Tamarind date chutney is a staple you’ll find in countless Indian kitchens and street stalls. This sweet and tangy blend has been part of South Asian cooking for centuries, tracing back to when tamarind trees spread across India from Africa and dates arrived through ancient trade routes.
Over time, cooks discovered that combining tamarind’s bright sourness with the natural sweetness of dates created a perfect balance of flavor. Today, you’ll see this chutney spooned over chaat, samosas, and pakoras, or served as a dip alongside fried snacks.
It’s one of those recipes that feels both timeless and endlessly versatile - simple to make, but full of character and history.
Date-Tamarind Chutney (Sweet and Spicy)
A simple, sweet-and-sour chutney made with dates, tamarind, chili, and warm spices — perfect for chaats, samosas, pakoras, or as a dipping sauce.
Servings: 2
Calories: 300kcal
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup tamarind about 50 g, deseeded
- ¾ cup dates about 150 g, pitted — use soft, sweet ones like Medjool if possible
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder adjust to taste
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Add tamarind, dates, chili powder and water to a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer on medium heat for 10–15 minutes, until everything softens.
- Let it cool slightly, then blend into a smooth paste.
- Strain through a fine sieve if you want a smoother texture.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Keeps for about 1 week.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, especially if using fibrous tamarind, always blend and strain.
- This chutney is perfect with chaats, samosas, pakoras, or even drizzled over rice or grain bowls.
- You can freeze leftovers in small jars or ice cube trays and thaw as needed.
- Roasted cumin powder (½ to 1 tsp) works very well in this chutney — it adds warmth and a deep, earthy flavor. Stir it in after blending.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg
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