Easy Raita Recipe (Raita Sauce)

This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods like Prawn Biryani or Curry Chicken Skewers.

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A unique feature of many Indian dishes is that they’re often made with opposing flavors. Raita, a popular condiment made of dahi (salted yogurt), is usually paired with spicy foods to tone down the heat and soothe the palate, making any meal it touches truly craveable and hard to put down! 

There’s no universal recipe in making raita, although they all have similar ingredients including yogurt, fresh herbs, and warming spices.

Side view of Raita sauce in bowl with serving spoon.

The recipes can differ from region to region, season to season and household to household. Savory raita is often made with vegetables and herbs. If you’re craving a sweeter version, you may use fruits and honey instead. 

Raita is not exclusive to only Indian foods, either. You can pair it with any warm and spicy dish such as Peruvian Chicken, Grilled Pork Chops or slather it on roasted vegetables.  

What is raita? 

Raita is a yogurt-based Indian condiment that pairs well with spicy and warming foods to help soothe the palate. Raita has a lot of variations and can be made sweet or savory. It’s usually served cold to balance out the spicy flavor of the dishes it’s paired with. 

Raita ingredients

Ingredients for raita sauce labeled on tray.
  • Plain Yogurt – Use full fat plain yogurt or you can substitute plain coconut yogurt. 
  • Cucumber – English cucumbers are perfect for raita as they have thin skins and tiny seeds. There’s no need to peel them before using. Instead of grating, just finely dice the cucumbers so the texture remains uniform.  Tip: Read all about the most popular types of cucumbers that you’ll find in stores. You can also use persian or slicing cucumbers for this recipe.
  • Cilantro – This is the preferred herb when making raita. 
  • Garam Marsala – Spice blend of cinnamon, mace, peppercorn, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and cardamon pods toasted and ground into powder. If you’re missing this spice, you could substitute one part cumin with a quarter part allspice. 
  • Cumin – a warm and earthy spice that can enhance the savory flavor of meat and the sweetness of root vegetables. 
  • Salt

How to make it 

Making raita is so simple with just two steps!

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a small dish with a lid. Whisk until everything is incorporated. 
  • Cover and refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using. 
Ingredients for raita in bowl before stirring.

What to serve with raita

How to meal prep, store, and reheat this recipe 

Raita can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. Note that the cucumbers will start to release water as quickly as one day, making the yogurt thinner. To refresh, just add another tablespoon of yogurt to the dip until it reaches the desired thickness. 

Raita on white counter with pita pieces scattered around it.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between tzatziki and raita?

Although tzatziki and raita are close cousins, raita uses plain yogurt while tzatziki uses greek yogurt.

What is raita sauce made of? 

Raita is made of plain full fat yogurt, spices and some fruits or vegetables that add texture to the sauce.

Raita sauce in bowl with serving spoon.

More delicious sauce recipes

If you loved this Raita Recipe, you’ll love these other delectable sauce recipes :

Did you try this raita recipe? 

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Overhead shot of prepared raita sauce in bowl next to pita pieces.

Easy Cucumber Raita

This Raita Recipe is a popular Indian dip that’s creamy, crunchy and a perfect pair for warming and spicy foods.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the raita ingredients in a small bowl then set aside in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30-minutes.

Notes

Raita can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Note that the cucumbers will start to release water as quickly as one day, making the yogurt thinner. Just add another tablespoon of yogurt to the dip until it reaches the desired thickness.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 126IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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