Indian cuisine is known for its complex flavors and aromatic spices. Many classic Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and shahi paneer rely on creamy gravies to bring together the spices and tenderize the meat or paneer. This leads some to wonder – does Indian food traditionally use heavy cream?
Quick Answer
Most authentic Indian recipes do not use heavy cream. Instead, the creamy texture comes from fresh yogurt, coconut milk, cashews, almonds, or a blend of these ingredients. Using dairy-based heavy cream is generally not traditional in Indian cooking.
The Role of Cream in Indian Cuisine
When looking at popular Indian restaurant menus, it’s easy to get the impression that heavy cream is a common ingredient. Dishes like chicken makhani and korma often have velvety, buttery sauces. However, the use of heavy dairy cream in these dishes is usually a modern adaptation made for Western tastes.
In traditional Indian cooking, rich creamy sauces get their texture from:
- Yogurt – Both full fat plain yogurt and hung yogurt are used.
- Coconut milk – Adds richness without dairy.
- Nuts – Cashews and almonds are often blended into sauces.
- Seeds – Poppy, sesame, and pumpkin seeds can provide creaminess.
By contrast, heavy cream and milk are not as prevalent in authentic Indian cuisine. This stems from both cultural and practical factors:
- Hindu dietary restrictions – Many Hindus are lactovegetarian, avoiding meat but consuming dairy. However, heavy cream is less common than milk curds and ghee (clarified butter).
- Climate – Heavy cream would spoil more quickly in the hot climate of India before refrigeration was available.
- Expense – Heavy cream is cost prohibitive for everyday cooking for many in India.
That said, a few Indian dishes do incorporate heavy cream or other full-fat dairy products, such as:
- Malai kofta – Vegetarian dumplings in a mild sauce made with cream.
- Shahi paneer – An Indian cottage cheese dish with a sauce of cream and tomato.
- Kulfi – A popular frozen dairy dessert made with condensed milk.
So while heavy cream is not entirely unheard of, most classic curries and gravies get their luscious texture from other ingredients.
Common Substitutes for Heavy Cream
When cooking Indian food at home, it’s easy to substitute heavy cream with more traditional alternatives:
Yogurt
Plain full-fat yogurt is perhaps the most direct replacement for heavy cream in Indian recipes. Draining the yogurt first makes a thicker consistency closer to cream. Yogurt provides tanginess and probiotics as well.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is lactose-free and mimics the richness of dairy cream. Full-fat canned coconut milk works best. Light coconut milk is thinner and less creamy.
Cashews
Soaked raw cashews can be blended into the smoothest and creamiest non-dairy sauce. Other nuts like almonds, pine nuts, or pistachios also work.
Tofu
Silken tofu pureed into sauces provides a vegan creaminess. Some recipes use soft or firm tofu, but silken has the highest fat content.
Vegetable Purees
Blending roasted or cooked vegetables like cauliflower, squash, eggplant or potatoes mimics the texture of cream in sauces. The vegetables also add body and nutrients.
How to Make an Indian Sauce Creamy Without Dairy
With a simple pantry of ingredients, you can create decadent yet dairy-free Indian dishes at home:
Cashew Cream
Soak 1 cup raw cashews for 2-4 hours, then drain and rinse. Blend with 1 cup water until completely smooth. Use in any recipe that calls for cream.
Coconut Cream
Refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. Scoop out the solid coconut cream that separates and rises to the top. Use as you would dairy cream.
Tofu “Sour Cream”
Puree 12 oz silken tofu with 2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1⁄4 tsp salt. Chill before using as a dairy-free topping.
Vegetable Cream
Roast cauliflower, butternut squash, eggplant or potatoes until soft. Blend with cooking liquid into a smooth puree. Use in Indian recipes as needed.
Popular Indian Dishes That Use Cream
While heavy cream is not considered traditional, some popular Indian restaurant favorites do incorporate it. Here are just a few:
| Dish Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Butter Chicken | Chicken in an aromatic tomato-butter sauce made creamy with butter or cream |
| Malai Kofta | Fried potato and cheese dumplings in a mild creamy gravy |
| Shahi Paneer | Indian cottage cheese in tomato-cream sauce |
| Kashmiri Rogan Josh | Braised lamb in creamy yogurt-based gravy |
| Navratan Korma | Mixed vegetables and nuts in a creamy curry |
| Matar Paneer | Peas and cheese curds in tomato-cream gravy |
However, for the most authentic experience, look for dishes that use yogurt, coconut milk, nuts, or vegetable purees for creaminess instead of dairy cream.
How to Adapt Recipes to Use Less Dairy Cream
When making Indian food at home, you can minimize the heavy cream without sacrificing texture and flavor. Try these simple tips:
Use Plain Full-Fat Yogurt
Substitute plain yogurt for about half of the cream called for. Adjust to taste depending on the thickness desired.
Puree Nuts or Vegetables
For a vegan option, blend cashews, almonds, roasted eggplant, or cooked potato into the sauce instead of cream.
Add Coconut Milk
Replace up to half the dairy cream with coconut milk. Light coconut milk can also be used.
Finish with Drizzle of Cream
Cut back on the cream in the recipe, then drizzle in a little at the end for richness and color.
Garnish with Fresh Cream
Skip the cream in the curry, then garnish each serving with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or cream cheese.
Conclusion
While heavy cream is not considered traditional in Indian cuisine, it can be used moderately in some dishes to provide a velvety texture. However, more authentic options include yogurt, coconut milk, blended nuts or seeds, vegetable purees, and other dairy products like paneer. With a few easy substitutions, you can create healthier, lighter, and still luxuriously creamy Indian food at home.