Strawberry Onion Chutney

Rarely do I come out of “retirement” to cater. If I do it’s only for good friends, but still these gigs are few and far between. I’m just not in the catering groove any longer.

A few years ago, however, I said yes to a friend who needed help with her staff party. I don’t remember the menu in its entirety, except that I made a sous vide pork loin.

Because it was springtime, I created a chutney using fresh strawberries to go with the pork.

Following is the sweet-spicy-tart condiment recipe that I’m so happy I wrote down. I must say it was superb and loved by all!

Strawberry Onion Chutney
printable recipe below

1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup ruby port
1/4 cup olive oil
4 white onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 – 1″ piece ginger, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 pound hulled strawberries, chopped into small pieces
Allspice, to taste

In a small bowl, soak raisins in the port. Set aside.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the onions and begin the sautéing process. It will take at least 30 minutes. A little browning is fine, but mostly I just wanted them nice and soft and cooked through.

Add the raisins and the port, along with the garlic and ginger, and cook the mixture for about 5 minutes.

Add the vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne, and cook for another 5 minutes.

Then stir in the strawberries and continue cooking the chutney, stirring occasionally, until the strawberry pieces have cooked, but still hold their shapes.

If I might say so, this chutney is spectacular. When I made it the second time, I used dark raisins, and served it with roasted chicken, which was equally delicious as previously with the pork loin.

And with cheese? It’s fabulous!!!

 

 

By Published On: April 23rd, 201855 Comments on Strawberry Onion Chutney

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

55 Comments

  1. Bill April 23, 2018 at 8:45 AM - Reply

    Raisins and port usually play very well with each other. I love the bit of allspice too.

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 8:50 AM - Reply

      I agree. When I made the chutney the first time I used regular raisins instead of golden. Not sure the color made a significant difference. But it’s really good chutney!

  2. Craving4More April 23, 2018 at 9:33 AM - Reply

    Fruit and onions mixed together are far too under-rated! And, this chutney atop pork tenderloin sounds absolutely phenomenal! I love to mix my savory with my sweet!

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 9:34 AM - Reply

      I love just about all condiments but chutneys are perhaps my favorite!

  3. Tasty Eats Ronit Penso April 23, 2018 at 9:55 AM - Reply

    Looks delicious! I’ve never used strawberries in such chutneys, mostly because supermarket ones are not that flavorful and release too much liquids (at least the ones I’ve tried). Hopefully local strawberries will arrive soon, so I’ll give it a try. Love the idea.

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 9:57 AM - Reply

      Thanks! I know what you mean. Fortunately I’ve got a lot growing in my garden that didn’t succumb to the late freeze. Although I just like picking those strawberries and eating them!

  4. 2pots2cook April 23, 2018 at 11:06 AM - Reply

    Completely new thing to me; love the combination ¨Thank you !

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 12:32 PM - Reply

      Thanks so much!

  5. Our Growing Paynes April 23, 2018 at 12:08 PM - Reply

    What a great idea! Never thought to do a strawberry chutney. Very cool.

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 12:32 PM - Reply

      And it’s really good! A lot of onions, also, not just for a little flavor but also for their texture.

      • Our Growing Paynes April 23, 2018 at 12:36 PM

        A great balance to the sweet of the strawberries.

  6. Ron April 23, 2018 at 1:03 PM - Reply

    We’re huge pork eaters over here and strawberry season is just around the corner. Your chutney sounds wonderful and a must make.

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 2:39 PM - Reply

      Thanks, Ron! I was very proud of it. A bit different from the more traditional varieties.

  7. Sarah Walton April 23, 2018 at 5:39 PM - Reply

    Nice combination!

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 7:21 PM - Reply

      Thanks!

  8. Jodi April 23, 2018 at 6:42 PM - Reply

    Oh Mimi – what a heavenly sounding blend of ingredients to create this!!

    • chef mimi April 23, 2018 at 7:21 PM - Reply

      Thanks Jodi! It’s very good, I think!

  9. Mary April 23, 2018 at 9:52 PM - Reply

    I have made quite a few chutneys in my day but have never thought to use strawberries. I have been missing out as I am sure this would be wonderful. It will be on the list when Strawberry season rolls round again. Thankyou for the inspiration.

  10. Gerlinde April 23, 2018 at 11:25 PM - Reply

    This looks really good Mimi, I have to try it.

    • chef mimi April 24, 2018 at 7:30 AM - Reply

      Fabulous! I’m pretty sure you’ll love it!

  11. neil@neilshealthymeals.com April 24, 2018 at 9:32 AM - Reply

    Oh how my mouth is watering! I love chutneys. My mum does her own home made ones and I occasionally am lucky enough to get a jar. She does all kinds like rhubarb and ginger, and green tomato. But, now a strawberry onion chutney, I’ve never heard or seen that before but it’s tantalizing my taste buds. I can imagine it would go brilliantly with a pork loin. Or with cheese. Or with me just eating it with a spoon! ;-)

    • chef mimi April 24, 2018 at 10:46 AM - Reply

      Exactly! It’s really nice – I was proud of my invention. The onions play a significant role in this chutney, too. I have a tutorial on my blog for creating your own chutney, because as your Mum knows, there are endless possibilities! I don’t know if anyone read that post!

  12. Susan (@savoringtime) April 24, 2018 at 10:35 AM - Reply

    This really sounds wonderful! I can already imagine it on some brie with french bread!

    • chef mimi April 24, 2018 at 10:44 AM - Reply

      Exactly!!!

