All authentic chutneys contain significant amounts of fresh green chili peppers; the other main ingredient can be any of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Most vegetable chutneys are prepared cold in a blender, while many fruit chatnis do require cooking. Popular chutneys include:

• coconut chutney
• tomato chutney
• cilantro-mint chutney
• tamarind chutney
• mango chutney (made from unripe, green mangos)
• lime chutney (made from whole, unripe limes)

Flavourings are always added to the mix. These may include sugar, salt, garlic, tamarind or ginger.

Spices most commonly include fenugreek, coriander, cumin and hing (asafoetida).

In its homeland, a chutney is often made to be eaten fresh, using whatever suitable strongly flavoured ingredients are locally traditional or available at the time. It would not normally contain preserving agents, since it is intended to be consumed soon after preparation.

Chutney is more familiar in North America and Europe in a form that can be stored. To this end, Vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice are used to enhance the keeping properties.