This Indian paste is a blend of spices, oil and tomato puree that has been slowly cooked down into a glorious, vibrant paste used in Indian tandoor recipes and curries. With the addition of yoghurt and extra spices, the paste turns chicken, lamb or paneer into a fragrant and tasty explosion, especially when homemade.
Store-bought tikka masala paste is a convenient cupboard item, but double-check the ingredients label for gluten as some are thickened with wheat. Good brands that I know of are Pataks and Sharwoods. If you like to make homemade condiments and marinades, then this paste is a great one to have readily available from the fridge to add to a butter chicken curry or my easy recipe for chicken tikka kebabs. Not only does it taste authentic, fresh and delicious, but it is healthier with no additives or colourants.
All the ingredients are readily available and as most of us have a food processor, this paste is doable. So, if you miss enjoying a decent curry or fancy a bit of a zing to your BBQ meats, then give this a go, ideally with the windows open!
Homemade Tikka Masala Paste
Equipment
- Food processor, or
- Thermomix
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 tbsp cumin seeds
- 3 whole dried red chillis
- 3 tbsp fresh coriander leaves
- 7 garlic cloves
- 7 cm ginger piece, peeled
- 110 ml olive oil or coconut oil
- 25 ml water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 35 ml tomato puree
Instructions
Food processor method
- Dry roast the seeds and whole chilli in a medium-hot pan for a few minutes, or until they release their aroma.
- Grind the mixture into a fine powder using either a food processor or a coffee grinder.
- Add the coriander leaves, garlic and ginger. Pulse the mixture into a fine paste.
- Switch to a low speed and add the olive oil gradually.
- Add the water, lemon juice, turmeric powder, salt, onion powder and tomato puree. Pulse several times.
Stove-top method
- Transfer the mixture to a heavy-bottom pan, partially cover and cook for 40 minutes on the second lowest setting, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the bottom. Add more oil if it appears too dry.
- Remove the cover towards the final 10 minutes of cooking and stir occasionally.
- Once the paste appears thick and has a vibrant sheen to it, remove it from the heat, allow it to cool down and store it in a sterilised jar or use it immediately for your chosen dish.
Thermomix method
- Heat the Thermomix empty for 3 minutes/Varoma/Speed 1. Lid On.
- Add the seeds and whole chilli. Select 1 ½ minutes/Varoma/ Speed 1. Lid Off.
- Grind the seeds. Select 1 minute/Speed 8. Lid On.
- Add the coriander leaves, garlic, ginger and oil. Select 1 minute/Speed 10. Lid On.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Select 10 seconds/Speed 7. Lid On.
- Scrap down the paste from the sides of the Thermomix.
- Cook for *40 minutes/80°C/Speed 2. Lid On. Stop and scrape the bottom of the Thermomix occasionally, to prevent burning or sticking. *If the paste has a deep colour and a vibrant sheen where the oil has lifted out from the paste, it is ready.
Notes
- Keeps for 2 weeks chilled
- Not suitable to freeze
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Hi Sandra
I made the Tiki Masala paste the other day. It turned out really great. The kebabs were delicious! The only modification I made was to substitute a fresh onion for the onion powder.
Today I used the remaining paste to make a nice big pot of butter chicken. (hubby’s favourite) I added a small can of tomato paste, more salt, some heavy cream a generous dollop of a higher fat yogurt and a table spoon of sugar to counter the acid.
Obviously not as healthy, but truly delicious!
Thank you for your recipes, I haven’t made too many of them yet, but always enjoy reading them.
Have you considered videos? I think you would be amazing! I currently follow The Stay at Home Chef who seems to be enjoying a huge success. I think you’d be just as good!
Hope you’re doing well Xoxo
Joanne
Thanks so much, Joanne for your feedback! I am so happy that the kebabs were delicious and the masala paste came out so well. Great substitute, adding fresh onions! Yes, I often make butter chicken with this paste, in fact, I was planning on writing a recipe post for this soon. I do have a youtube channel. I have made 6 videos so far, but as my son (the main cameraman!) left Vienna for Berlin, I am learning how to do the filming and editing by myself. I have two videos in the making. If you are interested the youtube link is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqOgv6w0juNn1oiBwjPl1g?sub_confirmation=1
Hope you continue enjoying all my recipes!! Take care!