This tangy and spicy Green Chutney (Mint Coriander Chutney, Cilantro Mint Chutney, Indian Green Sauce) is perfect for appetizers or Indian meals. Make it using simple ingredients in under 10 minutes (vegan, can be easily made gluten-free).
I have shared a secret tip for the vibrant green color of this Indian green sauce.
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About Green Chutney
Green Chutney (Cilantro Mint Chutney, Indian Green Sauce, Mint Coriander Chutney) is a tangy and spicy Indian accompaniment made using fresh cilantro, mint, fresh ginger, green chilies, and a few spices.
Hara means green in Hindi, and because of its green color, it’s also called Hari Chutney.
This tangy green chutney is very popular in India and it’s made in most households. However, every home has its way and set of ingredients to make this flavorful condiment.
This recipe of Indian green chutney is my mom’s recipe, and whoever has tasted it has confirmed that this is the best mint coriander chutney they have ever tasted. She has a secret tip to keep the color of this chutney vibrant green.
My recipe will give you approximately ¾ cup of mint coriander chutney. You can scale the recipe up or down as per your requirements.
This Indian green sauce is vegan, vegetarian, and oil-free and can be easily made gluten-free.
Here are some more chutney recipes that you might like
Ingredients
This green chutney is made using simple ingredients available in most grocery stores.
Herbs – You will need cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) and fresh mint leaves. You can use the tender stems of cilantro as they are very flavorful, but make sure to discard the mint stems as they are bitter and can make the chutney bitter, too.
Others – You will also need fresh ginger, green chilies, garlic, asafetida (hing), cumin seeds, salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best result. Lime juice can be replaced with lemon juice.
Adjust the green chilies as per your taste.
Secret Ingredient – My mom’s secret ingredient to keep the color of this chutney vibrant green is ice cubes. When the herbs are blended, the heat from the blender turns them dark in color. Adding 1-2 ice cubes while blending the chutney keeps the temperature under control, and the chutney doesn’t lose its lovely color. Try this tip and thank me later 🙂
How To Make Green Chutney
Preparation
Chop off the cilantro roots and discard the thick stems of the mint.
Rinse the leaves with water 2-3 times to ensure no dirt.
Chop the green chilies and ginger and peel the garlic cloves. Gather the remaining ingredients.
Make The Chutney
Add
- 2 cups of cilantro (tightly packed, rinsed)
- 1 cup of mint leaves (tightly packed, rinsed)
- 3-4 chopped green chilies
- ½-inch piece of ginger (chopped)
- 3-4 peeled garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon asafetida (skip for gluten-free)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ice-cubes
to a blender jar or a food processor, along with 2-3 tablespoon of cold water.
Blend until smooth. Scape the sides of the blender a few times while blending.
Check for salt and add more if required.
Tip – Sometimes, the herbs don’t come in contact with the blade of the blender, and the blending process doesn’t start. In that case, push the herbs down with a spatula a few times.
Serve the mint coriander chutney at room temperature or chilled.
Pro Tips By Neha
Always use fresh coriander and mint leaves to make the green chutney recipe.
Discard the thick mint stems, as they can make the chutney bitter. Also, do not increase the mint leaves; otherwise, the chutney will become darker.
Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best result.
Add some Chaat Masala Powder and Roasted Cumin Powder for extra flavor.
Make small portions of this chutney, as it tastes the best when made fresh. If you mistakenly made a big batch, freeze it in ice cube trays. The texture will change slightly when thawed but you can use it to make Veg Green Pulao or Green Curry.
Variations
Add some grated fresh coconut to this Indian green chutney to give it a South Indian touch. Roasted peanuts or sesame seeds are also great additions.
The most popular variation of this chutney is mixing it with a little yogurt (dahi, curd). Many restaurants make their coriander mint chutney with yogurt. Add ½ cup of plain whisked yogurt to this recipe and you have a fabulous restaurant-style version ready quickly. You can replace yogurt with silken tofu for a vegan option.
If green mangoes are in season, add a few slices of tangy green mangoes to this chutney. Decrease the amount of lime juice in that case.
Amla or gooseberry is also a great addition to this chutney.
Serving Suggestions
This is a very versatile chutney and can be served with various dishes.
It can be served as a dipping sauce with North Indian snacks like Frankies, Kabab, Samosa, Tandoori Chicken, Paneer Tikka, Cutlets, and Aloo Pakora.
It also tastes great with South Indian snacks like Goli Baje, Maddur Vada, etc.
You can also serve it with the main course like Biryani, Buddha Bowls, etc.
This chutney is drizzled over chaat recipes or Indian street food like Papdi Chaat, Sev Puri, Bhel Puri, Samosa Chaat, Dahi Puri, Ragda Pattice, Aloo Tikki Chaat, Ragda Patties, Dahi Vada, etc.
Mint coriander chutney sandwich is a crowd favorite and is made by slathering this chutney on bread slices with cucumber, onions, and tomatoes.
You can serve it with your Indian-style meals.
Slather it on kathi roll, vada pav, and wraps to give them a spicy kick.
You can also use it as a salad dressing.
Storage Suggestions
Store this green chutney in a non-reactive, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. After that, it starts to lose its taste and become bitter.
I do not recommend freezing it. Its texture changes once you thaw it.
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Recipe Card
Easy Indian Green Chutney Recipe (Cilantro Mint Chutney)
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) (roots and hard stems removed, tightly packed, rinsed well)
- 1 cup mint leaves (hard stems removed, tightly packed, rinsed well)
- 3-4 green chilies (roughly chopped, adjust according to your taste)
- ½ inch piece of ginger (roughly chopped)
- 3-4 cloves garlic (peeled)
- ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing) (skip for gluten-free)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ice-cubes
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender along with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water.
- Note – Use water sparingly, you don't want a watery chutney.
- Blend until smooth. Scape the sides of the blender a few times while blending.
- Tip – Sometimes, the herbs don’t come in contact with the blade of the blender and the blending process doesn’t start. In that case, push the herbs down with a spatula a few times.
- Check for salt and add more if required.
- Serve the green chutney at room temperature or chilled.
Naru Flower
Awesome recipe. I just tried it turned out too good. everybody in the family liked it and it is easy to make. I will make it again.
thank you so much for sharing the recipe
Those of you who haven’t tried it, please do try
Neha Mathur
Thanks for your words 🙂
Jincy
I am a continuous follower of veg recipe of India. Not only this but I hv tried many other recipes of yours. Awesome recipes with simple techniques. Thankyou so much for making us a better cook.
Neha Mathur
Hi Jincy, It looks like you have posted a comment on the wrong site. I am not veg recipes of India I am whiskaffair 🙂
ramesh
Can i use ginger garlic paste,green onion and green lime zest ?
Neha Mathur
Readymade ginger garlic paste doesn’t good in chutneys. You must refrain from using it. Green onion and green lime zest is fine.
Suman
Thanks Neha. The chutney turned out awesome.
Neha Mathur
Awesome 🙂
Badri
Just tried this. Turned out extremely good. I used to make it without garlic and ginger previously. By adding them, it has given that oomph factor. Thanks.
Neha Mathur
Thnx a lot for trying 🙂
Rahul Kasibhatta
Dear Whiskaffair team,
Chutney was very good. Tried Curd variety. Cutting coriander and mint is the only hard part 😄
Thanks
Neha Mathur
Happy to hear 🙂
Divya Shivaraman
perfectly made chutney and nothing beat this combo for our chaats
Neha Mathur
Thnx a lot 🙂