Lemon chutney is a spicy south Indian side dish for idli. With just chilli, lemon and salt as main ingredients. You can prepare this quickly for breakfast or dinner when you make idli.
This is a fata fat chutney, a fiery hot spicy as well as a flavorful chutney! My FIL’s favorite my favorite too… perfect for idly and dosa… Try this once, you all would like it!
Some times(or may be most of the times) in weekend mornings we don’t feel like spending time at kitchen.
So I keep Idli dosa batter and make some quick spicy chutney as side dish for idli.
One side make idli and while it is steaming, you can finish this chutney and you have breakfast or dinner ready.
Only thing to note is this is spicy and can serve only two people. You can easily double the quantity and makes grinding more easier as well.
Spiciness
The chilli I buy here in Singapore is medium spice. Makes it perfect for the chutney.
In case you are using spicy ones, you can reduce the spiciness by deseeding it.
Use Kashmiri chilli or Byadgi chilli for lovely hue. or just mix ½ teaspoon of chilli powder while grinding.
Top tip
It is important to add lemon as needed. Too less will make it spicy or too much will lead to tangy taste.
If you feel you could taste only tanginess and spiciness, add little more salt.
I have to warn you, this takes less salt especially when using rock salt.
Serving suggestion
This is the only way you should serve: lots of sesame oil with chutney to balance it's spiciness. It's best for taste as well as to go easy on your tummy.
Serve with
Step by step photos
Take red chilli and salt firstly in mixie.
2. Powder well.
3. Add water (3-4 tbsp) and grind furthermore to make it homogenous in texture.
4. You can squeeze lemon and grind along too.
5. Transfer to a serving bowl.
6. Heat a small pan with oil and splutter mustard. Add urad dal, curry leaves and finely chopped onion.
7. Saute until golden brown / caramelized. I add a tiny pinch of salt to fasten browning.
8. Transfer to the chutney.
9. Mix well and serve.
we had with left over idly batter paniyarams(pulicha maavu paniyaram 😉).
The chutney carries a wonderful flavor of the fresh lemon . I used our Indian variety so it was awesome!
Recipe card
Lemon chutney recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Lemon
- 8 Red chilli
- 2 Small onions finely chopped
- Salt As needed
To Temper
- 2 teaspoon Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Urad dal
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
Instructions
- Take red chilli and salt firstly in mixie. Powder well.
- Add water (3-4 tbsp) and grind furthermore to make it homogenous in texture.
- You can squeeze lemon and grind along too.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Heat a small pan with oil and splutter mustard. Add urad dal, curry leaves and finely chopped onion.
- Saute until golden brown / caramelized. I add a tiny pinch of salt to fasten browning.
- Transfer to the chutney.
- Mix well and serve.
Video
Notes
- It is important to add lemon as needed. Too less will make it spicy or too much will lead to tangy taste.
- If you feel you could taste only tanginess and spiciness, add little more salt.
- I have to warn you, this takes less salt especially when using rock salt.
Shobana senthilkumar
Wow...raaji u make me feel hungry:)
awesome pic!!
Prathibha
lol..that last pic of that fiery spicy chutney wid paniyaram'sis haunting me...I love it..
u kno wat even we make a similar kind...and we avoid even onion also sometimes...just lemon+ rechilli powder n salt..yummy n easy one..
lata raja
I make the chutney grinding tamarind and redchillis. Love the addition of lime and onions! Will try. The picture by itself is very inviting.
jayasree
The lemon flavor must be complimenting the heat from chillies. Mouthwatering pics.
Sushma Mallya
Very attractive pic raks,lemony chutney sounds good and must be very nice too with dosa...
LG
this is a new chutney recipe for me. Tempting pictures 🙂
Priti
Looks awesome..wonderful clicks..will try this soon...thks for sharin
Nithya
Wow.. lovely pictures.. they are making it all the more tempting. Simple and nice chutney dear. thanks for sharing.
Priya
Fiery hot chutney looks fantastic Raks...glad to know u guys settled down well and hope to see more fantastic dishes dear...
Parita
Chutney looks mouth watering! Very very yummy!
Rohini
Just the pics have made me hungry dear!! Lovely recipe.. My MIL also suggests a similar one, where they just mix idli milagai podi with lemon juice and sesame oil... Havent tried it though!
