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  3. 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More
  • 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More 1
  • 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More 2
  • 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More 3
  • 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More 4
  • 8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More 5

8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar UK 2022 | Holy Cow, Blue Dragon and More

Cooking up a delicious curry is easier than you think with the perfect sauce. Whether you fancy Indian, Chinese, Japanese or Thai, there are plenty of ready-made sauces in a jar that you can buy online and prepare in minutes at home. Others contain concentrated curry paste and are spectacularly simple to prepare. But which brand's recipe is the best?

Skip the supermarket and browse our list to discover the top curry sauces you can buy in the UK from Tesco, Asda and more by brands like Patak's, Blue Dragon and Sharwood's. Whether it's a subtle chicken korma, a red beef curry or a tangy dollop of chip shop curry sauce you love, we’ve searched high and low for the best easy-to-cook products to help you satisfy your craving. 
Last updated 17/08/2022
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Curry Sauce in a Jar in the UK – Buying Guide

If you’re already staring at the office clock and it’s not even lunchtime, our breakdown of the best way to pick a curry sauce should help you select your favourite and have it ordered and (if you’re very quick!) delivered in time for tea. Here’s how to track down the yummiest curry sauce possible.

① Which Kind of Curry Will You Choose? Pick According to Spice Tolerance or Favourite Dishes

Which Kind of Curry Will You Choose? Pick According to Spice Tolerance or Favourite Dishes

First, narrow down which cuisine you prefer for a curry sauce that will hit the spot. Whether you have family from a particular country, want to relive the memories from a holiday or you’re a sucker for spice, it’s good to think about which country you want to venture to in the kitchen this evening.

Indian Curries – Packed With Flavour and Brilliant for Meat Lovers and Veggies Alike

Indian Curries – Packed With Flavour and Brilliant for Meat Lovers and Veggies Alike
India: home of the sizzling, mouth-watering jalfrezi, the creamy, coconutty korma and the flaming-hot vindaloo. Indian curries can contain beef, lamb or chicken but also work brilliant as veggie options thanks to their big flavours. 

Using spices like turmeric, coriander, garam masala and bags of chilli powder to boot, Indian curries tend to pack a spicy punch. Tikka masala is another of the UK’s favourite dishes, actually thought to have originated here when Indian restaurant owners created a milder curry for sensitive British tongues.


Indian curries can be cooked with vegetables like spinach, potato, tomato and chickpeas and taste magnificent served up with rice, poppadoms, raita, naan bread and lime pickle – perfect for recreating your favourite takeaway for less!

Thai Curries – Fragrant, Coconut-Laced Curries With Lots of Spice

Thai Curries – Fragrant, Coconut-Laced Curries With Lots of Spice
For an exquisite, delicate flavour, Thai curries are an excellent choice. Often creamy with coconut milk and served with a spicy side of crunchy prawn crackers, Thai favourites in the UK are dishes like red, green and yellow curry which have an unmistakably moreish taste.


Lemon grass, ginger and garlic are what set Thai curries apart, and they are often made with chicken but work just as well with mushroom or tofu if you don’t eat meat. Though it’s hard to recreate authentic Thai flavours in your kitchen at home, a good curry paste should get you at least half way there.

Chinese Curries – Hot, Rich and Straightforward to Recreate at Home

Chinese Curries – Hot, Rich and Straightforward to Recreate at Home
Chinese curries are perhaps not as widespread in UK cuisine as other curries, but they’re just as delicious. They can also be much quicker to make than slow-simmered Indian or Thai curries.

Whether you want to recreate a curry like your grandma makes or you simply love the hot and sour flavour combinations of Hong Kong and Chinese curry dishes, they are a tasty option and work brilliantly with veg like onions and green peppers plus any sort of meat or fish you fancy.

Japanese Curry – Has a Hearty Texture and Works Well With a Range of Meat and Veg

Japanese Curry – Has a Hearty Texture and Works Well With a Range of Meat and Veg
While here in the UK the best-loved Japanese cuisine is probably sushi, chains like Wagamama have also made delicious Japanese katsu curry popular too. But eating in chain restaurants kills some of the magic of the hearty Japanese curry flavour.


