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  • Writer's pictureSheetal Jandial

Thecha (green chilli & garlic chutney)

Updated: Aug 1


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Thecha: a rustic Maharashtrian “chutney”; super versatile and can be added to anything from bhel to mutton or chicken curry to bagara baingan to kothimbir vadi dough for an extra kick of flavour... thecha makes a flavourful accompaniment to the simple Maharashtrian breakfast Thalipeeth, or just as a condiment to fire up up a basic dal chawal.


Psst... I eat thecha with potato chips even! *ahem*


A couple of other Indian condiments that easily double up as chip dip:

Burani Raita

Mint (pudina) Chutney

Tomato Chutney


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thecha ingredients: fresh green chillies, ginger, garlic

Makes: 1 cup of thecha

Time taken: 5 - 7 minutes

Ingredients to make Thecha


1 cup green chillies – halved

4 – 5 cloves of garlic – bruised with a knife or the back of your palm

1 inch piece of ginger – coarsely chopped

1 tbsp cooking oil

2 tsp lemon juice (optional, to reduce the heat from the chillies)

Salt to taste



Note: the traditional recipe of thecha is a mix of fried fresh green chillies and garlic, though I like to add a little piece of ginger for added flavour. You could play with ingredients here, add curry leaves for extra crunch or use a mix of dried red chillies and fresh green chillies. Add a tadka of mustard seeds. You get the drift... experiment with your recipe of thecha!


Method of making Thecha


Lightly heat cooking oil in a pan. Add green chillies and sauté for a couple of minutes till they wilt slightly. Add garlic, ginger and salt - sauté for another minute.


Allow this mix to cool a little and pound to a coarse texture using a mortar & pestle, as has been traditionally done. You could use an electric grinder, though, I always notice a slight difference in the flavours of thecha between the two methods. Also, evidently, the textures are different - hand pounded thecha is chunkier in texture.


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texture of thecha when hand pounded instead of grinding in a mixer/blender

You could add a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice to reduce the heat from the green chillies. Pound a handful of roasted peanuts with the above recipe of Thecha to add texture and again, reduce the heat from the chillies.


Even though I prefer to make Thecha in smaller fresh batches for maximum flavour, it can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for 7 – 10 days. Top with a little cooking oil to maintain freshness.


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thecha added to bhel... spicayyy




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simple breakfast or mid meal: thalipeeth with thecha and onion

Do take a look at the other condiments / recipes and simple Indian meal ideas.


Feel free to share WhiskMixStir recipe links / Indian food recipe blog with your family & friends! Remember to give credit where its due :) Pls do not publish my content, recipes and / or photos as your own.


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