Have you noticed Indian Onion salad being served along with green chutney and poppadoms before your main course is brought to you at an Indian restaurant? This popular Indian salad, called Laccha Pyaaz, made with sliced onion rings tossed in a tangy, spicy dressing and fresh herbs, is a perfect accompaniment to your Indian meals.
This is not only gluten-free but also a no-oil salad. Perfect for Vegetarians and Vegans!
In India, many people eat raw onion salad and whole green chilies as part of their everyday meals.
This no-frills, everyday salad is also called ‘Masala onion‘ or ‘Laccha Pyaaz‘ in Hindi, which literally translates to Onion rings salad. Traditionally, red onions are cut into thin rings. This requires some good knife skills and practice.
This salad adds an extra zing to your meal. It’s a no-cook salad and the easiest side dish or accompaniment you can prepare at home in 10 minutes.
Table of Contents
Watch How to Make Indian Onion Salad
What to serve with Laccha Pyaaz?
This onion salad tastes awesome with tandoori/grilled items like Kebabs, Paneer tikka, Tandoori chicken, or any rich, spicy curry dish, such as Kadai Paneer, Dal Makhani, Chana Masala, Butter Chicken, paired with roti, naan, or rice.
Biryani or Pulao, when served with Laccha Pyaaz and raita is a complete meal.
You can use Lachha Pyaaz in wraps, Kathi rolls, or in Indian-style burgers!
This is definitely your go-to salad for any Indian dish.
Again, like any other Indian dish, this one also has regional variations. However, most are seasoned with salt, spiced with green chilli and/or red chilli powder, and drizzled with lemon juice or vinegar for added tanginess.
Onion Salad Ingredients
I like simple, everyday salad recipes that require minimal ingredients and can be made in a few minutes. These Indian spiced onions check all the boxes. You will find most of these ingredients in your pantry.
- Onions: This salad tastes best when red onions are used because of their sharp and slightly sweet taste, but you can try making it with any onions you have in your kitchen – white, yellow, or sweet onions. Red onions also give great colour to the dish. I personally don’t like using green onions for this specific recipe.
- Cilantro/ Mint leaves: Freshly chopped cilantro and/or mint leaves add flavor and color to this recipe. You can use either or both.
- Green Chilies: You can use chopped green chilies for an extra kick and a wonderful flavor. Skip them if you don’t want your salad to be spicy.
- Lime Juice: This adds that zing to your salad.
- Chaat Masala: This is the star ingredient. You can buy it at the Indian grocery store.
- Red Chilli Powder: I like to use Kashmiri red chili powder for its wonderful red color and mild heat. You can use cayenne or paprika.
- Salt – as per taste
Onions are loaded with antioxidants and have an anti-inflammatory effect. It is known for its anti-bacterial properties and is used as a home remedy for common colds and coughs.
If you’re a fan of onions, also try this onion pakora recipe.
How to Make Onion Salad?
- Take a peeled onion. Thinly slice the onion or cut it into circular slices and separate each disc. Soak it in water for 5 minutes. Skip this step if you prefer the sharp, pungent taste of onions. Drain the onion and keep it in a bowl.
- Add red chilli powder, chaat masala, and finely chopped green chillies
- Add coriander leaves/ mint leaves, or both.
- Add salt. Drizzle lime juice.
- Mix everything well.
- Voila..you just made restaurant-style onion salad!
Variations
- Add Sugar – If you like a sweet and sour flavor, you can add sugar to it.
- Tomato and Onion Salad – Chopped tomatoes added to this onion salad also taste absolutely delicious.
- Onion, Cucumber, and Tomato salad – This variation makes a great-tasting salad.
Common Questions
Use a chopping board and a sharp knife. To minimize tears, you need to lessen your exposure to the cut onion and work quickly. If you want to save time and tears, you can use a food processor for larger quantities.
This Indian onion salad tastes best when served fresh. It becomes soggy when kept and loses its crunch. So, only make quantities that can be consumed.
You can use vinegar as an alternative for the acidity.
The sliced onions can be soaked in water for about 15 minutes to get rid of the pungent taste and smell, and then seasoned with spices and lemon juice.
I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious salad.
More Salad Recipes To Try
Indian Onion Salad (Laccha Pyaaz)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Red Onion, medium
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Chili powder (Mirchi powder), I used Kashmiri chili powder, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Roasted Cumin Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Chaat Masala
- 1 Green Chili Pepper, finely diced, adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Mint leaves (Pudhina), optional, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Peel the onion. Slice it into thin rings or discs using a sharp knife.
- Place the onions in a mixing bowl. Separate the rings with your hands.
- (optional) Soak the onion rings in water for 15 minutes to reduce the pungent taste and smell. Then discard the water.
- Add red chilli powder, cumin powder, chaat masala, finely chopped green chilli, salt and lime juice.
- Add finely chopped cilantro leaves or mint leaves or both.
- Toss everything until well combined. You can also use your hands to mix the onions with the spices.
- Check the seasoning and adjust if required. Serve immediately.
I have really been enjoy your recipes and the use of the air fryer and instant pot. Love all the spices.. so very tasty. Thanks….. Leela
Hi leela – I’m delighted to hear that you’ve been enjoying the recipes 🙂
Hi Meeta, I use a mandolin to cut the onion its safer and easier also, growing up in Kolkatta aka Calcutta we used to make this salad to go with kebabs
Hi Gillian – That’s a great idea to use a mandolin slicer for the onions. These onions would be so good with kebabs. Thank you for sharing back!