10-Minute Indian Red Onion Salad Recipe

Fresh and crunchy onion salad with Indian spices served in a salad bowl.

10-Minute Indian Red Onion Salad Recipe

If you love a salad that’s crunchy with just the right kick of spice, this Indian red onion salad is one you’ll want to make on repeat. Made with sliced red onions, bold Indian spices, and a quick tempering that instantly boosts flavor, this simple onion salad comes together with no cooking at all. It’s fresh, vibrant, completely vegan, and ready in just 10 minutes. Honestly, it’s the kind of salad I’m happy to eat every day!

Course accompaniment, condiment, Salad

Cuisine North Indian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings people

Calories 43.18kcal

Author Priya Lakshminarayan

Equipment

Ingredients

1 onion
2-3 green chillies
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilly powder
1 teaspoon chaat masala
1 teaspoon amchur powder
salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
½ teaspoon GF asafoetida
1 teaspoon kalonji seeds
1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
¼ cup cilantro

Instructions

Slice the red onions into thin wedges and add them to a mixing bowl. You can also cut them in rings, or finely chop them. Priya’s Tip: If the onions taste too sharp, soak them in water with a little lemon juice for a few minutes. This helps mellow the pungent flavor.
Mix in the green chillies (finely chopped or slit) for heat and crunch.
Sprinkle all the spices—turmeric, red chilly powder, chaat masala, amchur, and salt—over the onions.
Toss well so they’re evenly coated. Let this marinate for a few minutes while you prepare the tadka.
Heat oil in a small tadka pan and add mustard seeds; once they pop, stir in GF asafoetida, fennel seeds, and kalonji. Let them sizzle for a few seconds. Pour this hot tadka directly over the onion mixture to enhance the classic Indian onion salad flavor.
Finish with lemon juice or vinegar and fresh cilantro, mix again. Serve Indian red onion salad as a side with any meal.

Notes

Slice the onions as thinly as possible for the best texture—using a mandolin slicer is especially helpful when making a larger batch of this onion salad.
While you can skip the tempering and still enjoy a simple red onion salad, adding the tadka truly elevates the flavor and gives this Indian onion salad its signature depth.
For the freshest taste and crunch, mix and serve soon after preparing.

Nutrition