Vegan Butter Chicken: The Creamy Classic, Reinvented (Without the Butter)
If you think butter chicken needs butter… think again.
At Tully’z Kitchen, we believe you should be able to cook like an Indian, but without the hassle — and without compromising your lifestyle choices. That’s why vegan butter chicken is one of the fastest-growing searches in Australia right now.
People want the flavour. They want the creaminess. They just don’t want the dairy. And guess what? You absolutely don’t need it.
Let’s break down how to make a proper vegan butter chicken recipe, where to buy ready-made sauces in Australia, and the best supermarket substitutes that actually taste good.
What Is Vegan Butter Chicken?
Traditional butter chicken (Murgh Makhani) is rich, tomato-based and finished with butter and cream. A proper vegan butter chicken curry keeps the same spice profile — garam masala, cumin, coriander, chilli — but swaps the dairy for plant-based alternatives like:
- Coconut milk
- Cashew cream
- Plant-based yoghurt
- Extra virgin olive oil (our preference)
At Tully’z, we’ve already done the heavy lifting. Our sauces are slow-simmered with real ingredients and coconut milk, so you get the indulgent texture without butter, dairy or seed oils.
Same comfort. No compromise.
Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe (Easy Version)
If you're looking for a vegan butter chicken recipe easy enough for weeknights, here’s our go-to method:
Ingredients:
- 1 jar Tully’z Butter Chicken Sauce
- 500g firm Tofu (cubed) or Chickpeas
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh coriander
Method:
- Pan-fry tofu in olive oil until golden.
- Pour over Tully’z Butter Chicken Sauce.
- Simmer for 8–10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with cooked basmati rice.
Boom shaka laka. Dinner done.
If you want something more creative, try our:
- 👉 Butter Chicken with Tofu
- 👉 Butter Chicken Pizza with Tofu & Rocket
- 👉 Butter Chicken Pumpkin & Pea Curry
These recipes prove one thing: vegan butter chicken doesn’t have to be boring.
Vegan Butter Chicken Sauce: What to Look For
When choosing a vegan butter chicken sauce, check the label carefully. Many supermarket options still contain:
- Milk solids
- Butter oil
- Cream powder
- Seed oils (canola, sunflower, vegetable oil blends)
At Tully’z, we cook exclusively with extra virgin olive oil. No seed oils. No hidden dairy. Just slow-cooked spices in coconut milk, tomatoes, and onions.
That’s how it should be.
Easy Vegan Butter Chicken With Tofu
Tofu is the MVP here. It absorbs flavour like a sponge.
For the best results:
- Press tofu to remove moisture
- Pan-sear until crispy
- Add sauce and simmer
The texture contrast makes it feel indulgent. You won’t miss chicken.
You can also try vegan butter chicken with chickpeas for a protein-packed, budget-friendly version. Chickpeas add body and fibre while soaking up the sauce beautifully.
Vegan Butter Chicken at Coles: What Are Your Options?
Many people search for vegan butter chicken Coles hoping to find ready-made solutions.
While some plant-based ready meals exist, they often:
- Contain seed oils
- Use excessive thickeners
- Lack depth of spice
A better option? Buy a quality jarred sauce (like Tully’z) and cook it fresh at home in under 10 minutes. Fresh always wins!
Where to Buy Ready-Made Vegan Butter Chicken Sauces Online in Australia
If you prefer convenience, here’s where Australians can buy ready-made vegan butter chicken sauces online:
- Woolworths (selected stores + Metro)
- Independent grocers
- Tully’z Kitchen online store
- Selected farmers markets across Victoria
Always check:
- Ingredient list
- Oil type
- Allergen statements
Not all “vegan” sauces are created equal.
Best Vegan Butter Chicken Substitutes Available in Australian Supermarkets
Want to experiment? Here are some strong substitutes for traditional chicken:
1. Firm Tofu
High protein, neutral flavour, perfect texture.
2. Chickpeas
Affordable, filling, family-friendly.
3. Cauliflower
Roast first for deeper flavour.
4. Jackfruit
Shredded texture, works well in wraps.
5. Pumpkin
Adds sweetness and thickness.
The key is to cook the protein properly before adding your sauce. Texture matters.
Vegan Butter Chicken Pasta? Yes, Really.
Fusion works.
Try our:
👉 Butter Chicken Pasta
Simply swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas and keep the rest the same.
Creamy. Spicy. Unexpected. Delicious.
Why Vegan Butter Chicken Is So Popular
Search trends show Australians are:
- Reducing dairy
- Eating more plant-based meals
- Looking for convenience
- Reading labels more closely
They still want flavour. They just don’t want the heaviness.
That’s where slow-simmered, coconut-based sauces shine.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need butter to make butter chicken taste amazing.
You need:
✔ Real spices
✔ Slow cooking
✔ Quality oil (EVOO, always)
✔ Coconut milk for creaminess
Whether you’re making easy vegan butter chicken with tofu, experimenting with vegan butter chicken with chickpeas, or searching for the best vegan butter chicken sauce in Australia, the goal is simple:
Big flavour. Low effort. That’s how we do it at Tully’z.
SLOW COOKED BY US, READY WHEN YOU ARE!
We gently simmer REAL ingredients in coconut milk and authentic spices to bring you a delicious curry experience that is no-fuss and better for you.
Blog Written By: Steve Barko Digital Marketing