Vegan Cucumber Raita Recipe (Indian Yogurt Sauce)

Vegan Cucumber Raita Recipe (Indian Yogurt Sauce)

Today we are making a Vegan Cucumber Raita Recipe (an Indian Yogurt Sauce)! Raita is a traditional Indian side dish, cherished for its cooling and refreshing qualities. It typically serves as a perfect complement to spicy dishes, balancing the heat with its soothing texture and tangy flavor. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, raita has been a staple in Indian cuisine for centuries, often enjoyed with biryanis, pulaos, and a variety of curries.

The classic raita is made with yogurt as its base, mixed with finely chopped vegetables or fruits, and seasoned with spices like cumin, coriander, and sometimes a hint of mint or cilantro. Cucumbers, known for their high water content and cooling properties, are a common addition, making Cucumber Raita a particularly popular variant, especially during the warmer months.

In this Vegan Cucumber Raita recipe, we swap out the traditional dairy yogurt for a plant-based alternative, ensuring that everyone, regardless of dietary preference, can enjoy this delightful dish. This vegan version retains all the classic flavors and textures, making it an excellent accompaniment to any Indian meal or even as a refreshing dip for snacks.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Raita Recipe

Refreshing and Cooling: This Vegan Cucumber Raita is a wonderfully refreshing dish that provides a cool contrast to spicy Indian foods. The crisp cucumber, combined with a creamy vegan yogurt base, offers a soothing and cooling effect, making it the perfect accompaniment to heat-intensive dishes like curries or biryanis. Its light and refreshing nature helps balance out rich flavors, providing a pleasant and calming palate cleanser with every bite.

Flavorful and Aromatic: Despite its simplicity, this raita is packed with flavor. The vegan yogurt base is seasoned with aromatic spices like cumin and coriander, and garnished with fresh herbs like mint or cilantro. These elements work together to create a flavorful and aromatic dish that enhances any meal. The combination of spices and herbs adds depth and complexity to the raita, making it more than just a cooling side dish but a flavorful complement to your main course.

Substitutions

Cucumber: Opt for English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers for the best results. These varieties are typically less watery and have fewer seeds, which helps prevent the raita from becoming too watery. If you use regular cucumbers, make sure to peel them and remove the seeds before grating or chopping.

Yogurt: Opt for a plain vegan yogurt, not vanilla flavor. Make sure to taste the yogurt beforehand. If it tastes neutral and you can eat it plain, then you’ll enjoy the taste of it in this recipe. Some brands can be hit or miss, so choose your desired brand. I like Riviera to use for this recipe.

Chaat Masala: Chaat masala is a popular Indian spice blend known for its tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor. It’s a key ingredient in many street foods and snacks, including chaat, fruit salads, and roasted snacks. It typically includes coriander seed powder, cumin seed powder, black salt, dry mango powder, fennel seed powder, cloves, cinnamon and more. You can find it in Indian grocery stores. I do not recommend to omit it, because this adds a whole other layer of flavor to the recipe!

Lemon: Use fresh lemon juice, instead of bottled. Alternatively, try lime juice instead.

Cucumber Raita Recipe Notes

• Taste the raita before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer a tangier flavor, you can add a splash of lemon or lime juice. For extra flavor, you can also increase the amount of cumin or add a pinch of black salt for a distinctive taste.
• Allow the raita to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and enhances the refreshing quality of the dish. It’s also a great way to ensure it’s perfectly chilled and ready to complement your meal.

More Indian Recipes You’ll Love

Masala Corn Chaat

Egg Fried Rice

Pav Bhaji

Spicy Indian Masala Creamed Corn

If you make this Vegan Cucumber Raita Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!