Mixed Pickle

No Indian meal is truly complete without that one spoonful of fiery, tangy mixed pickle (achaar). Whether you’re eating plain parathas, simple dal-chawal, or rich biryani, a mixed pickle can instantly elevate the flavor with its bold blend of spices and sour notes.

In this post, we’ll uncover the story of Indian mixed pickle, show you how to make it at home using ingredients from your local Indian grocery store, and share expert tips to store and serve it right.

🥄 What is Mixed Pickle?

Mixed pickle is a traditional Indian condiment made by combining various fruits and vegetables—like mango, carrot, lime, green chili, and ginger—with aromatic Indian spices, oil, and salt. It’s a flavorful explosion of spicy, sour, salty, and slightly bitter notes, all in one bite.

Depending on the region, the recipe varies slightly. North Indian mixed pickles usually use mustard oil and whole spices, while South Indian pickles may include curry leaves and sesame oil. Store-bought brands like Mother’s Recipe, Priya, Bedekar, and Pachranga are also popular across Indian households.

---

🛒 Ingredients to Pick Up from Your Indian Grocery Store

To make authentic Indian mixed pickle at home, gather the following:

Vegetables/Fruits:

• 1 cup raw mango (cut into cubes)

• 1/2 cup carrots (peeled and sliced)

• 1/2 cup green chili (slit or chopped)

• 1/2 cup lemon pieces

• 2 tbsp ginger (julienned)

• Optional: cauliflower, garlic cloves

Spices:

• 2 tbsp mustard seeds (split or coarsely crushed)

• 1 tbsp fennel seeds (saunf)

• 1 tbsp nigella seeds (kalonji)

• 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds (methi)

• 1 tbsp turmeric powder

• 2 tbsp red chili powder

• 2 tsp asafoetida (hing)

• Salt – to taste (around 2 tbsp)

Oils & Preservatives:

• 1 to 1.5 cups mustard oil (cold-pressed is ideal)

• 1 tbsp vinegar (optional, for longer shelf life)

Tip: All of these ingredients are easily available at any Indian grocery store under brands like MDH, Everest, Ramdev, and 24 Mantra Organic.

---

🧑🍳 How to Make Mixed Pickle at Home – Step-by-Step Recipe

🥣 Step 1: Prep the Vegetables

• Wash and completely dry all vegetables. Moisture is the enemy of pickles.

• Chop mangoes, carrots, and lemon into bite-sized pieces.

• Slit or chop green chilies and peel/slice ginger.

Let the cut pieces dry under a fan or in sunlight for a few hours to remove moisture.

---

🌶️ Step 2: Roast & Grind the Spices

• Dry roast mustard seeds, fennel, fenugreek, and nigella seeds for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.

• Let them cool and coarsely grind. (You can also keep some whole.)

---

🛢️ Step 3: Heat the Mustard Oil

• In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat mustard oil till it reaches smoking point (to remove rawness).

• Let it cool slightly before mixing it with the spices and vegetables.

---

🥄 Step 4: Mix Everything Together

• In a large glass or ceramic bowl, mix all chopped vegetables with the ground spices, turmeric, chili powder, hing, and salt.

• Pour the cooled mustard oil over the mix and stir well.

• Optionally, add vinegar to enhance preservation.

---

🧂 Step 5: Store and Ferment

• Transfer the pickle to a clean, sterilized glass jar.

• Keep it in a sunny spot for 7–10 days, shaking the jar daily to distribute the oil and spices.

• Once matured, store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

---

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Mixed Pickle

• Use dry hands and utensils—any moisture can spoil the pickle.

• Sunlight helps fermentation—especially in colder months.

• Oil must cover all vegetables in the jar to act as a natural preservative.

• Always taste and adjust salt and spice as per your preference.

---

🍛 How to Serve Mixed Pickle

Mixed pickle is more than a condiment—it’s a flavor bomb that goes with:

• Parathas (especially plain, aloo, or paneer paratha)

• Curd rice

• Khichdi

• Pulao or biryani

• Tiffin/lunch boxes

• Chapati and sabzi

A small spoon of pickle can transform the simplest meal into a satisfying one!

---

🏪 Ready-Made Mixed Pickles to Try

If you don’t have time to make it from scratch, here are some top-rated readymade Indian mixed pickles available at your local grocery store or online: