Craving that rich, creamy, tomato-and-cashew gravy without the hours of simmering or the restaurant bill? The shortcut is a good jar or packet, but not all of them deliver that deep, spiced, mildly sweet flavor profile you’re actually after. Some are too acidic, some are watery, and a few taste disappointingly like plain tomato soup with a hint of paprika. Separating the genuine performers from the bland distractions requires understanding what goes into an authentic North Indian butter sauce.
I’m Mohammad — the founder and writer behind ProteinJug. I’ve spent years analyzing spice blends, simmer sauces, and curry bases, comparing ingredient lists for real butter content, cashew cream, tomato paste ratios, and the absence of stabilizers and starches that dilute flavor.
After digging deep into the market, I’ve identified the clear winners for every kind of cook. Whether you want a pantry-stable seasoning mix, a quick microwave meal, or a premium vegan option, this guide to the best store bought butter chicken sauce has you covered.
How To Choose The Best Store Bought Butter Chicken Sauce
A great butter chicken sauce starts with the fat base and ends with the spice balance. The wrong base leaves you with a thin, greasy, or overly sweet gravy. Here’s how to spot the difference.
Check the Fat Source
Authentic butter chicken relies on butter, cream, and often cashew paste for body. Some sauces swap in coconut cream for a vegan twist, which changes the flavor profile significantly. If you want that classic, rich, slightly tangy gravy, look for butter listed in the first few ingredients. Sauces that lead with water and use starches as thickeners tend to be thin and lack depth.
Spice Depth vs. Heat Level
Real butter chicken is mildly spiced, not fiery. The heat comes from dried red chilies and ginger, not cayenne extract. Avoid sauces that rely heavily on paprika for color and flavor — they often taste flat. Look for mentions of actual spices like garam masala, cumin, coriander, and fenugreek leaves, which provide that complex, aromatic finish.
Convenience Format
Dry seasoning mixes require you to add your own butter, cream, and tomato paste, giving you full control. Pre-made simmer sauces are faster but can contain starches and preservatives. Decide whether you want a pantry-stable mix to customize or a ready-to-heat jar for a 10-minute meal.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shan Butter Chicken Seasoning Mix | Dry Mix | Authentic Flavor Control | 6 packets, 50g each | Amazon |
| Brooklyn Delhi Butter Chicken | Simmer Sauce | Vegan & Clean Ingredients | Cashew cream, no gums | Amazon |
| The Spice Tailor Butter Chicken Kit | Kit | Restaurant-Style Experience | Vacuum-packed spice pouch | Amazon |
| Tasty Bite Punjabi Butter Chicken Simmer | Simmer Sauce | Quick Microwave Meal | 75-sec microwave, 5-pack | Amazon |
| Patak’s Butter Chicken Sauce | Simmer Sauce | Widely Available Jar | 15.87 oz jar, no artificial colors | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Shan Butter Chicken Seasoning Mix (6-Pack)
This is the pick for anyone who wants control over the final texture and fat content. Shan provides a dry seasoning mix — you add your own butter, tomato paste, cream, and chicken — which means you decide how rich and thick the gravy gets. The powder contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, and the spice profile is legitimately authentic, with a noticeable red chili heat that mimics restaurant-style butter chicken better than most jar sauces.
Each 50g packet is designed to serve 4 adults, making this 6-pack an exceptional value for meal preppers or families. Customer reviews consistently highlight the “strong red chili heat” and the fact that it’s “practical and cheaper than jarred sauces.” One reviewer who had the dish at an Afghan restaurant specifically asked the chef for the spice mix used — it was Shan.
The downside is that you have to supply the dairy and tomato base yourself, which adds a few minutes of prep. It’s also a powder, not a sauce — you can’t just heat and pour. But for flavor depth, authenticity, and cost per serving, this mix outperforms everything else on the shelf.
Why it’s great
- Authentic, restaurant-style spice profile with real red chili heat.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives; lasts indefinitely in the pantry.
- Best value per serving among all options reviewed.
Good to know
- Requires you to add butter, cream, and tomato paste — not a heat-and-eat sauce.
- Strong chili heat may be too much for very sensitive palates.
2. Brooklyn Delhi Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce
Brooklyn Delhi reimagines the classic by using cashew butter and coconut cream instead of dairy, creating a vegan butter chicken that doesn’t lose the creamy, rich mouthfeel. The ingredient list is refreshingly clean — no starches, gums, or stabilizers — just tomatoes, cashew butter, coconut cream, ginger, garlic, and sweet paprika. This sauce is also low sugar and low sodium, appealing to health-conscious cooks.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with one customer calling it “rich, creamy, perfectly spiced” and another noting it tastes “just like my favorite hole-in-the-wall spot — but healthier.” The jar is 12 oz, and the brand recommends adding one jar to 1 lb of sautéed protein or veggies plus up to 1 cup of coconut milk. A few users found the cashew butter flavor a bit mild, but adding extra coconut cream or a dollop of yogurt deepens it significantly.
