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Home ยป Salads ยป Indian Salad (Kachumber Salad)

Indian Salad (Kachumber Salad)

Published: Oct 14, 2022 ยท Modified: Nov 10, 2022 by Wajeeha Nadeem ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

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Indian Kachumber Salad is an easy everyday vegetarian salad made with fresh tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and herbs. It is dressed with fresh lemon juice, red chili powder, and cumin powder.

Pair it with any Indian or Pakistani dish to make a complete meal, such as Dal, Biryani, and Chicken Pulao.

Kachumber Salad served in a white bowl placed on a white marble slab.

I almost didnโ€™t want to post this easy Kachumber Salad, because itโ€™s such an easy and basic recipe. But Iโ€™ve often found that itโ€™s the simplest recipes that are most popular, so I thought to myself, why not?

Jump to:
  • About this Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Kachumber Salad Recipe
  • Variations for Indian Salad
  • Helpful Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • What to Serve this Salad With
  • Different Ways to Use Indian Salad
  • More Salad Recipes
  • Kachumber Salad

About this Recipe

An overhead shot of Indian Salad served in a white bowl placed upon a white marble slab.

In India and Pakistan, it is common to pair any meal with a freshly chopped vegetable salad.

One of the most common salads made is the Kachumber Salad made with raw veggies. It's easy to make, fresh, and vegan and oil-free.

Indian Salads are often made with fresh vegetables and minimal dressing. You can also think of this salad as the Indian version of fresh salsa. It also pairs beautifully with this Keema recipe.

This salad is called Kachumber in Hindi because it is made up of very finely chopped vegetables.

While the most common vegetables used in this salad are cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and herbs such as fresh mint and cilantro (coriander leaves), it can vary across homes.

The best part of this recipe is that is highly customizable, and you can pretty much add any fresh veggies of your choice.

I've mentioned a few variations down below in this post.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for kachumber salad laid out on a brown wooden cutting board.

Cucumbers: Use any cucumbers of your choice. I like to use either English or Persian cucumbers.

Tomatoes: Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes, but make sure they aren't very ripe. We are looking for tomatoes with a firm bite in this salad. You can also use cherry tomatoes if desired.

Onions: Traditionally Indian red onions are used for this recipe, however, you can use any onion of your choice. If you want to reduce the acidity and sharpness of the chopped onion a bit, you can soak them in cold water after chopping them. When ready to use, drain the excess water.

Fresh Herbs: Finely chopped mint leaves and cilantro are used here to add that extra flavor.

Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to bring out all those flavors of the salad. You can also sub with fresh lime juice. Just in case you have neither, you can also use half a teaspoon of vinegar to bring that tartness to the salad.

Spices: We also add a little sprinkle of red chili powder and cumin powder. This is an optional step, however, so feel free to skip it!

How to Make Kachumber Salad Recipe

A bowl of chopped vegetables, half a lemon and a small plate of spices laid out on a white marble slab.
  1. Chopping: Start by chopping all the vegetables. The trick to kachumber salad is finely chopping all the vegetables so you are able to get each in every bite.
  2. Combine: Once you have chopped all your veggies, combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions in a bowl. Add the finely chopped mint leaves and cilantro. Mix well.
  3. Dressing: Pour over the lemon juice, and sprinkle the spices if using. Mix well until combined, and serve immediately.

Variations for Indian Salad

You can use other vegetables as well for this salad, such as carrots, radishes, bell pepper and cabbage.

For a bit of sweetness and a pop of color, you can also add pomegranate seeds.

For more spiciness, you can also add a finely chopped green chili.

You can also add chopped nuts such as peanuts or almonds for an added crunch.

You can also mix in a tablespoon of yogurt to make it more creamy.

A close up shot of kachumber salad in a large white bowl.

Helpful Tips

Finely chop all the vegetables to get that Kachumber effect. It will mean more veggies in each bite and that translates to more flavor and texture.

You can make this salad in advance, which allows the flavors to mix and marinate with each other.

If your cucumber is bitter, you can chop it and sprinkle it with a bit of salt. Leave aside for 10 minutes. Rinse and use in the recipe.

Recipe FAQs

Can we make the salad without onions?

Yes, you can skip the chopped onion. In place of onions you can add shredded carrot or cabbage.

Do you have to peel the cucumbers?

This is your preference. If the peel is thick, then I would suggest peeling the cucumber.

How long can you store this salad?

You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

What to Serve this Salad With

Kachumber Salad is perfect with Indian curries or rice dishes. Here are some of the recipes we enjoy pairing it with:

  • Keema
  • Biryani
  • Daal
  • Chicken Pulao
  • Palak Chicken
  • Matar Pulao
  • Mutton Karahi
  • Chicken Seekh Kabab
  • Indian Chicken Korma Recipe
  • Easy Chicken Karahi Recipe
  • Potato Curry
  • Keema Matar

Different Ways to Use Indian Salad

  • Use Kachumber Salad as a cooling side to spicy Indian and Pakistani recipes.
  • Indian Salad is perfect as a topping for burgers and sandwiches.
  • It can even be used as a healthy dip for chips!
A bowl full of Indian Salad placed on a white marble slab.

More Salad Recipes

Greek Salad

Easy Creamy Summer Macaroni Salad

Creamy Chicken Hazelnut Salad

Delicious Chickpea Pomegranate Salad

Honey Pineapple Rainbow Fruit Salad

Strawberry Kiwi Cheesecake Salad

Chana Chaat

Kachumber Salad

Indian Kachumber Salad is made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. It is vegan, crunchy, and goes perfectly with Indian curries and rice dishes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani/Indian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Wajeeha Nadeem

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 2 to matoes
  • 1 onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Handful of cilantro and mint

Instructions

  • Start by washing all the cucumbers and tomatoes.
  • Chop the cucumbers finely, and set aside in a bowl.
  • Dice the tomatoes finely, and add to the cucumbers.
  • Peel the onion, dice finely. If the onion is too pungent, you can soak it in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain, and add to the salad bowl.
  • Add chopped mint leaves and cilantro.
  • Sprinkle over the spices, and add the lemon juice.
  • Toss the salad together until well combined.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cucumbers: You can peel the cucumbers if you prefer. I recommend using English or Persian cucumbers. But regular cucumbers are fine too in this recipe.
  • Tomatoes: Use ripe but firm tomatoes, to avoid a mushy salad. You can also use cherry tomatoes.
  • Onions: Indian red onions are used traditionally, but even white onions will be good in this recipe. You can also omit the onions altogether. Lemon juice: Sub with fresh lime juice or vinegar.
  • Spices: These are optional.
  • Variations: Radish, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, or finely chopped bell pepper are great additions to this recipe.
  • Storage: Can be stored in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 1210mg | Potassium: 1613mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 2793IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 3mg
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Comments

  1. James

    April 24, 2021 at 3:00 am

    Thanks for the Indian salad.

    Reply

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