Onion Chutney Recipe

Onion Chutney | Vengaya chutney is a popular Indian condiment onions, chillies, garlic and tamarind. This chutney can be served with any breakfast dish including idli, dosa, paniyaram, masala dosa, pongal and vada. Onion chutney has a sweet taste to it so it can be used as a spread for sandwiches & wraps too.

Onion Chutney

My mum makes this chutney more that twice in a week. Because it is so simple to make. It requires only onion and nothing else. I like to caramelize the onion before grinding which gives the chutney lovely dark colour and sweetness. Onion chutney is best served with hot idlis or dosa. And it makes a perfect spread for sandwiches.

About Onion Chutney

Onion Chutney | Vengaya Chutney is a popular Indian condiment made with onions, chillies, garlic, tamarind. Sometimes optional ingredients like tomatoes are added to make tomato onion chutney. Even coconut is added to gives the creamy texture.

You can make this chutney with shallots (small onions|sambar onions) too. I have shared 5 versions of making the classic chutney here in this blog post which will be useful.

Spicy Onion Chutney is an everyday condiment in any south Indian home which is usually served with breakfast dishes like rava idli, mysore masala dosa. It can be served as a dip to pakoras too.

In this blog post I have tried to cover all the possible ways onion chutney is made. But the most popular two ways of making chutney is shared. One is raw chutney in which onion is ground with garlic, chillies, tamarind and salt and hot oil is poured over the chutney. The is not cooked and it taste amazing with sponge dosa.

Vengaya chutney comes handy during times when you run out of tomatoes and coconut. All you need is onions and the other ingredients is to add pungent flavour and spicy kick the chutney. Spicy and Easy Onion Chutney Recipe!

For More Chutney Recipes, Check Out My

Tomato Chutney

Coconut Chutney

Capsicum Chutney

Beetroot Chutney

Watch Onion Chutney Video

Onion Chutney Ingredients

Onions

Cooking onions till it gets caramelized gives maximum sweetness to the chutney. For faster cooking of onions add a sprinkle of salt and sugar which brings out the moisture from the onions and allow it to cook faster.

Dry Red Chillies

Dry red chillies are roasted and ground which gives a slight hint of smoky flavour to the onion chutney. Optionally you can use green chillies or chilli powder.

Garlic

I like to use garlic in my chutney which gives a wonderful taste. You can add more garlic and make this chutney dominant in garlic flavour.

Tamarind

Tamarind paste or a small piece of tamarind is added when grinding which gives tartness to the chutney.

Optional Ingredients

Ingredients like coriander leaves, coconut, tomatoes is added in chutney for a variation.

How I Make Onion Chutney Dosa (Ulli Kaaram Dosa)

Onion chutney goes well with idli, dosa, kuzhi paniyaram, vada as well. Sometimes I like to spread it over dosa and make ulli kaaram dosa. Ulli kaaram dosa is nothing but a spicy chutney spread all over dosa. Dosa is cooked till golden and crispy. You can serve spicy onion chutney with dosa, idli or any breakfast recipe too.

How to Make Onion Chutney (Step-wise Pictures)

1)Heat oil in a kadai. Add in sliced onions in the oil. Instead of onions you can use peeled shallots.

2)Sprinkle salt evenly so the onions cooks faster.

3)Cover and cook till onions gets soft. It will take around 10 minutes for the onions to cook. Make sure you mix in between for even cooking.

4)Cook onions till golden brown. This is the consistency you are looking for.

5)Add in peeled garlic into the sauted onions. Add as much garlic as you prefer.

6)Add in tamarind paste and mix well.

7)Add in chilli powder and coriander powder. You can add 4 dry red chillies and 2 tbsp of whole coriander seeds instead of powder.

8)Now the onion mix is cooked.

9)Cool this and take it in a blender.

10) Grind the onions to a smooth puree.

11)Take ground onion chutney in a bowl.

12)Make tempering by heating oil, add mustard, urad dal, cumin seeds, dry red chillies.

13)Pour this into the chutney.

14)Mix onion chutney well.

15)Serve chutney with idli or dosa.

Onion Chutney Variations

1)Simple Version

This is simple version of chutney, my everyday version. Delicious and easy onion chutney made using very basic ingredients and can be made in less than 10 mins goes well with idli and dosa.

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan, add 4 dry red chilli and cook till golden and charred.Add 1 chopped onions, salt, 1 tsp tamarind and mix well. Cook for 2 mins.
• Take it in a blender and make it into a fine puree. Pour this in a bowl.
• Heat 2 tsp oil and add ½ tsp mustard and 1 sprig curry leaves. Pour this into the chutney and mix well. Serve.

Raw Onion Chutney

This recipe of raw onion chutney can be made in a jiggy. Super easy and instant. Grind onions, garlic, dry red chillies and salt together. Take this in a bowl and pour hot oil over the chutney and mix well. Serve with idli or dosa.

• Take 1 chopped onions, 6 garlic cloves, 4 dry red chillies, 1 tsp tamarind pulp, salt in a blender and puree. Pour into a serving bowl which is heat safe.
• Heat 4 tbsp gingelly oil till smoking. Pour hot oil over chutney and mix. serve.

Onion Chutney with Tomato

Adding onions and tomatoes gives a nice texture and taste so good with idli, dosa or anything you wish.

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add 5 dry red chillies and toast till golden. Remove and set aside. Add 2 chopped onions, 1 chopped Tomatoes and saute for a min. Add salt and 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp tamarind pulp and cook till mushy.
• Take it in a blender and puree till smooth. Add water as needed. Take it in a bowl. 
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add 1 tsp mustard seeds and ¼ tsp asafoetida and mix well. Pour it into the chutney and mix well.

Onion Coriander Chutney

You can easily lift up the flavour of the chutney by adding a bunch of coriander leaves and mint leaves. This taste amazing and is so flavourful.

• Heat 1 tsp of oil, add in 2 chopped onions, 5 green chillies, 6 cloves garlic and salt. Saute for 3 minutes. Add in 1 cup coriander leaves and mix well.
• Now take this in a blender and add in 1 tbsp tamarind and puree to smooth mix.
• Heat oil in the same pan, add in 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp urad dal, 1 sprig curry leaves. 
• Now add the chutney in and give a good mix. Serve this with dosa or idli.

Onion Chutney with Coconut

This Chutney is what i make to give some bulk to the chutney. This authentic coconut chutney can be made very easily with readily available ingredients.

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan, add 5 garlic and 4 dry red chilli. Saute for a min. Add in 1 chopped onions and cook that for 5 mins or so. Add in 3 tbsp coconut and mix well. Cook that for a min.
• Take this in a blender, add salt and 1 tsp tamarind. Grind it to a smooth paste. Take it in a bowl.
• Heat little 1 tbsp oil in the same pan, crackle 1 tsp mustard and 1 tsp urad dal.Add in 1 sprig curry leaves and mix well. Pour this over the chutney and mix well.Serve.

Expert Tips

1. Cook onions till they get caramelized and golden which adds sweetness to your chutney. 
2. You can add dry red chillies instead of chilli powder. 
3. Coriander seeds can be used instead of coriander powder.
4. Optionally a handful of coriander leaves can be added.

Storage

If you want to store onion chutney longer, add very less water when grinding and pour the chutney back into the tempering and cook out the water and make it thick. This way the chutney can be stored in fridge for upto a week.

FAQ

How to Store Onion Chutney Longer?

If you want to store chutney longer, add very less water when grinding and pour the chutney back into the tempering and cook out the water and make it thick. This way the chutney can be stored in fridge for upto a week.

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If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @[email protected] and I’ll help as soon as I can.

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