Peanut Chutney or Groundnut Chutney is a quick, delicious, and excellent substitute for Coconut Chutney. This packed with flavors, Peanut Chutney is made with peanuts, sesame seeds, chana dal, spices and herbs. Best served or paired with the classic South Indian breakfast of Idli, Dosa, Medu Vada, or Uttapam for a hearty, wholesome, healthy meal. It is naturally vegan too.
About Peanut Chutney
So like me how many of you like peanuts? It is a wonderful ingredient to work with.
Some Indian curries made with peanuts taste simply delish. They not only add a ton of flavor but also help in thickening these curries.
Peanuts are also known as groundnuts. If you love peanuts, you will go gaga over this South Indian recipe of peanut chutney. It is so good.
This groundnut chutney recipe is also called Palli Chutney in the Andhra and Telangana regions of South India.
The sweet, nutty flavors of peanuts are perfectly balanced with the spice, heat of green chilies, and the umami flavor of chana dal.
Make it and thank me later. You have to try this peanut chutney to know how awesome and fabulous it is.
Making peanut chutney is a breeze and my recipe will fit your needs if you do not have handy coconut – fresh, frozen, or desiccated.
My newly updated recipe is easier, as you can simply make it with raw chana dal without having to use roasted chana dal.
I also include some white sesame seeds. Peanuts, chana dal, and sesame seeds – a healthy trio, isn’t it? So this is a healthy chutney recipe for you.
You know, many times I have both fresh coconut and desiccated coconut in my kitchen. But there are occasions when there is no trace of any coconut in the pantry.
We generally have a typical Indian breakfast in the mornings. Either it is idli or dosa or poha or paratha.
So when I make idli or dosa, I have to make some chutney – right? On such occasions, I make this quick peanut chutney. And what if there are no peanuts or coconut? Then I make Tomato Chutney.
Unlike coconut chutney, this groundnut chutney won’t become spoiled or rancid if you include it in a lunchbox or keep it out for a longer duration at room temperature.
Groundnut chutney is excellent during winters due to the nature of peanuts being heaty.
How to make Peanut Chutney
Fry Chana Dal
1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Keep the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons chana dal (20 grams). Chana dal is husked and halved baby brown chickpeas. They are also called bengal gram.
For the oil you can use sunflower, peanut, canola, rice bran, safflower, avocado, or grapeseed oil.
2. Spread them evenly on the pan with each lentil being in direct contact with the pan.
3. Stirring often fry the lentils until they turn golden. Fry them at low heat, so that they do not burn.
Remember to fry them thoroughly as you do not want them to be even a bit raw.
4. Remove with a slotted spoon and set the fried lentils aside.
Roast Peanuts
5. To the same oil, add ½ cup peanuts (80 grams).
6. Mix them with the oil and start roasting them on low heat.
7. Stirring at intervals roast them until they change color and you see their fragile papery skins having fine cracks. You will also hear their sputtering sound.
Roasting them takes 4 to 5 minutes on low to medium-low heat. Taste a few and they should have a crunchy and crisp texture.
8. Now add 10 to 12 curry leaves (medium to large-sized), 2 green chillies, 2 garlic cloves (small to medium), and 1 pinch asafetida (hing).
Tip: Green chilies bring a great deal of flavor and some heat to the recipe. They help to balance the sweetness from the peanuts.
Depending on the type of green chilies you have, you can add 2 to 3 chilies or even 4 of them. If you have spicy Indian green chilies, then add 1 or 2.
If you have less spicy green chilies, then add 3 or 4. You can also add 2 to 3 dry red chilies in place of the green chilies.
9. Sauté for a minute or until the curry leaves become crisp.
10. Add 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (10 grams).
11. Mix and switch off the heat. Set aside the pan so that the groundnut chutney ingredients to cool at room temperature.
Make Peanut Chutney
12. When the groundnut chutney ingredients have become warm or cooled, place them in a blender or a mixer-grinder. Add the fried chana dal and salt as per taste.
Tip: I would suggest beginning with ½ teaspoon salt when blending. Then add a few pinches as you blend doing the taste test.
13. Add water in parts and begin to blend.
Tip: I have added ¾ cup water which gives a medium-thick consistency. For a thicker groundnut chutney, add ½ cup water.
