Mango Pickle Recipe | Punjabi Aam ka Achar

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Here’s a Punjabi Mango Pickle that’s authentically our family heirloom recipe and brimming with robust flavors. Essentially a mango pickle recipe is made with tangy unripe green mangoes, spices, salt and oil. This Mango Pickle or Aam Ka Achar is a recipe which is sour and makes for the tastiest accompaniment with any Indian meal because of the choicest of spices that are used to make it. So, this summertime, pick the good green mangoes, prep up and go for this pickle recipe.

mango pickle scooped in a wooden spoon on top of a ceramic jar placed on a brown wooden board

India – The Pickle Nation

When one mentions India, one has to also mention about the plethora of pickles that the Indians are fond of. The Mango Pickle being one of the most loved ones, followed by Lemon Pickle, Amla Pickle, Red Chilli Pickle and other versions made with seasonal fruits and veggies.

Just like how curries or samosa is synonymous with India, so is pickles. In fact, an Indian thali (platter) is quite incomplete without a portion of pickle in it, and it can be rightly termed as one of the most favorite condiments here.

Pickles pan India are found under different monikers. For instance, ‘achaar’ in Hindi, ‘oorugai’ in Tamil, ‘loncha’ in Marathi, ‘athanu’ in Gujarati, etc. It is one of those foods that help in clearing the palate in between dishes and can elevate an otherwise boring meal.

Although the origin of the word pickle lies in the Dutch word ‘pekel’ meaning ‘brine,’ the ‘achaar’ has its origin in a Persian term meaning ‘fruits or vegetables which are salted/powdered and preserved in a solution of vinegar, salt, syrup or honey.’  

About Mango Pickle Recipe

Besides being the most apt choice for parathas, dal-chawal or any other rich Indian gravy in a rice or bread combination, this Aam Ka Achar is well received not just by Indians, but also people around the world.

This is why this particular mango pickle is a sure shot hit!

  • It is super easy to make. All you have to do is mix up the mango pieces with salt, spices and put it in lots of sunshine for 3 to 4 days.
  • Next, you just douse good quality mustard oil and keep the jar safely in a cool, dry place for another 3 to 4 days.
  • By this time, it’s ready for you to indulge in!

This Punjabi Mango Pickle recipe is my mother-in-law’s special. She had learnt it as it passed down from her mother-in-law. We Indians really take pride in such valuable recipes that are nothing less than a treasure.

There are numerous ways an Aam Ka Achar is made pan India with each pickle having a distinct flavor and method of preparation.

As you travel through our country’s length and breadth, you will find people pickling raw mangoes, in both sour and sweet versions and enjoying them with their everyday meals.

I am quite a pickle person and like to pair everything from dal, vegetable stir-fries, roti and paratha with a variety of pickles.

If you love pickles just as I do, I’m so sure that you are going to fall in love with this Mango Pickle.

punjabi mango pickle served as a part of an indian meal in a white plate
Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Mango Pickle Recipe

Prep Spices

1. Before you begin, take the spices and salt in small bowls and keep them in sunlight for 1 to 2 hours. This step is optional but does help in getting rid of any moisture from the spices and salt.

Spices added to this pickle recipe are:

  1. Fenugreek seeds –  ¼ cup
  2. Fennel seeds – ¼ cup
  3. Mustard seeds (can use either black or yellow) – ¼ cup
  4. Nigella seeds (kalonji) – ¼ cup
  5. Turmeric powder (ground turmeric) – 3 tablespoons
  6. Red chili powder or cayenne pepper – ¼ cup
spices and salt in sunlight for punjabi mango pickle

2. Later, take the fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds in a dry grinder jar or a spice-grinder.

fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds in a grinder jar

3. Grind to a coarse mixture. Do not make a fine powder.

spices ground to a coarse mixture

Prep Mangoes

4. Rinse and wipe the raw mangoes well with a clean kitchen towel. You can even let the mangoes dry naturally.

In the photo you only see two mangoes as they were very large mangoes weighing 1 kilogram together.

raw mangoes on a chopping board

5. Chop the mangoes into 1.5 inches pieces. Discard the stones but do peel off the flesh from the stones, if any.

No need to remove the outer skin of the mangoes if they are tender and soft. You will need 7 to 7.5 cups chopped mangoes.

chopped raw mangoes on the chopping board

6. Take the chopped mangoes in a large mixing bowl. Better to use a steel or a glass bowl as they are non-reactive.

chopped mangoes in a large mixing bowl

Make Pickle Mixture

7. Now firstly, add the ground fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds.

ground mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds added to chopped mangoes

8. Then, add the remaining spices – fennel seeds, nigella seeds, turmeric powder and red chili powder or cayenne pepper.

I have added two types of red chili powder – Kashmiri red chili powder (for color) and a spicy red chili powder.

