Vegetable Raita is a popular Indian Condiment which is yogurt based. Made with mixed vegetables and curd, this is a popular side dish to main course meals like Pulao, Jeera Rice, Biryani etc.

Extremely summer friendly side dish recipe that can also be consumed as a savory yogurt snack on a warm summer afternoon. This is a no cook, one bowl recipe and literally life saving during summers.

This Indian accompaniment is something we consume almost every other day with our main meals, especially lunch. Being South Indians, we love our yogurt! We absolutely cannot live without it!

Raita also makes an excellent side dish recipe, a light accompaniment with roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, breads and rice recipes.

Vegetable Raita also tastes amazing with some of the South Indian Variety Rice Recipes like Tomato Rice, Brinjal Rice, Kovakkai Sadam

Our refrigerator at home is stocked with fresh home made curd at all times. In fact, we consume curd more than milk. South Indians not only consume fresh curd but also use them in a variety of curries.

Vegetable Raita is quite convenient to make and doesn’t follow a particular set of ingredients. You can use raw vegetables from the refrigerator and quickly whip up this side dish in under 15 minutes.

Vegetables Used for Mix Veg Raita

Cucumbers (Summer friendly) – I have peeled the cucumber skin because the Indian Cucumber peels are quite thick and may taste bitter too. Some even eliminate the seeds but I have retained them. English Cucumbers make a great alternative and can be added with their skin on.

Carrots – The Orange Carrots lend a tad bit of sweetness to the Raita and personally we love it. We prefer grated carrots instead of chopped. Easier to consume, especially for kids.

Onions – I absolutely cannot imagine Raita without onions. Especially when you are planning a summer friendly meal, Onions play a very important role in keeping the body heat low – Raw Onions, in particular.

Tomatoes – You can remove the seeds and finely chop the tomatoes but we prefer the raita with seeds. If you are serving this for kids, would recommend doing away with the seeds.

Some prefer the vegetables for the Raita to be finely chopped whereas we prefer a mix and match. For vegetables like Carrots and Cucumbers, we prefer grating them rather than chopping them as they make the condiment more creamier in texture. Whereas Onions and tomatoes are finely chopped.

I also don’t squeeze out the water from the cucumbers. Many recommend squeezing out the excess moisture from the cucumbers for a creamy raita but frankly we prefer retaining the same.

I keep the Raita pretty simple and don’t add any seasonings or spice mixes etc apart from salt! I do love chillies, especially green chillies and a ton of fresh green coriander or cilantro.

The hint of the herbs, heat from the chillies and the crunch from the raw vegetables can make even the most simplest of main course meals sing!

No measurements fuss free recipe

There is no set rule of how much vegetables one can add to this recipe. It entirely depends on what is available in your refrigerator and how much you enjoy eating this. It is that simple!

If you love cucumbers, add those extra and if you find the onions too strong, reduce the quantity. You can add vegetables like capsicum (finely chopped), mixed bell peppers, zucchini too to this recipe.

Can this be made ahead?

Absolutely yes! The chopping part can be done in advance (except onions) and stored in the refrigerator. When we have guests at home, I prep the vegetables and refrigerate it, whisk the curd along with salt and keep these bowls refrigerated until the guests arrive. Then it takes 5 minutes to mix, add the fresh cilantro and serve.

Leftover Raita

Raita is a condiment, I personally feel should be consumed immediately. If I have leftovers from lunch, we usually add a bit more curd and consume it during dinner.

However, I wouldn’t recommend stocking the raita and using it the next day. The onions, in particular, don’t taste great.

There are many versions of this recipe but I love the classics! For us, a good Raita should have one key component – Fresh Thick Home made Curd.

As I mentioned earlier, we set curd every single day. However, if you don’t follow this method at home, you can use store bought ready made yogurt too.

Additionally, Greek yogurt makes a great alternative too. It is a lot thicker than the fresh home made curd.

This recipe is a great way to consume raw vegetables in a fun way! Imagine a plate full of chopped vegetables and a bowl full of this yogurt yumminess.. I would certainly grab the bowl!

Other Raita Recipes on the blog –

1. Carrot Raita
2. Tomato Pachadi (South Indian Tomato Raita with coconut)
3. Lauki Raita (Bottlegourd)

Vegetable Raita Step by Step Recipe

(1) Peel and grate the cucumber and add it to a large glass bowl.

(2) Peel the carrots, grate and add it to the bowl.

(3) Finely chop onions and tomatoes and add it along with the cucumber and carrots. Mix well. Add finely chopped cilantro or coriander leaves along with finely chopped green chillies.

(4) Mix all the above ingredients well.

(5) Whisk the chilled curd well, add salt and then pour it into the vegetable mix.

(6) Now mix everything well until the curd coats the vegetables. Serve immediately or chill it in refrigerator and serve later.

Recipe Notes

• Use Chilled Curd for the Raita.
• I add salt to the curd instead of the vegetables because vegetables like cucumbers leave a ton of water when salt is added. This way, we can prep the vegetables and the curd in 2 separate bowls and mix together when ready to eat. You don’t want a runny watery raita. They should be thick and creamy. So add the salt only when you are ready to eat or serve.
• This is an oil free recipe. However, you can add a tempering of mustard seeds with a tsp of oil, if you like.

Vegetable Raita / Mixed Veg Raita

Vidya Narayan

Vegetable Raita is a popular Indian Condiment or Side Dish for main course recipes like Pulao, Biryani and Indian Breads made with curd or yogurt and mixed vegetables. Summer Friendly, No Cook recipe in under 30 minutes.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Appetizer, Condiments, Side Dish

Cuisine Indian, north indian

Servings 1 bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 no. Cucumber (Medium Size)
• 1 no Carrot
• 1 no Onion
• 2 nos Tomatoes
• 2 cups Thick Curd or Yogurt 1 cup is 250 ml measurement
• 1 no. Fresh green chillies finely chopped
• Coriander leaves finely chopped as required
• salt to taste

Instructions

 

• Peel and grate the cucumber and add it to a large glass bowl.
• Peel the carrots, grate and add it to the bowl.
• Finely chop onions and tomatoes and add it along with the cucumber and carrots. Mix well. Add finely chopped cilantro or coriander leaves along with finely chopped green chillies.
• Mix all the above ingredients well.
• Whisk the chilled curd well, add salt and then pour it into the vegetable mix. Now mix everything well until the curd coats the vegetables. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Use Chilled Curd for the Raita.
• I add salt to the curd instead of the vegetables because vegetables like cucumbers leave a ton of water when salt is added. This way, we can prep the vegetables and the curd in 2 separate bowls and mix together when ready to eat. You don’t want a runny watery raita. They should be thick and creamy. So add the salt only when you are ready to eat or serve.
• This is an oil free recipe. However, you can add a tempering of mustard seeds with a tsp of oil, if you like.

Keyword No Cook Recipe,, Raita Recipe, recipe under 30 minutes, side dish for pulao, vegetable raita

Tried this recipe?Share your feedback @masalachilli_vidyanarayan or tag #masalachilli_vidyanarayan

This blog post was published in March 2018 and I have now updated the post with detailed step by step pics and added information.

Tried this recipe? Share it with us! Take a picture and share it via email on [email protected] or you could TAG US on any of our social media handles – INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, FACEBOOK PAGE AND PINTEREST.

Help us Grow! Share the recipe with your family and friends.. Encourage everyone around you to cook at home.

You can also subscribe to our website to receive all the delicious recipes in your mail box.

We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!

Vidya Narayan