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Creamy Garlic Tikka Masala Sauce

A white bowl filled with fluffy white rice topped generously with vibrant orange Creamy Garlic Tikka Masala Sauce, swirled with cream and fresh cilantro.
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Make a rich, restaurant-style Tikka Masala sauce at home that features a strong, savory garlic flavor and a deeply creamy texture.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the ghee or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  3. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Cook the spices for 30 seconds, stirring them into the onion mixture until aromatic.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, water or broth, tomato paste, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.
  5. Remove the sauce from the heat. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until completely smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the sauce in batches to a standard blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the pot.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and sugar. Return the sauce to low heat and cook gently for another 5 minutes until heated through. Do not let it boil after adding the cream.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust salt or cayenne pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • For a deeper garlic flavor, you can roast the garlic cloves before mincing and adding them to the sauce.
  • This sauce pairs well with grilled chicken, paneer cubes, or roasted vegetables.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for an extra 5 minutes before adding the cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/creamy-garlic-tikka-masala-sauce-recipe/