Momos Chutney Recipe | Momo Sauce

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Streets bustling with momo carts and hawkers in almost each and every corner of the country is a common sight today. While there’s a galore of momos to choose from, the whole ‘momo eating spree’ is still incomplete if a plate arrives without the firecracker Momos Chutney a.k.a Momo Sauce in it. This Momos Chutney recipe is made with tomatoes, red chilies and garlic. Is vegan and gluten-free too.

momos chutney served in a bowl with chopsticks on the side, momos on a platter above and text layovers.

Momos Chutney

Momos Chutney is a spicy, fiery chutney condiment that is served as a dip with momos – which are Tibetan style dumplings. In India, momos is a famous street food snack. There are a variety of momos made and these are mostly served with this spicy chutney.

Wherever I am, even if at home, it is non-negotiable for me to let go of the Momos Chutney or Momo Sauce and only have the momos. Because this is a special combination of flavors, textures and taste that is awesome.

I mean nothing can beat the happiness and contentment that one gets by consuming a momo laced with the fiery tomato chili chutney. And what better than to cook this uber essential chutney at home. So, a post solely dedicated to this Momos Chutney recipe was paramount for me.

Also, because after posting the Veg Momos Recipe, I had started getting a lot of requests for the Momos Chutney recipe too. For obvious reasons! Somehow, it kept getting delayed. But the day I made the Wheat Momos, I decided to make this Momos Sauce too and post it.

This particular Momos Chutney recipe is inspired from a cookbook that I have on Nepali cuisine. I have made some changes in the original recipe, that is, subtracted a few ingredients and added a few other.

About This Recipe

One of the very typical ingredients of this Momos Chutney recipe, that I want to shed some light on is the Sichuan pepper. This is what imparts a certain kind of pungency and a distinct taste that’s needed in this particular chutney.

Since it can be quite a task to source this unique pepper type everywhere, you may skip using it. Yes, there’s bound to be some loss in the flavor in the Momos Chutney because of that, but it still will be really good and palatable. If you’re in Maharashtra or Goa, the alternative to this pepper can be ‘triphal’ or ‘teppal.’

The bright red hue of this Momos Chutney depends on the variety of red chilies that you’re going to use. And it may vary accordingly. The two most common types that you can consider for this chutney are Kashmiri red chilies or Byadgi red chilies.

These red chilies will also make a difference in the heat quotient of this Momos Chutney recipe. I used medium spicy red chilies. You may use spicier ones, less or more in number, to get just the right level of fieriness suiting your palate.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Momos Chutney

Cook Tomatoes and Chillies

1. First rinse 2 medium to large tomatoes (145 grams) in water a few times. Break or chop 3 to 4 dried red chilies and remove the seeds with a small spoon.

Heat 3 cups water in a pan and let it come to a boil. When the water comes to a boil, add the tomatoes and red chilies in it.

tomatoes and dried red chilies added to hot water in pan.

2. Begin to boil the tomatoes and dried red chilies on medium heat.

boiling tomatoes and dried red chilies in pan.

3. Cook them for a total of about 8 to 9 minutes. You will see that the peels on the tomatoes have shrunk, got cracked and separated.

cooking tomatoes and dried red chilies in boiling water.

4. Then, carefully drain the water using a strainer and allow the tomatoes and red chilies to cool at room temperature.

Water strained and tomatoes and dried red chilies getting cooled.

Make Momos Chutney

5. When the tomatoes warm or cool down, slice off the top eye part. Peel the skins. Roughly chop or crush them and add in a blender jar along with its juices.

Or you can just crush them with your hands while adding in the blender jar. Also, add the red chilies along with 1 teaspoon chopped garlic, ¼ teaspoon black pepper and 1 Sichuan pepper (optional).

crushed boiled tomatoes, boiled red chilies, chopped garlic, black pepper and Sichuan pepper added in a blender jar.

6. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon sugar and salt as per taste.

sugar and salt added in the blender jar.

7. Without adding water, blend to a fine and smooth consistency. After blending, you can strain the chutney if you prefer.

blend the ingredients to a smooth paste without adding water.

8. Remove the Momos Chutney in a bowl and serve with momos. You can even refrigerate the chutney and it stays good for about 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.

momos chutney served in a bowl with chopsticks on the side and momos kept on a platter above.