Japanese curry has a thick, substantial texture and can be prepared easily at home with a ready-made sauce. It often contains meats (breaded pork or chicken are popular) but it can be prepared with vegetables too for variety.

Try Chip Shop Curry Sauce for a Proper British Take on Curry

Try Chip Shop Curry Sauce for a Proper British Take on Curry
For a truly British interpretation of curry, get yourself some fruity chip shop style sauce so you can bring the joys of a 5am food outlet to your cosy kitchen.


Tangy, sweet and ideal with chips, a golden splash of curry sauce on an enormous plate of soggy deep-fried potatoes is – for some! – the ultimate comfort food. Having a stash at home means you won’t need to sprint to the nearest chippy for the fusion-food triumph that is curry and chips in one mouthful.

② Hot Hot Heat: Keep in Mind How Much Spice You Can Handle Before You Buy

Hot Hot Heat: Keep in Mind How Much Spice You Can Handle Before You Buy
Next, it's wise keeping a look out on the jar or packet for the amount of spice you want in your food. 

If you find too much spice overwhelms the flavour and/or your enjoyment of a curry, stick with ready-made sauces listed as ‘mild’ or ‘medium’ such as korma and pasanda, dhansak and Britain’s alleged favourite: the tikka masala. They will often have just 1 or 2 chilli peppers on the jar or packaging.


If you grew up eating fiery curries or you love a spicy kick, you may want to pick a sauce labelled ‘hot’ or ‘very hot’ such as madras, jalfrezi, phall or vindaloo, which may have 3 chilli peppers (or more!) to indicate its spice level. Stock up on extra raita yoghurt to serve – or maybe some soothing mango sorbet for pudding!

③ Decide What Type of Product Will Suit Your Cooking Style Best

Now that you’re a bit clearer on the kinds of flavours, ingredients and heat you want in your perfect curry sauce, it’s time to think about the cooking process itself. The best product for you will depend on your lifestyle, cooking expertise and how much time you have to actually make the curry.

For the Quickest and Easiest Curry, Use a Ready-Made Sauce in a Jar or Packet

For the Quickest and Easiest Curry, Use a Ready-Made Sauce in a Jar or Packet
When your schedule is full from morning to night with work, play and a never-ending to-do list, it can be nearly impossible to fathom cooking a nutritious, tasty meal come dinnertime. Curry sauces that come pre-prepared and ready mixed in a jar or packet could not be simpler. Simply heat up, pour over rice and ta-dah! Spicy deliciousness in moments.


Obviously the biggest benefit from jar-to-saucepan curry products like these is the time you’ll save, but the key drawback is you can’t do much to change the flavour and any extra veggies you add may not always be an ideal flavour match. Let the experts do the hard work for you and enjoy them as they are.

Pastes, Kits, and Curry Roux Can Be More Authentic, But Require Extra Prep

Pastes, Kits, and Curry Roux Can Be More Authentic, But Require Extra Prep
Curry pastes (which are basically a pre-mixed blend of garlic, oil, chilli and spices) give you a little bit more creative freedom when you’re cooking, so they work well if you are keen to make a truly delicious curry with a classy or more complicated recipe. 

Kits may contain other extras along with a curry paste, such as powdered spices or coconut milk, saving you time hunting them all down. 


Another bonus with pastes, kits, and curry roux is they often feel more authentic as you can combine fresher ingredients and cook them to perfection, rather than simply pouring sauce from a jar. The downside is they require more time and buying the extra vegetables or spices will probably cost more overall.

④ Gluten-Free or Vegan? Think About Dietary Requirements

Gluten-Free or Vegan? Think About Dietary Requirements
Another key point to remember is any dietary requirement that you (or the people you’re cooking for) may have. Keep an eye on the ingredients list for anything you or your guests are allergic to such as wheat, gluten or nuts

It’s also important to check if sauces are vegetarian or vegan – as even vegetable-based curry sauces could contain fish flavourings, milk or cream.

⑤ Be Sure the Packet or Jar Is Big Enough to Feed Everyone

Be Sure the Packet or Jar Is Big Enough to Feed Everyone
The last thing you want is to whip up your curry masterpiece only to find there’s not enough to go around. For instance, if you’ve got a long guest list you might want to buy an extra jar to cater to everyone who’ll be eating

The average jar of curry sauce makes enough for two or three servings, but read the small print on the packaging to be sure you won’t run out before serving, or worse, end up with a flavourless curry that you've added too many portions of meat and veggies to! 

