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    Home » Chutneys/Dips/Spreads » Imli Chutney Recipe

    Imli Chutney Recipe

    Published: Apr 16, 2020 · Modified: May 10, 2020 by Bhawana ·

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    Imli chutney or tamarind chutney is a sweet & sour Indian chutney prepared using tamarind extract (imli), jaggery, date and few spices. This khajur imli chutney recipe is must to have with all Indian chaat items.

    imli chutney for chaat is stored in glass jar. Photo click from top.

    Watch how to make Imli Chutney Recipe?

    Tamarind chutney for chaat

    Imli ki chutney is an integral part of Indian chaat items along with green coriander chutney.

    This date & imli chutney is sweet and sour, thick paste-like chutney and makes a perfect dip with all Indian deep-fried snacks like samosa, pakoras(fritters), chana dal vada(south Indian fritter).

    This khatti meethi imli ki chutney is perfect and enhances flavors when blended in bhel puri.

    Sprinkle over chaat items like Dahi Vada (moong dal Dahi vada), papdi chaat, samosa chat, Alu Tikki chat,pani poori, ragda pattice, and Dahi poori.

    A perfect dipping sauce for samosa and kachoris.

    This thick date and tamarind chutney can be seen on every food stalls who sell Indian chaat variety.

    To make it a little spicy normally chili flakes or chili powder or dry ginger powder is used.

    Using dry ginger this imli date chutney is called as saunth chutney. Sometimes dry mango powder is also used. All in all, we have many variations to this sweet tamarind chutney.

    Note: This sweet chutney is known as various names, tamarind chutney, sweet imli chutney, sweet imli ki chutney, khajur imli ki chutney, date and tamarind chutney, sonth. Must say that sweet tamarind chutney is one of the best Indian condiments ever.

    To make this imli aur khajur ki chutney you can use either sugar or jaggery. Though jaggery is the most preferable ingredient in making tamarind chutney.

    Using jaggery chutney will be refined sugarfree and it enhances the flavors. It is always a great idea to make such chutneys at home because you know the ingredients and quality.

    What is Imli Chutney or Tamarind Chutney?

    Imli chutney is stored in glass jar. side view is clicked. dates are scattered around.

    Tamarind chutney is a sweet and tangy Indian dipping sauce which usually served with Indian snacks or used in Indian chaats.

    It is prepared with tamarind pulp, jaggery or sugar, dates, and spices.

    Imli means = tamarind

    khajur means = dates

    Translate into khajur imli chutney or date & tamarind chutney.

    Being a combination of sweet and sour ingredients it is called a khatti meethi khajur imli ki chutney as well.

    Tamarind Chutney ingredients

    • Tamarind: This is available in all Indian stores. You can choose any variety either seedless or with seeds as per the availability.
    • Jaggery
    • Dates: Medjool dates are great to use as they are soft and moist. You can easily get them from Costco and sam's club including Indian stores.
    • Spices: few spices like salt, cumin seeds, red chili flakes
    • Garnishing (optional): Magaj seeds to garnish

    Can we freeze sweet tamarind chutney?

    Yes, you can easily freeze this sweet pakora chutney.

    1. After cooling down, transfer it in a clean and dry jar. Keep it in the fridge, it tastes great for a month. Make sure to use a dry spoon every time you take some.
    2. In case if you need to freeze it, transfer the chutney in the freezing tray and freeze it. Store in an airtight zip lock. Just thaw for 2-3 hours before using.

    Note: Personally I stored for a month in the fridge and freezer section. After a month definitely taste go bad, aroma, flavors, thickness everything changes with time.

    How long can you store sweet imli chutney?

    Tamarind date chutney is good to store for more than a month in the fridge. With time it gets thicken so if you find that chutney is very thick just add little water and boil it once.

    Note: I personally tried to store just for a month which is good enough to enjoy the best taste.

    How to store imli chutney for chaat?

    1. After making once chutney is at room temperature store it in a clean and dry jar or any utensil. Keep it in the fridge & use a dry spoon every time you scoop out.
    2. Citric acid is used if you want to store for more then a month. Using preservative is something which I avoid so never tried it.
    3. Freeze the chutney in ice cube tray and store cubes in a tight zip lock. You need to thaw before using.

    How to make khajur imli ki chutney?

    Traditionally to make khajur imli ki chutney first soak tamarind in hot water, at least for 30 minutes.

    This will soften the tamarind and helps to extract tamarind pulp. Meanwhile, soak date in water for 15 minutes.

    After 30 minutes mash the tamarind using hands and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the leftover.

    Grind the dates with the water they are soaked in.

    In a pan add tamarind extract, date puree, jaggery, and all other ingredients and cook for 15-20 minutes on medium heat.

    Switch off the stove once you get the desired consistency of the chutney. Adjust spices as per your taste.

    what to eat with tamarind chutney?

    Green Coriander chutney

    Chana dal vada

    Moong dal dahi vada

    Bherwa Mirch pakora (Rajasthani mirch pakora)

    imli chutney or tamarind chutney is stored in the glass jar. dates are scattered around it.

    So let see how to make imli chutney or tamarind chutney for chaat. You can easily scale up or down the recipe as per requirement. Perfect chutney to spread on dahi vada or samosa chaat.

