Dairy-Free Butter Chicken Sauce

Rich, creamy, and completely dairy-free, this Dairy-Free Butter Chicken Sauce is a flavorful twist on the classic Indian dish. Made with aromatic spices like garam masala, ground cumin, and turmeric, this sauce brims with authentic warmth while keeping it light with coconut milk and cashew cream instead of traditional dairy. Freshly grated ginger and garlic add depth, while a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro brighten each velvety bite. Perfect for pairing with your favorite protein or vegetables, this vegan-friendly and gluten-free sauce comes together in under an hour, making it an easy yet indulgent addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. Whether you're catering to dietary restrictions or simply exploring new flavors, this recipe offers a guilt-free way to enjoy the comforting taste of butter chicken.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
• 2 teaspoons Garam masala
• 1.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 1.5 teaspoons Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 cup Canned tomato puree
• 1 cup Coconut milk
• 0.5 cup Cashew cream (see note)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Heat the coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, and turmeric powder to the pan. Sauté the spices for 1 to 2 minutes until they release their aromas.

Step 5

Pour in the canned tomato puree and stir well to combine with the spices. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and pour in the coconut milk, stirring continuously to incorporate it into the tomato mixture.

Step 7

Add the cashew cream (see note below) and salt, then let the sauce simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt or chili powder according to your preference.

Step 9

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the lemon juice and chopped cilantro.

Step 10

Serve the dairy-free butter chicken sauce over your choice of protein or vegetables, and garnish with extra cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(835.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1050.9

Total Fat 71.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2507.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 96.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 38.7g
Protein 20.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 240.5mg	0%
Iron 16.7mg	0%
Potassium 2170.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.0%

Protein: 7.3%

Carbs: 34.7%