8 Best Curry Sauces in a Jar in the UK

Now comes the fun part – a rundown of the best curry sauces you can buy online this year. From Thailand to India, Japan to the friendly British streets of Bradford, there are enough jars and pouches of yummy-ness on this list to perk up every possible palette. Here we go!
Products
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Points
1

Mae Ploy

1. Mae Ploy Thai Green Curry Paste

Mae Ploy 1. Mae Ploy Thai Green Curry Paste 1枚目

The Easiest Way to an Authentic Thai Curry

2

The Spice Tailor

2. The Spice Tailor by Anjum Anand Fiery Goan Curry

The Spice Tailor 2. The Spice Tailor by Anjum Anand Fiery Goan Curry 1枚目

A Fresh, Authentic Indian Feast

3

Holy Cow!

3. Holy Cow! Delhi Tikka Masala Curry Sauce 6 Pack

Holy Cow! 3. Holy Cow! Delhi Tikka Masala Curry Sauce 6 Pack 1枚目

Bring Authentic Spice to Your UK Kitchen

4

Blue Dragon

4. Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry Kit

Blue Dragon 4. Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry Kit 1枚目

An Award-Winning Kit That's Easy to Cook

5

Pataks

5. Patak’s Rogan Josh Curry Sauce

Pataks 5. Patak’s Rogan Josh Curry Sauce 1枚目

Mouth-Wateringly Simple Indian Curry for a Snip

6

Goldfish

6. Goldfish Hot and Spicy Chinese Curry Sauce Concentrate

Goldfish 6. Goldfish Hot and Spicy Chinese Curry Sauce Concentrate 1枚目

Rich and Thick for Depth of Flavour

7

Loyd Grossman

9. Loyd Grossman Tikka Masala Sauce

Loyd Grossman  9. Loyd Grossman Tikka Masala Sauce 1枚目

Low On Authenticity But High on Taste

8

Sharwood’s

10. Sharwood’s Jalfrezi Curry Sauce

Sharwood’s  10. Sharwood’s Jalfrezi Curry Sauce 1枚目

A Straightforward Classic for Four With Minimal Fuss

Product details
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No.1

The Easiest Way to an Authentic Thai Curry

For exotic elegance at dinner there’s no better curry call than a Thai green special. This paste is a highly concentrated spoonful of flavour that you can whack into a pan to bring bland vegetables from bites of black and white into tongue-tingling technicolour.

Absolutely ideal if you have some basics in the fridge that need jazzing up, this delectable paste sings with ginger and lemongrass to create a subtle flavour that’s as authentic as you can expect when you’re cooking in a one-bed in Hackney. Warm, vibrant flavours worth sharing with a pal or two!
No.2

The Spice Tailor2. The Spice Tailor by Anjum Anand Fiery Goan Curry

£2.90

A Fresh, Authentic Indian Feast

Anjum Anand’s range of curry sauces is highly distinctive in taste and offers a little more subtlety of flavour than other supermarket curry brands. In just ten minutes, this product will be ready to serve, and the packet takes you comfortably through the three easy steps you’ll need to follow.

Entirely free from preservatives, colourings and artificial flavourings, the Spice Tailor range work well if you want a curry that’s at once fine-tasting and pretty healthy too. The fiery Goan curry has a slightly intimidating rating of 3 chillis but there are plenty of other options in the range for less daring diners.
No.3

Holy Cow!3. Holy Cow! Delhi Tikka Masala Curry Sauce 6 Pack

£1.00

Bring Authentic Spice to Your UK Kitchen

Holy Cow! is a company that does its best to provide unique yet authentic flavours by combining fresh, natural ingredients with an imaginative approach to cooking. This sauce is dead simple; open the packet, empty into a pan and add any extras you like before serving with rice.

