Onion chutney recipe is a very popular South Indian chutney recipe made using onions and some spices usually served as a side with idli, dosa, upma or pongal.
In a pan, add oil. Once it's hot, add split urad dal, split chana dal, and dried red chilies. Saute till the dal turns light golden in color.
Then add onions and garlic cloves and saute for 2-3 minutes until onions turn soft.
Then add curry leaves, and saute till the onions turn light brown. Turn off the flame and cool the mixture completely.
Once cooled, transfer the mixture into the blender. Add tamarind, jaggery, and salt and blend with no or very less water until smooth.
Heat coconut oil in a small pan, add mustard seeds, dry red chili, curry leaves, and hing, and saute for a few seconds.
Add the tempering and pour the tempering over the ground onion chutney.
Serve onion chutney with idli or dosa.
Notes
Tips & Variations
Type of Onion: Try using red onions or shallots for this recipe to get the best results.
Lentils: You can roast 1 teaspoon each of urad dal and chana dal separately and grind along with sautéed onion mixture. Lentils like roasted urad dal & chana dal add great texture to the chutney and a nutty aroma.
Dry Red Chilies: UseByadgi red chilies or Kashmiri red chilies to get the perfect bright red color. If you don't have dry red chilies substitute them with red chili powder.
Roasting Onion: Roast the onions on medium-low flame till it caramelizes or turns golden brown. Else chutney will have raw onion taste.
Tanginess: If you don't have tamarind replace it with lemon juice. But traditionally, tamarind is used.