Tikka masala sauce is a popular Indian curry sauce that can be used to create delicious dishes like chicken tikka masala. With its creamy, tomato-based sauce and blend of aromatic spices like coriander, cumin, and garlic, tikka masala sauce is loved by many for its rich, savory flavor. As Costco is a popular warehouse store known for selling groceries and household items in bulk, some customers may wonder if tikka masala sauce can be found on Costco’s shelves. After researching this question, here is the answer:
Quick Answer
Yes, Costco does sell tikka masala sauce, though selection and availability may vary by location and season. Some specific tikka masala sauces that have been spotted at Costco include:
- Maya Kaimal Indian Sauce Simmer Sauce in Tikka Masala flavor
- Kitchens of India Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce
- Anu’s Tikka Masala Sauce
- Frontier Tikka Masala Sauce
These sauces are often sold in multi-packs of two or more jars, following Costco’s bulk-sized merchandising strategy. But again, what specific brands each store carries can fluctuate. Checking your local Costco’s inventory online or in-warehouse is the best way to confirm availability.
What Is Tikka Masala Sauce?
Before discussing where to find it at Costco, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what exactly tikka masala sauce is.
Tikka masala sauce is a thick, creamy, tomato-and-spice based sauce that comes from India. Key ingredients include:
- Tomatoes – Provides the sauce’s signature orange-red color and some sweetness.
- Cream or Coconut Milk – Gives the sauce its rich, silky texture.
- Spices – For flavor. Common spices are cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder.
- Onion and garlic – For aromatic flavor.
When cooked, the sauce takes on a smooth, luxurious texture reminiscent of butter chicken. However, tikka masala tends to be less overwhelmingly creamy than butter chicken and lets more of the spices and tomatoes shine through.
This versatile Indian curry sauce can be served with everything from chicken to potatoes and paneer cheese. It’s particularly known for being the signature sauce in chicken tikka masala – pieces of marinated, roasted chicken breast tossed in tikka masala sauce. The dish was supposedly invented by an Indian chef in Britain trying to modify chicken tikka to suit local tastes.
Now popular far beyond Britain and India, chicken tikka masala has been called one of the world’s most popular dishes. No wonder interest in tikka masala sauce continues to grow globally, including at American retailers like Costco.
Availability of Tikka Masala Sauce at Costco
So what brands and types of tikka masala sauce can you expect to find on the shelves at Costco?
After searching through posts on Instagram, the retailer’s Facebook page, forums like Reddit, and contacting various warehouses directly, here are some of the specific tikka masala products that seem to pop up:
Maya Kaimal Indian Sauce Simmer Sauce in Tikka Masala
This appears to be one of the most commonly spotted tikka masala sauces at Costco. Maya Kaimal is a brand that focuses on simmer sauces, curry pastes, and other ready-to-use Indian sauces made with all-natural ingredients.
Their tikka masala simmer sauce contains a blend of tomatoes, cream, ginger, cumin, fenugreek, chilies, and other authentic seasonings. It can simply be heated and tossed with your choice of meat or vegetables. Many Costco stores carry this sauce in 2-packs of 17.6 oz jars.
Kitchens of India Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce
Kitchens of India is another Indian food brand that Costco has carried. Their tikka masala simmer sauce also combines tomatoes and cream with traditional spices like cumin, paprika, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and cardamom.
It’s been spotted at some warehouses in packs with two 26 oz jars. One nice thing about Kitchens of India sauces is they’re certified gluten-free for those with dietary needs.
Anu’s Tikka Masala Sauce
For a premium tikka masala sauce option, some Costco locations sell Anu’s brand sauce made with all-natural ingredients. It contains yogurt instead of cream for added tanginess.
Their uniquely rich sauce gets its flavor from a lengthy simmering process. Some posts show this being sold in packs of two 16 oz jars.
Frontier Tikka Masala Sauce
This appears to be another widely available choice. It’s a more budget-friendly prepared tikka masala sauce using tomato puree and vegetable oil instead of cream. Frontier Co-op sells their mix through many wholesale retailers.
Some Costco stores have carried Frontier tikka masala sauce in giant two-pack cases with 98 oz total. So this could be a good option for meal prepping big batches.
Other Potential Finds
In addition to the most common products above, there have been occasional sightings of these tikka masala sauce brands at Costco:
- Rayyan Tikka Masala Sauce
- Benares Tikka Masala Simmering Sauce
- Grace Tikka Masala Sauce
- Hot Sauce Harry’s Tikka Masala Sauce
So while exact options vary, major Costco warehouses seem to consistently offer shoppers at least a few choices when it comes to ready-made tikka masala sauce. Certain locations may have even more options beyond this list.
Tips for Finding Tikka Masala Sauce at Costco
Keep these tips in mind if you’re on the hunt for tikka masala sauce during your next trip to Costco:
- Check seasonality – More tikka masala sauce varieties tend to be in stock during the fall and winter months when people cook more warming curries.