You can use even just one type of red chili powder or even a mix of cayenne pepper and paprika.

adding remaining spices to the chopped mangoes

9. Next, add salt.

adding salt to the mango-spices mixture

10. With a steel or wooden spoon, mix very well so that the spices uniformly coat the mango pieces.

Check the taste of the pickle masala mixture or 1 to 2 mango pieces. The taste should be slightly salty. If not, then add more salt.

mixing mango pieces with spices and salt

11. Now, pour ½ cup mustard oil.

adding mustard oil to the spiced mango pieces

12. Mix very well.

mixing the spice mango mixture well

13. Spoon the prepared pickle mixture in a clean ceramic jar or glass jar. Use a clean spoon.

placing the pickle mixture in a ceramic jar

Sun Dry Mango Pickle

14. Seal with a lid and keep in sunlight for 3 to 4 days. I used two jars. Note that the sunlight should be very good with strong sun rays falling on the pickle jar.

It should not be cloudy or dark. In the evening, get the jar inside and keep in a cool dry place. Next morning, keep in sunlight again.

jars kept in sunlight

15. Everyday after sun-drying in the evening, open the lid and give a gentle mix to the pickle with a clean spoon.

This is the pickle being mixed on the first day. Take the mango pieces settled at the bottom upwards in the jar and give a thorough mix. Basically, mixing and tossing needs to be done everyday.

mixing the pickle after first day

16. The below photo is of the pickle on the third day. You can see the oil floating.

pickle after three days

17. The pickle after mixing on the fourth day.

pickle on the fourth day

18. On the last day, pour 2.5 cups of mustard oil in the jar.

remaining mustard oil being poured in the pickle on the last day

19. Again with a clean spoon give a thorough mix. The oil should seep inside and reach the bottom of the jar. All the mango pieces should be surrounded with some oil.

You do not need to heat the mustard oil. You can add more mustard oil if required. The mustard oil should float above the pickle by 2 to 3 inches. Always remember to keep the oil floating above the pickle.

Seal with a lid and keep in a cool dry place for 4 days until everything gets mellowed and pickled.

Initially, you may find a slight bitter taste in the pickle, but after 6 to 7 days, the bitterness will go away.

mixing the mango pickle

20. Enjoy the Mango Pickle or Aam ka Achar with any Indian meal. The pickle stays good for more than a year at room temperature without refrigeration. Keep the jar in a cool dry place.

punjabi mango pickle served as a part of an indian meal in a white plate

Serving Suggestions

Remember to store the pickle jar in a cool dry place. To serve, I would suggest to take a small portion of the pickle for a week or 15 days in smaller jars or bowls. Keep this jar or bowl on your dining table, kitchen or in the fridge.

While taking the pickle from the jars, always use a clean dry spoon. Make sure there is no water or moisture on the spoon as this can spoil your pickle.

In North India, apart from the usual way of consuming the Mango Pickle with meals, it is also served with flatbreads like Aloo Paratha, Paneer Paratha or any other paratha for that matter.

One of the most favorite childhood memories of ours includes we taking parathas with Aam Ka Achar in our lunch box.

When speaking of being a side condiment, the Mango Pickle tastes excellent with some rice-lentils, Curd Rice or other curries with rice.

This Punjabi Mango Pickle can also easily elevate a simple meal of even chapati or roti with any vegetable dish. Otherwise, mix the pickle masala with steamed rice and enjoy a simple and comforting, yet heavenly meal.

And while you lose yourself to the awesomeness of the sour Mango Pickle, this Avakaya Pickle is another recipe that you must try till the mango season lasts.

Make Pickle Without Sunlight

While it is absolutely paramount to have sunlight to make any traditional pickle, I have worked on a Punjabi Mango Pickle recipe that can be made sans the sun too.

