A restaurant classic, this Glasgow Indian spiced onions recipe is delicious with crispy poppadoms.
Spiced onions (also called ‘spicy onions’) are a popular starter in Scottish Indian restaurants and takeaways. Mango chutney, ketchup, mint sauce and spices combine to make a deliciously zingy sauce for the fresh onions – perfect spooned on to crispy poppadoms. Some takeaways also include spiced onions as part of the filling in calzones and hoagie wraps.
This dish is often brilliantly red in Glasgow Indian restaurants and takeaways thanks to a pinch of food colouring. I like to use beetroot powder instead – this natural ingredient adds great colour and a slightly sweet flavour to the onions.
I hope you try this recipe. If you do, let me know in the comments below how it goes!

- 2 medium-large onions finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mint sauce
- 1 teaspoon mango chutney Geeta's brand
- 1 pinch cumin powder
- 1 pinch garam masala
- 1 pinch chilli powder
- 1 pinch beetroot powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons water
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In a large bowl, add chopped onions, tomato ketchup, mint sauce, mango chutney, cumin powder, garam masala, chilli powder, beetroot powder sea salt & water. Mix well, let stand for 5 minutes and mix well again.
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Cover the onions and set aside in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Mix once more before serving with freshly fried poppadoms.
If you find raw onions a little too harsh, you can soak the chopped onions in cold water for 10-15 mins and rinse / drain before combining with the other ingredients. This method can be used for onions intended for use raw in any type of salad and helps to mellow the sharp flavour.
Do you like this Glasgow Indian restaurant style spiced onions recipe? If so, buying a copy of my book might appeal to you! In The Indian Takeaway Secret you can find a host of restaurant and takeaway style recipes that you can make at home. You’ll learn how to make vegetable pakora, seekh kebabs, South Indian garlic chilli curry, pilau rice and more! You can buy The Indian Takeaway Secret in paperback or kindle form here.