Mast-o-Khiar (Cucumber Yogurt With Sizzled Mint and Crunchy Pistachios) 

By Andy Baraghani

Updated March 17, 2025

  • An overhead image of a creamy spread run through with oil. A torn piece of flatbread sits off to the side.
    Emma Fishman for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. Prop stylist: Sophia Eleni Pappas.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(247)
Comments
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A signature dish in Persian cuisine, mast-o-khiar is a creamy yogurt dish that is often served with rice, grilled meats or warm flatbread for dipping. At its core, it’s a simple yet refreshing combination of yogurt, cucumber and dried mint bloomed in oil. This version adds a few extra layers of flavor — bright lemon juice and zest for tang, raisins for a sweet chewiness and pistachios for crunch. The sizzled dried mint brings a deep, earthy smokiness that fresh mint just can’t replicate. Light yet satisfying, it’s the perfect cooling contrast to rich, spice-laden dishes. 

Featured in: 5 Herby, Bright and Brilliant Recipes for Nowruz

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Ingredients

Yield:About 4 cups

  • 3 Persian cucumbers, finely chopped (about 2 cups) 

  • 3 cups plain Greek yogurt (about 24 ounces)

  • 3 tablespoons raisins, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated 

  • ⅓ cup shelled raw pistachios, finely chopped 

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil 

  • 2 tablespoons dried mint 

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

12 grams carbs; 15 milligrams cholesterol; 268 calories; 10 grams monosaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 21 grams fat; 1 gram fiber; 438 milligrams sodium; 10 grams protein; 8 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the cucumber, yogurt, raisins, lemon juice, garlic and half the pistachios in a medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and mix well.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium. Stir in the mint and cook until fragrant and slightly darkened, about 1 minute.

  3. Step 3

    Spoon the sizzled mint mixture over the yogurt and top with the remaining pistachios.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
247 user ratings
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Comments

Adrianna

As an Iranian, if you’re using the raisins (and I actually love them in this dish, I use them all the time on the version I make at home), use golden raisins and then soak them in hot water for 15 minutes before use to plump them up

Negar

Hi- raisins are actually very authentic not just to maast but in recipes like Adas Polo, (rice with dates, raisins, lentils…). If you can find white raisins such as those sold in persian markets that works very well in yoghurt and can be very traditional

T Jones

I made a scaled down version of this today and found it delicious. The introduction mentions lemon zest but it’s not in the directions, so I added a touch with the juice and a bit more with the mint in the oil. My mint is started to emerge and I thus wanted to add some fresh mint in the spirit of renewal / Nawruz, but restrained myself this time in light of hewing to recipe. And I wonder: would barberries be more authentic than raisins?

Tracy

Fantastic! I slightly increased all of the ingredients except the yogurt because I like bolder dishes (& I am not a yogurt lover.) I would do that again. I barely noticed the raisins, so I would probably increase those even more, depending on how I am using this. This time, I served it with Greek-ish chicken kebabs--great combo. It would also be delicious served as an hors d'oeuvre w/ garlic naan or in endive leaves. Sizzling mint didn't do much, so I would probably just mix the 2 next time.

JenCle

Made this for a dinner party and it was a huge hit. Made as directed, using dried mint from my garden. Don't think the sizzling did much - in fact, found the flavor much more impactful by just adding the dried mint directly to the yogurt and topping with evoo. Will definitely put it into my go-to appetizer list for future parties.

Amy McIntosh

This is fantastic and could be a go-to side for any salmon or other roast fish. Made it with the Persion Nowruz fish and rice and the yogurt made the other two worth it. Frankly a simpler fish and rice plus this would be just as good.

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