Cucumber raita is a yogurt based side made with fresh cucumbers, herbs and spices. Cucumber raita is one of the most commonly made accompaniment to go with a biryani or pulao. A basic raita is made of yogurt, mild spice powders and favorite veggies or fruits. Onions, tomatoes, cucumber are few veggies that are often used.
Onion raita, mint raita & boondi raita are some of the varieties that are loved and made often at home. Raita is a great accompaniment not only to biryani & pulao but it can be enjoyed in any Indian meal.
Cucumber raita is very very delicious, healthy and keeps the body cool during summer. To make this, all we need is fresh cucumber, roasted cumin powder, pepper powder and salt. Mint, coriander leaves, green chili or fresh ginger juice can also be used.
Cucumbers help in digestion and brings down the heat in the biryani. I prefer to keep our weekend meal simple, so I made this raita to go with the vegetable coconut milk pulao.
You can also serve cucumber raita with
Chicken biryani
Mutton biryani
Veg biryani
Recipe of cucumber raita
Cucumber raita recipe
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 1 cup cucumber chopped
- 1½ cup yogurt (more if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt as needed
- ½ teaspoon roasted ground cumin (refer notes)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (cilantro finely chopped)
optional
- 4 to 5 mint leaves (optional, finely chopped)
- 1 green chili pepper (seeded and chopped)
- ¼ inch fresh ginger (peeled, grated & crushed)
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse cucumber and chop to tiny bite size pieces (about half inch). Also fine chop coriander and mint leaves.
- Deseed the green chilli pepper and chop.
- Optional – Grate ginger and crush it to a fine paste. If you don't like the ginger fibers, you may add the 1 teaspoon grated ginger to a tea strainer and press down with your finger to extract the juice. You can use about 1 teaspoon juice.
- Add ground cumin to a small pan and heat it on a low flame. You will soon smell it good. Remove it and cool. Do not roast it too long it burns quickly.
How to make cucumber raita
- Whisk chilled yogurt in a large mixing bowl. Add chopped cucumber, green chilies, coriander leaves, mint leaves, ginger and salt. Mix all of them.
- Taste test and add more salt if needed. Drizzle cumin powder & ground black pepper.
- Serve cucumber raita as a side in an Indian meal. It is usually eaten with Vegetable biryani or chicken biryani.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
Notes
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Pearl says
Raita is excellent ie cucumber without ginger great recipes
swasthi says
Thank you!
Kaitlyn says
I love all of your recipes, they are very intriguing to read as I have never tried Indian food. This gives me a great place to go and see a bit more of my boyfriend’s culture as I am American. You have such good presentation as well! 🙂 You are a great cook and photographer 🙂
swasthi says
Hey Kaitlyn
Glad to know you love the recipes. Thanks a lot for the compliments.
🙂
Good luck and keep trying!!
Aisha Sakrekar says
Very nice and simple Swasthi, I always refer to your style recipes. Good keep it up. The ingredients and explanation is also great.
swasthi says
Thanks Aisha
Debangshu Mondal says
Chicken biryani was so. Good Thanks Swasthi ..
swasthi says
welcome
Ayesha says
Nice and yummy dishes recipes thanks for this ??
swasthi says
welcome Ayesha
Andrea says
Veg Biryani Recipe (restaurant style): I am from Austria (Europe) and lived in Chennai for 3 years. I am vegetarian and love Indian food. Today I cooked the veg biryani according to your recipe. The outcome is unbelievable delicous. Thank you so much. The recipe is just perfect. Easy to follow even for a non-Indian ;-).
swasthi says
Hello Andrea
Glad to know you. So glad to know you liked the biryani. Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate your comment.
Ana says
Thanks. The dish was nice.
swasthi says
welcome
Nazi says
This resipy very simple and tasty
swasthi says
Thanks Nazi
Easyfoodsmith says
Can’t imagine a meal without raita during summers. Cucumber raita is much loved in my house. Lovely pics 🙂
Ana says
Can’t imagine a meal without raita when its summers here. Cucumber one is much loved in my house. Lovely pics 🙂
veena says
comforting and refreshing salad