The widespread appeal of the ‘Indian curry’ has piqued the interest of the western world. From popular dishes like chicken butter masala and chicken korma to jalfrezi and bhunas, Indian cuisine has won the hearts of every spice lover! Today, we will explore two powerful competitors–jalfrezi vs masala and break down their main differences! Without further ado, let’s start!
What Is Jalfrezi?
Jalfrezi is a semi-hot delightful Indian curry with chunks of meat or paneer enveloped in a thick tomato sauce and topped with bell peppers and onions. As one of the most popular curry dishes, it is widely acclaimed for its mouthwatering flavors. If you are wondering how to pronounce this Indian dish, here’s a video that explains it.
The word “Jal-frezi” translates to “hot/spicy” and stir-fry”. This translation perfectly describes the luscious texture and taste of the curry which is both hot and studded with stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers and onions. If you love cooking with paneer, we recommend checking out our blog on paneer jalfrezi vs kadai paneer which compares two of the best paneer dishes!
What Is Masala?
Tikka masala is a flavorful and creamy dish comprising of soft tender chunks of char-grilled paneer or chicken dipped in a delicious tikka masala sauce. Tikka masala is usually served with basmati rice or the classic butter naan.
The origin of tikka masala can be traced back to the Mughal era. There have been speculations that the dish was invented in the 1970s by a Bangladeshi chef in Glasgow but the most feasible reason can be associated with the Mughal influence on India. If you are an avid curry lover, our blog posts on vindaloo vs tikka masala, korma vs tikka masala, and makhani vs tikka masala break down the famous Indian dishes.
Jalfrezi Vs Masala: The Similarities
Jalfrezi vs tikka masala is a popular comparison among curry lovers due to the appetizing flavors of each dish. Though these dishes are completely different, the soft tender chunks of meat or paneer are immersed in a thick aromatic sauce that gives a mouth-watering flavor to the creamy dishes.
The blend of spices used in both dishes enriches the flavor ten-fold and imparts a hint of spiciness. Did you know that masala literally means a potpourri of spices blended together to add flavor to any dish? This is why chicken jalfrezi vs chicken tikka masala has tough competition on an Indian restaurant’s menu. Both are irresistibly flavorful and a blessing for your taste buds. The best part is both dishes pair well with rice and naan.
What’s The Difference Between Tikka Masala And Jalfrezi Curry?
Jalfrezi and tikka masala are both versatile dishes that are popularly found in Indian restaurants. Even if they are both cooked in a flavor-rich curry, there is a noticeable difference between them. Listed below are some of the main jalfrezi vs masala differences.
Taste
The main difference between jalfrezi and tikka masala is the flavorful sauce that covers the soft chunks of meat.
The char-grilled flavor of the chicken tikka pairs perfectly with the deliciously creamy masala sauce.
While chicken tikka masala has a smoky and earthy flavor, jalfrezi can be a little spicy for sensitive taste buds.
Texture
When it comes to the jalfrezi vs masala textures, the former has a coarse and dry texture. On the other hand, tikka masala sauce usually has a thick creamy, and velvety texture. The gravy is coarse enough to cover the chunks of meat and still be soft and smooth.
Unlike other curries, Jalfrezi is stir-fried instead of being skewed or braised. That is why it has an extremely thick semi-dry texture.
Nutrition
While one serving of tikka masala contains 540 calories, jalfrezi contains 144 calories in total. Both dishes are rich in protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Let us look at the table below for more nutrition info.
| Nutrients (per serving) | Tikka Masala | Jalfrezi |
| Protein | 39g | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 20.8g |
| Fat | 19g | 5.3g |
| Fiber | 3g | 4.4g |
| Sugar | 3g | 9g |
It is evident that tikka masala contains more protein, carbohydrates, and fats than jalfrezi. If you’re watching your weight, you might need to keep an eye on how much you’re consuming.
Methods Of Preparation
For both dishes to retain their most authentic flavor, special attention must be paid to the sauce. Tikka masala sauce vs jalfrezi sauce is a popular analogy due to the sheer effort that goes into its preparation. According to Masterchef Pankaj Bhadouria, “Paneer Jalfrezi is a typical restaurant dish! Bell Peppers and Paneer Batons tossed in a tomato based gravy. It’s quick and easy to do. So do try it!”
Let’s start with the first dish!
For your jalfrezi to be extra crispy and delicious, we recommend following the recipe step by step.
- Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a frying pan and transfer the chicken pieces to the pan and fry until golden brown.
- In a separate pan, add the following aromatic spices: star anise, cumin seeds, nigella seeds, and cloves. Fry until they start to pop.
- Add ginger garlic paste followed by onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and green chilies (optional)
- Add the tomato puree, red chili powder, garam masala, and sugar and salt to taste.
- Return the chicken to the pan and simmer until the sauce turns semi-dry and thick.
Serve hot with rice or naan.
To make chicken tikka masala, you need to be careful with the spicy curry sauce. Gordon Ramsay shows us how to make his classic Tikka masala sauce.
- For marinating the chicken, you’ll need to dice chicken into 1-inch pieces and mix it with 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, salt, and ¼ teaspoon turmeric.
- Follow it up by adding 1 tablespoon mustard oil, 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste, and kasuri methi.
- Lastly, add ½ cup greek yogurt and mix all of it together.
- After 15-20 mins, transfer the chicken to a large skillet and cook until golden brown.
- Toast the spices (coriander, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, black pepper, and salt) along with onions, and minced ginger-garlic in another pan until they turn slightly brown.
- Add crushed tomatoes with yogurt and simmer for 4 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and coat with sauce.
Serve it hot with butter naan or flavored rice with cilantro.
What Does Jalfrezi Taste Like?
Jalfrezi uses semi-hot chunks of meat simmering in a tomato-based sauce and is spicier than the classic tikka masala.
Is Jalfrezi Hotter Than Tikka Masala?
Yes, jalfrezi is considered a spicy dish while tikka masala can be sweet or semi-spicy. To reduce the spiciness, you can use less chili powder.