You simply have to mix everything and pour it in a jar. But, do these before:

  1. Heat mustard oil till it smokes, and then cool it to room temperature. Add to the spiced mango pieces mixture.
  2. Make it a practice to cover this pickle with 2 to 3 inches layer of mustard oil on top in the jar.
  3. Close the lid of the jars tightly. Keep the jars in a dry place for about 5 to 6 days or more until the mangoes soften and tenderize.
  4. Do remember to stir the pickle with a dry and clean spoon once every day. Cover the jar again with a lid and continue to store it in a dry place until the pickle is ready.

Expert Tips

  1. Get raw mangoes with tender skin and use without peeling the skin. In case the mangoes have tough skin, then peel and use.
  2. Make sure to always use fresh spices. Take them on a plate and then discard the husks and stones, if any.
  3. Grind the mustard and fenugreek seeds coarsely for this pickle. You can also use store-brought split mustard and fenugreek seeds.
  4. You can add more or less red chili powder depending upon the level of spiciness you want in the pickle.
  5. The jar used to store the mango pickle should be thoroughly sterilized, cleaned and dried. Preferably use a glass jar or ceramic jar. Do not use plastic jars.
  6. Keep in mind the hygiene and cleanliness while making any pickle, jam, sauce, preserve or for that matter any food.
  7. This Aam Ka Achar recipe can be scaled accordingly.

FAQs

Can I store this pickle in a plastic jar?

I would suggest not to store this mango pickle in a plastic jar. Try to use a ceramic jar or a good sturdy glass jar.

For how long this pickle stays good?

This mango pickle will stay good for more than a year. Even if the pickle is not sun-dried or partially sun-dried, it stays good for more than a year. Cover the pickle with a generous layer of oil as well to keep it good.

What do I do if the mangoes are still hard after pickling?

One way to soften the mangoes is just heating through, but not boil. Once the pickle is hot, let it cool on its own and don’t cover with a lid. However, you can cover with a pan, cotton napkin or muslin cloth. Make sure the water doesn’t condense as this might spoil the pickle.

How to choose mangoes for making this pickle?

Choose mangoes that are raw, firm and a dark green in color with a white-colored flesh. If the flesh is yellow, it means the mango is slightly ripe.

What is the best way to store this pickle in a barni jar?

Store this pickle in a ceramic jar by putting a muslin cloth on the mouth, later securing it with a string and then putting the lid.

Do I use yellow or black mustard seeds for this pickle?

Use either. Both work well in this pickle recipe.

I kept the pickle for 7 days in sunlight without oil. Still, it caught fungus. Why and how do I rectify it?

Moisture in the pickle will result in fungus. Avoid this by covering the pickle with a thick layer of oil and keeping it dry. Any mould or fungus means you have to discard the entire pickle and there is nothing you can do to rectify it.

Which oil can I use instead of mustard oil in this pickle?

You can prepare this pickle with sesame oil or sunflower oil.

Can this pickle be dried under the fan?

Preferably, the pickle has to be sun-dried. If not, then it can be dried under the fan too. But this will reduce the shelf-life as otherwise sun rays kill microorganisms.

Should I throw the water that drains from the mango pieces after mixing the spices with them?

You needn’t discard the water as it gets evaporated while the pickle is sun-dried.

More Indian Pickle Recipes To Try!

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mango pickle in a wooden spoon above ceramic pickle jar.

Mango Pickle | Punjabi Aam ka Achar Recipe

An authentic Punjabi recipe of Mango Pickle or Aam ka Achar made with unripe green mangoes, spices, salt and mustard oil. Easy and absolutely delicious.
4.95 from 39 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Sun Drying Time 4 days
Total Time 4 days 15 minutes
Cuisine North Indian, Punjabi
Course Condiment, Side Dish
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 1 Large Jar
Units

Ingredients

  • 1 kilogram mangoes or 7 to 7.5 cups of chopped mangoes – unripe and green
  • ¼ cup mustard seeds – 40 grams, black or yellow or 40 grams split yellow mustard seeds
  • ¼ cup fenugreek seeds – 45 grams or 45 grams split fenugreek seeds
  • ¼ cup fennel seeds – 30 grams
  • ¼ cup nigella seeds (kalonji) – 30 grams
  • 3 tablespoons turmeric powder (ground turmeric) – 15 grams
  • ¼ cup red chili powder or cayenne pepper – 25 grams
  • ½ cup rock salt (edible and food grade) – 125 grams or add as required – can also add regular salt or pink salt
  • 3 cups mustard oil – add more if required