You can adjust the consistency by adding less or more water, but do not make the consistency runny or thin.
14. Blend to a smooth and fine consistency. Transfer all of the peanut chutney in a bowl. Now if you want you can further temper groundnut chutney.
But you don’t need to as the peanut chutney tastes awesome the way it is.
Serving Suggestions
- Idli, Dosa: My peanut chutney recipe tastes too good with the South Indian breakfast of idli, dosa and makes for a super healthy meal. It also pairs well with medu vada, rava idli, rava dosa, and upma.
- Pakora: When I do not have coriander leaves handy to make Coriander Chutney, I prepare this groundnut chutney to serve with the various kinds of pakora – onion pakoda, bread pakoda, or potato pakora.
- Paniyaram or Appe: Pairs wonderfully with these fluffy and soft steamed dumplings made with rice and lentils batter.
- Rice: This chutney pairs deliciously as a side condiment with some steamed rice.
- Bread: Slather on a bread (toasted or plain) for a quick snack or breakfast option.
Storage
I make this peanut chutney and refrigerate it. It stays good for 2 to 3 days. Whenever I make light snacks I serve this chutney with them or with the family favorite – idli and dosa.
Store your peanut chutney in an air-tight container. Refrigerate and use whenever required within 2 to 3 days.
Expert Tips
- Peanuts: To make groundnut chutney, always use fresh dry peanuts. Do not use peanuts that have gone rancid. You can also try to make groundnut chutney with roasted unsalted peanuts. Simply roast them lightly in the oil and then follow the remaining steps in the recipe.
- Chana dal: These yellow lentils are husked and split bengal gram or baby brown chickpeas. If you have roasted chana dal, you can add ¼ cup when you add the sesame seeds.
- Consistency: You can make the groundnut chutney thick or medium, by adding less or more water.
- Variations: If you are looking to make this groundnut chutney more flavorful by adding coconut or curd or doing a tempering, then there is no need. It tastes great on its own. But still, if you prefer to temper peanut chutney, you can do so. But I never felt the need to do this.
FAQs
Yes of course. Peanuts are a rich source of protein and dietary fiber. They also are a good source of minerals and vitamin B and E. Peanuts have a less glycemic index and thus helpful for people with diabetes.
You can omit to add sesame seeds. You can also add black sesame seeds but the color of the groundnut chutney will be different.
Yes sure. Sometimes, I add a tiny piece of tamarind. Rinse or soak the tamarind in some water before you blend it with the remaining ingredients.
You can replace tamarind with ½ teaspoon lemon juice or 1 to 2 tablespoons curd (yogurt). Lemon will give a fresh acidic tangy taste, while tamarind will give sour notes.
Yes, ½ teaspoon chopped ginger will work well.
Yes, sure – omit the asafetida if you do not have it – for a gluten-free peanut chutney.
I do not remove the peanut skins. If you prefer having them removed, roast the peanuts. Spread them on a plate and cool at room temperature.
Peel the skins by rubbing the peanuts in your palms. Fry the other ingredients in 1 teaspoon oil. Blend everything together.
Curry leaves are an essential herb in groundnut chutney. Though not a replacement, but adding 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) would give a nice taste.
If you do not have either curry leaves or cilantro, then skip them. Peanut chutney will taste different without the herby flavor of curry leaves.
Skip adding them altogether. The taste of this groundnut chutney won’t be the same without chana dal.
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Peanut Chutney Recipe | Groundnut Chutney
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanuts groundnuts – 80 grams, raw peanuts
- 2 tablespoons chana dal (husked and split bengal gram) – 20 grams or ¼ cup roasted chana dal – read note 1
- 2 to 3 green chilies or dry red chilies
- 2 inches garlic cloves – small to medium-sized
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds – 10 grams
- 12 to 15 curry leaves – small to medium-sized
- 1 tablespoon oil – any neutral tasting oil
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing), optional
- salt as required
- ¾ cup water or add as required
Instructions
Frying chana dal
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Keep the heat to low and add chana dal.
- Spread them evenly on the pan. Stirring often fry them until they turn golden taking care they do not burn.
