Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala Recipe

This cozy and flavorful vegan tikka masala recipe will have you inspired to spice up all your go-to vegan recipes. Enjoy savoring the flavors of Indian cuisine at home with a simple recipe of roasted vegetables and tofu simmered in a garam-masala spiced tikka masala sauce.

Tikka masala is the kind of dish that leaves you asking, “Why don’t I eat this more often?” whilst making sure to soak up every last drop of sauce with a piece of freshly baked naan bread. With this simple and nutritionally balanced recipe, plant-based eaters can indulge in a hearty helping of tikka masala, loaded with vegetables and the vegan protein of their choice. 

Traditional tikka masala is composed of a protein, typically chicken, marinated in yogurt, and then simmered in a spiced curry. Our vegan tikka masala sauce recipe pays homage to the traditional curry by incorporating a base of freshly minced aromatics and peppers stewed with tomatoes, coconut milk, and the staple spice, garam masala. This sauce is a great addition to your weekly vegan meal prep. 

Garam masala is a popular Indian spice mixture of toasted whole spices and seeds which are then ground together to form a warming spice blend.

Purchase a pre-blended garam masala spice mixture from your local store or prepare your own with the blend of spices outlined in our vegan tikka masala sauce recipe. You can also purchase pre-made tikka-masala sauce from the store to save time! 

How to Prepare Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala 

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 cups cauliflower florets 
2 tablespoons lime juice 
2 tablespoons coconut oil melted 
1 tablespoon garam masala 
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 
16 ounces of store-bought baked tofu, or 1 recipe Air-Fried Tofu 
1 recipe Vegan Tikka Masala Sauce
2 cups jasmine, basmati rice, or Trifecta A la Carte white rice

Kitchen Needs

Sheet tray with liner 
Medium bowl 
Oven 
Tongs 
Knife and Cutting Board 
Medium pot

Step 1: Bake Cauliflower, Cut Tofu and Prepare Rice 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Trim the cauliflower into small florets and, in a bowl, mix together the cauliflower, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, garam masala, and lime juice. Spread the cauliflower onto a baking tray lined with a reusable liner or parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, until slightly golden, then remove from the oven. 

Cut the baked tofu into medium-sized pieces or prepare one recipe of fried tofu and set aside. 

To prepare your rice, opt to purchase a microwave-ready bag of jasmine rice or gather your Trifecta A la Carte white rice from the fridge. 

Step 2: Prepare the Vegan Tikka Masala Sauce 

Follow the instructions outlined in this vegan tikka masala sauce recipe and prepare in a medium-sized pot. 

Step 3: Add Roasted Cauliflower and Protein 

Once you have prepared the tikka masala recipe, mix in the roasted cauliflower and cubed tofu into a medium-sized pot and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Try this recipe with other vegan protein sources such as jack fruit, beyond meat, or tempeh. 

Remove from heat and serve 1 - 1.5 cups of Vegan Tikka Masala with ½ cup steamed rice, top with sprigs of cilantro, and enjoy with a piece of naan bread to soak up all the saucy goodness. 

Meal Prep Magic

Planning on preparing this recipe as part of your weekly vegan meal prep? Prepare this recipe all the way through, then cool down your finished vegan tikka masala in the fridge, uncovered, before portioning it out into containers with the rice and garnish. 

Pro tip: properly cooling your meals and ingredients before portioning them out is one aspect of meal prepping that preserves the quality of the meal and will help protect you from potential food-borne illness. 

Ready to take your vegan meal prep up a notch?

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