What To Serve With Tikka Masala – 10 Tasty Side Dishes
I love trying new recipes, and when I stumbled upon Tikka Masala, I knew I had to give it a try. I was a little intimidated at first, but once I got started, it was pretty easy. The best part was that my family loved it too!
Since Tikka Masala is such a popular dish, I wanted to find some good side dishes to go with it. After doing a little research, I found some recipes that I thought would be perfect.
Check them out!
What To Serve With Tikka Masala
- Baked Potatoes
- Seasonal Vegetables
- Plain Rice
- Corn On The Cob
- Tandoori Roti
- Mixed Vegetable Pakora
- Onion Salad
- Mixed Green Salad
- Pilau Rice
- Cucumber Raita
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are a versatile and delicious side dish that can be enjoyed with many different main courses. When paired with tikka masala, the rich and creamy sauce provides a delicious contrast to the fluffy potatoes.
The starchiness of the potatoes also helps to soak up any excess sauce, making each bite even more flavorful.
Additionally, baked potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamins, making them a healthy choice as a side dish.
They are also relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare, making them a great option for budget-conscious cooks.
Seasonal Vegetables
Seasonal vegetables are a fantastic way to add some extra nutrition, color, and flavor to your meals. As a side dish for tikka masala, they can help to round out the flavors and add some extra interest to the dish.
Here are a few of my favorite seasonal vegetables to use as a side dish for tikka masala:
Root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots are all great choices. They pair well with the rich spices in tikka masala, and they add a nice sweetness to the dish.
I like to roast root vegetables before adding them to the tikka masala, but you could also steam or boil them.
If you’re looking for something a little more colorful, try adding some chopped bell peppers or roasted squash.
Both of these vegetables have a lovely sweetness that pairs well with the spices in tikka masala. Additionally, bell peppers are especially good if you’re looking for a bit of crunch.
Finally, if you want to add some extra greens to your meal, try using spinach or kale.
These leafy greens will cook down quickly in the tikka masala, so they’re a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients. I like to add them towards the end of cooking so they retain some of their color and texture.
Plain Rice
You can use plain rice as a side dish for tikka masala in many cases because it is healthy and filling. Some benefits of using this side dish include that it is low in calories, fat, and sodium, and it is a good source of fiber.
Additionally, plain rice is a suitable side dish because it pairs well with many recipes, including curries and stews. It is also easy to cook and can be made in advance.
Finally, plain rice is a good alternative to other high-calorie side dishes, such as naan bread or white rice.
When paired with tikka masala, plain rice will absorb the curry’s flavors and help to balance out the spice level.
Corn On The Cob
One of the best ways to enjoy Tikka Masala is with a side of corn on the cob. Corn on the cob pairs perfectly with Tikka Masala because it is both sweet and savory.
The sweetness of the corn balances out the spiciness of the Tikka Masala, while the texture of the corn adds an interesting contrast to the creamy sauce.
Additionally, corn on the cob is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
When preparing corn on the cob as a side dish for Tikka Masala, simply boil or grill the ears of corn until they are tender. Then, add butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
For an extra touch of flavor, try adding cumin or garam masala to the butter before spreading it on the corn.
Tandoori Roti
Tandoori roti is an Indian flatbread that is traditionally cooked in a tandoor or clay oven. It is made with whole wheat flour and typically served as a side dish.
While tandoori roti can be enjoyed on its own, it also pairs well with other dishes, such as tikka masala. The hearty bread is a great way to soak up the rich flavors of the sauce, and the two dishes complement each other perfectly.
Tandoori roti is also a healthier option than white rice or naan bread, as it is made with whole wheat flour and contains no added fats or sugars.
Mixed Vegetable Pakora
Mixed vegetable pakora is w delicious Indian dish that is the perfect accompaniment to Tikka Masala.
First of all, the pakora provides a welcome contrast to the rich and creamy sauce of the Tikka Masala. The crispy fried exterior of the pakora pairs perfectly with the moist and flavorful chicken Tikka.
Secondly, the mixed vegetables in the pakora add a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to the meal. The combination of chicken, rice, and vegetables makes for a well-rounded and nutritious meal.
Finally, the pakora is relatively easy to prepare and can be made in advance, making it an ideal side dish for a busy weeknight dinner.
Onion Salad
Onion salad is a great side dish for tikka masala. There are many benefits to using onion salad as a side dish. Onion salad helps to cut the richness of the tikka masala and also adds a lovely crunch. It is also a great way to use up any leftover onions you may have.
Onion salad goes well with all sorts of Tikka Masala recipes, from Chicken Tikka Masala to lamb Tikka Masala. If you want to try something different, you could even add some grated carrot or cucumber to the salad. The possibilities are endless!
Not only is Onion Salad a healthy and delicious side dish, but it is also very easy to make. Simply finely chop some onions and add them to a bowl with some chopped fresh herbs, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
Give it all a good mix and voila! You have a fantastic side dish that will complement your Tikka Masala perfectly.
Mixed Green Salad
Tikka Masala is a delicious and hearty dish, but it can be quite heavy on the stomach. That’s why I always recommend serving it with a light and refreshing side dish, such as a mixed green salad.
The crispness of the greens helps to cut through the richness of the Tikka Masala, and the acidity of the dressing complements the spices in the dish. Plus, you can never go wrong with a few extra veggies!
Just be sure to choose a recipe that isn’t too heavy on the spices, so as not to overwhelm your taste buds.
Pilau Rice
There are many cases where Pilau Rice can be used as a side dish for Tikka Masala.
Some benefits of using Pilau Rice as a side dish include the fact that it is a very versatile dish. It can be used with many different recipes, and it is also a very healthy side dish.
Pilau Rice is also a very good source of fiber, and it has a lot of nutrients that can help to keep your body healthy.
Another benefit of using Pilau Rice as a side dish is that it can help to make the Tikka Masala more flavorful. The rice will absorb the flavors of the spices and the sauce, and this will make the Tikka Masala more delicious.
Pilau Rice is also a very good choice for a side dish because it is low in calories and fat. This means that it is a healthier option than some other side dishes, such as potatoes or bread.
Moreover, Pilau Rice is a very good side dish because it is easy to prepare. All you need to do is cook the rice in water, and then add the spices and the sauce.
You can then let the rice sit for a few minutes so that it absorbs all of the flavors. After that, you can simply serve the Pilau Rice with Tikka Masala.
Cucumber Raita
Whenever I cook Tikka Masala, I always like to create a contrast in flavor and texture by making cucumber raita serve as a side dish.
Raita is a traditional Indian yogurt-based salad that is cooling and refreshing, and it’s the perfect partner for the rich and spicy flavors of Tikka Masala.
I like to use English cucumbers in my raita because they are less watery than regular cucumbers, but you can use whatever type of cucumber you have on hand.
To make the raita, simply grate the cucumber into a bowl, add some yogurt and spices, and mix everything. The raita can be served immediately or refrigerated for later.
Conclusion
Many delicious and easy-to-make side dishes go perfectly with Tikka Masala.
Whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing, or a more filling option, there is a side dish out there for you.
So next time you’re planning on making Tikka Masala, be sure to include one of these delicious sides!