If you like turkey curry, you'll love this turkey tikka masala!
This turkey curry recipe was is of course a play on the famous chicken tikka masala.
The thing is, I actually prefer it to chicken tikka masala. The turkey meat is meatier and really tastes amazing in this curry.
So make some turkey tikka following the recipe on this page or use leftover turkey to make this delicious turkey curry. You'll be glad you did.
Do I need to use pre-cooked or leftover turkey for this recipe?
Not at all! Using leftover turkey or tandoori turkey tikka works well but you can also use raw turkey pieces (tikka) and just let the meat cook in the simmering sauce. I just add the turkey pieces to the rest of the ingredients raw. I made this from start to finish in about 20 minutes. However I worked fast. Allow yourself a half hour. This turkey curry recipe is one you will like having on hand for a quick after work family dinner.
You can use turkey in recipes that call for chicken. You might like to try these.
Peshwari Turkey Curry
Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Madras
Simple Chicken Curry
Turkey Curry Recipe - Quick and Delicious
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp rapeseed (canola) oil or ghee
- 1 tpsp chopped garlic and 1 tbsp chopped ginger
- 1 tsp sugar (more or less to taste
- 1 tbsp ground almonds
- 1 tbsp ground coconut
- 4 tbsp tomato puree or passata
- 1 tbsp mixed powder
- 1 tbsp tandoori masala
- 1 tsp paprika
- 300ml (1 1/4 cup) base curry sauce
- 5 tbsp spice stock (optional)
- 300g (11oz) tandoori turkey tikka or leftover turkey cut into tikka
- 70ml (1/4 cup) single cream
- 1/2 tsp red food colouring (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Coriander (cilantro) to garnish
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi)
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a frying pan and then stir in the garlic and ginger paste.
- Fry the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds and then add the ground spices, sugar, ground almonds and coconut. Stir well.
- The ground spices will become dry and crumbly fast. This is your cue to add the tomato puree.
- Stir well to make the tikka masala paste.
- Now add a splash of base sauce. One or two ladles should suffice and stir it all up.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring only if the sauce is sticking to the pan. As the sauce simmers, you will see that it begins to caramelise to the sides of the pan. Stir this in for more amazing flavour.
- Add the turkey meat and perhaps a bit more base sauce if needed and simmer until your chicken, beef, lamb, paneer... is heated through. A couple of minutes should be fine.
- Just before serving, add the cream. Then throw in the chopped coriander, the butter, lemon juice and garam masala and add the dried fenugreek by rubbing it between your fingers. Try it and season with salt to taste.
JimC says
When are you supposed to add the lime?
Dan Toombs says
Hi Jim
Right at the end. If you add it too early you won't be able to taste it.
Cheers
Dan
Kath says
Hi,can you use turkey thigh in this recipe or will it be to tough ? Tia
Dan Toombs says
Hi Kath
You can definitely use chicken thighs. Just be sure to cook until tender. I has a great flavour.
Thanks,
Dan
Steve says
Hi Dan
I was looking for something quick and found this, I used pre cooked chicken thigh meat and added some chilli (I'm a chilli addict).... very good!!
cheers
Steve
Dan Toombs says
Thank you Steve. Have to admit I prefer chicken to curry. Really glad you like the recipe.
Cheers,
Dan
Tony says
It it possible to copy this dish but at more chilli to make it into vindaloo please? If how much please?
Dan Toombs says
Hi Tony
That wouldn't be a vindaloo, but it would still be good. I love a spicy curry. Just add chilli powder to taste.
Thanks,
Dan
Peter says
Hi
Just a quick question. When you say capsicums, do you mean bell peppers or chilli peppers as the term can mean either?
Thanks
Dan Toombs says
Use bell peppers.
Thanks
Dan
Louise says
Is ginger powder just ground ginger?
Dan Toombs says
No it would be pore of a powder, ground ginger is very easy to find in all supermarkets.
Thanks
Dan
PATRICA says
Wonderful recipe !! Thanks !!
I used shrimps instead of turkey , and the result is simply amazing
Cheers
Salute !!
PATRICIA
Dan Toombs says
Great, that sounds wonderful!
Dan
Judith says
I'm confused. In the headnotes, you mention using dried ginger and garlic but the recipe calls for paste. What are the dried g and measurements?
Dan Toombs says
Thank you for noticing, I have changed the recipe. Please use approximately 1 tpsp chopped ginger and 1 tpsp chopped garlic
Judith says
@Dan Toombs, Thanks!