admin Indian sauces, or what you call them Chutneys, are probably the most common condiment found in literally every Asian house. No matter it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Indian chutneys are always there to complement the meals. Even Indian street food is incomplete without that spicy, sweeter, and tangier green and red chutney.
The best part about Indian sauces is that their taste, flavor, and aroma change from state to state. Every region has its own recipe. If you’re fond of Indian cuisine, you might have tried 2, 3, or 4 types of Indian sauces, but trust me the list is too long.
Apart from those green mint and tangy red sauce, the Indian chutneys have countless varieties. Even Indians are so experimental that they have invented a few innovative sauce recipes, such as tandoori mayo and schezwan chutney. So, let us introduce you to some popular Indian sauces we bet you can’t resist tasting.
10 Popular Indian Sauces (Chutneys) to Try Now
Here we have listed down some of the quick and easy Indian chutney recipes:
1. Coconut Chutney
Coconut sauce, or you can better say it Coconut chutney, is a simple condiment you often find on South Indian food stalls. It completes the classic dosa and sambhar. Additionally, it can be eaten with idli, vada, samosa, and more. Some even prefer to eat it with dal and rice.
The recipe for coconut chutney is really simple. Just grate the fresh coconut, grind it to a smooth paste, and take a small pan, put some oil, add coriander seeds, mustard seeds, white lentils, red chilies, and curry leaves and when these ingredients start to tempering, put them in the coconut paste and your coconut (nariyal) chutney is ready.
2. Mint and Coriander Chutney
Mint and coriander sauce is a perfect combination of fresh herbs and spiciness. This traditional Indian sauce is quite popular in North India, usually served with parathas and even dal chawal. The main ingredients of this sauce are mint leaves and coriander leaves, with a hint of ginger, lime juice, green chilies, and a pinch of salt.
This Indian staple has found its place in many street foods, mainly in Bombay Sandwich, Vada pav, Chilli chicken, and Tandoori chicken. It is accompanied by vinegar-pickled onions. If you see any Indian vendor selling Pakodas (Fritters), you will surely find green chutney on their stall.
3. Indian Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce or ketchup is a common condiment popular in Indian and Western cuisines. But what about its desi version? Yes, we are talking about Indian-style Tomato chutney. It is a popular condiment in both North and South India. The sweet, hot, and tangy flavors of this chutney are enough to make someone crave more. It is usually served with idlis, dosas, and even videos. The most common ingredients of this chutney are red tomatoes and Tamarind (Imli).
However, some of its variants include ginger, salt, aam papad, dates, raisins, spices, online garlic, peanut, and even dal in some South Indian versions.
This Tomato chutney is often served with spicy dishes like Chicken tikka, kebabs, burgers, sandwiches and other meat dishes.
4. Peanut Sauce
This delicious Indian sauce, made from roasted peanuts, is a perfect match for South Indian breakfast dishes. It can be enjoyed with idli, dosa, vada, bonda, and Pongal.
Peanuts are commonly used in South India to prepare various dishes like gravies, chutneys, podis (flavored powdered chutneys), and even sweets. This particular chutney is especially popular in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The taste is rich and earthy, enhanced with tamarind, red chilies, garlic, and roasted channa dal (chickpeas). Its consistency is similar to tahini. Children love this chutney because of its mild and pleasant flavor.
5. Gooseberry Sauce or Amla Chutney
Amla, also called Indian gooseberry, is known for its strong antiviral and antibacterial qualities. Some people enjoy this sour fruit as a snack with salt and chili powder.
Amla is often used to make tasty chili pickles. The tangy and sour chutney made from amla goes well with spring rolls, samosas, and other snacks. Amla is famous for boosting the immune system and is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin C.
This chutney is simple to make and uses ingredients like ginger, garlic, chilies and boiled amla or gooseberry. Adding asafoetida and cumin enhances the flavor, making it well-rounded and delicious.
6. Raw Mango Sauce (Kacha Aam Chutney)
Raw mangoes are a special treat in Indian homes just before the monsoon starts. During the hot summer, many families pickle, dry, or candy the mangoes to enjoy them throughout the year.