Awesome pics,as always!
jeyashrisuresh
my mom too makes a similar one with red chillis and garlic.
lemon and rechillies great combo..
Pictures r really awesome.
sowmya.s
beautiful picture..looks tempting..
Shama Nagarajan
nice picture...yummy chutney
Shama Nagarajan
nice picture...yummy chutney
Laavanya
The colour of the chutney is fantastic! Have not seen a lemon chutney before...
Pari
Hi Raji. This looks so tempting and I love anything tangy.Oh I want that platter right now, u have made me feel hungry!!!
Honey
The chutney looks spicy and delicious. I bet they will taste equally good with some stir fries.
rekhas kitchen
OMG how can u tempt like this yaar simply superb. my mom also makes this chutney but she don't add onion ans seasoning.
Asha
WOW!! Beautiful unique chutney and I love both serving plates, so cute.
Rachana Kothari
The chutney looks mouthwatering...mmm yummm:)
Rachana Kothari
The chutney looks mouthwatering...mmm yummm:)
shanthi
Adding lemon juice is new to me. Mouthwatering....
Sowmya
wow..you got a wonderful space...nice recipes with lovely clicks...glad to follow you...btw..thanks for visiting my blog ...do keep in touch...have fun:)
Suparna
hey Raji,
It's new to me, I love chutneys, so shall keep it in my recipe list dear 🙂
Nice post with eye catching pics as always!
TC
A 2 Z Vegetarian Cuisine
The picture is very inviting..love the chutney as well as your bowl..lol..
Divya Kudua
Yum..looks so good.lemon in a chutney is something new to me..:)
Sharmilee! :)
Wow Lemony chutney sounds new to me....Looks spicy & tangy.Yellow bowl looks cute! Wats the yellow bg in the 1st pic, just inquisitive to knw Raji 🙂
Sailaja Damodaran
wow!!!!!!! very different one.Must try it.Will this stay good keeping outside?
Preeti Kashyap
Love the paniyaram pic! Nice tangy recipe raks!
Sandhya Hariharan
hiee... lovely clicks as usual.... me here after a long time...
nice chutney .. will surely try it
Pavithra
Thats awesome raks... I too make this which i learnt from my sis in law but different version that is instead of red chilli add the sambar powder mix with raw onions lemon juice and add seasoning. But this looks so good too I will defintely make ur version next time ... no next time tommorrow itself.
SE
this looks awesome...very mouthwatering and tempting pics
foodielover
Wow thats such a quick n easy one.I loved it.Also,the last pic looks fantastic:)
Suma Rajesh
this is a must recipe so quick and tasty one..looks heavenly with dosas..
Ruchikacooks
Wow. The name itself got me here. Lovely addition of lemons. Bright clicks too, making me want idli and paniyaram.
http://www.ruchikacooks.com
Anu
Wow awesome.. wonderful click.. Looks beautiful.. I love it.. Yummy and easy one..
Aruna Devi
Superb click not yet heard wll try...
Aruna Devi
Superb click not yet heard wll try...
Cham
We usually does with garlic without lemon, lemon twist is just calling me, very fiery and perfect Rak!
Madhu
Very gorgeous pics.. i like lemon/tangy flavors. Something new, different and delicious chutney...
San!!!
Tempting pictures as always.You are great how come you are blogging amidst all these.Paniyaram is so adorable,wish i could have all of them.
simply.food
Chutney looks amazing I am going to try it.
Swathi
Raji,
Chutney looks yummy and new to me.
Cilantro
My mother-in-law adds tamarind extract and this one is very tempting with all the lemons. I would definitely try your version.
RAKS KITCHEN
Sharmilee, That's Ajay's study table 🙂 I borrow from him for photo session some times 😀
Sailaja, I think one day over night it may be without spoiling! But not easily spoiling chutney!
Uma
mmm. tempting chutney!! those bondas with chutney, just yum!!
Devi Meyyappan
Excellent one!.. looks mouth watering and yummmy!.. nice pics.. and lovely combo with paniyarams!!
