This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (2024)

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This coconut chutney, simply seasoned with a touch of black mustard seed and tamarind, is the classic served alongside nearly every idli or dosa you can find.

By

Sohla El-Waylly

This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (1)

Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Published August 05, 2024

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Why It Works

  • Hot water rehydrates desiccated coconut for a smoother chutney.
  • A touch of tamarind and sugar adds brightness and balance.
  • Tempering the spices and urad dal in hot ghee or oil enhances their aromatics.

I’ve always believed it a woeful understatement to call chutney a mere condiment. Condiments are optional, and often even an afterthought. Ketchup on a burger? I can take it or leave it. Wings without blue cheese dressing? I can live with that. But adosawithout chutney? Why even bother!

The colorful bouquet of chutneys found in Indian cuisine is more than just a sidekick to a dish; they're an attraction all on their own. Many dishes are incomplete without their coordinating chutneys—somechaatsare just an excuse to consume as much tamarind and cilantro chutney as possible.

This coconut chutney, simply seasoned with a touch of black mustard seed and tamarind, is the classic served alongside nearly everyidliordosayou can find. Unlike many of the items that fit the traditional definition of a condiment, this chutney is substantial and filling in and of itself, along with being a flavorful addition to any dish. The foundation of any coconut chutney is a smooth paste made from fresh or dried coconut, which is then gussied up with spices and toasted lentils. There are countless variations on this chutney—it can be found with tomato, cilantro, green chiles, and more. Once you’ve made the coconut paste, you can customize it to make it your own and serve it alongside any dish, not justdosas.

For the coconut paste, I start by fryingchana dal(yellow split lentils) in ghee until it's toasted and deep golden brown. The addition of toasted lentils in the chutney lends body and a nutty flavor to the final paste. I next blend the toasted chana dal with desiccated coconut, hot water, tamarind paste, sugar, red Kashmiri chili powder, and kosher salt to taste.

The better the coconut, the better the chutney, and nothing beats the flavor of fresh coconut. Unfortunately, I don’t have reliable access to fresh coconut, but I don’t let that stop me from making this. The touch of sugar and the tamarind perk up the desiccated coconut, so you won’t miss a thing.

This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (3)

I finish the chutney with a step calledtadka, or tempering. Tadka is the process of frying spices in hot oil or ghee before pouring them over or mixing them into a dish. It adds flair to many Indian dishes by waking up the spices while creating a flavorful finishing oil. The key to proper tadka is to pick a fat with a high smoke point to accommodate the intense heat of this step and use a small pan for even heating.

I heatgheein a 4-inch skillet over medium-high heat before addingurad dal(black gram lentils) and black mustard seeds. They fry together in the ghee until the dal becomes deep golden brown and the seeds energetically sizzle and pop. I spoon this mixture, fat and all, over the coconut chutney just before serving.

This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (4)

Classic Indian dishes like idlis and dosas would be naked without coconut chutney, but don't stop there—it's welcome as an accompaniment to grilled fish or roasted vegetables, or even as a dip for pita. You can easily make it your own by adding green chiles, cilantro, or curry leaves.

February 2018

Recipe Details

Coconut Chutney Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook10 mins

Total15 mins

Serves16 servings

Makes2 cups

  • 1 tablespoongheeor neutral oil (0.5 ounce; 15g)

  • 2 tablespoons chana dal, a.k.a. yellow split lentils (1 ounce; 30g)

  • 1 1/2 cups finely shredded unsweetened desiccated coconut (4.6 ounces; 130g)

  • 2/3 to 1 1/3 cups (156 to 312ml) hot water

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seedless tamarind paste, not concentrate (0.3 ounce; 10g)

  • 1 teaspoon (5g)sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon (1g) Kashmiri redchile powder

  • Kosher salt, to taste

For Tempering:

  • 2 tablespoons gheeor neutral oil (1 ounce; 30g)

  • 1 teaspoon(5g) urad dal, a.k.a. split black gram lentils

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) black mustard seeds

  • 1 pinch ground asafoetida

Directions

  1. Heat ghee and chana dal in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Toast dal until fragrant and golden. Set aside.

  2. In a blender, combine coconut, hot water, tamarind paste, sugar, chile powder, and toasted chana dal. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to achieve a thick, hummus-like consistency. Season with kosher salt to taste. Transfer coconut chutney to a serving bowl.

    This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (5)

  3. For Tempering: Heat ghee and urad dal in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Once dal is lightly toasted, add mustard seeds and asafetida and fry until seeds begin to pop. Pour entire mixture over chutney and serve immediately. The chutney will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator (see note).

    This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (6)

Notes

This chutney has a short shelf life and must be consumed within 2 to 3 days of preparing. If you need a smaller batch, the recipe can be halved or quartered and blended in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle instead.

