Kachumber

India's everyday chopped salad — tomato, cucumber, onion, lime, and a pinch of cumin.

10 min4 servingsIndian32 kcal/serving1g protein
Kachumber — Indian recipe, finished and plated

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tomato
  • 1 Cucumber
  • ½ Onion
  • 1 Lime
  • ½ tsp Ground cumin
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
  • 1 Green chili (optional)

Method

  1. Dice the tomatoes small and even.
  2. Dice the cucumber to match the tomato.
  3. Dice the onion small and fine.
  4. Mince the green chili finely, removing the seeds for less heat. (optional)
  5. Toss the vegetables (and minced chili, if using) in a bowl with the lime juice, cumin, and salt just before eating — it waters out if it sits.
  6. Shower the salad with chopped cilantro and serve it cold alongside anything spiced.

Nutrition per serving

32Calories
1gProtein
6gCarbs
1gFat
2gFiber

Estimated from ingredients; varies with exact portions and brands.

About Kachumber

Kachumber is India's everyday chopped salad, a fresh, crunchy mix of tomato, cucumber, and onion brightened with lime and a pinch of ground cumin. Found on tables across the subcontinent, it's less a recipe than a reflex, the raw, cooling counterpoint that accompanies rich, spiced meals from dals to biryanis to grilled kebabs. The whole point is contrast: crisp vegetables, sharp raw onion, tangy lime, and the earthy warmth of cumin, with green chili and cilantro adding heat and herbal lift. There's no cooking involved, just careful, even dicing so every forkful has a bit of everything.

Eating it is all about freshness and crunch, a clean, acidic bite that resets the palate between mouthfuls of heavier, spicier food. It comes together in about ten minutes and is best assembled and dressed at the last minute, since salt and lime quickly draw water out of the vegetables and turn a crisp salad soggy if it sits. Served cold alongside anything spiced, kachumber does the same job a squeeze of lime or a spoon of yogurt does, cutting richness and adding brightness. Its simplicity is exactly its strength: nothing to hide behind means the vegetables have to be good and the knife work even.

Kachumber: frequently asked questions

How many calories are in Kachumber?

One serving of Kachumber has about 32 calories, with 1g of protein, 6g of carbs, 1g of fat and 2g of fiber. These are estimates based on the ingredient amounts in this recipe and will vary with your exact portions and brands.

Is Kachumber gluten-free?

Based on its ingredients, Kachumber has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.

Do I need every ingredient to make Kachumber?

The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro, green chili — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.

How many servings does Kachumber make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.