forkue
Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad)

Nepalese · Side · Easy

Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad)

Total
40 min
Prep
20 min
Serves
6
Calories
170
Jump to recipe

Warm potatoes soak up lemon and toasted sesame, with a fenugreek-scented oil dressing that gives this Nepalese salad its bite.

Ground sesame makes a creamy dressing without mayonnaise in Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad). Hot spiced oil carries the aroma of fenugreek through the potatoes, while lemon and chili keep the bowl sharp.

Boil waxy potatoes until just tender, then let their surfaces dry before dressing. Toss while they are warm enough to absorb flavor but firm enough to keep their corners.

TangySpicySavoryMake AheadBudgetVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeNut-freeEgg-free

Method

  1. Cover the potato cubes with cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for until a knife slides through easily. Drain and let the surface steam dry for .

  2. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for until golden and fragrant. Grind to a coarse powder and toss with the warm potatoes, salt, lemon juice, green chili and red onion.

  3. Heat the vegetable oil and fenugreek seeds in the skillet over medium heat for until the seeds turn deep golden. Remove from the heat, stir in the turmeric and immediately pour over the potatoes.

  4. Fold gently to coat, then add the cilantro. Let the salad stand for so the sesame dressing settles onto the potato surfaces.

Forkue tips

  • Fenugreek seeds bring a pleasantly bitter edge. If unavailable, use cumin seeds for a different but useful toasted note; do not replace them with a large spoonful of ground fenugreek.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Let a serving lose its chill before eating and stir gently; add a little lemon juice if the potatoes have absorbed the dressing.

Kitchen gear

SaucepanTop picks on AmazonSpice grinderTop picks on AmazonSmall skilletTop picks on Amazon
Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

170Calories
4gProtein
25gCarbs
7gFat

Image: AI-generated picture of the finished dish, made by Forkue. Yours will look like home cooking.

Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad): FAQ

Is aloo ko achar a preserved pickle?

This version is a fresh dressed potato salad. Keep it refrigerated and eat it within a few days rather than storing it like a shelf-stable pickle.

Why is the dressing bitter?

The fenugreek or sesame may have scorched. Both should smell toasted, not acrid; remove the oil from the heat before adding turmeric.

How do I store and reheat Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad)?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Let a serving lose its chill before eating and stir gently; add a little lemon juice if the potatoes have absorbed the dressing.

How long does Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad) take?

About 40 min in total: 20 min prep and 20 min cooking.

What do I need to make Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad)?

The key ingredients are potato, sesame seeds, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, lemon juice and green chili, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad)?

Fenugreek seeds bring a pleasantly bitter edge. If unavailable, use cumin seeds for a different but useful toasted note; do not replace them with a large spoonful of ground fenugreek.

Cook this next

More potatoesMore fenugreek seeds