Special Equipment

Blender, small skillet

Read More

  • Dosa (Indian Rice-and-Lentil Crepes) Recipe
  • Steamed Indian Lentil and Rice Cakes (Idlis) Recipe
  • Mint Chutney Recipe
  • Spiced Tamarind Chutney Recipe
  • How to Make Tadka
  • Lentils
  • Coconut
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
98Calories
8g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories98
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g11%
Saturated Fat 6g32%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 98mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg1%
Calcium 9mg1%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 88mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This 15-Minute Coconut Chutney Recipe Is as Versatile As It Is Easy (2024)

FAQs

What is coconut chutney made of? ›

Coconut chutney is a south Indian chutney, a side-dish or a condiment, common in the Indian subcontinent. The condiment is made with coconut pulp ground with other ingredients such as green chillies, tamarind, salt, coriander and water. Coconut chutney is made with both red chillies or green chillies.

Is coconut chutney good for high blood pressure? ›

Regulates Blood Pressure

Those suffering from high blood pressure should consume coconut chutney on a regular basis. This is because coconut chutney helps in reducing the blood pressure level of the body. It is a must-have for people suffering from hypertension.

Can a diabetic patient eat coconut chutney? ›

Limit portions to avoid excessive glucose spikes. The high-fat content of coconut chutney can impact glucose metabolism and contribute to insulin resistance, leading to negative health effects for individuals with diabetes or those at risk for the condition.

How do you increase the shelf life of coconut chutney? ›

To increase the shelf life of your chutney, you can also add hot mustard oil on top of the chutney and mix it well. This will also help in keeping the freshness intact.

What is chutney usually made of? ›

Chutney is made from fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs with vinegar, sugar, and spices. It's used to provide balance to an array of dishes, or highlight a specific flavor profile. Broadly, the word chutney is now applied to anything preserved in sugar and vinegar, regardless of its texture, ingredients, or consistency.

How healthy is coconut chutney? ›

Coconut chutney has anti-bacterial components. It eliminates bacteria present in your body and keeps health-related problems at bay. Coconut is rich in fiber, which is good for the digestive system. Eating coconut chutney helps in improving bowel movement.

Who should not eat coconut chutney? ›

Allergy to coconut oil or related plants: Coconut might cause serious allergic reactions in people who are allergic to coconut oil, coconut palm pollen, components of coconut, or other members of the Arecaceae plant family. High cholesterol: There is concern that eating coconuts might increase cholesterol levels.

Is coconut chutney good for kidney? ›

In order to lower the blood pressure, some varieties of salt labelled as low sodium salt; contain potassium as their main ingredient. These are harmful for patients with kidney disease and should be completely avoided. Avoid coconut-based items like coconut water, coconut chutney, coconut laddos, etc.

Is coconut chutney good for gas? ›

Coconut chutney's dietary fiber promotes regular digestion, while spices like ginger and cumin help relieve bloating and gas.

Does coconut chutney increase triglycerides? ›

It can be eaten as food or used as medicine. Coconuts contain a high amount of a saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides. These fats work differently than other types of saturated fat in the body. They might increase fat burning and reduce fat storage.

Does coconut spike blood sugar? ›

Coconut is low in carbohydrates and rich in fiber and fat, therefore it may be beneficial for regulating blood sugar levels. It is also possible that the high fiber content of coconut meat may aid in slowing digestion and improving insulin resistance, which will aid in regulating blood sugar levels as well.

Is coconut sugar bad for prediabetes? ›

In terms of coconut as a sugar substitute, coconut palm sugar has a low glycemic index, but the American Diabetes Association notes that you should treat it the same as regular sugar because it contains the same amount of calories and carbs.

How to know if coconut chutney is spoiled? ›

The best way to tell if opened chutney is bad is to check the smell and appearance.

Can I freeze homemade coconut chutney? ›

Pour the hot seasoned oil mixture will all the spices and curry leaves over the coconut mixture in the bowl. Stir a little and serve with the dosas. This chutney is good for up to 2 to 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer for up to 1 month.

Why does coconut chutney taste bitter? ›

The addition of stems may make the chutney get a bitter taste. You can skip roasted chana dal if you don't have. And instead add roasted peanuts. Instead of mint leaves you can use coriander leaves and make coriander pachadi.

What do you eat with coconut chutney? ›

I spoon this mixture, fat and all, over the coconut chutney just before serving. Classic Indian dishes like idlis and dosai would be naked without coconut chutney, but don't stop there—it's welcome as an accompaniment to grilled fish or roasted vegetables, or even as a dip for pita.

What is a chutney vs jam? ›

Both a jam and a chutney will contain sugar, although a jam would be much sweeter, with the chutney having a more acidic, tangy flavour from the addition of vinegar. To preserve a chutney a combination of vinegar and sugar are used, whilst in a jam it is the sugar alone which acts as the preserving agent.

What is the difference between chutney and salsa? ›

Chutneys are a vinegar based condiment. They contain chopped fruit or vegetables, spices, sugar and sometimes flavor enhancers such as garlic. Salsa, on the other hand, is a mixture of fresh vegetables including tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, jalapeño peppers, garlic, lime juice, cilantro and other herbs.

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