Tikka Marinade
Transform your everyday dishes into a flavor-packed feast with this authentic Tikka Marinade. This vibrant blend of creamy plain yogurt, aromatic ginger and garlic paste, and a symphony of bold Indian spices—like ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala—creates a velvety marinade that's irresistible. Enhanced with a splash of fresh lemon juice for zing and optional cayenne pepper for a kick of heat, this versatile marinade is perfect for infusing chicken, paneer, tofu, or vegetables with rich, smoky depth. Simple to prepare in just 10 minutes, it’s the key to tender, restaurant-quality tikka dishes right from your kitchen. Whether grilled, baked, or pan-fried, this tikka marinade ensures your meals are bursting with authentic flavor. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a bright, finishing touch, and enjoy a taste of India in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain yogurt (preferably full-fat)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon Garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala
- 0.5 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil (or neutral oil)
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, ginger paste, and garlic paste until well blended.
Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, paprika, garam masala, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt to the yogurt mix. Stir thoroughly to combine.
Pour in the fresh lemon juice and vegetable oil, and mix until the marinade is smooth and evenly colored.
Taste-test the marinade and adjust the salt, spices, or lemon juice if needed to suit your preference.
Use the marinade immediately by coating your choice of chicken, paneer, tofu, or vegetables. Ensure the ingredients are fully covered in the marinade.
Cover the marinated ingredients and let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight for the best flavor.
Before cooking, remove the marinated ingredients from the fridge to bring them to room temperature. Cook using your preferred method: grilling, baking, or pan-frying.
Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
439 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.3 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.1 g | 40% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 24 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 4596 mg | 200% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.9 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.9 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.7 g | ||
| Protein | 15.8 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 467 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 8.5 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1090 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
