Salmon Tikka Masala recipe with step by step photos. Salmon Tikka Masala is prepared in a delicious cashew tikka masala gravy. So delicious and whole30 approved.
By now you must know I'm obsessed with anything "tikka masala", and so here is another rendition of my tikka masala sauce using salmon. This recipe is outrageously good, and it's hard to believe it's whole30, sans the rice.
I was hoping to deliver this recipe in January when everyone was going whole30 crazy, however between being home in NJ and on vacation in Mexico, I couldn't deliver. So here it is now.
Salmon Tikka Masala prepared in a creamy cashew sauce with aromatic spices. While the salmon bakes, I prepare the cashew sauce. I then combine the salmon with the sauce which results in a delicious Fish Curry. if you don't eat salmon, you can always substitute chicken, tofu, or just make my Paneer Makhani.
salmon tikka masala is:
Incredibly Flavorful
Whole30, skip the rice
Paleo, skip the rice
Dairy-Free
Gluten-Free, use gf asafoetida
Healthy
Balanced
Versatile
how to make salmon tikka masala recipe step by step?
Prepare the Paste + Bake the Salmon
1. Take cashew and water into a NutriBullet.
2. Blend into a paste.
3. Add the ginger, garlic, green chilies, and onion to the cashew paste.
4. Blend all the ingredients together.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare the marinade - ingredients under salmon marinade.
6. Place the salmon onto a foiled baking sheet. Place into the oven once preheated. Bake for 19 minutes.
Make the Tikka Masala Sauce
1. Heat up a wok on medium heat. Add oil followed by cumin seeds, turmeric powder, cinnamon stick, and asafoetida. Saute for about 30 seconds.
2. Add the cashew paste and cook for 10 minutes on low-medium heat. Season with salt. Stir often.
3. Add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes on low-medium heat.
4. Once done, add water. Stir gently until all the ingredients combine.
5. This is what you should have.
6. Season with coriander powder and red chili powder.
7. Chop red and green bell peppers.
8. Add the bell peppers to the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until slightly soft.
9. Add garam masala and dry kasoori methi leaves.
10. Remove the salmon from the oven.
11. Finally, add the baked salmon to the tikka masala sauce and cook for a few minutes.
Recipe Card
Salmon Tikka Masala (whole30, paleo, dairy-free)
Ingredients
Make the Cashew Onion Paste
- ¾ cup raw unsalted cashews
- ¼ cup water
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 inch piece ginger
- 8 cloves garlic
- 2 green chilies
- 2 cardamom pods
Prep the Salmon with Marinade
- 1 ⅓ pounds fresh salmon, four fillets
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ of lemon, fresh juice
Cook
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ⅛ teaspoon hing asafoetida gluten-free hing
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 cloves
- 1 inch piece cinnamon stick
- paste from above
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 ½ cups water
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kasoori methi I like MDH
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
Garnish
- handful fresh cilantro leaves chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Paste + Bake the Salmon
- Take cashew and water into a Nutribullet.
- Blend into a paste.
- Add the ginger, garlic, green chilies, and onion to the cashew paste.
- Blend all the ingredients together.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare the marinade - ingredients under salmon marinade.
- Place the salmon onto a foiled baking sheet. Place into the oven once preheated. Bake for 19 minutes.
Make the Tikka Masala Sauce
- Heat up a wok on medium heat. Add oil followed by cumin seeds, turmeric powder, cinnamon stick, and asafoetida. Saute for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cashew paste and cook for 10 minutes on low-medium heat. Season with salt. Stir often.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes on low-medium heat.
- Once done, add water. Stir gently until all the ingredients combine.
- This is what you should have.
- Season with coriander powder and red chili powder.
- Chop red and green bell peppers.
- Add the bell peppers to the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until slightly soft.
- Add garam masala and dry kasoori methi leaves.
- Remove the salmon from the oven.
- Finally, add the baked salmon to the tikka masala sauce and cook for a few minutes.
Chetan Abhyankar says
Great recipe! My daughter loves the recipe
kanika Tandon says
I made this recipe for a bunch of friends & every one loved it. Was such a hit. MUST TRY !!!
Viji says
This recipe is a keeper, so healthy with the salmon and the addition of cashew cream.My family enjoyed it so much, including my toddler. Thanks Nisha, for this delicious healthy recipe.
Viji says
This recipe is a keeper, so healthy with the salmon and the addition of cashew cream. My family enjoyed it so much, including my toddler. Thanks Nisha, for this delicious, healthy recipe ❤️❤️
Jasmine says
This was a great meal the family enjoyed. Really glad this is a healthy version of salmon tikka masala.
Anjali says
Awesome!
Anjali says
I usually make Salmon by shallow frying it on a pan. But that day I saw your Salmon Tikka masala recipe on your blog & I thought why dont I try some gravy recipe for Salmon!
I must say the combination of Salmon with cashew gravy was a bomb. My husband became a total fan of it. Even my 4year old daughter loved it very much. It was an appetizing recipe I can make every now and then. Thank you @honeywhatscooking for sharing such a delightful recipe.
Shubhangi says
Made this for Valentine’s Day Lunch.. me and my husband are foodies.. I had this recipe of Nisha on my mind from many days.. finally tried it and its love❤️.. the richness of gravy and the grilled salmon are ultimate pairing.. the oven grilled salmon is the key to this recipe, as i don’t like a soggy salmon in gravy.. And its a beautiful pairing with any parathas..
rain says
how long does the salmon need to be baked?
honeywhatscooking says
hi rain - 19 minutes. so sorry about that.