Butter Masala and Tikka Masala are undoubtedly the most famous Indian curries. Loved worldwide for their rich, creamy sauces and vibrant colors, these delicious gravies are often mistaken for one another. If you’ve also been wondering about the differences between butter masala vs tikka masala, this article is for you!
Read on as we discuss everything you need to know about the distinct flavor profiles of tikka vs butter masala.
What is butter masala?
Before we compare butter masala vs tikka masala, let’s first delve deep into what butter masala actually is. Butter masala is often used interchangeably for chicken butter masala or butter chicken. While chicken is usually the protein of choice when making a butter masala, it can be made with other key ingredients.
There are delicious versions like a paneer butter masala or a Kaju (cashew) butter masala, which make for wonderfully rich meatless gravies.
Here is a quick video on making the most delicious paneer butter masala.
Thus, butter masala is a creamy tomato curry cooked in butter instead of oil, using ginger, garlic, whole spices, chili powder, and fenugreek leaves with heavy cream. Chicken and paneer are two of the most popular protein choices for a butter masala served in Indian restaurants.
Read this article to find out more about paneer vs chicken.
Are tikka masala and butter masala the same?
If reading about the essential ingredients for butter masala reminds you of another famous Indian food, you won’t be wrong. Butter masala is much similar to the fan-favorite dish: tikka masala, especially when it comes to the ingredients.
These curries use onions, tomato puree, plain yogurt, garam masala, chili powder, fenugreek leaves, and heavy cream. Moreover, the preparation method is also pretty similar. The gravies are first prepared, and then the protein source is dunked for a simmer on medium-high heat till the desired consistency is reached.
In addition, you can serve them both the same way. For example, tikka masala or butter masala is enjoyed with naan, roti, and steamed Basmati rice.
Like butter masala, the most famous rendition of a tikka masala is one that uses chicken. Chicken tikka masala is made when skewered tandoori chicken doused in a rich, creamy tomato-y gravy. And, much like butter masala, tikka masala can also be made with paneer and even vegetables.
That said, there are a few subtle differences between taste and texture when it comes to butter masala vs tikka masala. We will discuss them below.
What’s the difference between butter masala and tikka masala?
There isn’t much difference between tikka masala and butter masala. However, they aren’t the same dish. Here’s why:
Origin
Butter chicken or chicken butter masala is supposedly the invention of Kundan Lal Gujral, who served Tandoori chicken pieces in a rich tomato base at his restaurant Moti Mahal in the 1950s. However, there is debate over whether these chicken pieces were added by accident – a happy one indeed – or if it was the cook’s way to repurpose leftover protein.
Later, the same butter masala gravy was used to douse meatless protein sources like paneer, giving rise to paneer butter masala or butter paneer.
The origins of tikka masala are unclear, but many attribute the invention of this modern fusion cuisine to a chef in Glasgow in the 1970s, who added chicken pieces to a creamy tomato gravy after a customer complained the bird was too dry. However, some people believe that chicken tikka masala is a variation of butter chicken.
There isn’t much clarity on whether chicken tikka masala is Indian or British, but its international popularity cannot be rivaled, even if it is not as famous in India.
Taste
When you compare butter masala vs tikka masala in taste, you will not find a stark contrast. On the contrary, since the dishes use almost the same ingredients, both gravies have similar notes of tanginess and richness from tomato paste or puree and heavy cream.
However, when comparing tikka masala vs butter masala, the latter is creamier because of the use of butter instead of oil. Many Indian recipes for butter masala use cashew paste in the gravy, giving it a hint of sweetness.
While some people use butter in their tikka masala recipe, it is not necessary. A tikka masala gravy is much more flavor-forward. This popular dish tastes more tangy and spicy than its buttery counterpart.
If you like milder gravies, check out this article on korma vs tikka masala.
Another point to note is many recipes for chicken tikka and butter masala marinate the chicken pieces in plain yogurt and spices. However, the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala is that usually, in butter masala, the marinated chicken is pan-fried. In contrast, chicken is skewered and cooked in a tandoor or oven in tikka masala. This gives the bird a char and additional flavor.
Meat Cut
Considering the dishes’ most famous version, if you compare chicken butter masala vs chicken tikka masala, there is a difference in the type of meat cut used. Most of the time, both these dishes used skinless chicken thighs without bone. However, while you can use a bone-in variety for chicken butter masala, chicken tikka masala strictly uses boneless pieces of chicken.
Consistency
While this can be subjective to each person cooking the gravies, the butter masala usually is looser. In contrast, tikka masala is drier, with only enough moisture to coat the protein. This thicker consistency contributes to the more intense flavor of the tikka masala.
If you like an even spicier gravy, check this article on vindaloo vs tikka masala.
Is butter masala the same as butter chicken?
A butter masala is a gravy base made of onions, tomato, cashews, traditional Indian spices, and cream. When made with chicken (and it usually is), it is called chicken butter masala or butter chicken. However, you can also find recipes for paneer or Kaju butter masala.
Does tikka masala taste like butter chicken?
Tikka masala and butter chicken use similar ingredients but have subtle flavor differences. While butter chicken is creamier due to the use of butter and cashew paste, chicken tikka masala tastes more like tomatoes: tangy and spicy. In addition, the tikka masala gravy is usually thicker and more intense than the mellow butter chicken base.
