Classic Kachumber Salad
Onion, tomato, cucumber salad with lemon and coriander—the everyday Indian side for lunch, dinner, or a light evening snack.
Kachumber adds raw vegetable volume, crunch, and brightness next to dal-rice or sabzi-roti plates. It is a side, not a full main.
Standard version includes onion, so it is not Jain or no-onion/no-garlic. Soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free as written.
Nutrition
Per 1 side bowl (half recipe)
- Calories
- 55 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 11 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Dietary
plant based · soy free · nut free · gluten free · oil free
Ingredients
- 11 large Cucumber, finely diced
- 22 Tomatoes, finely diced
- 31 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 41 Green Chilli, minced (optional)
- 5Juice of 1 Lemon
- 61/2 tsp Roasted Cumin powder
- 71/4 tsp Chaat Masala (optional)
- 8Salt to taste
- 9Handful of Coriander leaves, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Dice cucumber, tomato, and onion to a similar small size. Scoop out watery tomato seeds if the salad should stay crisp longer.
Salt draws water—dress just before serving when possible.
- 2
Combine vegetables in a bowl with optional green chilli.
For less sharpness, rinse chopped onion under cold water and drain.
- 3
Add lemon juice, roasted cumin, optional chaat masala, and salt.
English or Japanese cucumbers need no peeling; field cucumbers may.
- 4
Toss well. Fold in coriander.
Chaat masala is optional; lemon and cumin alone are enough.
- 5
Serve immediately alongside a main, or as a light evening snack.
This is meant to stack with a main plate, not replace it.
Vegetable add-ins
- Grated carrot, radish, or capsicum for more color.
- Pomegranate arils for sweetness.
- Boiled corn kernels for a heartier side.
Onion-free note
- For Jain or no-onion versions, skip onion and use extra cucumber, tomato, carrot, and coriander (variation only—not this default recipe).
- A pinch of hing in the lemon dressing can add savoriness without onion.
Used in diet plans
This recipe can fill a meal slot in these day plans.
- High-Protein Diet — Muscle gain / high protein
- Weight Loss Diet — Fat loss with adequate protein
- Simple Beginner Plan — Build consistent eating habits
- North Indian Plan — North Indian staples with protein focus
- No Onion/No Garlic Plan — Simple sattvic-style protein meals