Fiery Smooth Vindaloo Gravy
This authentic restaurant-style vindaloo gravy brings the perfect balance of fiery heat, tangy punch, and rich depth straight to your kitchen. With aromatic whole spices and the signature tamarind tang, this versatile base transforms any protein into a restaurant-quality dish that's guaranteed to impress.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 145kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp rapeseed or canola oil
- 3 green cardamom pods bruised
- 1 star anise optional
- 1 Indian bay leaf
- 1 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
- 2 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder adjust heat as needed
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1½ tbsp tamarind paste or 1 tbsp vinegar
- 330 ml base gravy
- 5 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and add cardamom pods, star anise, and bay leaf. Sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Add garlic and ginger paste and stir continuously until golden and aromatic.
- Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, coriander, black pepper, and garam masala, cooking for 30 seconds.
- Add tamarind paste (or vinegar) and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
- Pour in base gravy and simmer until the mixture becomes rich and thick.
- Add your choice of cooked protein if desired and simmer for additional 5-7 minutes.
Notes
Adjust Kashmiri chili powder quantity based on your heat preference - start with less if you're sensitive to spice
Base gravy is essential for achieving authentic restaurant texture and can be made in advance or purchased from Indian grocery stores
This gravy freezes beautifully for up to 3 months - portion into containers for quick future meals
If tamarind paste is unavailable, white vinegar or malt vinegar works as a substitute for the tangy element
The gravy can be made vegetarian by using vegetable base gravy instead of chicken-based
For deeper flavor, toast whole spices separately before grinding your own spice powders
Remove whole spices before serving for better presentation and eating experience
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g