The Perfect Coconut Chutney Recipe For Every South Indian Meal

By Shreya Sarpal

October 2, 2025

Coconut chutney is a South Indian delicacy that blends the cool freshness of grated coconut with the mild heat of green chillies and the aroma of curry leaves. Finished with a sizzling tempering, it offers a creamy, nutty, and subtly spiced flavour that pairs beautifully with dosa, idli, and vada.

Ingredients

1 cup grated fresh coconut 2 tbsp roasted chana dal (dalia) 2 green chillies (adjust spice) 1 small piece of ginger 2 tbsp coriander leaves (optional) Salt to taste ½ cup water (adjust consistency) For tempering: 1 tsp oil ½ tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp urad dal 1–2 dry red chillies 6–8 curry leaves A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Step 1

Grind coconut, roasted chana dal, green chillies, ginger, coriander, salt, and water into a smooth chutney.

Step 2

Heat oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, dry red chillies, curry leaves, and hing, and sauté until aromatic.

Step 3

Pour tempering over the chutney and mix well.

Step 4

Serve with idli, dosa, uttapam, vada, or upma.