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Updated: August 30, 2022, By Swasthi, Comments, Jump to Recipe
Onion Chutney is a South Indian side dish made with onions, spices and herbs. It is a quick, delicious and hot side that goes well with most Indian Breakfasts & Snacks. This onion chutney tastes hot and sour with hints of sweetness. So it can be served with many different foods. Try it out with Idli, Dosa, Pesarattu, Parathas, Sandwiches, Pakora & Cutlets. You can also smear this over your rotis or tortillas to make your rolls & wraps.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (2) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/onion-chutney.jpg.webp)
About Onion Chutney
Onion Chutney is a Indian chutney variety made with onions as the main ingredient. Various spices like dried red chilies, ginger, garlic, cumin seeds are used to add flavor and heat. Herbs like curry leaves and coriander leaves are used to add some freshness to the onion chutney.
Depending on the region ingredients like lentils or peanuts are also added to impart a nutty aroma.
Spicy Onion chutney is an everyday food made in many South Indian homes and restaurants. It is usually served as a side with soft Idli, Crispy Dosa, fluffy Uttapam and also with snacks like Bonda etc.
There are 2 ways a onion chutney is made. One of them uses raw onions and the other one is with Sautéed onions. The raw onion chutney is a hit or a miss So I always prefer this sauteed onion chutney.
My Recipe
Onion is one of the ingredients we add to many different kinds of chutneys as it imparts a sweet aroma without making your chutney taste sweet. It also wonderfully balances the tang and heat from ingredients like tomatoes, red chilies, ginger and garlic.
But this recipe uses onions itself as the main ingredient and the rest of the ingredients help to balance the sweet and pungent flavor of the onions. The key step in this recipe is to saute/ fry the onions well until they loose the raw flavor and just begin to caramelize or turn golden.
This Chutney is also a great alternate to those tomato and coconut based chutneys when you run out of tomatoes or coconut.
Onion chutney is best when made with shallots but in this post I have used regular onions. Peeling the shallots does take some time so I have used regular onions. Here are some of the variations I make to this chutney
Variations
- This chutney recipe is like a base, you can make many varieties out of this. Just choose any single veggie like carrot, beetroot, brinjal, ridge gourd, broccoli or even tomato. You can set aside the fried onion mixture. Then add the veggie of your choice and saute well until soft. Blend together. You can check a similar recipe here – Broccoli chutney.
- You can also add some coriander leaves or mint leaves to the pan after the onions are fried. Saute well for few mins.
- In this recipe I have used some peanuts, chana dal & urad dal. You can skip the peanuts and make just with dal. Alternately skip the dal and just use more of peanuts.
For more Chutney recipes, you can check
Pudina chutney (mint chutney)
Peanut chutney
Coconut chutney
Tomato chutney
How to Make Onion Chutney (Stepwise Photos)
Preparation
1. Wash and peel 2 medium onions. Chop or cube them to 1 inch pieces. Or You can also use 1 cup shallots.
2. Soak 1 teaspoon tamarind and 1 teaspoon jaggery in half cup water. Often tamarind has impurities, so I just rinse it once and soak in water. You can also use it directly, if you do not prefer to soak.
3. Heat 1½ to 2 tablespoons oil in a pan. Do not reduce oil otherwise onions will not fry well. Add the following ingredients to the hot oil:
- ¾ tablespoon chana dal
- ¾ tablespoon urad dal
- 2 tablespoons peanuts
- 3 to 4 dried red chilies
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (3) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-01.jpg.webp)
4. Fry them on a medium heat until lightly golden & aromatic. Add 2 garlic cloves.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (4) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-03.jpg.webp)
5. Next add onions. Fry for 3 to 4 mins on a medium flame.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (5) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-04.jpg.webp)
6. Then add curry leaves and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. You can also skip curry leaves. I prefer to add as they are healthy. Fry until the onions wilt completely and turn soft. They should have a nice roasted flavor and not raw.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (6) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-05.jpg.webp)
Grind Onion Chutney
7. Cool these completely and add them to the jar.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (7) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-06.jpg.webp)
8. Squeeze the soaked tamarind with your fingers. Pour it to the jar. I prefer to pass it through the filter.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (8) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-08.jpg.webp)
9. I forgot to add the salt in the earlier step, so I added it here.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (9) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-09.jpg.webp)
10. Taste test and add more salt & tamarind. You can add more water to the soaked tamarind, and pour it to the chutney. Pour more water if needed and blend again to bring it to the consistency you desire.