The unique taste of dry mango powder is a key flavor in North Indian dishes. It’s widely used in snacks called chaats. The sour mango combined with tangy lime and a bit of sweet tamarind pulp brings back fond childhood memories for many people in suburban India, making it one of the best Indian sauces.
To make this chutney, you need ginger, lime, chili, jaggery, and black salt. It goes well with snacks and can make chicken malai tikka even tastier!
7. Tamarind and Date Sauce (Imli Chutney)
This Indian sweet sauce, a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors, is a staple at most chaat stalls. It is often paired with green chili chutney to balance the heat and boasts a thick, smooth, and sticky texture.
This chutney is perfect for chaat dishes like pani puri, bhel puri, sev puri, aloo tikki, samosa, and pakoras. It’s your go-to recipe for all these savory snacks. The dates blend seamlessly with tamarind pulp, while jaggery adds a sweet, earthy touch.
8. Garlic and Chili Sauce
This tasty chutney made from red chilies and garlic is full of flavor and heat. You can enjoy it with snacks or as a side with your main dishes. It’s also great as a spread for sandwiches and chaats.
A similar version is used in the well-known masala dosa, which has spicy chutney and potatoes inside. This chutney lasts long and can be kept for months if stored in an airtight jar.
You can try different mixes of hot and mild chilies. My favorite is a 30:70 mix of Salem chilies and the milder, colorful Kashmiri chilies.
9. Dried Pomegranate Seed (Anardana) Chutney
This dish originates from Kashmir, high up in the Himalayas, known for its unique blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors. The key ingredient is dry pomegranate seeds. It is often eaten with various Kashmiri breads made in traditional bakeries known as kandurs.
10. Yogurt Chutney (Raita)
Raita is made from dahi, which is thick Indian curd. Fresh mint, coriander, grated cucumber, carrot, and onions are mixed in. The raita is then topped with pomegranate pearls, a pinch of cumin, and chaat masala to enhance the flavor.
Raita is usually served as a side dish with biryanis or parathas and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. You can be creative with the vegetables and herbs to make your own version. Similar to the Greek tzatziki, this versatile dip pairs well with many dishes.
Conclusion
So, we haved introduced you to some of the most popular Indian sauces or chutney. You might have heard or even tasted many of them. The authentic Indian flavors and masalas give these sauces a distinct identity. So, whenever you crave something good, don’t forget to try one from our list of most popular Indian chutneys.
FAQs
What is the Most Popular Indian Sauce?
The most popular Indian sauce is probably mint chutney, also known as pudina chutney. It is a flavorful green sauce made from fresh mint leaves, coriander, green chilies, and sometimes yogurt. It is commonly served with snacks like samosas, pakoras, and kebabs and can also be used as a spread or dip.
What Sauces are from India?
India has a variety of sauces, including:
- Mint chutney (pudina chutney)
- Tamarind chutney
- Coconut chutney
- Tomato chutney
- Onion chutney
- Yogurt-based raita
These sauces are used as dips, spreads, and accompaniments for many Indian dishes.
What are the Five Indian Mother Sauces?
The five Indian mother sauces are essential bases used in Indian cooking:
- Tomato sauce: Made from tomatoes, onions, and spices.
- Yogurt-based sauce: Often used in marinades and raita.
- Coconut sauce: Common in South Indian dishes.
- Spinach sauce: Used in dishes like palak paneer.
- Onion-tomato masala: A base for many curries and gravies.
What is Desi Sauce?
Desi sauce generally refers to any traditional Indian sauce or chutney. “Desi” means local or native in Hindi, so desi sauces are those made using traditional Indian ingredients and methods. They include a wide range of chutneys, dips, and spreads that add flavor to Indian meals.
Is Indian Sauce Called Gravy?
Yes, in Indian cuisine, the term “gravy” is often used to describe the thick, saucy part of a curry or stew. It is made by cooking a mixture of onions, tomatoes, and various spices, and forms the base of many Indian dishes like butter chicken and paneer tikka masala.
What is the Indian Word for Sauce?
The Indian word for sauce is generally “chutney” or “masala.” “Chutney” refers to a wide range of sauces made from fruits, vegetables, and spices, while “masala” refers to a mixture of spices that can be wet or dry and used to flavor dishes.