Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (2024)

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Curry House Style Onion Chutney is so easy to make!

You know those sliced onions that are served in a red sauce with poppadoms and samosas before the meal at Indian restaurants? Well, it’s a lot more popular than you may think. I get asked for this recipe all the time.

The fact that you are looking at this recipe means that you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

So many Indian restaurants purchase commercial brand pickles and chutneys. It just isn’t cost effective to make their own. I think that’s one of the reasons this red onion chutney is so popular. It is always made fresh.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (1)

About this onion chutney recipe.

As recipes go, they don’t get much easier than this. You can make this recipe exactly as you want it. Most people prefer the onion to be thinly sliced before mixing with the other ingredients. That’s not the only way this onion chutney is served though.

You might like to finely or roughly chop the onion instead.

Everyone has their favourite version of this famous curry house red chutney so chop and slice it the way you prefer.

Working Ahead

This onion chutney is best served super cold, right from the fridge. Therefore, you should make that sauce and get it chilled. As a result you will get the perfect sauce for the chutney. Slice up you onions and stir them into the sauce too. This can all be done a day or so ahead of serving..

How long will this onion chutney keep in the fridge?

This onion chutney will keep in the fridge nicely for a few days. I find it best though to serve the onion chutney about 30 minutes after you stir the onions in. This will ensure that the onion is still really fresh and crispy.

How do you serve curry house style onion chutney?

Just as you like. Pile it high on poppadoms or spread a little over tandoori dishes. I know someone who can’t get enough of the stuff and spreads his onion chutney all over the surface of his poppadoms like a pizza.

This easy onion chutney just plain gets it and you should serve it as you like. If it sounds good, do it!

How do you make onion chutney?

As you can see from the photos and short video, it really is easy to make this red cold onion chutney.

It only takes minutes to make and will keep in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Therefore, if you are planning a curry feast for friends, you might as well get this one done early.

All you need to do is slice the onions and mix the red sauce ingredients. Then place the onion chutney in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

Variations…

Many people like a lot of sauce. Others don’t.

This is completely up to you so feel free to vary the recipe some.

In the photo below, I made some with a lot less dressing and then sprinkled chilli powder on top.

If you like a lot of sauce, go for it. Add more ketchup and/or tomato paste. Taste as you go. That’s what making these curry house recipes is all about. By tasting as you go, you will be able to get the right flavour balance for your taste preferences.

Those toasted cumin seeds… Do you have to toast them?

No. But personally I prefer the flavour of toasted cumin seeds in the onion chutney.

It’s the difference between bread and toast! By toasting the seeds, you not only bring out the flavour of the cumin but I think it makes the chutney more interesting too.

Step by step photographs.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (3)

Get all your ingredients together and prepared before starting.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (4)

Place all of the dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk with a fork to combine.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (5)

Add the thinly sliced or chopped onion to the dressing.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (6)

Stir the sliced or chopped onion into the dressing. Be sure to check out variations above!

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (7)

So popular and so easy to make too.

What else?

As I mentioned above, this curry house style cold onion chutney can be made ahead of time. I suggest you do this because this of course isn’t the case with many recipes.

As it will keep in the fridge covered for at least three days so it’s one you can easily check off your list of things to prepare for that upcoming curry feast.

I recommend serving it with papadums and a selection of other pickles and chutneys like my homemade lime pickle and/or spicy vegetable pickle. You might also like to try this smooth garlic, chilli and mint raita.

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (8)

So good on popadums.

What to serve this famous onion chutney with? Here are some delicious ideas.

Pappada Vada
Home Fried Papadums
Homemade Stovetop Naans
Smoked Toor Dhal Samosas
Lamb Seekh Kebabs

Have you tried this onion chutney recipe?

If so, please give it a star rating in the comments below and leave a comment. I love receiving your feedback and I’m sure other readers of my blog do too. Thank you.

If you are not already doing so, please follow me on Instagram and Facebook for all my latest recipes.

Yield: 4

How To Make Cold Onion Chutney

Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (9)

This is the famous cold onion chutney found at curry houses around the UK. It's quick and easy to make and tastes amazing.

Prep Time10 minutes

Total Time10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion - finely sliced or roughly chopped
  • 3 tbsp ketchup (I use Heinz)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp rapeseed (canola) oil (optional)
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Place the sliced onions in a bowl of ice water and put in the fridge for about an hour.
  2. When the onion slices are good and cold, drain the water and tap them dry with a clean cloth.
  3. Now mix the ketchup, tomato puree, chilli powder, cumin seeds and salt with the sliced onions.
  4. Stick in the fridge for about 45 minutes before serving.
  5. This recipe is perfect with papadams though I could eat it on its own!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 34Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g

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Cold Onion Chutney Curry House Recipe | The Curry Guy (2024)

FAQs

Which onion is best for curry? ›

Onions are an essential part of everyday cooking in India and are found in many local dishes and are the base for curries. Some curries use a lot of onion, others just a small amount but onions are always in there somewhere. The best onions for use in curries are firm white onions.