Temper the Chutney
11. Tempering is optional and can be skipped. Heat the same pan with ½ tablespoon oil. When the oil is hot, add
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon urad dal
- 1 broken dried red chili. When the dal turns light golden, add curry leaves and 1 pinch hing. Turn off the stove.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (10) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/onion-chutney-recipe-11.jpg.webp)
12. Pour this to the chutney. I usually pour the chutney to the pan and mix. Serve onion chutney with idli, dosa and snacks. You can store this in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
![Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (11) Onion Chutney Recipe - Swasthi's Recipes (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/onion-chutney-recipe.jpg.webp)
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Recipe Card
Onion Chutney Recipe
4.98 from 82 votes
Spicy onion chutney is a south Indian side made with onions or shallots, spices and curry leaves. It can be served with most Indian breakfasts and snacks like idli, dosa, vada, bonda , pakoras etc.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Prep Time8 minutes minutes
Cook Time8 minutes minutes
Total Time16 minutes minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
- 1 cup onions cubed (2 medium) (or shallots)
- 1½ to 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons peanuts
- ¾ tablespoon bengal gram chana dal (optional)
- ¾ tablespoon skinned black gram (urad dal) (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 to 4 dried red chilies (less spicy variety or 1 tsp chilli powder)
- 1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 teaspoon tamarind ( or lemon juice as needed)
- 1 teaspoon jaggery or sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt ( or as needed)
- ½ cup water
To Temper
- ½ tablespoons oil
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon urad dal (optional)
- ½ dried red chili (broken)
- 10 curry leaves
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
Instructions
Preparation
This step is optional but I prefer to soak my jaggery and tamarind in water. Filter and use as most times both of these have some debris. However you may add them directly. Soak 1 teaspoon tamarind and 1 teaspoon jaggery in half cup water. Set this aside.
How to Make Onion Chutney
Pour 1½ tbsp oil to a pan and heat it.Add ¾ tablespoon chana dal, ¾ tablespoon urad dal, 2 tablespoons peanuts and 3 to 4 dried red chilies.
Fry until them stirring often until lightly golden & aromatic.
Add 2 garlic and 1 cup cubed onions. Fry them for 3 to 4 mins until the onions are half done.
Next add jeera and curry leaves.Saute until the onions are light golden or turn soft.Cool completely.
Next add these to a blender jar along with ½ teaspoon salt.Squeeze soaked tamarind in the water.
Filter it through a small sieve or tea strainer. Blend all of these until smooth adding more water as needed.
Taste test and add more salt. If needed pour more water to the soaked tamarind & filter it back to the jar. Transfer the onion chutney to a serving bowl.
Tempering
Pour ½ tbsp oil to the pan & heat it on a medium flame.When the oil turns hot, add ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds, ¼ teaspoon urad dal and ½ dried red chili.
Fry till the dal turns light golden, then add curry leaves and hing.
Pour this to the chutney.Serve onion chutney with breakfast or snacks.
Notes
1½ to 2 tablespoons oil may seem a lot for this chutney but you really need a good amount of oil to fry the onions well else it is hard to get rid of the raw smell from them.
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.
Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
Nutrition Facts
Onion Chutney Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 399mg17%
Potassium 301mg9%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 580IU12%
Vitamin C 149mg181%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Onion Chutney Recipe first published in February 2018. Updated & republished in March 2022.
About Swasthi
I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me
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Comments
41 Comments
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Sue
March 18, 2024 3:12 am
Can I substitute peanuts with other nuts?
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sue
March 18, 2024 3:52 am
Hi Sue,
I haven’t tried with other nuts. But you can use dal/lentils as mentioned in the post and omit the peanuts. Use 2 tbps dal
Reply
Kavya
January 28, 2024 11:12 am
Hi i have been following your page for every recipe I need ever since I started cooking which is almost ten years. Thanks so much to you and your page. Love it.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Kavya
January 28, 2024 1:19 pm
I am so excited Kavya! Thank you so much for being a long time reader! Your comment is much appreciated!
Reply
Lexistarlight
December 23, 2023 11:07 am
Can I just serve whole in lieu of blending it in processor? I like texture in my food. Will make it as I love onions and Indian food is my favorite.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Lexistarlight
December 23, 2023 11:19 am
Hi,
Yes you can use it without blending. Here are some changes that will make it taste good.
1. You can omit peanuts from the recipe or fry them separately right at the beginning and remove them to a bowl to garnish while serving.
2. Chop the onions slightly smaller in size. If you have tamarind you may use it.
3. The lentils will turn hard so add little water and cook them out. Omit the final tempering.
Hope you like it.
Reply
Lexistarlight
December 23, 2023 11:06 am
Can I just serve the chutney without blending it? Not crazy about mushy food.
Reply
SANDHYA
August 6, 2023 4:57 pm
You truly are an amazing cook.. Thank you for all your yummy recipes…
Reply
swasthi
Reply to SANDHYA
December 23, 2023 11:31 am
Thank you Sandhya
Reply
Jeeva
April 27, 2023 11:46 pm
I’m following ur receipe for past 2 years..anytime I need to cook something special for my inlaws and hubby…the first page I land is Ur page.. simply simple and flavourful, tasteful….thank uu so much for ur time and effort to improve my homemaker and working women cooking life..
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Jeeva
April 28, 2023 1:23 am
Thank you so much Jeeva. That makes me very happy.