Gita
Lemon chutney looks awesome Raks...looks fantastic and super spicy 🙂
Ramya Vijaykumar
Simply mouthwatering and looks very spicy... Will go great with any kinda breakfast!!! Slurrp!!!
http://memoryarchieved.blogspot.com
Akal's Saappadu
Mmmmm, chutney sounds hot, tangy and slurp, slurp!! what are those round delights, are they bondas/ paniyaaram ?? :):) delicious recipe!!
Kanchan
We really missed you, but do take your time and see you soon 🙂
Even this chutney is quite new to me !
Tina
Beautiful clicks and presentation....So perfect with idli and dosa...
shahana
never heard of this chutney before.Im bookmarking this.Thanks for sharing
DEESHA
those pics make the chutney look uber cool
Cynthia
I really like the warm lighting on your photographs.
Priya Narasimhan
the first photo is just gorgeous..I never knew chutney can be prepared with lime..Nice recipe.
notyet100
ummmm
FoodLovers
looks great dear
jayasri
oh! raji!!, hope you have settled in, even then your photos are still great, speachless, they are gorgeous, this is new to me will give this a try.., love to see ur recipes dear
Priya
The pictures more awesome...i ll try lemony cutney and find the taste..happy new shifting..hope everything gets well soon...
Nags
absolutely love the serving dishes, pics and what's on them 🙂
Chitra
The serving bowls look very cute and ofcourse with that molapdi :)Stunning pics as usual..
Animisha
Hey
Am new to ur blog.
Nice post.
Rather than the regular normal recipe, the Photography is professional and makes the recipe special.
Not just the lemon but all the photos in this lemon pickle post are lovely.
You really have great photography skills.
Animisha(Mishu)
http://www.uniqueanimisha.blogspot.com
Jagruti
lovely citrusy chutney...pics looks very colourful and inviting..
Latha
I just love the first serving dish. I never made this chutney before... will try it soon. Every thing is drool-worthy.
Nithu Bala
Dear Raje,you have one award waiting at my blog..please do collect it..Congrats Dear and my wishes for you to get many more awards 🙂
RV
kalakuringa Raji.. love the chutney and your pics... have some idli batter at home... will try this out.... and I loved your bowl and the tray.. they look so beautiful....
Animisha
Hi raje
Thank you for giving me precious comments in my blog.
Your blog is not only lovely, but also have a good language.
I am happy to be your follower and learn a lot from your blog.
Thanks to gita from http://www.gitaskitchen.blogspot.com to introduce me to a nice blog.
Happy blogging.
Sarah Naveen
Thats a wonderful chutney ..book marking it...yummy yumm
Mahimaa's kitchen
new kinda recipe. definitely worth trying. thanks.
AdukalaVishesham
beautiful click... looks very delicious
Sumathi
Looks so tempting.. You make me feel hungry..
Animisha
Hi raje,
Thank you dear.
I have been craving for the lemon chutney from the day i saw ur post especially by its color.
I made it on tuesday licking the pickle all day.
Yesterday i came to know why it is when my doctor confirmed my pregnancy.
Oooooooh thank you dear for the lovely recipe.
My baby is loving your recipe toooo.
Sharmilee! :)
You are tempting me to get one for Dhiksha too at her time of study...Luved it soo much! 🙂
meeso
I love those pictures, it looks and sounds so delicious!
Yummy Team
Great pictures. This is new to me..Nice recipe!
GEETHA ACHAL
OMG...I had missed this chutney...Thanks for the link posted...Sure do try it...
Sharanya
i typed side dish for idli in google search and this is the first one there. no wonder how inviting hav never tried dis
♥Aps♥
wow... its tangy and spicy......... must try ...how long shelf life does it have dear??
Meenal Ramanathan
will big onions finely chopped will work for this replacing small ones
RAKS KITCHEN
Yes meenal, large onions will work as well.
Aps, probably a day alone as it has onions. But in fridge means two three days u can use...
Sudha Sabarish
Wow Raji never heard about this chutney and the color is so attractive.
Nithya
taste is very nice
Nithya
superb raji , not hear abt lemon chutney eager to try
Nithya
dis new to me , not hear abt lemon chutney before ,eager to try
RAKESH WADHWANI
yummy chutney...
Vaishnavi
Can u pls tell me when to add onions?
Raks anand
While tempering, after all the tempering items are roasted well, add onions