3 refreshing raita recipes for summer

• Beat the summer heat with light, refreshing raita recipes
• Choose from cucumber mint, boondi or sweet pineapple variations
• Enjoy these nutrient-rich, fuss-free meals to stay full and cool

New Delhi: When the temperature soars the appetite shrinks, you do not feel ike eating too much or consuming too heavy meals during the day. This is when

you crave for something that is cool, refreshing as well as makes you feel full for longer with balanced nutrients. A bowl of creamy, cool raita becomes the hero dish for every Indian home. Light, hydrating, and incredibly versatile, raita not only completements as a side dishbiryani or rice but also is paired well with rotis and parathas or eaten seperately as a whole meals.

This guide brings you some of the best enjoyed raitas during summer in all Indian homes, for refreshing, fuss-free recipes to enjoy during hot months. Made with simple ingredients and ready in minutes, each variation adds a burst of flavour and cooling comfort to your table.

Raita recipes to make for summer

1. Cucumber Mint raita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh curd (yoghurt)
• 1 medium cucumber, grated or finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional)
• ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper (optional)

How to make:

1. Whisk the curd until smooth.
2. Add cucumber, mint, salt, cumin powder, and chilli.
3. Mix gently and chill for 15–20 minutes before serving.

2. Boondi Raita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup curd
• ½ cup plain boondi
• ½ tsp chaat masala
• ¼ tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander, chopped

How to make:

1. Whisk curd with salt, chaat masala, and cumin powder.
2. Soak boondi in warm water for 1 minute, squeeze lightly, and add to the curd.
3. Mix in coriander and chilli powder.
4. Refrigerate for 10 minutes so flavours come together.

3. Pineapple Raita

Ingredients:

• 1 cup curd
• ½ cup chopped pineapple (fresh or canned; drain if using canned)
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• A pinch of black salt (optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped nuts (optional for crunch)

How to make:

1. Whisk curd until smooth.
2. Add pineapple cubes, sweetener, cardamom, and black salt.
3. Mix, garnish with nuts, and serve chilled.

Perfect for summer, raitas are the easiest way to bring freshness, nutrients, balance and flavours to your meal during summer when you don’t feel like eating heavy or oily foods.