Vegetarian Butter Chicken Sauce

Indulge in the luscious flavors of our Vegetarian Butter Chicken Sauce, a plant-based twist on the classic Indian dish that's rich, creamy, and irresistibly satisfying. This vibrant recipe swaps chicken for your choice of paneer, tofu, or vegetables, but retains the signature velvety texture and bold spices that make butter chicken a worldwide favorite. Featuring a fragrant blend of garam masala, cumin, coriander, and a hint of cayenne, the sauce is balanced by the creaminess of cashew paste and heavy cream, with a subtle sweetness from a touch of sugar. Finished with crushed fenugreek leaves and fresh cilantro, this one-pot sauce delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 45 minutes. Perfect for pairing with naan or steamed basmati rice, it’s an ideal meal for vegetarians and curry lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 inch piece, grated ginger
• 15 ounces tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup cashew paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon, dried and crushed fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt, and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.

Step 5

Pour in the tomato puree and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Mix in the heavy cream and cashew paste, ensuring a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 7

Stir in the sugar and crushed fenugreek leaves and let the sauce simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 8

Check the seasoning and adjust salt or spices if needed.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with tofu, paneer, or vegetables of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1099.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2219.7

Total Fat 182.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 364mg	0%
Sodium 2584.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 116.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.8g	0%
Total Sugars 51.7g
Protein 35.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 233.1mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 3264.7mg	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: 73.0%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 20.7%