The main drawback is the premium cost per ounce. It’s more expensive than standard jar sauces, and the 12 oz jar serves about 3-4 people when stretched with extra liquid. For plant-based eaters or anyone avoiding heavy cream, however, this is the top-performing option on the market.
Why it’s great
- Completely vegan, made with cashew butter and coconut cream for authentic richness.
- No starches, gums, or artificial ingredients — clean ingredient deck.
- Low sugar and low sodium compared to most jar sauces.
Good to know
- Premium price point — costs more per serving than dairy-based sauces.
- Cashew flavor can be subtle; may need extra seasoning to hit full traditional note.
3. The Spice Tailor Butter Chicken Curry Kit
The Spice Tailor kit takes a hybrid approach — it includes a pre-made sauce base plus a separate vacuum-packed packet of whole and ground spices that you add during cooking. This two-step process simulates the authentic technique of blooming spices in hot oil before combining with the sauce, resulting in a deeper, more layered flavor than most single-jar options. The sauce itself is dairy-based and delivers that classic tangy, mildly sweet profile.
Customer reviews are consistently strong: “Much better than the jars,” says one reviewer, while another notes it’s “absolutely delicious” with a “subtle herb blend.” The kit is straightforward: cook your protein, prepare the sauce, and combine. It produces a genuinely restaurant-quality meal in about 15 minutes.
The kit serves 2-3 people and the price has increased notably, which some reviewers flagged as a concern. If you love the ritual of cooking and want that extra layer of fresh spice aroma without hunting down obscure ingredients, this kit delivers the most authentic experience short of making everything from scratch.
Why it’s great
- Two-step process with separate spice pouch creates deeper, fresher flavor.
- Delivers restaurant-quality results in 15 minutes.
- Authentic dairy-based gravy with proper tangy-sweet balance.
Good to know
- Premium price point — it’s among the more expensive options per serving.
- Kit serves only 2-3 people; not ideal for large households.
4. Tasty Bite Punjabi Style Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce (5-Pack)
Tasty Bite is the speed champion here. Each 7 oz pouch heats in just 75 seconds in the microwave, making it the fastest path to butter chicken on this list. The sauce is a mild, tomato-and-cashew base that’s vegetarian, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of artificial colors and preservatives. It’s designed as a blank canvas — great for adding your own chicken, paneer, or vegetables.
Reviewers praise its convenience and value, with one calling it the “best sauce ever” and noting it yields “3 or 4 servings” when used for meal prep. The 5-pack provides a solid pantry stockpile. However, several users noted the sauce is on the blander side straight out of the pouch — it benefits from extra seasoning, a pinch of garam masala, or a splash of cream to boost the profile.
The pouches are small (7 oz each), and the sauce has a darker color than traditional butter chicken, which some attribute to a higher tomato content. It’s a reliable, fast base, but it won’t wow a spice connoisseur without modification.
Why it’s great
- Fastest option — 75-second microwave heat, no stovetop required.
- Clean ingredients: gluten-free, non-GMO, no artificial colors.
- 5-pack offers good value for weekly meal prep.
Good to know
- Flavor is mild and slightly bland; needs extra spices or cream to stand out.
- Small 7 oz pouches — best for 1-2 servings each.
5. Patak’s Butter Chicken Sauce
Patak’s is the most familiar name in Indian simmer sauces, and their butter chicken sauce is a classic entry-level option. A 450g (15.87 oz) jar is free from artificial colors, and the flavor is solidly recognizable as butter chicken — mildly spiced, slightly sweet, with a tomato-forward cream base. It’s a reliable, no-surprises jar that you can find in most grocery stores.
Reviews are generally positive: customers call it “good quality vs good price,” “easy to cook,” and “the best one.” It works as a straightforward pour-over sauce. However, the consistency can be a bit thin compared to scratch-made sauces, and it benefits from simmering with a bit of additional butter and cream to reach the proper luxurious texture.
The biggest complaint among users is occasional inconsistency — some jars taste noticeably different from others. It’s a safe, affordable option for a weeknight dinner, but serious spice seekers will find it falls short of the depth and complexity that a mix or kit provides.
Why it’s great
- Widely available in grocery stores — easy to grab quickly.
- Decent, recognizable butter chicken flavor for the price.
- Free from artificial colors.
Good to know
- Sauce can be thin; needs extra butter/cream to thicken and enrich.
- Flavor depth is average — doesn’t match a spice mix or kit.
- Some users report taste inconsistency between jars.
FAQ
Can I make a vegan butter chicken with a store bought sauce?
Why does my store bought butter chicken sauce taste sour or acidic?
How can I make a jar sauce taste more authentic?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most users, the best store bought butter chicken sauce winner is the Shan Butter Chicken Seasoning Mix (6-Pack) because it delivers the most authentic, restaurant-style spice profile with zero artificial additives, and it gives you full control over the fat and texture. If you want a vegan option with clean ingredients, grab the Brooklyn Delhi Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce. And for a quick weeknight meal that requires almost no effort, nothing beats the Tasty Bite Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce 5-Pack.