Over the holidays I got to try an appetizer that was topped with a really nice onion relish and I was inspired to try to recreate the appetizer at home. I was not really sure what was in the onion relish but I could see the nicely caramelized onions and some spices and I was pretty sure that one of them was dark mustard seeds. While I was looking for a recipe for a savoury onion relish recipe with mustard seeds I thought that the relish really reminded me of a chutney. Given my recent obsession with chutneys, I immediatly switched gears and started looking for an onion chutney recipe. After looking for a while I decided to go with this onion chutney recipe that I found on Zlamushka’s Spicy Kitchen that included the mustard seeds. This recipe reminded me of the chutneys that I have made before centering on the main ingredient and including some chilies for heat, some sugar for sweetness, some vinegar, or in this case lemon juice, for tartness and some spices for a nice savoury finish. Other that the agony of slicing all of those onions, this recipe is really simple and it takes almost no time at all and it was so worth the red eyes! This onion chutney has a really amazing balance of heat, sweetness, tanginess and a really nice spiced finish. The sweet onion flavour comes through well and the texture is really nice. Now that I have my onion relish, I mean chutney, it is time to work on the rest of that appetizer.
Onion Chutney
ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 4 dried chilies (crushed)
- 6 cups onions (sliced)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (or white vinegar)
- 1/4 cup sugar
directions
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Add the cumin, mustard seeds, dried chilies and heat until they sputter.
- Add the onions and saute until the start to turn golden brown.
- Add the chili powder, salt, lemon juice, and sugar and bring to a boil for a minute.
Onion Marmalade (or Balsamic Caramelized Onions)
Apple Chutney
Cranberry Chutney
Onion Gratin
Hot Caramelized Onion Dip
Chipotle Caramelized Onions
Maple Caramelized Onions
Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam
Slow Roasted Tomato Bacon Jam
Creamy Asiago Bacon Wrapped Roasted Onions
Asiago Roasted Onions
Slow Cooker Chipotle Maple Onion Jam
That looks like something that would be good to have in the fridge at all times!
This onion chutney looks amazing. I know I would love this!
It looks very appetizing! Great with cheese.
Cheers,
Rosa
I love tasting something delicious and then recreating it at home. It looks like you've done a great job! Yummy!
Ooh onion chutney. That sounds so good! I would make this and eat it with my dinners. My husband doesn't eat onions so I'm kind of onion deprived. 🙁
My mind is spinning with the possibilities for this divine chutney….panini's, tarts, cold meats, roasts…….gosh it looks so intensely flavorfull!!!!
One of the things I need to do this year is make a chutney. Yum!!!!
I think this is going to be my first chutney this year…
regards
This sounds great! I can eat this with anything!
MMMMMMMM,…your onion chutney looks just stunning & ooh so inviting, Kevin!! I so love the lovely spices in here!
this would be good in burgers!
I love both a good chutney and a good onion relish. This seems ideal since it is both! Perfect on sandwiches…burgers…
Lovely recipe – it looks delish. I will have to give this a go!
Nice and delicious one, really love it!
Looks awesome.. great Indian flavors. I would love to keep a bowlful for all kinds of use.
Hi Kevin,
I have been following your blog for some time now. Great job. I was wondering if you had any info about a treat I once encountered in China. It was this awesome dumpling whose inside had liquid, kind of like soup in a dumpling. I have looked and looked online for this and for the life of me cannot find a thing.
You photograph your food so well. I can never take good photos of what I make…
To Gritty Poet: You are describing Shanghai soup dumplings. I have never made them, but go to this wonderful place in Oakland's Chinatown to eat them. They are truly delicious!
I've never made chutney but my love for onions makes me really want to try making this – bookmarked!
Thank you for the info anonymous.
This looks really delicious. I love the heat in the chutney.
just made this, it was delicious!! i can't wait to put it on everything.
awesome blog c:
I made this recipe to see if it might be something to put in jars for gifts. OMG it is wonderful – I have added it to vegetables, eggs and sandwiches – all delicious. It is so simple – thank you once again. You are a source of great ideas and I hope you never get tired of posting for your audience. Thanks once again.
YUM. I loveeeee onions!!!
For Thanksgiving, I'm roasting a pork loin over onions in cider with chunky applesauce and wild rice on the side. As of today, I plan to stuff the pork loin with this onion chutney — it goes both ways!
Lovely recipe! Put it on pulled pork tacos with home made flour tortillas. Delicious. Thanks for posting 🙂
Planning on making this for Xmas gifts sounds so good
:0)
Hi there. How long do you think this would last in the fridge? Looks amazing.
Thanks fo sharing so easy and yummy chutney, I will surely make it, I love cooking vegetarian food and this chutney is so need in my kitchen.
Thank you
If you want a great onion chutney, try this:
https://www.onions-usa.org/recipes/10-Asian_Plum_Onion_Chutney
Hi Kevin. This looks amazing and I want to try it. Not trying to sound stupid, but what kind of chilis do you use for this? Thanks
I normally use a dried cayenne chili and red pepper flakes will also work.
Looks really good.
What is the shelf life please, both inside and outside the fridge?
Many thanks
I always store it in the fridge and I try to use it within a few days. You could use proper canning procedures and store it outside of the fridge for longer periods of time.