Pudina, or mint chutney is a staple in Indian cuisine, celebrated for its vibrant color, refreshing taste, and versatility. Healthy, refreshing, and oh-so-easy to make, pudina chutney adds a cooling, tangy twist to any meal. With just few pantry staples, you can whip this chutney really quick.
More Chutney Recipes To Try – Tomato Chutney, Dahi Ki Chutney, Kairi Tamatar ki Chutney, Andhra Hotel Style Palli Chutney, Peanut Chutney Recipe, Til Ki Chutney
I recently stumbled upon an old, delicate piece of paper where I’d jotted down some quick recipes in shorthand. I scribbled these chutneys just moments before I left my mom’s house for the first time after getting married and moving to Bangalore. This little paper holds a special place in my heart. Among the recipes, I found the one for pudina chutney—a favorite that I make often but never thought to share on my blog. Today, in honor of that memory, I’m posting this simple yet delicious chutney. All you need is hot steamed rice, a spoonful of ghee, and this tantalizing chutney for a truly comforting meal. A handful of fryums on the side, and you’ve got the perfect, humble feast!
Why Mint Chutney?
Mint, or pudina, is a herb widely appreciated for its distinct aroma and cooling properties. Rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, mint supports digestion, freshens breath, and can help alleviate headaches and nausea. When blended into chutney, mint retains its nutritional goodness while transforming into a versatile accompaniment that’s both refreshing and spicy.
Popular Variations of Pudina Chutney
- Mint-Coconut Chutney: Blend mint with fresh coconut, green chilies, and tamarind for a South Indian twist. This pairs perfectly with dosa, idli, or vada.
- Mint-Garlic Chutney: Adding garlic provides a robust flavor, making this variation perfect for kebabs, tandoori dishes, and grilled vegetables.
- Yogurt Mint Chutney (Raita Style): Mix pudina chutney with thick yogurt to create a creamy raita. This is perfect as a cooling side for spicy biryanis or pulaos.
- Mint-Cilantro & Mango Chutney: Adding raw mango gives the chutney a sweet and tangy taste, perfect for summer months.
How to Enjoy Pudina Chutney
The ways to enjoy mint chutney are endless! Here are some classic ideas and a few unique suggestions:
- Street Food: Drizzle pudina chutney over chaats, such as pani puri, dahi puri, and bhel puri. It brings a tangy, spicy kick that’s essential to authentic Indian street food. The dry coconut adds crunchy texture that enhances the flavor of chaat.
- Sandwich Spread: You can also use pudina chutney as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, or burgers. It pairs beautifully with vegetables, grilled chicken, and even paneer. Spread a layer of this mint chutney on a slice of bread and place a cheese slice and top it with another slice of bread and grill or toast. This is my favorite cheese mint sandwich. Do give this a try!
- Dip for Snacks: Pudina chutney is a favorite dip for crispy snacks like samosas, pakoras, and spring rolls. It’s a healthier alternative to creamy dips and adds a refreshing twist.
- Marinade for Grilled Dishes: Mix the chutney with a little yogurt, coat chicken or veggies, and grill for a flavorful and aromatic twist.
- Side with Meals: Serve it as a condiment alongside parathas, rotis, or even rice dishes for an extra burst of flavor.
Health Benefits of Mint Chutney
Beyond its incredible flavor, pudina chutney offers various health benefits:
- Aids Digestion: Mint is well-known for its ability to soothe digestive issues.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Mint and coriander are loaded with antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage and may lower inflammation.
- Low in Calories and Sugar-Free: Pudina chutney is naturally low in calories, making it an excellent choice for weight management.
- Boosts Immunity: With the addition of vitamin-rich herbs like mint and coriander, pudina chutney is also great for overall immune health.
- Cooling Effect: Mint is known for its cooling properties, making pudina chutney especially refreshing in hot weather.
Easy Pudina Chutney Recipe
Pudina chutney is more than just a condiment – it’s a flavor bomb that enhances nearly every dish it accompanies. Easy to make, packed with flavor, and loaded with health benefits, this chutney is a must-have in every kitchen. Try out this simple recipe and get creative with the endless possibilities to enjoy it!
Ingredients
- 1 cup tightly packed Pudina/Mint leaves
- 2 Garlic pods
- 4 Green chillies
- ¼ cup fresh Coriander leaves
- 2-3 tbsp. Dry Coconut, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp. thick Tamarind paste
- Salt
- 1 tbsp. Oil
TEMPERING/TADKA:
- ½ tbsp. Cumin seeds
- 2 dry Red chilies
- 5-6 fresh Curry leaves
- ½ tbsp. Oil
Instructions
How To Make Pudina Chutney
- In a pan, on low flame dry roast thinly sliced dry coconut pieces until light brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same vessel add oil and to it add pudina (mint) leaves, green chilies, garlic pods, salt, coriander leaves and tamarind paste.
- Fry on low for 4-5 minutes or until everything combines together and leaves are soft. Leave the mixture to cool.
- First grind the dry roasted dry coconut pieces to smooth powder.
- To this add fried mint leaves mixture and grind until smooth paste by adjusting salt.
- Remove in a serving bowl.
- For tempering, add oil to kadai and to it add cumin seeds, when they start to splutter add red chilies and curry leaves. Fry till curry leaves turn crisp.
- Carefully pour this tempering on top of pudina chuntey.
- Add love to make this pudina chutney taste ‘Yummy’.
- Serve with hot rice with a drop of ghee or with dosa. Tastes delicious with kichidi too.
Notes
- Adjust green chilies as per your taste.
- You can even make this chutney with dry red chilies too.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Pudina Chutney
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh mint and coriander leaves make a significant difference in flavor and aroma. Avoid wilted or stale leaves.
- Adjust Spice and Tang: You can make the chutney as spicy or as tangy as you like by adjusting green chilies and tamarind.
- Balance Texture: For a smoother consistency, blend thoroughly; for a more rustic texture, pulse only a few times.
- Store Properly: If you’re making a large batch, store some in the freezer in ice cube trays. This way, you can use small portions as needed!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
AparnaRajeshkumar says
pudina chutney is all time favorite 🙂 hot rice ghee drizzling and pudina chutney slurp super lubna
Rajani says
Memories like the one of this recipe are so precious. It is good you thought of documenting it here. I've never made pudine ki chutney with copra. Will try out soon.
Mohammed Ahammed says
I will tell my wife to try this Chutney, i had this long back at one of relatives house and felt shy to ask recipe, thanks DEE for sharing this.