- Fry them thoroughly as you do not want any rawness in them. Remove with a slotted spoon and set them aside.
Roasting peanuts
- To the same oil, add the peanuts.
- Stirring often roast the peanuts on low to medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes until they are crispy and crunchy.
- Add curry leaves green chillies, garlic cloves and asafoetida. Mix and sauté for a minute or until the curry leaves become crisp.
- Add sesame seeds and mix. Switch off heat. Set aside the pan to cool the chutney ingredients at room temperature.
Making peanut chutney
- When the chutney ingredients have become warm or at room temperature, place them in a blender or a mixer-grinder. Add the fried chana dal and salt as per taste.
- Add water in parts and blend to a smooth consistency.
- Remove peanut chutney in a bowl.
Serving suggestions
- Idli, dosa, vada: This peanut chutney recipe tastes too good with idli, dosa, vada, upma, rava idli, rava dosa and makes for a super healthy meal.
- Pakora: Serve with various kinds of pakora, example onion pakoda, bread pakoda or potato pakora.
- Rice: You can also have it as a side condiment with some steamed rice.
- Bread: Slather on a bread (toasted or plain) for a quick snack or breakfast option.
Storing suggestions
- Store peanut chutney in an air-tight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
- Chana dal: These yellow lentils are husked and split bengal gram or brown baby chickpeas. If using roasted chana dal, add ¼ cup when you add the sesame seeds.
- Peanuts: Always use fresh dry peanuts. Do not use peanuts that have gone rancid. If using roasted unsalted peanuts, simply roast them lightly in oil and then follow the remaining steps in the recipe.
- Consistency: By changing the quantity of water, you can have a thick or medium consistency.
- Variations: If you are looking to make this chutney more flavorful by adding coconut or curd or doing a tempering, then there is no need. It tastes great on its own. But still, if you prefer to temper, you can do so.
Ingredient Swaps
- White sesame seeds: Simply omit or replace them with black sesame seeds. The color of groundnut chutney will be different with black sesame seeds.
- Garlic: Use about ½ inch ginger.
- Asafetida: Skip adding it to the peanut chutney.
- Curry leaves: Not a replacement, but adding 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) gives a nice taste. Skip them if you do not have these. Note that without the herby flavor of curry leaves, groundnut chutney will have a different taste.
- Chana dal: Skip adding them entirely.
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
This Peanut Chutney recipe from the archives first published on Feb 2013 has been republished and updated on January 2023.
I followed this recipe and just one word.. Awesome!
thanks neha for this lovely feedback on peanut chutney recipe. thanks for the rating too.
It is good.
thank you.
Ma’am your recipes are always very good, simple and healthy. I always check your recipes before making something new for the last 4 years.
Thank you for such a descriptive and pictorial recipes. 🙂
I just tried this recipe and I must say that it turned out very well. Extremely delicious. Thank you.
thanks, sunayana for the feedback and rating on peanut chutney recipe. welcome and happy cooking.
Ma’am your explanation to such simple recipe is also commendable. You take so much efforts to give minute details.
Thanks a lot Roseline.
Love you Dassana.. i have tried so many dishes from your website & the result is always very good.
Thank you for posting your recipes ❤️
thanks a ton smita. hugs and i am happy that the recipe results are always good. welcome and happy cooking.
You are my go to for not just this but ALL veg recipes.
thank you doyal.
Hi,
I am happy that atlast I found the recipe that I am fond of. I am a big fan of yours. Whenever I have to look for any recipe immediately I search for your recipe only. Can I request you to add some weight loss recipes.
Subha
thanks much subha. happy to know. sure, i will try to add some weight loss recipes.
Hello Dassana! can i add curd to this chutney?
rajshree, curd will change the taste, but you can add a little bit of curd to get a slight sourness.
Thank you so much, exactly what i was looking for.
H. Hi Dassana, Thank you for the recipes. I tried few recipes it’s really came good. Anybody can follow ur recipes with clear instructions with pictures. Regards. Anitha
Welcome Anitha. Thanks for your positive feedback on recipes.
