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Poppadom Dips Recipe (easy Indian dips)

These are the best 3 poppadom dips and sauces that are served in Indian restaurants alongside crunchy poppadoms and starters. These 3 Indian condiments are Mango Chutney, Indian Mint Sauce and Indian Onion Chutney.

Prepare these easy Indian dipping sauces for poppadoms for your next curry night. Included in the post is a recipe for Mango Chutney.

Make your own homemade poppadoms from scratch.

Three poppadom dips in small bowls next to poppadoms

Poppadom Dips are popular throughout Western countries thanks to the Indian restaurants that serve these condiments and sauces.

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This trio of Indian chutneys and dips are presented in Indian pickle trays alongside crispy deep-fried poppadoms and Indian appetizers. These include air fryer onion bhaji, onion bhajis, samosas and other pakoras.

Poppadoms (poppadums, pappadums) are a thin cracker made with either lentils or rice flour and they are either toasted or deep-fried and served either before or during an Indian meal.

In Indian Restaurants, deep-fried poppadoms are served in baskets even before the starters arrive. A tray of three different chutneys and sauces always arrive alongside.

Let’s see each of the Indian poppadom dips in turn:

three indian dips for poppadoms in small fluted bowls

Indian Mint Sauce

This is a yogurt poppadom dip made from fresh mint, green chillies and yogurt and is also known as yogurt mint sauce.

You will recognise it as the green yellow dipping sauce that tastes slightly sweet.

Indian mint dipping sauce is mild and cooling against spicy starters. It is possible to make a super quick version using mint sauce from a jar.

Yogurt sauce is different to Raita which is most commonly prepared with grated cucumber.

indian mint sauce for poppadoms in a small bowl

Indian Onion Chutney

This Onion Chutney for poppadoms is also known as cold onion chutney or red onion chutney thanks to the spicy red sauce. It is a no cook recipe.

Sometimes, it is referred to as Indian Onion Dipping Sauce and is made from chopped onions mixed in a red sauce of ketchup and spices.

The Indian onion relish is served cold with poppadoms and alongside Indian curries.

Alternatively, some restaurants serve Indian Onion Salad which is made with finely chopped raw onion, lemon juice and basic Indian spices. It takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.

indian onion chutney for poppadoms served in a small white bowl

Mango Chutney

Mango Chutney is probably the most popular out of the three main poppadum dips and is surprisingly easy to prepare at home.

It has the perfect balance of fruity, sweet and tangy all in one making it ideal alongside curries, naans and of course as a starter dipping sauce for poppadoms!

You need a few Indian spices but they are all easily available these days in the World Food Aisles of most supermarkets but certainly in Indian grocery stores.

mango chutney for poppadoms in a beige bowl with a spoon

Ingredients:

Mangoes 2 cups – use ripe but firm mangoes, peeled and cut into medium sized chunks.

Oil 1 tablespoon – sunflower or vegetable oil.

Onion 1/4 cup – roughly chopped or crush using a food processor.

Garlic 2 cloves – minced or use 1 teaspoon puree

Root ginger 1/2 inch – minced or use 1 teaspoon puree

Fresh 1 red chili crushed. Alternatively, use 1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes or powder.

Kalonji 1 teaspoon aka onion seeds which are a MUST in chutney recipes. They add a unique restaurant/takeaway style flavour. If it’s not available use black mustard seeds.

Sugar 1 cup – use regular white sugar.

Vinegar 1 cup – you can use any light coloured vinegar.

Spice powders

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon cumin coriander powder and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder.

Add 1 teaspoon Garam masala instead of cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and coriander and black pepper powder.

Mango chutney for poppadoms ingredients on a round silver tray

Method

Short mango chutney recipe video is available in the recipe card below.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add kalonji and after a few seconds, add the onion, garlic, ginger and red chillies.

Sauté this for around a minute before adding the mangoes. Cook this for 1 minutes then add the vinegar and sugar.

Add in turmeric powder, cardamom powder, cumin coriander powder and black pepper powder.

Allow the chutney to cook down until it has reduced and is thickened and syrupy. It will take approx 30-35 minutes.

Wait until it has totally cooled before storing in a jar.

You can also serve mango chutney with cheese or spread in your sandwiches.

How to serve Indian Poppadom Dips

You can either serve the trio of poppadom dips or pick your favourite one!

Serve poppadom dips at room temperature with pappadums, onion bhajis and samosas.

Keep in separate bowls for your guests to help themselves.

Some popular Indian starters include Mogo chips (cassava), Paneer Tikka and Crispy Potato Bhajiya.

indian dipping sauce for poppadoms placed on a purple tabletop

Other Indian Accompaniments

Date Tamarind Chutney (Imli chutney)

Coriander Mint Chutney

Lime Pickle

Indian Tamarind Sauce Recipe

Samosa Sauces – Dipping Sauces

More Indian Restaurant Style Recipes

Authentic Chana Masala

Brinjal Bhaji

Bombay Potatoes

Chana Saag

Dal Makhani

Naan

Paneer Jalfrezi

Vegetarian Biryani

restaurant style three indian poppadom dipping sauces placed on a table next to fried poppadoms

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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Indian dips and chutney bowls on a purple backdrop

Poppadom Dips

Hayley Dhanecha
These are the best 3 poppadom dips and sauces that are served in Indian restaurants alongside crunchy poppadoms and starters. These 3 Indian condiments are Mango Chutney, Indian Mint Sauce and Indian Onion Chutney.
5 from 47 votes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, dip, sides
Cuisine American, British, Indian
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup indian onion chutney
  • ½ cup indian mint sauce
  • ½ cup mango chutney

Serve with

  • 8 poppadoms

Instructions
 

  • Place 1/2 cup indian onion chutney, 1/2 cup indian mint sauce and 1/2 cup mango chutney in three different bowls.
  • Serve with 8 poppadoms to your guests.
  • Break the papad into small bite size pieces, dip and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Links to Indian Mint Sauce and Indian Onion Chutney are provided in the first paragraph of this post. 
Mango chutney ingredients and recipe method are provided in the body of the post. 
Enjoy with a balti curry prepared with this homemade balti sauce

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

Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook
Recipe Rating




Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

Wednesday 25th of October 2023

Such a collection of incredible dips. I’ve added the ingredients to my grocery list as I NEED these in my life! I can’t wait to try them!

Hayley

Wednesday 25th of October 2023

Thank you! Hope you like them :)

Ramona

Monday 9th of October 2023

These dips are a great way to add extra flavour to papdams. Can't wait to try all three of them!

Cathleen

Monday 9th of October 2023

Thank you so much for sharing! I am sure to make this, bookmarked to make next weekend. I'm so excited!

Lisa

Monday 9th of October 2023

I love homemade dips and sauces. The flavors are fabulous and I love when there are choices!

Mikayla

Sunday 8th of October 2023

We made the mango chutney one and really enjoyed it. Now we are looking forward to making the others as well.