Tomato Chutney - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Tomato chutney is a sweet and savory condiment bursting with tomato flavor, delicious spices, vinegar, and brown sugar. Best known for being the perfect pairing for Indian cuisine, tomato chutney is a great addition to curries, naan bread, and charcuterie boards.

I sure do love a good sauce on the side of my meals for dipping! It just makes the meal so much better because who doesn’t love to dip? You should definitely try my yum yum sauce, my homemade cheese sauce, or this buffalo sauce. I want to drizzle these sauces on everything and I know you will too!

What Is Tomato Chutney?

Tomato chutney is the combination of tomatoes, spices, and vinegar slowly cooked down to create a thick and flavorful sauce. If you have never had tomato chutney, then you are in for a treat! It’s the best because it can be served with many different dishes or even as an appetizer! It has a great combination of sweet and savory, and the flavors really make the tomatoes stand out!

Not only is this recipe super easy to make, but it stores so well in your fridge and will last up to 3 months! Which makes it a great recipe to make ahead of time for all of the yummy dishes that you can use it in. You can eat this warm, cold, or at room temperature. I absolutely love eating this with some delicious naan bread. It makes a great snack or even a side dish to some tikka masala!

Ingredients Needed For Tomato Chutney

If you are like me and your garden is bursting with tomatoes during the fall, this recipe is perfect for you! And the best part about it is that it will last you a few months, especially if you make more than one batch! To find all of the ingredient measurements, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Olive Oil: Olive oil helps cook and soften the shallot and garlic.
• Shallot: I love using shallots, but feel free to use a white onion if that’s what you have on hand.
• Garlic: Garlic always adds the best flavor. It’s a MUST!
• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are my favorite, but you can use canned ones if you would like.
• Brown Sugar: Just a little brown sugar adds a delicious caramelly sweetness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Vinegar is a must in chutney because it adds tanginess and helps preserve the chutney. Substitute with red wine vinegar!
• Ground Ginger: Ginger is a delicious spice used in a lot of Indian cuisines.
• Cumin: I love the smoky flavor of cumin!
• Chili Powder: Chili powder is a delicious spice in this recipe!
• Salt: Salt helps balance and enhance the flavors.

How to Make Tomato Chutney

This one-pot tomato chutney recipe easily comes together for you to enjoy! Just allow yourself time for the chutney to cook slowly and simmer on the stove. It can be cooking and doing its thing while you focus on the other things in life that keep you busy! Just set your timer and come back when it’s cooked and ready to be mashed!

1. Saute the Shallot and Garlic: In a large skillet, add the olive oil, shallot, and garlic and heat over medium-high heat. Gently sauté until they begin to soften.
2. Add the Tomatoes, Sugar, Vinegar, and Spices: Add in the tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, ginger, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Then stir to combine.
3. Simmer and Cook: Simmer for 1 hour, occasionally stirring, until the chutney reduces to a jammy consistency.
4. Mash or Blend: Once cooked, remove from heat and mash by hand or pulse in a food processor or blender. I prefer chutney on the chunkier side, but feel free to make it chunky or smooth.
5. Serve: Allow to cool and serve, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.