I am definitely going to try this. Could you suggest any substitute for curry leaves or could we skip it all together and get a close taste? I know curry leaves are very imp to give the south indian authentic taste but sadly not available. By the way I am a religious follower of your page and absolutely love your recipes. Thanks a ton for making veg. cooking so exotic and simple at the same time.
thanks aarati for your kind words. there is no substitute for curry leaves. without curry leaves some flavors won’t be there. but still you can make the peanut chutney and it will taste good.
Do I have to use white sesame seeds? or will the black ones be enough?
black sesame seeds will change the colour. but you can use them.
Hi Dassana,
Plz share the recipe of dry peanut chutney that can be eaten with bread or chapptis.
gauri, have taken a note of your request. will try to add in some time. i have a lot of recipes in drafts that i will be adding first.
Dassana, an absolute 5-star rating for this. There are some who say to peel off the skin, but your recipe keeps it really simple and easy. Tried today with wheat dosa and it tasted wonderful.
Hare Krishna.
Best,
Divya
thankyou divyapriya 🙂 pleased to know this.
Thankyou for a wonderful website with some fantastic recipes. I often rely on your recipes. Your peanut chutney was a sell off! I followed your recipe but also added some onion and a little tamarind paste. It was lovely!
I will soon be trying your idli recipe with the poha. Will get back and let you know.
Thankyou and keep up the good work!
thankyou tasneem for trying so many recipes and sharing your views on the same 🙂 surely try the idli and poha. would look forward for your response and you are welcome.
It’s a super easy and yummy recipe. It goes so well with my dosas. U just made my day… Thank u. Keep posting ur marvellous recipes.
welcome soumya
U made my day ….its such a yummy and easy recipe… It tasted superb with my dosas. Thank you
welcome soumya
I tried it this morning! Really nice:)
thanks simran
I use all recipes from this site . they are simple easy pictures help a lot .
thanks divya for sharing positive review on recipes.
this site is my Bible!!
Thanks Perry
I love your recipes. They are so simple yet so good..love ur website, keep posting..
thanks isha
good recipe
thanks dipti
Good one.. I love your website..
thanks.
Sesame and red chilli chutney are awesome. It is so good with vendhaya dosa.
thanks jaisri
Hi Dassana….I had learned this chutney from a tamil friend of mine….urs is similar to hers. Can u plz upload the recipe for idli podi(the gun powder) chutney….I love that one with idli/dosa/uttapam!
i will be updating a lot of recipes. the idli podi being one of them. just that i have a lot of recipes in the drafts that require to be updated soon. once this lot gets over, i will make the chutney and add it.
Gr8 Chutney and very easy to make…thanks
welcome ashish
Dear mam,
Wow, great site to look at.. Pleasing photographs, step by step preparations really a WOW… Ur photos itself tempts me to do… Thank u for the recipes… Keep posting… My wishes to u…
Regards
Kalai
thanks kalai for this sweet comment.
love the recipe.. sometimes even tamarind is missing for chutney… this is really quick easy and fuss free. thanks a lot for the recipe
welcome sweta.
This is very different from any chutney I have seen before (not that I see a lot in Ohio haha). Pinning for sure! Love peanuts.
Love all the peanut based chutney this sesame addition is too good.Totally getting hooked to your site.Its really good one.
Simple and yum !
I make peanut chutney often! I have a similar recipe on my blog too 🙂
When a pinch of asafoetida is to be added in this peanut chutney.It seems author of the recipe forgot about it.
thanks. yes the author forgot to mention in the recipe details 🙂 since asafoetida has to be cooked, its added when the chana dal and sesame seeds are added and then fried.
will update the post.
Great idea 🙂 I love peanuts, so I think I would love this flavourful chutney.
This is like completely new to me! But looks yum. Will try soon.
Wow,
This chutney looks incredible! Cannot wait to try this out.
I’ve never though of nut chutney — so easy, thanks for sharing 🙂
I have practically all ingredients at home except the chana daal is missing. Oh Dassana I really want some of your peanut chutney it looks divine!!
Your peanut chutney looks very delicious. I loved your clicks too!
wondering about the taste with the skin of peanut ? generally we remove the skin ! and then grind it ! never knew with out coconut u can do the same ! lovely presentation ~
one does not taste the skin at all. generally i don’t remove the skin of peanuts in any recipe, i add them, including poha.