Lacha Pyaaz or Pickled Onion Salad is a classic North Indian onion salad made with thinly sliced red onions tossed in lemon juice, salt, and warming spices like chili powder and roasted cumin.

Light, tangy, and slightly spicy, it adds the perfect crunch and brightness to rich dishes like kebabs, biryani, or dal. Ready in minutes, this simple side instantly elevates any Indian meal.

Pickled Onion Salad

28kcal

Lacha Pyaaz or Pickled Onion Salad is a simple North Indian onion salad often served with kebabs, biryani, dal, or parathas. It’s tangy, lightly spicy, and adds crunch and freshness to rich dishes.

Servings servings

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

▢ 2 Red Onions large size
▢ 1 tbsp Lemon juice adjust as needed
▢ 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder Kashmiri Red Chili Powder provides a deep red color with low heat.
▢ 1/2 tsp Salt adjust to taste
▢ 1 tbsp Cilantro leaves chopped
▢ 1/4 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder optional but recommended
▢ 1 Green Chili finely sliced, optional
▢ 1 pinch Chaat Masala optional

Method

Slice the onions thinly.

Cut into very thin rings or half-moons. The thinner, the better for that classic lachha (strand-like) texture.

Soak (optional but recommended)

Soak in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness. Drain completely.

For a deep red color, soak the onion rings along with 2-3 slices of raw beetroot. The beet juice acts as a natural dye.

Season

Add salt and gently massage the onions for about 30 seconds. This softens them slightly and releases some juices.

Add flavor

Mix in lemon juice (or vinegar), chili powder, cumin powder, green chili, and chaat masala.

Finish

Toss in fresh cilantro. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories28kcalCarbohydrates6gProtein1gFat0.2gSaturated Fat0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat0.03gMonounsaturated Fat0.03gSodium335mgPotassium92mgFiber1gSugar3gVitamin A84IUVitamin C7mgCalcium15mgIron0.2mg