- Look in the international food aisles – That’s often where Costco stocks Indian sauces and simmer meals.
- Browse the spice section – Sometimes tikka masala sauce jars get shelved alongside the ground spices and paste mixes.
- Ask employees if you don’t see it – They may keep extra supply in the back that hasn’t been put out yet.
- Look for coupons and rebates – Costco sometimes offers special deals on tikka masala and Indian food products.
- Consider making your own – If you can’t find any prepared sauces, Costco does sell Indian spice blends to create it from scratch.
Checking Costco’s website inventory for your location before shopping can also help preview availability.
Costco Tikka Masala Sauce Pricing
Part of Costco’s appeal is providing wholesale pricing on groceries and household goods. The store is able to leverage its high order volumes to buy products like tikka masala sauce at lower costs and pass those savings along.
While prices can fluctuate between locations, here’s an idea of the type of discount you can expect on tikka masala sauce versus normal grocery stores:
| Tikka Masala Sauce Product | Typical Grocery Store Price | Typical Costco Price |
|---|---|---|
| Maya Kaimal Sauce 2-Pack | $11.98 total ($5.99 each) | $8.99 total ($4.49 each) |
| Kitchens of India Sauce 2-Pack | $14.98 total ($7.49 each) | $11.99 total ($5.99 each) |
| Anu’s Sauce 2-Pack | $18.98 total ($9.49 each) | $14.99 total ($7.49 each) |
| Frontier Sauce 2-Pack | $14.98 total ($7.49 each) | $11.99 total ($5.99 each) |
As you can see, buying tikka masala sauce at Costco generally saves at least $3-5 per jar compared to other supermarkets. The more jars in a pack, the greater the unit savings.
These prices may be discounted even further during any sales, coupons, or instant rebates offered by Costco. So keep an eye out for deals.
Costco Tikka Masala Sauce Reviews
Most of the tikka masala sauces sold at Costco receive positive reviews from customers:
Maya Kaimal Tikka Masala Sauce
This seems to be one of the most beloved options. Fans say Maya Kaimal’s sauce tastes fresh, robust, and flavourful. The inclusion of ginger, fenugreek, and other authentic Indian spices makes this a huge step above generic jarred sauces. It’s delicious but not overly spicy for most palates. The sauce’s smooth, silky texture also gets rave reviews.
Kitchens of India Tikka Masala Sauce
This simmer sauce receives praise for having an authentic tikka masala flavor packed with the tastes of cumin, cardamom, clove, and other spices associated with Indian cooking. Many love how it’s made with all-natural ingredients and contains no preservatives. Its certified gluten-free status makes it a great pick for the health-conscious.
Anu’s Tikka Masala Sauce
People say this premium sauce truly captures the essence of Indian cuisine. Made with a short list of incredibly fresh ingredients like tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and yogurt, it tastes homemade. The yogurt gives it a unique tang not found in other sauces made with cream. Anu’s is one of the milder Costco options, so it suits those sensitive to spiciness.
Frontier Tikka Masala Sauce
As a more affordable choice, Frontier offers solid bang for your buck according to reviews. It holds its own against the gourmet brands with a lively depth of spice flavor. The sauce has a thinner consistency without dairy but thickens nicely when cooked. Overall an excellent value pick.
How to Use Costco Tikka Masala Sauce
Costco’s pre-made tikka masala simmer sauces eliminate much of the work required to make this curry dish from scratch. Here are some quick and easy ways to put them to use:
For Chicken Tikka Masala:
- Cube chicken breast into bite-sized pieces
- Toss chicken with a tikka masala marinade
- Broil chicken until charred and cooked through
- Heat tikka masala sauce in a skillet
- Add cooked chicken and simmer briefly
- Serve over basmati rice
For Vegetarian Dishes:
- Saute vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, or chickpeas in the sauce
- Use in place of tomato sauce on vegetable tikka masala pizza
- Toss with roasted paneer cheese cubes
- Add to dal and chickpea dishes for flavor
- Stir into plain rice with peas for quick veggie tikka pulao
As a Base Sauce:
- Thin with broth for tikka masala soup
- Blend with Greek yogurt to make a veggie dip
- Use as the sauce in tikka masala pasta recipes
- Mix with mayo for a sandwich spread
So grab a pack on your next Costco run and experiment with easy weekday meals, impressive dinner party entrees, and more!
Conclusion
In summary, shoppers can find several varieties of authentic, Indian-inspired tikka masala sauce for sale at many Costco warehouse locations. Brands like Maya Kaimal, Kitchens of India, Anu’s, and Frontier are most commonly spotted.
Costco provides these pre-made simmer sauces at significant discounts compared to traditional supermarkets. Their tikka masala sauce selection generally gets positive reviews for convenience, flavor quality, and value.
So seek out this versatile curry sauce on your next Costco trip to enjoy restaurant-worthy chicken tikka masala and other Indian dishes for less! Check your local warehouse availability and keep an eye out for any extra coupons or sales.