Cucumber Raita
Thick yoghurt stirred with grated cucumber, ground cumin, mint and a little garlic. The cooling side dish for curries, grills and biryani.
How to Make Cucumber Raita
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Grate the cucumber on the coarse side of a box grater, tip it into a clean tea towel, and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
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Whisk the yoghurt in a bowl until smooth.
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Stir in the cucumber, cumin, mint, garlic and salt.
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Chill for 15 minutes to let the flavours blend.
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Sprinkle with the paprika and serve cold.
Tips for Making Cucumber Raita
- Squeeze the grated cucumber dry. It is mostly water, and if it is added wet, the raita turns thin and pale.
- Use thick whole-milk yoghurt. Low-fat yoghurt is watery and makes a raita that runs over the plate.
- Add the salt at the end and taste. Yoghurt and cucumber vary, and the salt draws more water out of the cucumber as it stands.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
What to Serve with Cucumber Raita
- Chicken tikka masala
- Lamb biryani
- Poppadoms
Storing & Reheating Cucumber Raita
Keeps covered in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it thins a little as it stands, so stir before serving. Not suitable for freezing.
Cucumber Raita FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Cucumber Raita take to make?
About 10 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Cucumber Raita?
Squeeze the grated cucumber dry. It is mostly water, and if it is added wet, the raita turns thin and pale. Use thick whole-milk yoghurt. Low-fat yoghurt is watery and makes a raita that runs over the plate. Add the salt at the end and taste. Yoghurt and cucumber vary, and the salt draws more water out of the cucumber as it stands.
What should I serve with Cucumber Raita?
Chicken tikka masala; Lamb biryani; Poppadoms.
Can Cucumber Raita be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps covered in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it thins a little as it stands, so stir before serving. Not suitable for freezing.
Is Cucumber Raita suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Cucumber Raita?
About 42 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate and 2 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Cucumber Raita Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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