Ever feel like your meals need a serious nutrition boost… without losing flavour?
Say hello to Moringa Chutney, a tasty miracle in a bowl. 🌿
Made using fresh drumstick leaves, this chutney is packed with:
- Iron (great for energy & immunity)
- Calcium (strong bones!)
- Antioxidants (hello glowing skin!)
- Vitamins A, C & B
If you’re looking for a healthy side dish that doesn’t taste healthy, this is it.
Pair it with rice, idli, dosa, chapathi, it just works. 💚
What Makes Moringa Special?
In South Indian cooking, drumstick leaves have been used for centuries to:
- Improve digestion
- Boost haemoglobin levels
- Strengthen joints
- Reduce fatigue
This chutney is one of the tastiest ways to include moringa in your everyday meals.
Especially helpful for kids, moms, and anyone with low iron levels.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Moringa Leaves: Earthy, mildly bitter, insanely nutritious
- Shallots & Garlic: Adds sweetness and depth + great for immunity
- Chana Dal & Coriander Seeds: Gives body and nutty flavor
- Red Chillies: Heat that balances the greens
- Tamarind & Tomato: Adds the much-needed tang
- Cumin + Herbs: Aroma magic ✨
How This Moringa Chutney Comes Together
Heat oil and fry chana dal, coriander seeds, and cumin until golden.
Then toss in shallots and garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
Add red chillies, tamarind, and tomato, and let it soften beautifully.
Next, cleaned drumstick leaves go in.
Cook just until they wilt. This reduces bitterness and brings out deeper flavours.
A little coriander and curry leaves join for a fresh herby finish.
Once cooled, grind the mixture into a chunky, thuvayal-style paste.
That’s it, your power-packed chutney is ready!
If you prefer smoother chutney, add 1–2 tablespoons of water while grinding.
Pro Tip 💡: Don’t overcook moringa leaves, you’ll lose nutrients.
What to Serve with Moringa Chutney
This chutney is incredibly versatile! Serve it with:
Also great as a sandwich spread if you love bold South Indian flavors.
Pro Tip 💡: Add a few drops of sesame oil on top while serving enhances flavour + improves nutrient absorption.
Bulk Prep & Lunchbox-Friendly
Make once → Enjoy multiple meals.
- Prepares quickly — perfect for busy mornings
- Doesn’t turn soggy in tiffin
- A healthier alternative to pickle-based chutneys
Pack with idlis or dosas for a nutritious lunchbox.
How to Store Moringa Chutney
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store in an airtight glass container
Add a thin layer of oil on top to keep it fresh longer.
How to Reheat
No reheating needed!
If chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
| Ingredient | Swap Option |
| Shallots | Regular onion |
| Tamarind | Lemon juice (after grinding) |
| Red Chillies | Green chillies or chili flakes |
| Coriander Leaves | Skip if unavailable |
Related Recipes You Might Like :-
- Mint Coconut Chutney – refreshing, mildly spiced chutney that pairs well with dosa, idli, and paniyaram.
- Tomato Peanut Chutney – tangy, creamy chutney perfect for South Indian tiffin items.
- Onion Chutney – spicy, bold chutney that complements simple meals and dosas.
- Tomato Mint Chutney – a refreshing and tangy chutney ideal for breakfast dishes.
- Mango Coconut Chutney – sweet-tangy chutney with a tropical twist, great with idli/dosa.
- Bombay Chutney – a delicious besan-based side dish often paired with soft dosas and paniyaram.
- Curry Leaves Podi – aromatic podi that also highlights the flavour of curry/moringa leaves.
- Inji Puli – spicy, tangy ginger–tamarind mix served with South Indian meals.
Moringa Chutney
Description
This Moringa Chutney is a wholesome and flavorful South Indian side dish made using nutrient-rich moringa leaves. It’s packed with iron, fiber, and natural goodness — making it a great way to include more leafy greens in your everyday meals. With the warmth of roasted lentils and spices, a touch of tanginess from tamarind, and the freshness of herbs, this chutney turns simple staples like idli, dosa, or rice into something truly nourishing and delicious. It’s quick to prepare, comes with a beautiful earthy taste, and is perfect for anyone looking for a healthy boost without compromising on flavor.
Ingredients
To make moringa chutney
Instructions
Prep Work
-
Clean moringa leaves
Wash moringa leaves thoroughly and remove stems
-
Peel shallots
Peel the skin of shallots -
Peel garlic
Peel garlic cloves and keep aside -
Chop tomato
Chop the tomato roughly -
Set tamarind aside
Take a small piece of tamarind and keep it ready
Method
-
Heat oil
Heat oil in a wide kadai
-
Roast dals and spices
Reduce flame and roast chana dal, coriander seeds and cumin seeds until slightly golden. Keep the flame on low.
-
Saute shallots and garlic
Add shallots and garlic, and sauté until onions change colour -
Add chillies and tamarind
After 3 minutes, add dried red chillies and a small piece of tamarind
-
Add tomato
Add chopped tomato and cook until soft -
Cook moringa
Add moringa leaves, coriander leaves, curry leaves and rock salt. Mix well and cook until the leaves wilt
-
Cool mixture
Switch off the flame and allow the mixture to cool -
Grind chutney
Transfer to the mixer jar and scrape the sides occasionally. Grind without water to a coarse texture. -
Serve
Serve fresh with rice, idlis, dosas or chapatis!
Equipment
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Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 80kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5g8%
- Saturated Fat 1g5%
- Sodium 220mg10%
- Potassium 320mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 3g6%
- Vitamin A 1100 IU
- Vitamin C 38 mg
- Calcium 90 mg
- Iron 2.5 mg
- Magnesium 45 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
