Tikka Masala Sauce: Restaurant-Quality

Craving the rich, aromatic flavors of Tikka Masala but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen?

Prepping restaurant-quality Tikka Masala has never been easier! With From Lex's Pantry Tikka Masala Blend, this versatile sauce comes together faster than takeout. Whip it up, freeze it for future feasts (or devour it immediately – we won't judge!), and enjoy it in classic chicken tikka masala, vibrant vegetarian dishes, as a quick pasta sauce, or even a flavor-packed marinade for roasted veggies.

Ingredients

• 2T Tikka Masala Blend From Lex's Pantry
• 2T butter or ghee
• 1T vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2c  heavy cream or coconut milk
• optional garnish: 
  • cilantro leaves 
  • Kasoori meth (dried fenugreek leaves) 
  • ginger - finely julienned

Instructions

1. Heat butter and oil in a large pan, dutch oven or wok over medium heat. 
2. Add onions and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cook for another minute.
4. Add From Lex's Pantry Tikka Masala Blend and cook for 30 seconds to release the flavours.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.
6. Stir in heavy cream and simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Adjust to taste with Tikka Masala.
8. If serving immediately, garnish with ginger, cilantro and methi.

Pro Tips for the Best Tikka Masala Sauce

• the longer you caramelize the onions the richer the flavour, so take a little extra time, it's worth it. 
• Use a combination of butter and oil for depth
• Add cashew paste for extra creaminess and a subtle hint of nutty sweet  

Ways to use your Tikka Masala Sauce

1. Classic Chicken Tikka Masala: Add grilled or pan-fried marinated chicken pieces (full recipe coming)
2. Vegetarian Tikka: Toss in roasted cauliflower or pan-fried paneer (full recipes coming)
3. Vegan Tikka: Use coconut cream instead of dairy and add crispy tofu or chickpeas (full recipe coming)
4. Tikka Masala Roasted Vegetables: Use as a marinade for mixed vegetables before roasting (full recipe coming)
5. Tikka Masala Dip: Cool the sauce and serve as a dip with naan or vegetable crudités, or mix the tikka masala sauce into our Market Dip for a little extra creaminess. 

Great Serving Suggestions

• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Vegetarian Chickpea Version
• Roasted Vegetable Sauce
• Quick Pasta Sauce
• Marinade for Proteins

Pro Tip

 Always keep a batch of this sauce in your freezer for instant, flavourful meals!

Meal Prep Magic: Freezing and Using Your Sauce

Freezing Tips: 

• Portion sauce into 1-cup containers
• Label with date
• Freeze up to 3 months
• Thaw in the pan over medium-low. Add a bit of water, citrus juice or apple cider to loose it up if it's too thick.

Whether you're a meat-lover, vegetarian, or vegan, this Tikka Masala sauce recipe is your ticket to a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home. Experiment with different proteins and vegetables to find your favourite combination!

Ready to elevate your home cooking? 

Get your From Lex's Pantry Tikka Masala Blend here and start creating magic in your kitchen today!

Did you try this recipe?

We'd love to see your creations! Share your photos on Instagram and tag us @FromLexsPantry. Don't forget to leave a review below and let us know how it turned out!