Can you put red onions in a curry? ›

I recommend using white onions at the browning stage and then red onions towards the end. The use of both onions adds a lot of depth to the sweet tones the heavy onion base gives. Red onions don't break down as quick as white onions and have a delicious and mildly sweet taste to compliment the heat of the spices.

What do you serve with Papadum? ›

Papadum are those wonderful crispy Indian appetizers they serve up at Indian restaurants to start the meal. Try them with red onion chutney and mint raita for your next Indian dinner party. If you've never had papadum think corn chips, Indian style.

Can you use red onion in biryani? ›

What type of onions should I use for frying in biryani? For frying in biryani, it is best to use yellow or red onions. These varieties have a slightly sweeter flavor and tend to caramelize well during the frying process, adding a delicious aroma and taste to your biryani.

Do you cook onions before putting in curry? ›

Cooking onions is important for two main reasons. Firstly, it makes them easier to digest, as the high acidity of onion drops during the cooking process. Secondly, the sugars are released and broken down into smaller molecules that our tastebuds can detect - more cooking results in more sweetness.

How long should you cook onions for curry? ›

Add your grated or finely chopped onions, if at any time your onions start to stick, please add a big splash of water, I usually get through a couple of mugs per curry, a little water at a time. It can take up to fifteen minutes on a medium/high heat to cook onions to create the perfect curry base.

How do you get the bitterness out of onion curry? ›

You can add more vegetables, protein, and liquid (like coconut milk or broth) to balance the flavors. Add Sweetness:Sweetness can help counteract bitterness. Consider adding a small amount of sugar, honey, or a sweet ingredient like mango chutney to your curry. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Should you put garlic in curry? ›

British Indian restaurant style curries usually call for garlic paste but chopped fresh garlic can be used instead. Just like with garlic paste, chopped garlic will lend a subtle garlic flavour to your cooked dishes.

What does onion do in a curry? ›

**Base for Curry:** Onions are often finely chopped or blended into a paste and sautéed as the base of the curry. They provide a sweet and savory flavor, as well as a thickening quality to the sauce. 2. **Flavor:** Onions add a rich, sweet, and slightly caramelized flavor to the curry.

What do Indians eat with chutney? ›

This vibrant green sauce is often served with chaat or Indian street foods and is delicious in samosas. All four of Sukhi's samosa recipes call for cilantro chutney, adding moisture, spice, and flavor to every bite.

What to eat chutney with Indian food? ›

It is an important ingredient for serving Indian meals such as idli, dosa, sandwiches, samosas, pakoras, dabeli, sev puri, bhel puri, and the list never ends. Guess what the best thing about chutneys is? You can eat it with almost ANYTHING, even non-Indian dishes (are you shimmying yet?)

What are poppadoms called in America? ›

Also known as poppadoms, these thin, flavorful Indian crisps make for a quick side dish or snack.

What are the best potatoes for curry? ›

Waxy potatoes like Yukon gold, white potatoes and russet potatoes are best for curry. However any other kind of potatoes are okay if you cook them just until fork tender so they retain their shape. Avoid using new potatoes.

What are the best tomatoes for curry? ›

Desi tomatoes possess the vitamins and essential nutrients in the right amount. Hence best for curry is the desi ones.

What color onion for Indian curry? ›

Both red onions and yellow onions are commonly used in Indian cuisine, so either can be used for cooking Indian curries depending on personal preference or the recipe's specific requirements.

Does curry use white or yellow onion? ›

Outside of a few subcultures in India, the onion is very important to our particular cuisine. And, it's why I keep them on hand and prepped in a few specific ways. We tend to favor yellow onions. The white, sweet onions are a bit too sweet for our various curries, which are always slightly tart and tangy.

Are white or yellow onions better for curry? ›

"If you ever have a recipe that calls for [cooking] onions, the yellow onion is your best bet," says Duane Hendershot, general manager of Healthy Living Market in Saratoga Springs, New York. White onions are slightly milder in flavor than yellow onions, and taste a bit more sweet.

What is the best onion for Indian cooking? ›

Indian Cooking

These form the basis of most Indian sauces and in India onions tend to have a slightly pink tinge in colour and are lighter in flavour. For my cooking I always use brown onions and Indian cooking is all about creating a great masala base which is why the onions are so important.

Which onion is used in Indian food? ›

Amongst the yellow white and red onions, the red variety are most commonly used in India.

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