    Imli Chutney Recipe

    Ingredients                          2.5 Cup around

    For tamarind pulp
    3 Cups water
    1 Cup dry tightly packed tamarind

    For date puree
    15 Dates deseeded
    1 Cup water

    Other ingredients
    ½ Cup-1 Cup jaggery
    4 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust as per taste)
    2 teaspoon cumin seed powder
    1 teaspoon fennel seed
    3 teaspoon salt (as per taste)
    2 teaspoon black salt
    3 teaspoon magaj seeds (optional)

    How to make khatti meethi imli ki chutney

    1. First of all, boil the 3 cups of water and add tamarind. Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
    2. Soak the deseeded dates in 1 cup of water and keep it aside for 15 minutes.
    3. After 30 minutes, carefully mash the tamarind and strain through a wire mesh. Discard the leftover and use the tamarind water to make chutney.
    4. Grind the dates with the water they soaked in and make a puree.
    5. Now in a heavy bottom pan add tamarind water, dates puree and jaggery powder. Cook this mixture on medium heat.
    6. As soon as it starts boiling add cumin seed powder, fennel seeds, salt, and black salt. Mix well.
    7. Keep checking the consistency and as soon as the mixture is thick enough as required switch off the stove. It takes around 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Keep stirring.
    8. Mix magaj seeds and let the imli chutney come at room temperature.
    9. Imli chutney or tamarind chutney is ready to accompany with your favorite snacks.

    Notes

    1. Adjust the spice level as per taste.
    2. You can adjust jaggery quantity as per taste how you would like to have in sweetness. But ½ Cup jaggery is must have.
    3. Tamarind chutney is really easy to make as you can adjust everything as required. Check the consistency level and switch off the stove.
    4. Store in the fridge after use.

    If you try this recipe then we would love to see your creation. Do share a photo with us on code2cook2017@gmail.com or tag me at Instagram @code2cook using hashtag #code2cook.

    if you liked this recipe, Do not forget to rate us at the end of the post. If you are on social media do find me there  Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest for such easy recipes.

    imli chutney or tamarind chutney is stored in the glass jar. dates are scattered around it.

    Imli Chutney For Chaat (Easy Tamarind Chutney)

    Imli chutney or tamarind chutney is a sweet & sour Indian chutney prepared using tamarind extract (imli), jaggery, date and few spices. If you add ginger powder to this then imli chutney also called as saunth chutney or sonth chutney. It is a must-have chutney for all Indian chaats.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Soaking Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Calories:
    Author: Bhawana

    Ingredients

    For tamarind pulp

    • 3 Cups water
    • 1 Cup dry tightly packed tamarind

    For date puree

    • 15 Dates deseeded
    • 1 Cup water

    Other ingredients

    • ½ Cup-1 Cup jaggery
    • 4 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust as per taste)
    • 2 teaspoon cumin seed powder
    • 1 teaspoon fennel seed
    • 3 teaspoon salt (as per taste)
    • 2 teaspoon black salt
    • 3 teaspoon magaj seeds (optional)

    Instructions

    • First of all, boil the 3 cups of water and add tamarind. Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
    • Soak the deseeded dates in 1 cup of water and keep it aside for 15 minutes.
    • After 30 minutes, carefully mash the tamarind and strain through a wire mesh. Discard the leftover and use the tamarind water to make chutney.
    • Grind the dates with the water they soaked in and make a puree.
    • Now in a heavy bottom pan add tamarind water, dates puree and jaggery powder. Cook this mixture on medium heat.
    • As soon as it starts boiling add cumin seed powder, fennel seeds, salt, and black salt. Mix well.
    • Keep checking the consistency and as soon as the mixture is thick enough as required switch off the stove. It takes around 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Keep stirring.
    • Mix magaj seeds and let the imli chutney come at room temperature.
    • Imli chutney or tamarind chutney is ready to accompany with your favorite snacks.

    Notes

    1. Adjust the spice level as per taste.
    2. You can adjust jaggery quantity as per taste how you would like to have in sweetness. But ½ Cup jaggery is must have.
    3. Tamarind chutney is really easy to make as you can adjust everything as required. Check the consistency level and switch off the stove.
    4. Store in the fridge after use.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Code2Cook2017 or tag #Code2Cook!

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    Comments

    1. Christina

      September 21, 2019 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      The flavors in this recipe are so unique! I love trying new things and this is delicious!

      Reply
    2. Sandra Shaffer

      September 18, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the tip on getting the dates at Costco. I added them to my shopping list so I can made this chutney. Definitely using it as a dipping sauce. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Bhawana

        September 21, 2019 at 12:44 am

        Thanks Sandra, I am glad that you like this imli chutney recipe.

        Reply
    3. Eileen Kelly

      September 18, 2019 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      I am always looking for new recipes and this is just perfect. I love tamarind and I am looking forward to making this recipe. You have made this easy to follow.

      Reply
      • Bhawana

        September 21, 2019 at 12:45 am

        Thanks Eileen for liking imli chutney recipe. do try.

        Reply
    4. Lathiya

      September 18, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Imli chutney is a must for any Indian chaat. You have made it perfect and explained in detail.

      Reply
      • Bhawana

        September 21, 2019 at 12:52 am

        Thanks Lathiya for liking this imli ki chutney

        Reply
    5. Wendy

      September 18, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love making chutney and always looking for new variations. This one was delicious. Thanks.

      Reply
    6. Pam Greer

      March 09, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of this before, but it sounds absolutely delicious! I also love those cute jars that you store it in!

      Reply
    7. Jacqueline Debono

      March 09, 2019 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      I have never made chutney myself but I'm sure it would be so much better than ready-made store-bought! Def want to try this one. It sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • code2cook

        March 09, 2019 at 12:41 pm

        Thanks Jacqueline, I am glad that you liked this sweet tamarind chutney.

        Reply
    8. Mary

      March 09, 2019 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      ooh, I love tamarind, but I've never made tamarind chutney before. I'll have to try this!

      Reply
    9. David & Jodi Crowley

      March 09, 2019 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      this looks like a kind of chutney we would all enjoy. What is jaggery? I haven't come across that term before.

      Reply
    10. Julia

      March 09, 2019 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      I love chutneys and this one sounds delicious!

      Reply

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