomato Chutney in a bowl with curry leaves on top

Garlic Tomato Chutney for Dosa or Pudla

Garlic tomato chutney, also known as tamatar chutney or tamatar pachadi goes so well with dosa, idli, vada and one of our family faves moong dal pudla. It can be served with so many things including chapathi or even sandwiches. It is made easily used canned, crushed tomatoes.
Get the recipe
Cilantro chutney in a bowl with a coriander leaf

10 Minute Indian Cilantro (Coriander) Chutney Recipe – (Chutney for samosas, sandwiches etc)

Homemade and quick coriander chutney that is so versatile and goes with so many Indian dishes such as samosas, sandwiches, chaats, pakora and more!
Get the recipe

If you’d like to use a little less sugar, date chutney can be a great pick. It uses the natural sugar of dates to reduce the amount of sugar needed.

You can even use a combination of dry fruits to include raisins ans apricots to make your own version.

sweet dates chutney in a square steel bowl

Date Chutney

Khajoor ki chutney is a sweet and mildly spiced date chutney without tamarind (imli).  It is tasty and very easy to make. Khajoor means dates, the dried fruit.  Khajoor chutney goes great with pani puri, chaats, sev pur, samosas and so much more.
Get the recipe

Mint chutney is very versatile. It’s great to make a big batch during the summer mint growing months!

Mint chutney in a bowl with a mint leaf on top

Mint Chutney – Pudina Coriander Chutney

Bright green chutney! Pudina coriander chutney or mint chutney for dhokla, samosas, sandwiches, bhajiya, chaats and so much more
Get the recipe
besan chutney in a small glass bowl.

Besan Chutney

Besan chutney is a quick to make and tangy, spicy and unique in flavor. It is a delicious accompaniment to fafda, dhokla, gathiya or even bhajiya and gota.
Get the recipe
Apple butter chutney in a square small bowl.

Easy Apple Butter Chutney

The easiest no cook and my favorite chutney, apple butter chutney, which needs no tamarind. It is sweet and spicy with its main component from apples, apple butter! No prep time needed, just mixing!
Get the recipe
Pinapple chutney in a bowl with mint as garnish.

Pineapple Chutney (Canned or Fresh Pineapple)

Pineapple chutney is easy and flavor packed! Use either canned or fresh pineapple to quickly make this tangy accompaniment to your dishes. The notes of spice complement the juicy, sweet pineapples and the mint ties it all together to add punches of freshness.
Get the recipe

Garlic chutney is a hot chutney that packs a big punch! It is key to popular chaat recipes such as Aloo Chana Chaat.

5 Minute Garlic Chutney (Lasan ni Chutney)

Instant garlic chutney, also known as Gujarati lasan ni chutney or lasun ki chutney is a spicy garlic chutney that is key to so many Indian dishes.  No cooking isneeded and it is ready in 5 minutes.
Get the recipe
Momo chutney in a green bowl on a gray plate.

Momo Chutney Recipe

Momo chutney recipe street style made at home! This is a bright, spicy and delicious chutney or momo sauce that is like the Nepali style tomato and chilli chutney.  It is an orange – red chutney that is served with momos or steamed dumplings. 
Get the recipe
cranberry chutney recipe

Indian Cranberry Chutney (Dried or Fresh Cranberries)

Easy cranberry chutney recipe made in under 10 minutes with dried or fresh cranberries. A bright, fresh chutney with Indian spices that you can use on so many dishes.
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Coconut chutney can be made using fresh coconut or desiccated. It is delicious to dig into with some fresh dosa!

Coconut chutney in a gray bowl on a gray plate

Green Coconut Chutney / Coriander Coconut Chutney

This simple chutney is addictive with big coconut flavor, texture added with chana and urad dal. 
Get the recipe

If you are looking for a unique chutney, try this vegetable chutney below!

Tadka on top of carrot chutney

Carrot Chutney Recipe

Indian carrot chutney recipe with a kick in 20 minutes! Carrots, onions and spices come together to make a quick, savory chutney.  It goes great with dosas, sandwiches and more. Great way to use up carrot tops. Give it a try it may become a family favorite like ours! Great way to use up those carrots sitting in the back of your fridge. This carrot chutney has no garlic.
Get the recipe
methi masala or achar masala

Achar Masala or Methi Masala

Methi masala is a spice blend that can be used to make achars (pickled dishes), sprinkled on khichu or khakras or just added to any dish to spice it up!
Get the recipe

How do you store chutney?

The best way to store chutney is to refrigerate and use within 4-5 days. Use an airtight container or a glass jar.  They also freeze very well.

Most chutneys can be frozen and stored for long periods.

Try it? Leave a review, love to hear feedback! Or tag me on Instagram @some_indian_girl

4 chutneys in a collage for 12+ chutney recipes

What is Chutney? + 12 Chutney Recipes

Shilpa Joshi
Chutney is a savory or sweet and spiced condiment or accompaniment to many dishes.  They are quick to make at home and will help you to level up and add depth to your everyday dishes! See recipe card for 10 minute mint green chutney for samosas, sandwiches and so much more. Plus, learn 12 more chutney recipes.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Chutney
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1 cup
Calories 109 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups mint leaves packed
  • 1 cup cilantro
  • 1 green chilli
  • inch ginger wash thoroughly, no need to peel
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • cup chilled water
  • 2 tbsp dahlia

Notes

You can skip the ice cubes if you don’t have but it helps to get that bright green color.  The ice cubes help prevent the heat of the motor changing color of the leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1350mgPotassium: 670mgFiber: 9gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 4905IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 234mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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