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Coconut Chutney Recipe

Vegan Masala Recipe

Coconut Chutney Recipe

This Coconut Chutney blends fresh coconut, roasted chana dal, green chilies, and ginger into a creamy dip. Ideal for serving alongside idli, dosa, or vada, its vibrant tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves adds depth to every bite.

15 minPrep: 12 minCook: 3 minSouth IndianVegan
coconut chutneycoconut chutney recipe

From the kitchen

What to expect

This Coconut Chutney brings a delightful freshness to your table, combining the richness of coconut with vibrant spices. It's a versatile accompaniment perfect for a variety of Indian meals.

Serving idea

Best served simply

Serve with idli, dosa, or medu vada for a complete South Indian experience.

Cook the recipe

Method

  1. 1

    In a chutney grinder jar, combine ½ cup grated coconut, 1 or 2 green chilies, and ½ inch ginger.

  2. 2

    Add 2 tablespoons roasted chana dal and salt to taste, followed by 3 to 4 tablespoons of water.

  3. 3

    Grind until you reach a smooth consistency, adding more water as needed.

  4. 4

    Transfer the chutney to a heatproof bowl.

  5. 5

    In a small pan, heat ½ tablespoon of oil and add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds.

  6. 6

    Once the mustard seeds start to splutter, add ½ teaspoon urad dal and fry until golden and fragrant.

  7. 7

    Introduce 9 to 10 curry leaves, 1 broken dry red chili, and a pinch of asafoetida.

  8. 8

    Fry briefly until the curry leaves crisp up and the red chili changes color without burning.

  9. 9

    Remove from heat and pour the tempering over the chutney in the bowl.

  10. 10

    Mix well to incorporate the flavors before serving.

Gather everything first

Ingredients

  • ½ cup fresh grated coconut (tightly packed) or ½ cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 or 2 green chilies (or ½ teaspoon chopped green chilies or serrano or Anaheim pepper)
  • ½ inch ginger (optional, or substitute with 1 to 2 small garlic cloves)
  • 2 tablespoons roasted chana dal (optional)
  • salt (to taste)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons water (or as needed for grinding)
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon urad dal (split and husked black gram)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (optional)
  • 9 to 10 curry leaves (or 1 sprig of curry leaves)
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 dry red chili (broken with seeds removed)
  • ½ tablespoon oil (sesame, peanut, coconut, sunflower, or any neutral oil)

A few useful notes

Notes

  • Coconut chutney will have a medium to medium-thick consistency. If you prefer it thinner, simply adjust the amount of water during grinding.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently before serving, or enjoy it cold.
  • This chutney pairs wonderfully with classic South Indian dishes or as a dip for snacks.

Learn the technique