How Many Carbs Are in Butter Masala? A Full Nutritional Breakdown

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

The carbohydrate content of butter masala can vary dramatically, ranging from as little as 6 grams to over 40 grams per serving depending on the preparation method and ingredients used. This wide range means understanding the components is key to knowing precisely how many carbs are in butter masala.

Quick Summary

The carb count in butter masala is highly variable and depends on how it is prepared, its ingredients, and portion size. Factors like added sugar, tomatoes, and serving accompaniments significantly impact the overall carbohydrate load of the final dish.

Key Points

Variable Carb Count: The carb content of butter masala varies widely based on whether it is homemade, restaurant-prepared, or from a ready-made package.
Hidden Sugars: Many recipes and restaurant versions add sugar to balance tomato acidity, significantly increasing the carb load.
Low-Carb Options Exist: It is possible to create a keto or low-carb friendly butter masala by controlling ingredients like tomatoes and sugar and using low-carb thickeners.
Ingredient Impact: Tomatoes and onions are primary carb sources in the sauce, alongside any added sugar or thickeners.
Serving Matters: The highest carb contributions often come from accompaniments like naan or rice, which can be replaced with low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice.
High Fat Content: Despite the focus on carbs, butter masala is also typically high in fat from butter and cream, which can contribute to its richness and satiety.
Label Reading: For ready-made meals, always check the nutrition label for hidden sugars and starch thickeners.

The Carb Spectrum: Why the Count Varies So Much

Unlike many other dishes with a fairly consistent nutritional profile, butter masala's carbohydrate content is highly flexible. This is because it is not a standardized recipe, but rather a family of dishes with a common creamy, tomato-based sauce. The number of carbs can be significantly different between a version from an Indian restaurant, a ready-made grocery store kit, or a homemade meal tailored for a specific diet.

Homemade vs. Restaurant

A butter masala made from scratch at home offers the most control over its nutritional content. For instance, a low-carb, homemade paneer butter masala recipe can yield as few as 6 grams of net carbs per serving by carefully managing the ingredients and avoiding sugar. In contrast, a traditional homemade recipe, which might use more tomatoes and include added sugar for balance, can reach up to 29 grams of total carbs per cup. Restaurant versions are often the least predictable. While some reports show a moderate carb count around 14 grams per serving for butter chicken, others can contain much higher levels. This depends on whether the chef adds sugar, onion, or flour for thickening the sauce.

The Impact of Ready-Made Kits

Pre-packaged butter masala sauces and meal kits often have higher carbohydrate counts. These products use fillers and added sugars to enhance flavor and shelf life. For example, some packaged butter masala meals can contain as much as 40 grams of total carbs. It is always crucial to check the nutritional information on the packaging to avoid any surprises, especially if you are monitoring your carb intake.

Key Ingredients and Their Carb Contributions

To understand where the carbs come from, let's break down the components of a typical butter masala recipe:

Tomatoes: The base of butter masala is often a tomato purée or sauce. Tomatoes contain natural sugars and are a primary source of carbs in the dish. The more tomatoes used, the higher the carb content.
Onions: Sautéed and caramelized onions add natural sweetness and bulk to the sauce. While crucial for flavor, they also contribute to the overall carb count.
Added Sugars: Many traditional recipes, and most restaurant and ready-made versions, add sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and create a richer, sweeter flavor profile.
Cream and Yogurt: While full-fat butter and cream are primarily fat, they do contain a small amount of carbohydrates. Greek yogurt, often used for marinating chicken, is also a source of carbs.
Thickeners: In some recipes, particularly commercial versions, flour or cornstarch is added to thicken the sauce, which drives up the carbohydrate count.

Comparison Table: Estimated Carbs Per Serving


Butter Masala Type	Total Carbs (g)	Net Carbs (g)	Key Carb Factors
Homemade Low-Carb	6-15	4-12	Minimal sugar, less tomato, low-carb thickeners
Traditional Homemade	25-30	22-26	More tomato, potential added sugar, yogurt
Restaurant Version	15-40+	Varies	Inconsistent recipes, hidden sugars, thickeners
Ready-Made Package	35-70+	Varies	Added sugars and starch thickeners

Crafting a Low-Carb Butter Masala

For those on a keto or low-carb diet, it is entirely possible to enjoy butter masala with some strategic modifications. Here are some methods to significantly reduce the carbohydrate count:

1. Watch the Tomatoes and Sugar: Reduce the amount of tomato puree and use sugar substitutes or rely on the natural sweetness from caramelizing a small amount of onion. A good quality canned diced tomato can also be used, but check the sugar content.

2. Thicken with Alternatives: Instead of cornstarch or flour, use low-carb alternatives. Blending cashews or using a small amount of almond flour can provide a similar creamy consistency without adding many carbs. The thickness of heavy cream and butter often makes extra thickeners unnecessary.

3. Control Your Cream: Use full-fat heavy cream or coconut cream. These provide richness and satiating fats with minimal carbs, preventing the need for high-carb fillers.

4. Choose the Right Accompaniments: The way butter masala is served dramatically impacts the total meal's carb count. Traditional naan bread and white rice are high in carbs. For a low-carb meal, serve the curry over cauliflower rice or with low-carb vegetable side dishes. A side salad with a light dressing also complements the rich flavor.

5. Prepare Your Own Marinade: Making your own marinade from unsweetened Greek yogurt and spices allows for complete carb control, avoiding the hidden sugars found in some pre-made marinades.

Conclusion

Understanding how many carbs are in butter masala is not a simple question with a single answer. The carb count depends on the preparation method and ingredients. While a traditional restaurant dish can be surprisingly high in carbohydrates, making it at home allows for a delicious, low-carb friendly version. By controlling the amount of tomatoes, added sugars, and choosing smart serving options, you can enjoy all the rich flavor of butter masala without compromising your dietary goals.

For additional dietary information and healthy eating guidelines, you can consult resources like the World Health Organization (WHO) website for general dietary advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional butter masala is often too high in carbs for a strict keto diet due to added sugar and tomatoes. However, it can be easily adapted by making a low-carb version at home, using almond flour instead of starch, and serving it over cauliflower rice instead of naan or regular rice.

The carb content is generally very similar, as it is primarily influenced by the sauce's ingredients (tomatoes, onions, added sugar) rather than the protein source (chicken vs. paneer). Low-carb recipes for both proteins exist.

Restaurants may add more sugar and use high-carb thickeners like cornstarch or flour to create a consistent texture and flavor. The portion size served can also be larger than a typical homemade serving.

You can use a small amount of almond flour, blend soaked cashews into the sauce, or simply simmer the sauce longer to naturally reduce and thicken it. Relying on the richness of heavy cream and butter can also help achieve a thick texture.

Cauliflower rice is an excellent and popular low-carb alternative. You can also serve it with steamed or sautéed vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or broccoli, which add nutrients without high carbs.

Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt often used for marinades, does contain some carbohydrates. Using full-fat, unsweetened yogurt minimizes this. When crafting a keto version, the small amount of carbs from yogurt is usually acceptable, especially as part of a marinade.

Butter masala is high in fat, especially saturated fat from cream and butter. While older views saw saturated fat as solely negative, modern understanding suggests that overall dietary context is more important. For individuals monitoring fat intake, portions should be managed.