Raita — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Raita is just yogurt and a few add-ins, so thick, tangy yogurt and freshly toasted cumin are what separate a bright cooling side from a watery one. Salt the grated cucumber and squeeze it dry before it goes in. Skip that and its water thins the yogurt to soup within minutes.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 4 servings

Yogurt

Thick, full-fat yogurt is the base; whisk it smooth, and use a strained one if yours is loose.

2 cups

Source it →

Cumin

Whole cumin toasted dark and ground fresh gives raita its smoky backbone; pre-ground tastes flat here.

1 tsp

Source it →

Ghee

A spoon of ghee bloomed with cumin and a broken chile, poured over as a tadka, lifts a plain raita; skip it and the yogurt tastes one-note.

1 tbsp

Source it →

Cucumber

Grated, then salted and squeezed dry so it does not water down the yogurt; this step is the whole trick.

1 medium

Source it →

Cilantro and mint

Chopped fresh herbs for lift; a little grated green chile adds a whisper of heat.

handful

Local / market

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge

A light hand — your arteries say thanks.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

No-cook

The Method

Prep cucumberGrate the cucumber, toss with a pinch of salt, and let it sit 5 minutes. Squeeze out the water hard before it goes into the yogurt.
Toast cuminDry-toast whole cumin seeds in a pan until fragrant and a shade darker, then crush them. This is the flavor that makes raita.
MixWhisk the yogurt smooth, fold in the squeezed cucumber, most of the cumin, herbs, and salt.
TemperHeat the ghee until shimmering, crackle a pinch of cumin and a broken dried chile, and pour the sizzling fat over the raita for a tadka finish.
FinishChill 15 minutes to let it come together, then dust the rest of the toasted cumin over the top before serving.

The Toolkit

Box grater · Mixing bowl · Small skillet · Whisk

Straight Answers

Can you make Raita in an air fryer? — Not needed

No cooking needed here — this one comes together without heat, so the air fryer sits it out.

Can you freeze Raita? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Raita ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Raita gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Raita vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

More Indian recipes

Chai Latte Palak Paneer Chicken Curry Rogan Josh Rajma Aloo Paratha

All Indian recipes → · Browse all 1433 →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.213

Raita, and where to source it