This kachumber salad is a vibrant Indian tomato and onion salad dressed in a cool, herby mint yogurt — fresh, colorful, and ready in just 10 minutes. It’s a staple across Indian cuisine: crisp sliced tomatoes, thinly shaved red onion, and a gently spiced yogurt dressing with fresh mint that ties everything together beautifully.
Think of it as India’s answer to a simple side salad — light, refreshing, and endlessly versatile. Serve it alongside grilled meats, dal, biryani, or enjoy it as a light lunch on its own. The yogurt dressing doubles as a quick raita, making this one of the most useful recipes in your Indian cooking repertoire. Ready in 10 minutes, no cooking required!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is quick, fresh, and no-cook.
- The yogurt mint dressing tastes creamy, tangy, and cooling.
- Ripe tomatoes make the salad juicy and naturally sweet.
- Thin red onion adds crunch and a little sharp bite.
- It works beautifully as a side dish with Indian-inspired meals, grilled meats, or simple rice bowls.
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced into rounds
- 1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced
- 1 pinch garam masala, to taste, optional
- 1 cup plain yogurt (250 g)
- 2 cups mint leaves (about 40 g)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste (15 ml)
- Couple of pinches of salt
- 1 tablespoon water, plus more as needed (15 ml)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Tomatoes: Use ripe, firm tomatoes so the slices hold their shape. Roma, vine-ripened, beefsteak, or heirloom tomatoes all work.
- Red onion: Slice it as thinly as possible. For a milder onion flavor, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
- Plain yogurt: Whole milk yogurt gives a creamier dressing, while low-fat yogurt keeps it lighter. Greek yogurt works too, but you may need extra water to thin it.
- Mint leaves: Fresh mint is the main flavor in the dressing, so dried mint is not the best swap here.
- Lemon juice: Start with 1 tablespoon, then add more if you like a brighter, tangier dressing.
- Garam masala: This is optional, but a tiny pinch adds warm spice without overpowering the fresh tomatoes and mint.
- Water: Add just enough to make the dressing spoonable and easy to drizzle.
How to Make Kachumber Salad
- Make the mint dressing. Add the plain yogurt, mint leaves, lemon juice, salt, and water to a blender or use an immersion blender. Blend until creamy and speckled with mint.
- Adjust the texture. Add a little more water if the dressing is too thick. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice or salt if needed.
- Slice the tomatoes. Cut the ripe tomatoes into even rounds and arrange them on a plate or shallow serving bowl.
- Add the onion. Scatter the very thinly sliced red onion over the tomatoes.
- Spoon over the dressing. Drizzle or spoon the mint yogurt dressing over the tomato and onion slices.
- Finish and serve. Sprinkle with a small pinch of garam masala, if using. Add a few fresh mint leaves on top and serve right away.
Expert Tips
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find for the best flavor.
- Slice the onion very thin so it does not overpower the salad.
- Chill the tomatoes before assembling for a cooler, fresher bite.
- Blend the dressing just until smooth; over-blending can make yogurt thinner.
- Add water slowly so the dressing does not become runny.
- Taste the dressing before serving and balance it with more salt or lemon.
- Assemble close to serving time so the tomatoes stay firm and juicy.
- Use a shallow plate so the dressing sits nicely over the tomato slices instead of pooling too much.
Storage & Freezing
- Fridge: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The tomatoes will release juice as they sit, so it is best eaten fresh.
- Freezer: This recipe does not freeze well. Tomatoes and yogurt dressing both lose their texture after freezing.
- Thawing: Freezing is not recommended for this salad.
- Make-ahead tip: You can make the mint dressing up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Slice the tomatoes and assemble the salad just before serving.
Variations
- Cucumber tomato salad: Add thin cucumber slices for extra crunch.
- Spicy version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped green chile to the dressing.
- Chaat-style salad: Sprinkle with chaat masala instead of garam masala.
- Herb mix: Use half mint and half cilantro for a brighter green dressing.
- Creamier dressing: Use Greek yogurt and thin it with cold water until spoonable.
Indian Tomato Salad with Mint Dressing
Fresh tomato slices topped with thin red onion and a creamy yogurt-mint dressing. This cooling Indian-inspired salad is quick, bright, and perfect as a side dish.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the plain yogurt, mint leaves, lemon juice, salt, and water to a blender or use an immersion blender.
- Blend until creamy and speckled with mint.
- Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the dressing is too thick. Taste and adjust with more lemon juice or salt if needed.
- Slice the tomatoes into rounds and arrange them on a serving plate.
- Scatter the very thinly sliced red onion over the tomatoes.
- Spoon the mint yogurt dressing over the tomatoes and onions.
- Sprinkle with a small pinch of garam masala, if using.
- Garnish with extra mint leaves and serve right away.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes so the slices hold their shape.
- Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes if you want a milder onion flavor.
- Greek yogurt can be used, but add extra water to thin the dressing.
- Fresh mint gives the best flavor and color.
- Add the dressing close to serving time for the freshest texture.
- A tiny pinch of garam masala is enough; too much can overpower the salad.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FAQs
Can I make Indian Tomato Salad with Mint Dressing ahead of time?
You can make the dressing ahead, but assemble the salad right before serving. Tomatoes release liquid quickly once sliced and salted.
Can I use Greek yogurt?
Yes. Greek yogurt works well, but it is thicker than regular yogurt, so add a little extra water until it is easy to spoon over the tomatoes.
What can I serve this salad with?
It pairs well with chicken curry, lentil curry, grilled chicken, rice, naan, kebabs, or simple roasted vegetables.
Is garam masala required?
No. It is optional. A tiny pinch adds warmth, but the salad is still fresh and flavorful without it.
How do I make the red onion less strong?
Soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry before adding it to the salad.
Can I use dried mint?
Fresh mint is best for this dressing. Dried mint will not give the same bright color or fresh flavor.
Key Takeaways
- Kachumber salad features fresh tomatoes and onions in a mint yogurt dressing, ready in just 10 minutes.
- It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with grilled meats and Indian meals, making it perfect for any occasion.
- The salad includes ingredients like ripe tomatoes, red onion, plain yogurt, mint leaves, and lemon juice.
- You can prepare the mint dressing in advance but should assemble the salad right before serving.
- Variations include adding cucumber for crunch or using Greek yogurt for a creamier dressing.
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
