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    Home » Recipes

    25th November 2020 Dinner

    Home » Recipes

    Fish Tikka Masala

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    Fish Tikka Masala is a rich, delicious, zingy dish that is full of flavour. In this recipe the fish is marinaded then flash fried/pan seared. It is then added to a creamy Masala sauce.

    Fish Masala in bowl with Coriander on top

    Fish Tikka Masala 

    Fish Tikka Masala is so lip smackingly delicious.

    In this recipe, white Fish is marinaded in Spices and then Pan fried. A rich gravy masala sauce is then made and the fish is added back to poach in the liquid.  

    This is an easy recipe to make and one that packs a real flavour punch.

    What Fish goes into this recipe?

    I used Tilapia in this recipe but any white firm fish will do. Salmon and  Rainbow Trout also work. 

    Tips and Tricks

    Use a heavy duty good quality pan to sear fish - A thin pan means that the fish burns easily and unevenly. 

    Heat the pan first before adding the oil – Heat a dry pan, and as soon as you see a little smoke, add oil (it will heat very quickly because the pan will be very hot), swirl to coat base, then immediately add the fish. 

    Pan Sear Fish - Sear for around 2 - 3 minutes each side and it should lift naturally but test by nudging a little and try again 15 seconds later. I start low and then turn the heat up.

    Shake off excess marinade and add it back into the Masala later on – Adding too much sauce to hot oil means you will likely get covered in a spattering of oil. Save the marinade and add it to the masala sauce instead.

    Sour Cream and Milk - When I was testing this recipe for the first time, I only had Sour Cream in the house. So i mixed it with a little milk and added it in. I prefer it to Plain Yoghurt or even Double Cream. 

    Fish Fry Marinade - You can use extra Fish Fry Marinade Powder like this one, mixed with a little Oil and Lemon Juice instead of all the marinade ingredients. 

    Sugar - Taste the Masala Sauce at the end and add a pinch of sugar to bring everything together if it is slightly sour. 

    Lemon - Add plenty of Lemon, it really lifts the dish.

    How to make Fish Tikka Masala 

    See full instructions at the bottom of the page.

    Cut fish into 1 inch pieces and pat dry.

    Marinade in Lemon Juice, Garlic, Ginger, Yoghurt, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Cinnamon Powder, Cardamom Powder, Turmeric Powder, Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Salt, Black Pepper and Fish Fry powder (if using). Leave aside for 30 minutes. 

    Fish being marinaded in a bowl

    Heat oil and ghee in a frying pan. Once hot, turn the heat down, add the fish and cook for a minute. Turn the heat up and flip after 2 minutes. Cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from the pan.

    Fish frying in a frying pan

    In the same pan, add Cumin and once it sizzles add chopped Onion and fry till a deep golden brown.

    Onions and cumin seeds frying in oil and ghee

    Onions being fried in a pan

    Add Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli and cook for 2 minutes.

    Garlic, Ginger, Green Chilli added to golden onions in pan

    Stir in tomatoes plus  leftover marinade and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Turn the heat up and let the masala bubble away for 10 more minutes on medium high.

    Pureed tomatoes added to pan with wooden spoon

    Marinade added to pan

    Masala simmering in pan

    Sauce bubbling in pan

    Add Turmeric, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Chilli Flakes and Salt & Pepper.

    Dry spices added to pan

    Cook for 5 minutes. 

    Add Fenugreek and Garam Masala. Cook for 1 minute on high. 

    Fenugreek and Garam Masala added to pan

    Stir in Sour Cream/Milk. Simmer for 1 minute.

    Sour Cream and Milk being stirred into pan

    Add Fish. Cook on low for 2 - 3 minutes. 

    Storage for Fish Tikka Masala 

    Fridge: Store in an air tight container for up to 4 days. 

    Freeze: Store in an airtight container for up to a month. To thaw, keep in the fridge over night and reheat on the hob or in the microwave. Because the fish is delicate, it is easier to reheat in the microwave but nicer reheated on the hob. Just don't move it around too much.

    How to Serve

    This recipe is delicious served with Roti, Rice or Naan.

    For sides:

    Kachumber Salad

    Onion Raita

    More Indian Seafood Recipes:

    Salmon Curry – Indian

    Fenugreek Fish Masala – Methi Fish

    Masala Fish

    Prawn Masala

    Prawn Ghee Roast

    Goan Prawn Curry

    Fish Masala in bowl with Coriander on top
    5 from 2 votes
    Print

    Fish Tikka Masala

    Fish Tikka Masala is a rich, delicious, zingy dish that is full of flavour. In this recipe the fish is marinaded then flash fried/pan seared. It is then added to a creamy Masala sauce.