🙂
Reply
Vongai
August 25, 2022 1:07 pm
Good day
How long does the chutney last in the fridge.
Regards
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Vongai
August 30, 2022 4:20 am
Good day
It keeps best for 2 days & Okay for 4 days
Reply
Sami
January 26, 2021 2:44 pm
Can I add red chilli powder ? As I don’t have red chillies .
Thanks for beautiful recipes, I always follow your recipes for even the smallest dish , as I get lot of tips from your recipes . I always search for swathis recipe
This is my first comment on your recipes , I never had any doubts .so never got a chance to comment.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sami
January 26, 2021 3:02 pm
Hi Sami,
You are welcome! Glad to know!
Yes you can use about ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder. Once the onions are roasted well, add the chilli powder & saute just for 30 to 60 seconds.
Reply
LAVANIA
January 9, 2021 12:37 pm
VERY TASTY YUMMY AND LIP SMACKING CHUTNEY!!!!!!!
I REALLY LOVED IT…
AND NOW MY NEIGHBOURS ARE ASKING ITS RECIPE
🙂
Reply
swasthi
Reply to LAVANIA
January 10, 2021 2:04 pm
Glad to know Lavania
Thank you!
🙂
Reply
Anna
March 8, 2020 12:00 am
I followed your recipe without the jaggery and it turned out brown rather than orange. Taste was fine.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Anna
March 8, 2020 2:16 am
Hi Anna,
Color depends on the kind of red chilies. I use byadgi red chilies here
Reply
Mohan RV
February 2, 2020 3:30 pm
Very good recipe
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Mohan RV
February 3, 2020 10:59 am
Thank you!
Reply
Carviar
December 11, 2019 4:37 am
What is 3 to 4 red Chili
1/2 red Chili
Pls specify what chilli dry / normal chilli
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Carviar
December 11, 2019 4:53 am
Yes they are dried red chilies. You can use 3 to 4 whole dried red chilies for the chutney. Half of it for tempering.
Reply
Gail
April 27, 2019 12:24 pm
Hi swasthi
Love your blog for the Indian recipes. Most authentic and close to the taste of Indian food I tasted in Hyderabad and Kerala during my visits to India. I made your sponge dosa and this onion chutney. Both came out fab. I also tried your Kerala biryani, mutton korma, chettinad chicken and kofta. All turned out fantastic. Thanks much for this blog & great work.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Gail
April 27, 2019 2:11 pm
Hi Gail,
You are welcome. Wow! that sounds great. You have tried a lot from here. Very happy to know the recipes turned out good.Thank you for the comment.
Reply
Pinky
January 21, 2019 4:15 pm
Can i take green chilli insted of red chilli
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Pinky
January 22, 2019 1:10 am
Yes pinky you can use green chilli
Reply
Aswy
December 27, 2018 2:29 am
Tried this onion chutney…. It was a hit. Thank u ?
Reply
Shifa
October 26, 2018 6:17 am
Super tasty and yummy… My kids loved it
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Shifa
October 26, 2018 6:18 am
Thanks Shifa
Reply
Sarada
October 20, 2018 1:36 pm
Really very tasty. Thank you so much for nice posts….. I am fan of your recipes. All recipes are coming very very good..
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sarada
October 20, 2018 1:43 pm
Welcome Sarada
Thank you so much for trying and the comment too.
🙂
Reply
Shubhendra
Reply to swasthi
June 7, 2020 3:22 pm
Very easy & tasty recipe..
Cooking South Indian chutney in North Indian Family … Thanks to you…??
Reply
Babita Garg
July 27, 2018 10:57 am
Hi, Swasthi . . . . . . I liked your massore bond recipe
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Babita Garg
July 27, 2018 3:30 pm
Hi Babita
Thank you very much.
Reply
Sanu
March 12, 2018 6:33 am
Yummy chutney. Was so good with idli.
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sanu
March 13, 2018 10:06 am
Thanks for trying
Reply
Sarah Kay
February 7, 2018 2:42 pm
Ado I use the red chilis dried or reconstituted before frying.?
Thank you
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sarah Kay
February 8, 2018 1:01 am
Welcome Sarah
You can use the dried red chilies. But if you have reconstituted ones, you can add them directly to blender
Reply
Sangeetha Gudapati
Reply to swasthi
April 9, 2020 3:31 pm
Hi Swathi
How are you ? I enjoy your recipes , from past few months when I need any recipie , I go directly to your page .
Was just searching up onion pachadi .
Thanks .
Makes life easy and the good part is , you also put step by step directions .
If you can email me your number , that would be great and I would really appreciate it .
As I wanted to also say few things to you , so if you can share me your contact number , would really appreciate .
Thanks a lot .
Sangeetha Gudapati .
Reply
swasthi
Reply to Sangeetha Gudapati
April 11, 2020 1:32 pm
Hello Sangeetha,
Glad to know. Thank you! You can contact me thru Email. My email-id is mentioned in the about page.
Reply