Tomato Chutney Recipe | Thakkali Chutney | For Idli, Dosa, Vada, And Other Tiffin

This richly spiced, flavourful tomato chutney recipe from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, will be a wonderful addition to your chutney repertoire.

Our simple and easy recipe for tomato chutney or thakkali chutney Chettinad style has a tangy flavour with a subtle spicy taste, but with a little bit of a kick that you will love. It’s quick and easy to prepare, requiring just a handful of ingredients and very little cooking time.

Our tomato chutney recipe is from The Bangala, a boutique hotel in Karaikudi, Chettinad that is famous for its authentic Chettiar food and a favourite destination of gourmands and discerning travellers. Tomato chutney is traditionally served with vellai paniyaram—a dense white pancake made of rice, urad dal, and milk, that is eaten at breakfast, at tea, or at celebratory dinners—and with kuzhi paniyaram—little savoury balls of rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds that are usually eaten at breakfast or just as a snack.

This healthy low-calorie chutney is prepared with tomato, onion, shallot, and red chillies, which are the main ingredients. The red chillies not only add heat and a smoky flavour, but also give the tomato chutney a wonderful and tempting red colour.

The tempering (tadka) of black mustard seeds, crunchy urad dal, and fresh curry leaves infuses a heavenly taste and texture.

You can also add gingelly oil (nallennai) while tempering. It balances the spice level and imparts another dimension to the flavour of the chutney.

For an authentic taste, use Indian Naati tomatoes—Naatu Thakkali.

For a spicy tomato chutney, increase the number of red chillies and balance it by increasing the amount of tamarind paste.

For a chunkier tomato chutney, do not grind tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Instead chop them finely.

This onion tomato chutney can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. During storage, oil might separate, so stir the chutney well before consumption.

Serve this yummy onion tomato chutney with South Indian tiffin snacks. It is a perfect tomato chutney for idli, dosa, utthapam, and medu vada at breakfast, or as a snack any time.

The appeal of this sensational red chutney extends beyond South Indian dishes and can enhance the flavour of any Indian meal. In fact, this tomato chutney will possibly become your go-to chutney or sauce dunking pakoras, samosas, or any other finger food. Your kids will thank you.

Learn how to make tomato chutney for dosa and other snacks with our easy tomato chutney recipe video that has step by step instructions. And read the detailed recipe with all ingredients and cooking method right here to make the best tomato chutney (thakkali chutney).