Instructions
 

Prep Spices and Mangoes

  • Before you begin, take the spices and salt in small bowls and keep them in sunlight for 1 to 2 hours. This step is optional but does help in getting rid of any moisture from the spices and salt.
  • Later, take the fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds in a dry grinder jar or a spice-grinder and grind to a coarse mixture.
  • Rinse and wipe the raw mangoes and let them dry naturally. You can even wipe them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Making Mango Pickle

  • Chop the mangoes into 1.5 inches pieces. and add them in a bowl. Discard the stones but do peel off the flesh from the stones, if any. No need to remove the outer skin of the mangoes if they are soft and tender.
  • Take the chopped mangoes in a large non-reactive mixing bowl.
  • Now begin by adding the ground fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds first.
  • Then, add fennel seeds, nigella seeds or onion seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt.
  • With a steel or wooden spoon, mix very well so that the spices uniformly coat the mango pieces. Check the taste of the pickle masala mixture or 1 to 2 mango pieces. The taste should be slightly salty. If not, then add some more salt.
  • Next pour ½ cup mustard oil.
  • Mix very well.
  • Spoon the prepared pickle mixture in a clean ceramic jar or glass jar. Use a clean spoon.
  • Cover with a lid and keep in sunlight for 3 to 4 days. Note that the sunlight should be very good with the strong rays falling on the pickle jar. It should not be cloudy or dark.
  • Everyday after sun-drying in the evening, open the lid and give a gentle mix to the pickle with a clean spoon.
    Take the mango pieces settled at the bottom upwards in the jar and give a thorough mix. Basically, mixing and tossing needs to be done everyday. 
  • In the evening, get the jar inside and keep in a cool dry place. Next morning, keep in the sunlight again.
  • After keeping in sunlight for 3 to 4 days, add the remaining 2.5 cups mustard oil. Again with a clean spoon, mix very well.
    The oil should seep inside and reach the bottom of the jar. All the mango pieces should be surrounded with some oil.
  • Note that you do not need to heat the mustard oil. You can add more mustard oil if required.
    Do keep in mind that the mustard oil should float above the pickle by 2 to 3 inches. Always remember to keep the oil floating above the pickle.
  • Seal with a lid, keep in a cool dry place for 4 days till everything gets mellowed and pickled.
  • Initially, you may find a slight bitter taste in the pickle, but after 6 to 7 days, the bitterness will go away. This Mango Pickle stays good for more than a year at room temperature without refrigeration.
  • Enjoy this Punjabi Mango Pickle with any Indian meal.

Notes

  • Make sure the spices are within their shelf period and have not gone rancid. 
  • Use good quality mustard oil and preferably cold pressed or wood pressed. 
  • Instead of mustard oil, you can use sesame oil (made from raw sesame seeds) and sunflower oil. But keep in mind that the taste and flavor of the mango pickle made with either of these oils will be different.
  • Note that the approximate nutrition info is for the entire jar of Mango Pickle.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Mango Pickle | Punjabi Aam ka Achar Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1906 Calories from Fat 918
% Daily Value*
Fat 102g157%
Saturated Fat 12g75%
Sodium 57640mg2506%
Potassium 4522mg129%
Carbohydrates 251g84%
Fiber 70g292%
Sugar 144g160%
Protein 46g92%
Vitamin A 28357IU567%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 19mg95%
Vitamin B6 3mg150%
Vitamin C 379mg459%
Vitamin E 34mg227%
Vitamin K 110µg105%
Calcium 871mg87%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 557µg139%
Iron 49mg272%
Magnesium 587mg147%
Phosphorus 1013mg101%
Zinc 9mg60%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Mango Pickle recipe post from the archives first published on May 2012 has been updated and republished on April 2023.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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143 Comments

  1. Hi Dassana,
    Thank you for the recipe. Looks interesting. What if we want a sweet verison of the same recipe using Gud? How can we do that? can the raw gud be added to the mixture?
    Thank you
    Indija

    1. The sweet version is made differently and the proportions of the ingredients will be different. Raw jaggery can be added to this pickle too but the rest of the ingredient proportions will change. Hope this helps.

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