There is nothing like these melt-in-your-mouth tender, tofu chunks swimming in spicy, creamy tomato masala sauce served on a bed of fluffy rice. Trust me! It's incredible, super flavorful, Indian style vegan comfort food! Easy to make, gluten free, dairy free and totally vegan.
Let's get started . . .
My inspiration came from Chrissy Teigen's Butter Chicken recipe (cravingsbychrissyteigen). I just switched up a few ingredients and voilà, vegan comfort food.
Keep reading for all the ingredients and step by step instructions:
How to Make Vegan Tofu Masala
Tofu - I use extra firm for this recipe. Wrap in paper towelling and press with heavy cookbooks while you are preparing the other ingredients. Then just break it into chunks, marinate it, and dunk it in the silky gravy. This tofu is super scrumptious and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Marinade the tofu in a spicy yogurt sauce the day before or the morning of and store in the fridge.
Gravy (tomato cream sauce) - butter, oil, a few Indian spices, fresh garlic and ginger, crushed tomatoes and creamy cashew sauce bubbling on the stove. It makes the house smell like a five star restaurant and it tastes even better!
I use 6n1 ground tomatoes or crushed tomatoes for best results.
Rice - you can use any rice, but my favourite is basmati. It's light and fluffy and pairs well with the richness of the sauce. If you make it in the Instant Pot or rice cooker, it's super easy and fuss free.
Naan or Pita Bread - buy your favourite store bought brand or make this delicious, homemade pita bread.
More Spicy Food Recipes
If you like spicy vegan food, here's a few more of our favorites to try:
- Vegan Ginger Beef
- Poblano and Mushroom Tex-Mex Enchiladas
- Vegan Shawarma with Sweet and Spicy Tahini Drizzle
Did you make this recipe? I'd love to see it!
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Tender Tofu Masala (vegan)
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INGREDIENTS
Tofu
- 1 350 g block tofu, extra firm, pressed
Tofu Marinade
- 1 lime, zested then cut into wedges
- 1 cup full fat yogurt, plant-based
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Make the Gravy (Tomato Cream Sauce)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons oil (divided)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, freshly grated
- 1 ½ tablespoons garam masala
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
- 4 cups crushed tomatoes
- ½ - 1 cup cashew cream (recipe link below)
- ½ - 1 cup veggie broth or water (for thinning)
Rice and Garnishes
- 2 cups basmati rice, cooked
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2-4 pieces naan (optional - but not really)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wrap the block of tofu in a few sheets of paper towelling or a clean kitchen towel. Place a couple heavy cookbooks or a cast iron pan on top.
- Let the tofu press while you prepare the other ingredients. Then cut or break the tofu into 1" cubes or chunks.
Tofu Marinade
- In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt (I used Daiya Greek Style yogurt), lime zest, half the garlic, turmeric, black pepper, and paprika (not smoked).
- Add the pressed tofu chunks. Stir to coat the tofu.
- Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes (or more). Pro Tip: Can be made the day before or in the morning before work and left in the fridge.
Make the Cashew Cream
- Cashew cream basic recipe. The consistency should be that of a heavy cream. If the cashew cream is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency. Set aside.
Make the Rice (stove, Instant Pot or rice cooker)
- Make rice in the Instant Pot or rice cooker for easy and fuss free rice.1 cup uncooked rice = approximately 3 cups cooked rice.
Make the Gravy (Tomato Cream Sauce)
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large Dutch oven (or large saute pan) over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent (7 to 8 minutes).
- Add the remaining garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant (around 2 minutes). Transfer to a small bowl.
- Into the Dutch oven, add one tablespoon of oil and the marinated tofu chunks. Turn the heat up and cook flipping as they start to turn golden (3-4 minutes).
- Add the onions back into the pan along with the crushed/ground tomatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer covered for 15 minutes.
- Stir in ½ cup cashew cream. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to suit your taste.
- Add more cashew cream for richer creamier gravy.
- If the tomato-cream sauce is too thick, add water/veggie broth ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency is met.
To Serve
- Serve on a bed of rice with a sprinkle of cilantro, a wedge of lime and naan on the side. Pro Tip: Don't skip the squeeze of lime!
NOTES
This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.
Shaelyn
My family and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! The creamy sauce is so perfect over rice. I make pretty much every other week. Sometimes I add cauliflower or spinach for some extra veggie power.
simplyceecee
Shaelyn, thank you. I'm so happy you and your family are enjoying this meal!
Amanda mecsey
I made this the other night and it was so amazing, full of so much flavor. I can’t wait to make it again, keep inspiring me with your amazing recipes!
simplyceecee
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe!
Kelly
DELICIOUS!! So full of flavor, definitely a great little recipe that will be on repeat.
simplyceecee
Thank you so much, Kelly. Happy you enjoyed it!
Kim
I have a question about this recipe. When you remove the tofu chunks from the marinade to cook, do you discard the marinade or are you adding the marinade to the pan as well as the tofu to seer the tofu chunks?
Tracy Halasz
I've done both. Add it without the extra yogurt sauce to begin with. Then once the sauce is simmering, taste it and if you want a little more tang or creaminess, stir the remainder in. Good luck!