Indian Cucumber Salad, also known as Kachumber Salad, is a delightful and refreshing side dish that perfectly complements spicy Indian meals. This simple salad features crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy yogurt dressing seasoned with fresh herbs and a hint of lemon juice.
a light and flavorful salad that cools the palate and cleanses the taste buds between bites of your favorite Indian curries or biryanis.
![Indian cucumber and yogurt salad with naan bread.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/indian-cucumber-salad-vertical2.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and aromatic spices. While these elements create a truly delicious dining experience, sometimes a cooling and refreshing counterpoint is needed to balance the heat.
This salad is the perfect way to cool down your palate when enjoying spicy Indian dishes.
- Quick and Easy: Made with readily available ingredients, this salad comes together in just a few minutes.
- Light and Refreshing: This salad is the perfect antidote to a spicy meal, offering a cool and refreshing counterpoint to bold flavors.
- Perfect for Summer: While the ingredients are available year round, this cool and refreshing salad is ideal for hot summer days when the garden is going gangbusters!
Ingredients You'll Need
Fresh herbs like mint, parsley, and even cilantro, add a touch of brightness, while a squeeze of lemon juice brings a delightful acidity.
This Indian Cucumber Salad comes together in minutes and is a healthy and vibrant addition to any Indian feast.
- English cucumber, cored and chopped.
- Red onion, chopped.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved.
- Plain yogurt - regular or Greek.
- Garlic, fresh minced.
- Mint, fresh and chopped.
- Parsley or Cilantro, fresh and chopped.
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Indian Cucumber-Yogurt Salad
This recipe comes together in minutes with minimal ingredients, making it the perfect last-minute addition to your Indian feast. Next time you're serving a spicy Indian dish, don't forget to include this Indian Cucumber Salad – your guests will thank you!
Prepare the Vegetables
- Crush and mince the garlic clove, then mince the fresh mint, parsley, and cilantro if using.
Combine the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped herbs.
- Add the yogurt to the bowl last, seasoning with some salt and pepper to taste.
Toss to Coat and Serve
- Toss all the ingredients so that the vegetables are evenly coated with the yogurt. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this Indian Cucumber Yogurt Salad recipe.
- If you don't have English cucumbers, you can use regular cucumbers. Just be sure to seed them first to prevent a watery salad.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped green chili to the yogurt dressing for a touch of heat.
- Don't like cilantro? Fresh parsley or dill can be used as substitutes.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this Indian cucumber salad with yogurt:
- For the freshest and most refreshing salad, use cold cucumbers, tomatoes, and yogurt.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumbers will soften over time.
- Use fresh herbs for the most vibrant flavor. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount by half.
Serving Suggestions
Indian Cucumber Salad is the perfect accompaniment to any spicy Indian dish, such as Biryani, Vindaloo, Tikka Masala, or Rogan Josh. Serve it alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or rice dishes for a light and refreshing side dish.
If your garden churning out logs of cucumbers, here's some of my favorite ways to use them:
- Cucumber Mint Biryani Raita
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls
- Fruit Infused Water
- Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickles
- Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
- Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate
- Caramelized Onion Flatbread
- Cold Ferment Pizza Dough - Neopolitan Style
Storage Options
- Indian Cucumber Salad is best enjoyed fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but the salad may become slightly watery. This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use Greek yogurt in this recipe for a thicker dressing. However, avoid flavored yogurts.
Both are Indian side dishes, but Raita is typically yogurt-based with chopped cucumber and spices, while Kachumber Salad is primarily cucumber and additional vegetables with a lighter yogurt dressing.
For English cucumbers, peeling is not necessary. For regular cucumbers, you may want to peel them to avoid a bitter taste from the skin.
The vegetables can be prepped ahead of time and stored in separate containers in the refrigerator. However, assemble the salad and add the dressing just before serving to prevent the cucumbers from becoming watery.
More Delish Ideas
- Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
- Easy Chicken Curry Stew
- Butter Chicken and Garlic Naan
- Chicken Dum Biryani
Indian Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber cored and chopped
- 2 cup Cherry tomatoes each halved
- ½ medium Red onion chopped
- 1 large Garlic cloves crushed and minced
- ¼ cup Mint leaves fresh and chopped
- ¼ cup Parsley leaves fresh and chopped
- ¼ cup Cilantro OPTIONAL fresh and chopped
- 2 cup Plain yogurt regular or Greek
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Core and chop the cucumber, half the cherry or grape tomatoes, and chop the red onion. Crush and mince the garlic clove, then mince the fresh mint, parsley, and cilantro if using.
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped herbs.1 large English cucumber, 2 cup Cherry tomatoes, ½ medium Red onion, 1 large Garlic cloves, ¼ cup Mint leaves, ¼ cup Parsley leaves, ¼ cup Cilantro
- Add the yogurt to the bowl last, seasoning with some salt and pepper to taste.2 cup Plain yogurt, Salt, Black pepper
- Toss all the ingredients so that the vegetables are evenly coated with the yogurt. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- For the freshest and most refreshing salad, use cold cucumbers, tomatoes, and yogurt.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumbers will soften over time.
- Use fresh herbs for the most vibrant flavor. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount by half.
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