    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Indian
    Keyword FIsh MAsala Recipe, Fish Tikka, Fish Tikka Masala
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 55 minutes
    Marinade 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 441 kcal
    Author Safira

    Ingredients

    Marinade

    • 400 g Tilapia Fish
    • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
    • 2 cloves Garlic Crushed
    • 1 inch Ginger Crushed
    • 2 tbsp Plain Yoghurt
    • 1 tsp Cumin Powder
    • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
    • ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder
    • ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
    • ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli Powder or 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
    • 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
    • 3 tbsp Fish Fry Powder Optional, I used Lazeez

    Masala

    • 75 g Oil
    • 3 tbsp Ghee
    • 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds
    • 1 large Onion Diced
    • 1 inch Ginger Crushed
    • 4 cloves Garlic Crushed
    • 1 tbsp Green Chilli Paste Reduce if you prefer
    • 150 ml Plum Tomatoes Pureed
    • ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 1 tsp Cumin Powder
    • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
    • ½ tsp Red ChillI Powder
    • ½ tsp Red Chilli Flakes
    • Salt
    • ¼ tsp Black Pepper
    • 1 tbsp Dry Fenugreek
    • 1 tbsp Garam Masala
    • 2 tbsp Sour Cream Or Plain Yoghurt
    • 3 tbsp Milk
    • Lemon Juice
    • Coriander Leaves

    Instructions

    1. Cut fish into 1 inch pieces and pat dry.

    2. Marinade in Lemon Juice, Garlic, Ginger, Yoghurt, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Cinnamon Powder, Cardamom Powder, Turmeric Powder, Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Salt, Black Pepper and Fish Fry powder (if using). Leave aside for 30 minutes. 

    3. Heat oil and Ghee in a frying pan. Once hot, turn the heat down, add the fish and cook for a minute. Turn the heat up and flip after 2 minutes. Cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from the pan.

    4. In the same pan, add Cumin and once it sizzles add chopped Onion and fry till a deep golden brown. Around 15 minutes on medium low.

    5. Add Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli and cook for 2 minutes.

    6. Stir in tomatoes plus  leftover marinade and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Turn the heat up and let the masala bubble away for 10 more minutes on medium high.

    7. Add Turmeric, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Chilli Flakes, Salt and Pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. 

    8. Add Fenugreek and Garam Masala. Cook for 1 minute on high. 

    9. Stir Sour Cream and Milk in a bowl and then add to a pan. Simmer for 1 minute.

    10. Add Fish. Cook covered on low for 2 - 3 minutes. 

    11. Serve with Fresh Coriander and Lemon Juice over the top.

    Recipe Notes

    Storage for Fish Tikka Masala 

    Fridge: Store in an air tight container for up to 4 days. 

    Freeze: Store in an airtight container for up to a month. To thaw, keep in the fridge over night and reheat on the hob or in the microwave. Because the fish is delicate, it is easier to reheat in the microwave but nicer reheated on the hob. Just don't move it around too much.

    How to Serve

    This recipe is delicious served with Roti, Rice or Naan.

    What Fish goes into this recipe?

    I used Tilapia in this recipe but any white firm fish will do. Salmon and  Rainbow Trout also work. 

    Tips and Tricks

    Use a heavy duty good quality pan to sear fish - A thin pan means that the fish burns easily and unevenly. 

    Heat the pan first before adding the oil – Heat a dry pan, and as soon as you see a little smoke, add oil (it will heat very quickly because the pan will be very hot), swirl to coat base, then immediately add the fish. 

    Pan Sear Fish - Sear for around 2 - 3 minutes each side and it should lift naturally but test by nudging a little and try again 15 seconds later. I start low and then turn the heat up.

    Shake off excess marinade and add it back into the Masala later on – Adding too much sauce to hot oil means you will likely get covered in a spattering of oil. Save the marinade and add it to the masala sauce instead.

    Sour Cream and Milk - When I was testing this recipe for the first time, I only had Sour Cream in the house. So i mixed it with a little milk and added it in. I prefer it to Plain Yoghurt or even Double Cream. 

    Fish Fry Marinade - You can use Fish Fry Marinade Powder as an optional extra or on it's own. Something like this one, mixed with a little Oil and Lemon Juice instead of all the marinade ingredients. 

    Sugar - Taste the Masala Sauce at the end and add a pinch of sugar to bring everything together if it is slightly sour. 

    Lemon - Add plenty of Lemon, it really lifts the dish.

    Oil - Feel free to adjust the quantity of Oil and Ghee.

     

    Nutrition Facts
    Fish Tikka Masala
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 441 Calories from Fat 315
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 35g54%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Cholesterol 84mg28%
    Sodium 662mg29%
    Potassium 533mg15%
    Carbohydrates 12g4%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 23g46%
    Vitamin A 461IU9%
    Vitamin C 12mg15%
    Calcium 95mg10%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    1. Sonia says

      April 09, 2021 at 11:27 pm

      My boyfriend and I have made it and it’s absolutely the nicest Indian fish we ever eat... well done!!!! 10 out of 10

      Reply
      • Safira says

        April 10, 2021 at 9:25 am

        Thank you so much for your feedback. So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. helan says

      September 04, 2021 at 8:57 am

      5 stars
      Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.

      Reply
      • Safira says

        September 06, 2021 at 12:42 pm

        Glad they loved it! Thankyou for your lovely feedback.

        Reply

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