Vegan Tikka Masala Recipe

If you've ever tried tikka masala, then odds are that there was chicken in it. Chicken tikka masala is one of the most popular types of curry out there, and with its abundance of warm, savory flavors and the perfect hint of spice, it's easy to understand the popularity. If there's one downfall to chicken tikka masala, it's that vegetarians and vegans aren't able to enjoy it — until now, that is! Recipe developer Catherine Brookes has crafted a vegan tikka masala recipe, and it's so good that you won't miss the chicken one bit. 

"I love how a meatless curry can still be totally delicious, with plenty of flavor and texture," Brookes says. And don't worry — there's still plenty of protein in this dish thanks to the addition of tofu. Brookes describes the flavor of this curry as "spicy, sweet, and sour," and notes that the garlic and ginger help amp up the flavor as well. Trust us when we say that the combination of tomato sauce, Indian spices, and tofu will make this one of the most satisfying dishes you could ask for. Enough talking, let's get into this vegan recipe!

To make this vegan meal, you'll need olive oil, a block of firm tofu, cornstarch, a white onion, garlic, grated ginger, a can of chopped tomatoes, and a can of coconut milk. As for spices, you'll need garam masala, cumin, turmeric, chili powder mix, and salt and pepper, to taste. 

Make sure that your tofu has been pressed and that there is no excess moisture before you work with it. "If you have a tofu press, you can use it to squeeze the moisture out of the tofu," Brookes suggests. "This, however, isn't essential — I usually just squeeze it in [a] kitchen towel." Once the tofu is done pressing, cut it into cubes.

Now, put the tofu cubes in a bowl along with the cornstarch, and toss the tofu to coat. Grab a large frying pan and put it on the stove top over medium-high heat. Add in 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the tofu cubes and fry. Be sure to turn the cubes so each side has a chance to cook — you'll know they're done when each piece is golden brown, and the process should take 7-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the tofu from the pan and set aside. 

Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan, then add the diced white onion, allowing it to cook until softened. Be sure to stir frequently. Next, add the crushed garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute, stirring constantly. Finally, add in your blend of spices, stir, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Now, it's time to add the canned tomatoes and coconut milk. Stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil before reducing it to a simmer and letting it cook for 10 minutes. By this point your kitchen should be smelling pretty good, so go ahead and add the tofu back into the pan, and add a little salt and pepper, to taste. Let the curry simmer for another 5 minutes.

Finally, you're ready to serve and savor in this vegan tikka masala. Serve this dish with rice, lime wedges, and some fresh chopped cilantro, if desired. Or, you could pair it with some of Brookes' suggestions: "It would go well with poppadoms and chutneys, naan bread, or other Indian side dishes such as bombay aloo."

As for leftovers, they'll keep for two days in the fridge, so you could meal prep this dish and enjoy it for lunch during the week. Instead of ordering chicken tikka masala from your favorite Indian restaurant, save some money and make this easy (and healthy!) vegan tikka masala at home.