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Cilantro chutney is a popular Indian condiment that’s typically served with snacks and appetizers, known as chaat.

I encourage you to enjoy cilantro chutney as a tasty accompaniment with dal or khichdi, or even with fish or chicken. The zingy flavor of the lemon and ginger will excite the palate, and have you coming back for more.

It is very quick and easy to make fresh cilantro chutney using a mini chopper or blender. All you need to do is combine all the ingredients and blend.

Like many of India’s traditional recipes, cilantro chutney is a natural digestive aid, known for supporting healthy digestion, and reducing gas and bloating.

Each ingredient in the chutney, including fresh cilantro, fresh lemon, coconut, fresh ginger, honey, salt, and pepper, is a powerhouse of digestive support.

Health benefits of cilantro

One of cilantro’s biggest health benefits is its cooling quality that doesn’t actually make you feel cold.

According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, cilantro has a very special prabhav, or character, whereby it cools the digestive tract without leaving you shivering.

When so many people are suffering from inflammation combined with weak digestion, cilantro is good medicine.

This cooling quality makes cilantro chutney the perfect complement for spicy food, or simply as a way to bring balance to a meal involving stimulating foods, such as tomatoes and bell peppers.

Especially if you often feel hot, or have inflammation in your body, you will benefit from cilantro.

To really accentuate cilantro’s cooling powers, blend a cup of loosely packed cilantro with the same amount of cold water in a blender, then strain it. Cilantro water is very soothing, especially on a hot summer day.

Cilantro is also a natural anti-histamine, which can be beneficial for allergies or flareups.

It is also known to be supportive for detoxing heavy metals, such as mercury.

Cilantro is a mild diuretic, which helps to reduce excess water weight. This can be especially beneficial in the spring, when water and wetness permeate the environment.

Other ingredients

Fresh lemon: Increases secretions in the digestive tract, and alkalizes the stomach, supporting digestion.

Coconut: Healthy fats that are easy to digest in the right quantity. Also cooling and soothing for the liver.

Fresh ginger: Warm, light, and anti-inflammatory. Clears congestion, relieves nausea, and supportive for digestion overall.

Honey: Slightly pungent, warming, and drying, honey is actually a metabolism booster and detoxifying mucus and fat destroyer.

Salt: Warming and rich in minerals when you use high quality mineral or sea salts.

Black pepper: Improves circulation, destroys mucus and expels gas.

How to enjoy this chutney

Have a tablespoon (or more) cilantro chutney with any meal as a flavorful digestive aid.

It’s wonderful with Indian food, rice, fish, chicken, potatoes, as a sandwich spread, or part of a savory breakfast with eggs.

I’ve recently discovered that a spoon of cilantro chutney works wonders when cooking dal, soups, or vegetables. Just add a spoon or two to enhance the flavor of anything you are cooking.