Cucumber
खीराکھیرا
khīrā
English or Persian.
Its job: Crunch and coolness.
Science-backed recipe
From the MedRise Food Science kitchenPublished
Cucumber Raita: Cool, Thick, Never Watery
Also called Kheera Raita · खीरा रायता · کھیرے کا رائتہ
Thick yogurt with squeezed grated cucumber, roasted cumin, mint and black salt.
From the MedRise Food Science kitchenPublished - Active
- 10 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Serves
- 4
Why this recipe works
- ✓Not waterySqueeze the cucumber.
- ✓Five minutesNo cooking.
- ✓Cools spicy foodPairs with biryani and parathas.
- ✓ProteinUse Greek yogurt.
What is raita?
Raita is seasoned yogurt with vegetables or fruit, served alongside biryani, parathas and curries to cool the heat.
Meet the ingredients
The main ingredients, with their English, Hindi and Urdu names.
Yogurt
दहीدہی
dahī
Thick, whole-milk.
Its job: The base.
Grow it yourself: Cilantro (dhania), Mint (pudina)
The lab notes
The science behind every step
Restaurant cooks do these things by habit. Here’s what each step is actually doing to the food, so you can cook by understanding instead of guesswork.
Lab note01
Squeeze the cucumber
Squeeze grated cucumber before mixing and salt just before serving.
Cucumbers are about 95% water, and salt draws it out by osmosis; squeezing first and salting last keeps the raita thick.
Lab note02
Why yogurt cools heat
Serve raita with spicy food.
Capsaicin dissolves in fat and binds to milk’s casein protein, so dairy washes chili heat away better than water.
How to make it, at a glance
- SqueezeGrate the cucumber and squeeze out the water.
- WhiskWhisk the yogurt smooth with a spoonful of water if very thick.
- MixFold in the cucumber, cumin, herbs and black salt; add the salt just before serving.
- ServeDust with chili powder and roasted cumin.
Exact amounts and timings are in the recipe card below.
Health benefits, honestly rated
A cooling side.
Macros per serving
Calories60
Protein4 g
Carbs6 g
Fat3 g
Fiber0 g
Sodium290 mg
6.7 g protein per 100 calories. Estimated from the ingredients with USDA FoodData Central values.
Gym-friendly tip: Pair with a protein: ¾ cup Greek yogurt dip (about +16 g) or a boiled egg on the side (+6 g each).
Live cultures
Yogurt with live cultures may support gut health.
Keep in mind
General nutrition information, not medical advice. Numbers marked “estimated” are calculated from the recipe’s ingredients and vary with brands and portions. If you have diabetes, heart or kidney disease, a food allergy, or are pregnant, ask your doctor or a registered dietitian how this dish fits your diet.
Health sources: NIH NCCIH: Probiotics, usefulness and safety
See the full ingredient health guide: benefits, traditional roots and the science →
Questions, answered
Can I add onion?
Yes; finely chopped onion and tomato make kachumber raita.
About MedRise Food Science
Desi restaurant favorites, recreated at home and explained with food science: every recipe is tested in a home kitchen and comes with the why behind each step.
Recipe card
Cucumber Raita
Cool cucumber raita: thick yogurt with grated cucumber, roasted cumin, mint, black salt and a pinch of chili. The science of a raita that doesn’t turn watery.
Prep10 minCook0 minTotal10 minServes4 servings
Ingredients
Raita
Instructions
- SqueezeGrate the cucumber and squeeze out the water.
- WhiskWhisk the yogurt smooth with a spoonful of water if very thick.
- MixFold in the cucumber, cumin, herbs and black salt; add the salt just before serving.
- ServeDust with chili powder and roasted cumin.
Notes
- Storage
- Best the same day; keeps 1 day refrigerated.
Equipment
- Box grater