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Cucumber Raita

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The cooling sidekick every curry needs – creamy, fresh and ready in minutes.

Curry night without raita? Not in this house! This Cucumber Raita is the cooling, creamy side that makes rich, spiced dishes like lamb korma feel perfectly balanced. It takes all of 5 minutes to throw together with just supermarket staples, and it’s mild enough that the kids will happily spoon it over their curry (or use it as an excuse to eat more naan).

Cucumber Raita Recipe with Naan Bread
The dip that makes naan disappear faster than you can make it. Cooling, creamy and just what a rich curry needs on the side.

Think of raita as the unsung hero of a fakeaway spread – simple, fresh and way cheaper than buying tubs of sauce. The cucumber adds crunch and freshness, the yoghurt makes it creamy, and the mint and coriander (cilantro) keep it bright. It’s not fancy, it’s just good. And when you’re tired and craving comfort food, that’s exactly what you need.

Do you need to peel the cucumber for raita?

You don’t have to. If you like a smoother texture, peel it first. If you like a bit of crunch and colour, leave the skin on. Either way, the most important step is squeezing out the water or your raita will be too watery.

Cucumber Raita Recipe Ingredients
Supermarket staples = curry night hero. If you’ve got yoghurt, cucumber and a handful of fresh herbs, you’re already there.

Is Cucumber Raita served hot or cold?

Always cold! It’s meant to be refreshing and cooling alongside a hot curry or spicy dish. Chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavours meld.

What do you eat Cucumber Raita with?

It’s perfect with curries, biryani, grilled meats, or as a dip for naan and veggie sticks. Basically, any rich or spicy dish that needs a cooling sidekick.

Cucumber Raita Recipe with Mint
Fresh mint, cool cucumber, creamy yoghurt … basically the edible version of pressing reset on your tastebuds.

If you enjoyed Cucumber Raita, I think you’ll love:

The BEST Tzatziki Recipe
Classic Pico de Gallo Recipe
Tabbouleh Recipe
Quick Pickled Red Onions Recipe
My Go-to Indian Green Chutney Recipe

Cucumber Raita Recipe with Naan Bread

Cucumber Raita

Author: Nicole Maguire
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This Cucumber Raita recipe is the easiest curry night upgrade. Fresh, creamy and ready in minutes, it balances rich curries and doubles as a dip for naan or veggie sticks. Kid-friendly, budget-friendly and perfect for fakeaway nights.
Prep 10 minutes
Total 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber, peeled or not (up to you)
  • 250 g (1 cup) full-fat Greek yoghurt (thick and creamy, not low-fat)
  • ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
  • ½ tsp freshly minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves, plus mint leaves to garnish if desired
  • ½ tsp garam masala, plus extra to garnish
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Grate the cucumber, then squeeze out the excess liquid using your hands or a clean tea (dish) towel – this keeps the raita creamy, not watery.
  • Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
  • Mix until smooth and serve – garnished with mint leaves, if desired.

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
Cucumber Raita
Amount per Serving
Calories
36
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.3
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.1
g
1
%
Trans Fat
 
0.002
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.03
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.02
g
Cholesterol
 
2
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
213
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
145
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
4
g
1
%
Fiber
 
0.4
g
2
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
109
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
58
mg
6
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Recipe notes

Make Ahead

Best made fresh, but you can prepare raita up to 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir before serving, as the cucumber may release a little liquid.

Leftovers

  • Fridge – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer – Not suitable for freezing (the cucumber and yoghurt will split).

Equipment

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Course Sauces and Dressings
Cuisine Indian-Inspired
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    Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes 

    For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.