Serving Suggestions

This Momo Sauce is absolutely smashing with first, all momos. Next, you can serve it with fritters, pakoda, tikki or patties and even dosa, appam and idli. Or make spicy sandwiches, wraps and rolls with it.

Expert Tips

  1. Want that extra spicy kick from the chutney? Add more red chilies. If you can’t handle too much heat or making the chutney for kids, reduce the quantity accordingly and also deseed the chilies.
  2. The tomatoes and dried red chilies are boiled for a smoother blending process. If you don’t want to boil, you can soak them too in hot water, for a good amount of time.
  3. Ensure to use ripe tomatoes and fresh, tender garlic cloves to make this Momo Sauce. You can even roast the garlic slightly to give a smoky flavor to the chutney.
  4. Want a thicker chutney? Add a few blanched almonds while blending. This will alter the taste a bit, but it is going to be a nice, nutty flavor in the chutney. Make sure the nuts are not rancid or old.
  5. If the tomatoes are too tart, adjust the quantity of sugar accordingly. Alternatively, you can skip adding sugar too.
  6. For leftover Momos Chutney, put it in an airtight container/box and refrigerate. Just make sure to consume within 1 to 2 days.

FAQs

How long can I store this chutney?

This chutney lasts for about one to two days in the refrigerator.

Other than momos, what can I serve with this momo sauce?

You can have this chutney with tikki or patties, pakoda, fritter, dosa, appam, stuffed parathas or idli. This chutney also serves as a great spread for sandwiches, rolls, burgers and frankies.

Is it necessary to add sugar in this chutney?

No, you can choose to not add it.

Can the number of red chilies be increased or decreased?

Yes, they can be.

More Spicy Chutneys To Try!

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momos chutney served in a black bowl.

Momos Chutney Recipe | Momo Sauce

This spicy, fiery recipe of Momos Chutney also known as Momo sauce is made with tomatoes, dry red chilies, garlic and is served as a dip with Momos (steamed Tibetan style dumplings). The recipe is also vegan and gluten-free.
5 from 25 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Cuisine World
Course Condiment, Starters
Diet Vegan
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 3
Units

Ingredients

  • 145 grams tomatoes or 2 medium to large tomatoes
  • 3 to 4 dry red chilies – halved and seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic or 4 to 5 medium garlic – chopped
  • 1 sichuan pepper (timur), optional
  • ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon sugar or add as required
  • salt as required
  • 3 cups water – for cooking tomatoes

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Rinse the tomatoes first for a couple of times in water. Break the dry red chillies and remove the seeds. Rinse them in water.
  • Heat 3 cups water in a pan and let it come to a boil.
  • When the water comes to a boil, then add the tomatoes, dry red chilies in it. Boil the tomatoes on a medium heat.
  • Cook them uncovered for a total of 8 to 9 minutes.
  • When the tomatoes have cooked and softened, carefully drain the water using a strainer. Let the tomatoes and red chilies cool at room temperature.

Making momos chutney

  • When the tomatoes become warm or cool, then slice off the top eye part of the tomato. Peel the skins from the tomatoes.
  • Roughly chop or crush them and then add in a blender jar along with its juices. Or you can just crush them with your hands while adding in the blender jar.
  • Also add the red chilies along with chopped garlic, black peppercorns and sichuan pepper.
  • Add both sugar and salt according to taste.
  • Without adding water, grind or blend to a smooth and fine consistency. If you prefer you can strain the chutney to get an even more finer consistency.
  • Remove the momos chutney in a bowl and serve with veg momos or any momo recipe.
    You can even refrigerate the momo sauce and it stays good for 1 to 2 days in the fridge.
  • Apart from veg momos, this spicy momos chutney also goes well with any pakora or fritter or patties.

Notes

  • For a very spicy chutney, increase the number of red chillies.
  • Skip adding sichuan pepper if you do not have it. 
  • To add a bit of umami, add ½ teaspoon of soy sauce to the momo sauce. 
  • Do not add any water while blending. 
  • The recipe can be halved or doubled easily. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Momos Chutney Recipe | Momo Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 14 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 403mg18%
Potassium 133mg4%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 537IU11%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 5µg5%
Calcium 16mg2%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 8µg2%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 9mg2%
Phosphorus 15mg2%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This Momos Chutney recipe from the blog archives first published in September 2016 has been republished and updated on 5 June 2022.

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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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2 Comments

    1. Welcome Zehra. Momos chutney should last about 1 to 2 days in the fridge.