Mint Raita: Easy Yogurt Sauce

This easy mint raita is the perfect dip, made with yogurt and refreshing herbs like cilantro and mint.

Pakistani and Indian food is typically served with various condiments and sides.

Depending on the meal, there will generally be the main dish, like a simple vegetable pulao or curry. But no meal is complete without an assortment of sides like achaar (pickles), chutney, or kachumber (side salads).

One of the easiest condiments is raita.

Raita is a simple way to upgrade plain yogurt with refreshing herbs and a few spices to take plain yogurt up a notch.

Recipes you’ll love

If you’re looking for yogurt and raita recipes, here are some of our favorites:

• Kachumber Raita
• Boondi Raita: Spiced Yogurt Side with Chickpea Pearls
• Masala Chaas – Salty Lassi Yogurt Drink

Mint Raita Ingredients

For this version of Raita, we only need a few ingredients. Since the herbs are the star of this recipe, aim for the freshest of herbs!

Here is what you’ll need:

• Herbs – Mint and Cilantro is what we’re using in this sauce for freshness
• Green Chilli – use 2-3 green chilis depending on your spice preference and the type of green chilli you are using.
• Cumin – Ground cumin or roasted whole seeds works for this recipe.

Method

Make a green herb paste

In a blender add the cilantro, mint, green chili, and cumin to make a paste.

Add a few tablespoons of water if needed.

Mix it with plain yogurt

In a serving bowl, add the yogurt, and the blended ingredients and mix it together.

Your mint raita is ready to enjoy!

Variations for Mint Raita

• Add some diced cucumbers to the finished raita
• Toss in some cucumber & celery when blending the paste
• Add just ground cumin & black pepper to a bowl of yogurt – no blender required 
• Add chaat masala in yogurt and mix well for another quick no-blender raita option

What goes with Raita?

Raita is the perfect sauce for spicy main dishes.

Pulao and Biryani Rice Dishes with Raita

This particular cilantro and mint raita sauce is perfect for rice dishes. Some of our favorite rice dishes are:

• Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe
• Keema Masoor Pulao: One-Pot Pilaf with Lentils and Ground Beef
• Beef Pilau (Pulao)
• Vegetable Pulao: Pakistani Vegetable Rice Recipe

Kabab and Grilled Meats with Raita

This cilantro and mint raita sauce is also the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats (like tandoori chicken or kababs). Some of our favorites are:

• Tandoori Chicken: Pakistani BBQ Chicken
• Seekh Kabab – Pakistani Ground Beef Skewers
• Easy Pakistani Chapli Kabab Recipe
• Gola Kabab

If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @thespicemess