Spice things up for the holidays with this unique Turkey Tikka Masala recipe with a creamy tomato and pumpkin gravy; every spicy food lover’s dream! Pair with Spicy Cranberry Chutney for the perfect meal.
It’s that time of year again. The low, golden light of autumn streams in every evening, and the cool, crisp air warrants warm scarves, knitted socks, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes. With all of the friends and family gatherings and holiday leftovers, it’s time to think of unique ways to spice things up at the dinner table. This Turkey Tikka Masala with Spicy Cranberry Chutney is one of my favorites.
I’m thankful, truly, to live in a diverse country. I’m even more thankful that I get so much exposure to culturally-diverse food. As a proud Indian, I am so happy to be able to create a fusion holiday dinner to highlight my own cultural heritage. So break out the elastic waist pants, and enjoy a meal full of all the pomp and circumstance of the holidays, but with all the flavor and spice of a traditional Indian dinner.
With this meal, you’ll get the best of both worlds. Grab yourself some buttery garlic naan to go with this incredibly creamy and rich Turkey Tikka Masala. Don’t forget to spread a little Spicy Cranberry Chutney onto the naan for an added “tartness”.
Turkey Tikka Masala with Spicy Cranberry Chutney
An Indian dinner for the winter holidays will be unique, but also remind everyone of the traditions they grew up loving. Who ever said change wasn’t good? I love a good cranberry sauce – but this chutney? It’s amazing on naan. Cranberries are actually native to North America, and as such, have been used as an accompaniment to poultry since the 19th century! They have also been used medicinally by the Indigenous population of North America. No holiday meal is complete without an incredible dessert; use more cranberries while making this Lemon and Cranberry Bundt Cake for dessert!
Holiday Meal Tools and Tips for Success:
- Eat a little of everything – there’ll be tons of food. If you don’t want the uncomfortable feeling after the meal, moderation is your best friend.
- Cool it on the drinks! They’re unnecessary fillers, especially in the company of so much amazing food!
- You’ve heard the expression “too many cooks”, so think about other entertainment (games, movies) so that people aren’t crowding the kitchen while you’re preparing your food!
- When you’re decorating, buy fake flowers and decorative gourds! You can reuse them next year, or make wreaths for next year.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of turkey breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ a Spanish onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup of crushed tomato
- ¼ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, very finely chopped + more to garnish
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup skim milk
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 shallots, finely diced
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, depending on spice tolerance)
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large wok. Add in the Spanish onion and garlic and sauté until onion has become translucent.
- Add in ginger, and cook until fragrant. Add in turkey pieces and cook through.
- Pour in crushed tomato and pumpkin purée, stir in all the spices and cilantro. Simmer for 5-8 minutes.
- Pour in milk and stir to combine completely. Simmer for 15 minutes until gravy has thickened.
- In a small pot, heat the oil and sauté the shallots until translucent. Add in cranberries and stir over medium heat. Pour in the water and simmer - once the cranberries are soft, mash ½ of them slightly. The chutney will thicken.
- Add in the salt, honey, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: If you're cooking for a larger crowd, this recipe doubles really well.
We hope you love this Turkey Tikka Masala recipe from SoFabFood Contributor, Ritika from R&M Cooks, as much as we do. If you like this recipe, be sure to stop by our Dinner Section for more like it. For daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!
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