No extras may even be necessary as the incredible depth of flavour in these simple sachets is noted in more than one customer review. Holy Cow! have a huge range of flavours and mixed packs to try out, almost all of which are gluten-free and vegan, so they may well become a dinner party staple!
No.4

Blue Dragon4. Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry Kit

£2.70

An Award-Winning Kit That's Easy to Cook

Thai red curry is one of the UK’s favourites. Medium-hot and packed with zest and zing, Blue Dragon’s version can be added to garlic, onions, meat and veg to top fluffy rice and provide a feast in a jiffy. Both vegetarians and vegans will love this meat-free meal kit, especially as it has no traces of fish either.

The cream of the coconut milk mixes tremendously with the sweetness of shallots and the twang of lemongrass for a really memorable flavour. Easy to prepare and with a high-quality taste, you’ll be booking a Thai beach getaway before you’ve started the washing up.
No.5

Pataks5. Patak’s Rogan Josh Curry Sauce

£1.25

Mouth-Wateringly Simple Indian Curry for a Snip

This medium-hot rogan josh sauce will work exquisitely with cooked-to-perfection lamb and can be poured over spinach or chickpeas too for a hearty, warming, meat-free treat. The spices aren’t overly powerful but rather round out the dish, and for such a low price you get a really decent curry experience.

Four servings worth come in this handy jar, so you can host a mini dinner party or treat yourself and your partner to a mighty feast. Patak’s know how to do curry right, and their blend of plants and spices gives a timeless classic flavour.
No.6

Goldfish6. Goldfish Hot and Spicy Chinese Curry Sauce Concentrate

£2.75

Rich and Thick for Depth of Flavour

This is the ultimate cupboard staple for East Asian cooking. As well as a full-bodied Chinese curry (if we can describe a curry in those terms!) you can also drop this rich, piquant paste into Korean broths, salad dressings or barbecue sauces.

The spice level is not overwhelming, but it livens up your curry nicely. You will need to add meat, fish or veggies as well as other extras to create a fully rounded dish, so this one is best for seasoned cooks or people with imaginative curry ambitions and plenty of time.
No.7

Loyd Grossman 9. Loyd Grossman Tikka Masala Sauce

£1.85

Low On Authenticity But High on Taste

Now let’s make this clear, Britain’s least Indian curry as designed by an Australian chef might not be exactly close to what you’d be served at a street food cart in Delhi, but it does the trick nicely when you have a craving for a mild yet scrumptious curry.

Serving up to 3 people (or leaving enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch) this creamy, fruity masala is perfect for veggies too and won’t burn the roof of your mouth with any wild chilli flavour. A great pick if you have fussy kids too!
No.8

Sharwood’s 10. Sharwood’s Jalfrezi Curry Sauce

£1.25

A Straightforward Classic for Four With Minimal Fuss

This straightforward and basic jalfrezi sauce is made with tomatoes, onion and spices for a moreish curry that will take minimal time to prepare. Just pour out a dollop into the pan, heat through and serve with your favourite rice.

Being a jalfrezi, it will pair well with some creamy yoghurt or a peshwari naan, and is sure to be a winner when you need something effortless after a busy working day or for undemanding guests. However, it does taste quite sweet from the added sugar, and even though it has 3 chillis, it's actually quite mild.  

More Lip-Smacking Additions to Dinnertime

More Lip-Smacking Additions to Dinnertime

Looking for more quality spices and sauces from around the world to transform a packet of rice and some bendy veg into a plateful of flavour? Below are three more delectable culinary shopping guides we think you'll love! 

Summary

We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to: A simple rundown of the best curry sauces you can have delivered straight to your home faster than you can say ‘korma.’ Whether you went for low-fat, natural ingredients, a vegan sauce or authentic traditional flavours, what could be easier or more fun than a flavourful curry straight from the jar or packet?


Author: Annie Hopkins

Top 5 Curry Sauces

No. 1Mae Ploy1. Mae Ploy Thai Green Curry Paste

No. 2The Spice Tailor2. The Spice Tailor by Anjum Anand Fiery Goan Curry

No. 3Holy Cow!3. Holy Cow! Delhi Tikka Masala Curry Sauce 6 Pack

No. 4Blue Dragon4. Blue Dragon Thai Red Curry Kit

No. 5Pataks5. Patak’s Rogan Josh Curry Sauce

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