Pomegranate Raita (Anar Raita) is a refreshing Indian accompaniment where yogurt is mixed with pomegranate juice, pomegranate arils, green chilies, and spice powders. This sweet and spicy raita is easy to make and comes together in 10 minutes. Here is how to make it.
Here are some more raita recipes that you might like – Mooli Raita, Beetroot Raita, Boondi Raita, Sprouted Chickpea Raita, Dry Fruit Raita, Banana Raita, Lauki ka raita, Bathue ka raita, Burani Raita, Carrot Raita, and Cucumber Raita.
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About This Recipe
Pomegranate Raita (Anar Raita or Anardana Raita) is an easy and fruity Indian accompaniment made using yogurt, pomegranate juice, juicy pomegranate pearls, green chilies, cilantro, and a few spices.
It has a sweet spicy flavor, and creamy texture with a lovely pink hue from the pomegranate juice. Apart from being refreshing and delicious, it is also very healthy.
Serve this anar raita as a side dish with your everyday meals or as a dip with Indian snacks.
This delicious raita is vegetarian and gluten-free.
You can easily scale the recipe if making it for a crowd.
Health Benefits Of Pomegranates
Pomegranate is one of those fruits that are loaded with necessary nutrients that are very beneficial to our body and provide us with immense benefits.
- It has anti inflammatory properties that helps in chronic inflammation that may lead to serious diseases.
- It is very rich in iron and improves blood haemoglobin.
- Pomegranate can help fight certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.
- Regular consumption of pomegranate arils can also help in lowering blood pressure.
- It is also considered very beneficial for arthritis and joint pains.
- It helps in curing bacterial and fungal infections.
- Lowers the risk of heart disease.
Ingredients
Yogurt (Dahi) – Use plain yogurt to make the raita. To make it vegan, you can use vegan yogurt.
If using homemade curd (dahi), then make sure it’s not too sour in taste.
Pomegranate – You will need pomegranate seeds and pomegranate juice to make the pomegranate raita recipe.
I have described the process to take out the arils from pomegranate and how to make juice out of them in the post below. Do read.
Spice powders – This raita is lightly spiced with red chili powder and roasted cumin powder. Make roasted cumin powder at home for the best flavor.
Others – You will also need green chilies, cilantro (fresh coriander leaves), salt, and sugar. Adjust green chillies and red chilli powder as per your taste.
You can also add boiled and cubed potatoes, chopped or grated cucumber, chopped onions, or grated carrots to make a variation of anar ka raita.
Adding a little chaat masala makes this raita tangy and spicy.
Fresh mint leaves are also a great addition.
To make this raita for vrat (Hindu fasting days), replace regular salt with rock salt (sendha namak).
How To Make Pomegranate Raita
Whisk 1 cup chilled plain yogurt in a bowl until creamy and smooth.
Add ¼ cup chilled pomegranate juice, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (coriander), and ½ teaspoon chopped green chilies and mix well.
Add ½ cup pomegranate arils and mix again.
Garnish with more pomegranate arils, a sprinkle of red chili powder, and chopped coriander leaves, and serve chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking out pomegranate arils from the fruit is an easy process. Be careful while taking out the seeds as the juice could permanently stain your clothes and the chopping board. Use an old chopping board and wear something you wouldn’t mind a few stains on.
Wash the pomegranates and wipe them using a kitchen towel.
Cut the pomegranates into half horizontally.
Now keep a large bowl on the counter and hold one half of the pomegranate with the cut side down.
Beat the pomegranate using something heavy all over. I used my rolling pin. You can also use a meat tenderizer.
The arils will start to fall in the bowl.
If some of the arils are still remaining in the pomegranate, take them out using your fingers.
Transfer the arils to the large jar of a high-speed blender.
Pulse for 3-4 seconds until the arils are crushed but the hard seeds are intact.
Sieve the juice through a soup strainer. Keep pressing with a rubber spatula to get the maximum juice. Discard the pulp.
I would not recommend adding canned juice, as it will change the taste of raita. Fresh pomegranate juice makes it taste delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Pomegranate raita tastes delicious with your everyday spicy Indian meal of dal, sabzi, and roti. Make sure to serve it chilled.
It tastes great along with a simple plate of dal rice as well.
Try it with pulao or biryani as well. Some of my favorites to serve along with this raita are paneer pulao, Mumbai style tawa pulao, achari chana pulao, veg biryani, or mushroom biryani.
It is also a great dip to serve with your Indian snacks.
You can also serve it with thepla or stuffed parathas for breakfast.
Storage Suggestions
Anar Raita can be stored for about a day in a clean air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Freezing is not recommended!
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Recipe Card
Pomegranate Raita Recipe (Anar Raita)
Ingredients
- 1 cup chilled plain yogurt
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (coriander)
- ½ teaspoon chopped green chilies
- ½ cup pomegranate arils (plus more for garnishing)
Instructions
- Whisk yogurt in a bowl until creamy and smooth.
- Add pomegranate juice, salt, sugar, roasted cumin powder, red chili powder, cilantro, and green chilies, and mix well.
- Add pomegranate arils and mix again.
- Garnish with more pomegranate arils, a sprinkle of red chili powder, and chopped cilantro, and serve chilled.
Notes
Pulse for 3-4 seconds until the arils are crushed but the hard seeds are intact.
Sieve the juice through a soup strainer. Keep pressing with a rubber spatula to get the maximum juice. Discard the pulp.
Shobelyn
It is a shame that we do not pomegranate here in my place. I hope I will bump into one in the future so that I can make this really good looking recipe.
Manjula Bharath
very very inviting raita love the color a lot 🙂 awesome clicks !!
PRANITA DESHPANDE
The very nice idea to make recipe in few minutes
Neha Mathur
Thnx 🙂