Lemon Chutney- Condiments, pickles and preserves are the integral part of Indian cuisine. Varieties of Jams and jellies are made with seasonal fruits but the most popular are pickles and chutneys as they can be served with snacks and as a side dish with main course meal.
Pickles and chutneys are mainly of two types-instant ones which have short shelf life,and the one which have long shelf life. During season the long shelf life ones are made in large quantity to use through out the year.
Fruity and the sweet and tangy multi purpose chutnies are the most popular chutneys in my house,used to make chat or to serve with snacks to make them more appetizing.
This lemon chutney or lemon pickle is a specialty from the city of Indore.It has a fusion of all the tastes-sweet,sour,salty,slightly bitter and spicy.It taste some what similar to lemon pickle.I learned this from a friend of mine who is from Indore.
- Pineapple and pepper chutney
- Date Tamarind Chutney
- Apple and raw mango chutney
- Tomato Thokku chutney
- Amrood Pudina Chutney
- Rajkot Chutney
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Lemon Chutney
Ingredients
- 500 gms Lemon
- 500 gms Sugar
- 2.5 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Ginger/ Adrak
- To Taste Salt
Instructions
- Wash and wipe lemons (choose small Indian lemon with thin skin) with a soft cloth.
- Chop lemons into small pieces and remove the pips.
- Grind the chopped pieces in the mixer to make a paste.(it’s fine to have little chunky paste,no need to make it very smooth )
- Take a heavy bottom pan add lemon paste and sugar and cook on slow flame.
- When it started to thicken then add grated ginger,salt and chili powder.
- Simmer till you get a soft jam like consistency.
- Store in a glass jar when cool down completely.
- Let it mature for a week then start using,can be used immediately but can taste slightly bitter now and after a week it will taste better as lemon absorb the flavours.
METHOD 2-
- Grind the chopped lemon, sugar, ginger, salt and chili powder in the mixer and make a smooth paste.
- Store in a glass bottle and keep in direct sunlight for a day.
- Rest for a week then start using.
METHOD-3
- Grind lemon pieces in the mixer.
- Take a glass jar, add sugar, salt, chili powder, ginger and lemon paste.
- Mix every thing properly.
- Keep the jar in sun light till the sugar melts and become a thick syrup.
- Serving suggestions-serve with snacks,or as a side dish with main course or use as Lemon marmalade .



Devi
I want to make this chutney with Amla instead of lemon as lemon here are have thick skin and limes are bitter. My question is should I cook Amla first or should grind raw Amla?
Anjana Chaturvedi
You can Grind raw amla and make this chutney, I have also posted a sweet and sour chutney , you can check that too
https://maayeka.com/2021/12/amla-ki-khatti-meethi-launji-chutney.html
Malcolm (Toronto)
Perfect!
Anjana Chaturvedi
thanks
ALKA
Hi Anjana,
With regards to the above recipe, kindly clarify if the chutney should be refrigerated after cooled or to be kept at room temperature, as where I live, we have a very hot climate. Secondly, , you have mentioned the chutney develops more flavour after 1 week, so during that initial 1 week, where do we store it, room temp or fridge?
Thank You
Anjana Chaturvedi
Hi Alka
if the temp is very hot then do refrigerate it after 2 days.
Ritu Paralkar
Hi .I have just made the chutney as per your recipe. The only addition I made is putting cinnamon powder and a spoonful of garam masala. Tastes awesome, but with some bitter taste . Hopefully ,as you have mentioned ,the bitter taste will reduce. Thanks for the recipe.
Anjana Chaturvedi
Thank you Ritu. I’m glad you liked it!
PRABHAT VERMA
Mam, I have tried many times but every time the chuttney gets bitter due to unknown reason. It is so bitter that not even palatable. So I have to throw it and my labour is wasted. Pl suggest.
anjanaskc
I am not able to understand what is going wrong with your chutney..may be you have not removed the seeds completely. The chutney do taste slight bitter in the beginning but as it mature with time the taste become nice and tangy.
Kumar pitamber Gharave
Rep.mada.m, I tried lemon chutney with jaggery but after 15 days bubbles & gas is formed , pl.let me know the fault or any discrepancy
anjanaskc
Hello Kumar -I have always made this chutney with sugar and it stays well till it last. May be you have not cooked it properly or the lemons are not cleaned properly.
PRABHAT VERMA
Mam, I have tried many times but every time the chuttney gets bitter due to unknown reason. It is so bitter that not even palatable. So I have to throw it and my labour is wasted. Pl suggest.
Anjana Chaturvedi
Hi Provid thank you for your comment There are two things to note here first this chutney initially is always bitter it takes time to mellow down the bitterness and become sweet approximately two weeks. Second make sure you have removed all the seeds from the lemons If you end up grinding lemon seeds it will always remain better Hope this helps. Regards Anjana
Pam
It reads “lemons” but the picture is of limes. Is it lemons or limes?
anjanaskc
I have used limes but you can also use lemons
Shweta singh
I tried making lemon chutney following method 1. It has been 4 days already and my chutney tastes bitter. Any tips how to get r8d of its bitterness??
anjanaskc
let it mature for some times then it taste good but a hint of bitterness will always be there
Kumar pitamber Gharave
Rep.mada.m, I tried lemon chutney with jaggery but after 15 days bubbles & gas is formed , pl.let me know the fault or any discrepancy
Anjana Chaturvedi
Hi Kumar, this probably means that you haven’t cooked the chutney long enough or properly which is why these bubbles and gasses are being formed. Regards Anjana
Sayantani
such a new recipe Anjanaji. really lovely chutney
Veena Theagarajan
So tasty and it is so new recipe.. Love it
Priya Suresh
Very differnt and definitely an interesting chutney.
Archana Potdar
Wow this is so very delicious. Thanks. bookmarking it.
A Veggie's Dairy
New irresistible chutney looks tangy and yummy.
PrathibhaSreejith
Looks so yummy, blended with amazing flavors 🙂
Julie
yummmilicious!!