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Kachumber Salad (Indian Cucumber Salad)

Kachumber Salad is a refreshing and classic Indian-style side salad to accompany a variety of Indian meals. Simple Indian Cucumber salad recipe is made with 3 main ingredients, tomato, cucumber, and onion. This Indian salad can be ready in 5 minutes!

Kachumber salad served in a whilte bowl with a spoon
 

Kachumber salad is made with chopped or diced cucumber, tomato, red onion and coriander and dressed in lemon juice and salt.

It is often found in restaurant menus but it super easy to recreate at home.

This refreshing salad has a crunchy texture makes a great accompaniment to an Indian meal.

Kachumber is unique in that it has its own wonderful flavours and yet the beauty is that it does not overpower or change the flavour of the dish it is eaten alongside.

We love to have this salad with our everyday meal, sometimes as an alternative, we have our Indian onion salad or Indian Onion Chutney too.

The recipe has similarities to Mango Pico de Gallo, Israeli Salad, Shirazi Salad

What is Kachumber?

In Hindi language, Kachumber means ‘finely chopped’ or ‘minced’ and mainly refers to a fresh chopped salad.
 
The Kachumber salad is somewhat like pica de Gallo made using fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeno and cilantro.
 
Indian Kachumber salad is without any vinaigrette or dressings that are heavy.
 
This Kachumber salad is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and comes together in less than 10 minutes and require no cooking.
 
Kachumber is so colourful, with tons of red, purple and green thanks to the veggies. It looks and tastes incredibly delicious, refreshing and crunchy.
 

What to serve with Kachumber Salad

Usually in the Indian restaurant, kachumber salad is served alongside crispy papad and green mint sauce, mango chutney, red Indian onion chutney, Indian onion salad and spicy pickle.

Most often, you get raita as well which is a yogurt based dip. 

Follow these instructions from how to make poppadoms at home, in just 5 minutes.

In Indian homes, kachumber is served with a regular meal, especially at lunchtime with dal and curries.

I love to have it with spicy dishes like Matar Paneer and Rajma Masala.

It also goes so well with Gujarati curries like Kobi Bateta Nu Saak (cabbage and potato curry) Ringan Bateta Nu Saak (aubergine and potato curry) with round and soft Gujarati Rotli.

This can be a delicious summer side dish for barbecue or grilling or can be added in cold pasta salad too. It’s great with this Malai Broccoli.

Why don’t you serve over nachos or in burgers with chips or add to burrito wrap, taco or bowl?

Or just have it on its own as a healthy snack when feeling a little peckish. 

Indian Kachumber salad served in a big white bowl with two spoons next to salt and pepper jars

Kachumber Salad Ingredients:

Perfect measurements of ingredients in the recipe card below.

Onion– use red onion for this recipe. If you find red onion flavor too strong, you can reduce the amount of onion that you use. White and yellow onions works great too. You need finely chopped onion

Tomato– use ripe tomatoes that have a firmness and flavourful too. We like to use salad tomatoes, however use any tomato such as cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes for a hint of sweetness.

Cucumber– any fresh and firm cucumber will work, no need to peel or deseeded the cucumber. We have used English cucumber here. Mini or Persian cucumbers can be used too.

Lemon/Lime juice– use fresh lemon juice where possible otherwise bottled lemon juice will also do. Feel free to increase or decrease according to your preference.

Apple cider or white vineger works well. Start with a small amount and check.

Coriander/Cilantro– finely chopped coriander leaves are a must for kachumber. You may add little amount of torn fresh mint leaves too. Use fresh herbs not dried. 

Seasoning– a small pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. For spices, feel free to add some roasted ground cumin powder and or red chili powder. Instead of salt, you can use kala namak or chaat masala. 

Variations of Kachumber:

Add boiled chickpeas to include some protein

You may add finely chopped green chilies.

Some like to add finely chopped radish, capsicum or boiled sweetcorn kernels too.

Grated carrots and cabbage bulks up the salad and looks so colourful and attractive.

Throw in some pomegranate seeds, diced mango, in season, or golden raisins.

Why not add some chopped avocado for good fat in your diet too. (add when just about to serve)

In some Indian households coarsely ground roasted cumin, chaat masala or black salt added too.

Easily, you can make Shirazi salad using above ingredients. 

Storage

I do not like to store this salad if I can help it as leftovers very quickly loose their freshness
 
Once you store it in a container, the smell of onion is strong but keeping it at room temperature for 2-3 hours is fine.
 
This salad is not suitable for freezing.
 

Tips to make Best Kachumber Salad Recipe

Ensure you use fresh vegetables and herbs for refreshing and crunchy salad.

To reduce the sharpness of raw onions, soak diced onion in ice cold water for 12-15 minutes. Then drain the water and use it.

Do not store salad for a long time outside or even in the fridge, it will release the water and it will go soggy.

For seasoning use freshly ground black pepper.

How to make Indian Kachumber Salad

Like I said above this recipe is so easy and quick, just chop everything into small chunks and mix it. You may use a sharp knife or mandoline for a quick and uniform cut..
 
1. Add finely chopped cucumber to a bowl.
 
Making kachumber salad step 1 chopped cucumber in a bowl
 
 
2. Now add finely chopped tomatoes
 
Making kachumber salad step 2 chopped tomatoes in a bowl
 
 
3. Add red onions
 
making fresh and crunchy vegetable salad step 3 chopped red onion
 
 
4. Fresh coriander or cilantro
 
Making kakdi salad step 4 freshly chopped cilantro
 
 
5. Season the salad and add lemon/lime juice. Toss everything well.
 
Making indian cucumber salad step 5 added lemon juice and seasoning
 
 
6. Kachumber is ready to serve.
 
cucumber tomato onion salad in a white bowl with lemon wedge
 

Other Salad Recipes

1. Instant Pot Vegan Potato Salad

2. Watermelon Mojito Salad

3. Chickpea salad with Avocado dressing

4. Best Pesto Potato Salad

5. Mango Black Bean Salad

KACHUMBER SALAD | INDIAN SIDE SALAD

Hayley Dhanecha
Kachumber Salad is a refreshing Indian-style side salad to accompany a variety of Indian meals. Made with 3 simple main ingredients, tomato, cucumber, and onion, this zingy salad can be ready in 5 minutes!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course sides, snacks, starter
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 7 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup cucumber chopped
  • ½ cup red or pink onion chopped
  • ¼ cup coriander or cilantro chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • Seasoning salt and black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix everything in a bowl and serve. 
    1 cup tomatoes chopped, 1 cup cucumber chopped, 1/2 cup red or pink onion chopped, 1/4 cup coriander or cilantro chopped, 1-2 tbsp. lemon juice, Seasoning

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
KACHUMBER SALAD | INDIAN SIDE SALAD
Serving Size
 
70 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
7
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
57
mg
2
%
Potassium
 
78
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
1
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
47
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
13
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.

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