Looking for an easy chutney recipe? Then try this Indian style carrot chutney that is spicy and delicious. It is perfect to serve with dosa, idli or even rice.
Recipe is very easy to make. All you need is just a few basic ingredients and you have a tasty condiment or side dish in no time.

About the Recipe
My family enjoys spicy chutneys aka pachadi. So, I am always looking for new chutney recipes to add to my repertoire. Like this delicious onion chutney or this sorakaya thokku pachadi.
This carrot and onion chutney recipe came about when I bought a big bag of carrots from Costco. I made this to go along with poha dosa and it was quite a hit with the family.
This is a nice variation to the regular coconut or peanut chutney You might expect this to be sweet with the use of carrot and onions. But the use of green chilies makes this a spicy chutney instead. It is also a great way to hide carrots since my son is not a big fan of them.
Serve this spicy carrot chutney with dosa, idli or mix it with rice. It is perfect as sandwich spread or as a dip for chips. Do try this delicious recipe, I am sure you will love it as much as my family does.
Ingredients
For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.
Here are the ingredients you need to make this carrot pachadi recipe:
- Carrot - peeled and grated or coarsely chopped.
- Onion - I use regular yellow onion. But if you have shallots or peal onions on hand then use them for extra flavor.
- Tomato - fresh tomato is best but feel free to use canned diced tomatoes.
Other ingredients you need are:
- Green chilies - depending on your spice tolerance, you can use either Thai, serrano or jalapeno chilies. Remove the seeds from the chilies to tame down the spiciness.
- Tamarind or lemon juice - to balance the spice and the sweetness.
- Mustard seeds
- Urad dal
- Curry leaves
- Oil and salt
Instructions
For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.
Here is how to make Indian spicy carrot chutney recipe:
Heat oil in a medium size sauté pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and once they start spluttering add the onions and green chilies. Cook till onions are lightly browned around the edges, about 3~5 minutes.
Add carrot and cook for 2~3 minutes. Then stir in tomatoes and cook for 3~4 minutes or until tomatoes are mushy. Add the salt and tamarind paste. Mix well and turn off the heat.
Let the mixture cool for 10~15 minutes. Blend the chutney into a smooth mixture. Add a splash of water if the blade refuses to turn.
Heat oil in a small saucepan; add the mustard seeds, urad dal & dry red chili (if using) and curry leaves. Once the seeds start to splutter and dal turns golden, turn off the heat and add the tempering to the chutney. Mix well and serve.
Expert Tips
- I use regular yellow onion because they are easily available. But if you have shallots or peal onions on hand then use them for extra flavor.
- I recommend using fresh tomato in this recipe. But feel free to use ½ cup canned diced tomatoes.
- Depending on your spice tolerance, you can use either Thai, serrano or jalapeno chilies. Remove the seeds from the chilies to tame down the spiciness.
- Use either tamarind or lemon juice to balance the spice and the sweetness carrot pachadi recipe.
- Store leftover chutney in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
You might also like
Here are a few more Indian recipes with carrots:
I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.
Recipe Card
Carrot-Onion Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Oil
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1 Medium Onion, chopped
- 2~3 Green Chilies*, chopped
- 2 Medium Carrots, peeled and grated or coarsely chopped, about 2 cups
- 1 Medium Tomato, chopped
- To taste Salt
- 1 teaspoon Tamarind paste
For Tempering:
- 2 teaspoons Oil
- ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon Urad dal, optional
- 1~2 Dry red chilies (optional)
- 6~8 Curry leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium size saute pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and once they start spluttering add the onions and green chilies. Cook till onions are lightly browned around the edges, about 3~5 minutes.Add carrot and cook for 2~3 minutes. Then stir in tomatoes and cook for 3~4 minutes or until tomatoes are mushy. Add the salt and tamarind paste. Mix well and turn off the heat.2 teaspoons Oil, 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds, 1 Medium Onion, chopped, 2~3 Green Chilies*, chopped, 2 Medium Carrots, peeled and grated or coarsely chopped, about 2 cups, 1 Medium Tomato, chopped, To taste Salt, 1 teaspoon Tamarind paste
- Let the mixture cool for 10~15 minutes. Blend the chutney into a smooth mixture. Add a splash of water if the blade refuses to turn.
- Heat oil in a small saucepan; add the mustard seeds, urad dal & dry red chili (if using) and curry leaves. Once the seeds start to splutter and dal turns golden, turn off the heat and add the tempering to the chutney. Mix well and serve.2 teaspoons Oil, ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds, ½ teaspoon Urad dal, optional, 1~2 Dry red chilies (optional), 6~8 Curry leaves
Video
Notes
- I use regular yellow onion because they are easily available. But if you have shallots or peal onions on hand then use them for extra flavor.
- I recommend using fresh tomato in this recipe. But feel free to use ½ cup canned diced tomatoes.
- Depending on your spice tolerance, you can use either Thai, serrano or jalapeno chilies. Remove the seeds from the chilies to tame down the spiciness.
- Use either tamarind or lemon juice to balance the spice and the sweetness carrot pachadi recipe.
- Store leftover chutney in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Srivalli
Such a lovely colour to the chutney Pavani..I love carrot chutney..it tastes amazing.
vaishali sabnani
The chutney looks pretty and healthy. .totally a new one for me. I have jotted it down in my mind and will try it soon.
Suja Ram
Very happy to be paired with you Pavani. Your chutney looks so inviting and I love your superb clicks which makes even a simple dish so unique!
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
That is a very appetizing chutney Pavani.
Nalini's Kitchen
Finger licking chutney,it got a nice color..Perfect with idly and dosa..
Sarita
Very colorful and yummy.
Priya Suresh
An excellent side dish for crispy dosas..Beautiful combination.
Kalyani
Yes it tastes even better wit pearl onions, n that chutney colour is very inviting !
Usha Rao
I remember eating carrot chutney with dosa at one of my aunts place. I did not ask her the recipe but this looks similar to that.
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
beautiful color and texture must be so delicious
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
beautiful color and texture must be so delicious
Usha
Finally made this recipe. You posted this recipe just when I was thinking of which chutney to prepare today. I used both green chilies and some red chili paste (pandu miram) and the chutney turned out delicious!
Kalyani
I made this chutney recently with crispy dosa and it was a hit. thanks for a fab recipe, Pavani !
Srivalli
Love the new updated pictures and the recipe, Pavani. It came out excellent! I made it with stuffed pooris and it is a great hit!..thanks..:)
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
A great idea to use carrots in routine recipes. I am also guilty of always having a huge bag of carrots from Costco. We had this last night with dosai and loved it.
Srividhya Manikandan
I love chutneys and this one with carrot sounds interesting. I make using chayote squash, ivy gourd but yet to try with carrots. Thanks for the idea Pavani.