  13. Laura April 24, 2018 at 10:36 PM - Reply

    Wow Chef Mimi – what a pairing and one I would’ve have ever thought of….I’m a big chutney fan so will have to give this a go!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 7:04 AM - Reply

      You’ll love this, then. Chutneys are really explosively flavorful!

  14. Debbie Spivey April 25, 2018 at 6:53 AM - Reply

    Oh wow! I’d eat this all by myself. My husband hates raisins. I would truly benefit! ;)

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 7:03 AM - Reply

      Hahahahaha! How can anyone hate raisins? My husband hates them, too.

      • Debbie Spivey April 25, 2018 at 7:29 AM

        Right?! I mean it’s the same family that wine comes from!

      • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 7:40 AM

        Helllllooooooooo!

      • Debbie Spivey April 25, 2018 at 7:44 AM

        LOL! :D

  15. Tricia@savingdessert.com April 25, 2018 at 8:43 AM - Reply

    Wow Mimi – this sounds terrific! I love the flavor combo and can’t wait to try it. People often assume I want to cook for the masses since I love to bake. Not true – making mass amounts of food is not my idea of fun!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 9:03 AM - Reply

      It really takes a different mindset, for sure. And tons of planning, but you have to love it. I put in my years, but I’m done and don’t miss it. This chutney is equally about the strawberries as it is about the onions, which is different for a chutney. I’m very proud of it!

  16. kitchenriffs April 25, 2018 at 10:13 AM - Reply

    Like this! I’ve made strawberry salsa, but never chutney — such a great idea. Thanks!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 3:01 PM - Reply

      Thanks! It’s pretty darn good! And now I have to make strawberry salsa!

  17. Abbe@This is How I Cook April 25, 2018 at 2:52 PM - Reply

    This does sound superb and perfect for a pork loin. I must try this! And soon!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 3:01 PM - Reply

      Thanks, Abbe. It’s great with meats, and also cheeses.

  18. Angela@grapegravy​ April 25, 2018 at 5:16 PM - Reply

    That looks so yummy! what a great compliment to the pork loin! This would be great on a cheese tray!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 5:40 PM - Reply

      It really is! Thank you!

  19. mjskit April 25, 2018 at 9:15 PM - Reply

    All you have to say is sweet and spicy and I’m in. And you are serious about the spicy. A teaspoon of cayenne would provide a nice kick to the sweet strawberries. This does sound like a wonderful complement to pork, and cheese of course. :) Pinned!

    • chef mimi April 25, 2018 at 9:29 PM - Reply

      Aw, thanks. Did I really list 1 teaspoon? That almost seems like a lot to me, although the recipe makes a large amount of chutney. I’m going to check to make sure!

  20. Tandy | Lavender and Lime April 26, 2018 at 2:48 AM - Reply

    What an interesting combination of ingredients. Perfect for end of season strawberries :)

    • chef mimi April 26, 2018 at 7:06 AM - Reply

      My strawberries in the garden are about 1/2” long and still green. We’ve just begun where I live!

  21. David @ Spiced April 26, 2018 at 6:41 AM - Reply

    What a fun recipe, Mimi! I’ve never thought about combining onions and strawberries, but I can see how that would be a great chutney alongside roasted pork. And the port addition here is on point!

    • chef mimi April 26, 2018 at 7:05 AM - Reply

      Thanks, David! I always add onions (or at least shallots) to my chutneys, but in this case I added a lot to make both the strawberries and onions significant in flavor and texture.

  22. shashi at savory spin April 27, 2018 at 5:33 AM - Reply

    I am a huge fan of the sweet-spicy-tart combo and this has me drooling! I love chutney and my mom has managed to expose me to some incredibly unique ones before but I don’t think I’ve ever had a strawberry onion one before. I can imagine how good this was with that sous vide pork!

    • chef mimi April 27, 2018 at 7:23 AM - Reply

      I always add onion/shallots to chutney, but in this case I wanted the strawberry to onion ratio to be the same. It came out really well!!!

  23. Greg Henry (@sippitysup) April 28, 2018 at 10:04 AM - Reply

    A delicious argument for never retiring! GREG

    • chef mimi April 28, 2018 at 10:39 AM - Reply

      Hahahahaha! I just don’t miss it, but I loved it while I was catering.

  24. Jeff the Chef April 28, 2018 at 10:46 AM - Reply

    What a fascinating mélange! I can’t imagine what it tastes like. And with all things that I can’t imagine tasting, now I absolutely must make it! Thanks for the recipe.

    • chef mimi April 28, 2018 at 10:53 AM - Reply

      Thanks. As opposed to most of my chutney creations, where I just use a little bit of onion, garlic, and ginger, in this one, I used a lot of onion, which is why I called it a strawberry onion chutney. I really like the combination.

  25. Emma May 4, 2018 at 9:09 PM - Reply

    I would never have thought to use strawberries in a chutney, what a great idea and now I can’t wait to give it a go.

    • chef mimi May 4, 2018 at 9:10 PM - Reply

      Thank you! It’s quite delicious!

  26. FrugalHausfrau May 5, 2018 at 3:30 AM - Reply

    I am behind in my visits but I had to see this!! I love the flavors and it makes me think of a shrub. I make a rhubarb chutney but that is so more expected. I bet it was a wonderful meal!

    • chef mimi May 5, 2018 at 7:46 AM - Reply

      !Thank you! I just love creating chutneys, so why not a strawberry one?!

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