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Home » Tofu recipes » Tofu Tikka Masala

Tofu Tikka Masala

Published: Feb 22, 2023

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Tofu Tikka Masala is a delicious Vegetarian Curry where baked tofu is tossed in a creamy onion tomato gravy. This recipe will turn any one into a Tofu lover.

Love Tikka Masala dishes? Then do check my Tikka Masala Pasta, Cauliflower Tikka Masala and Tikka Masala Sauce.

tofu tikka masala served in a black bowl

I recently took this curry to a get together and everyone loved it. They had hard time believing that this was tofu and not paneer.

The key to making the best tasting Tofu Tikka is using extra firm tofu, then squeezing out the water and marinating it in spices and yogurt. The marinated tofu then gets baked, which gives crispy edges but keeps it moist from inside.

What is Tofu Tikka Masala?

Tofu Tikka Masala is a Vegetarian spin to the famous Chicken Tikka Masala. While you may not find this dish in India, Chicken Tikka Masala is quite famous in Indian restaurants in the west.

It is believed that Chicken Tikka Masala was popularized by cooks from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh living in Britain. They used the flavors of India and adapted it to suit the western palates.

Tikka is a dish where pieces of meat, paneer or vegetables are marinated with yogurt and spices and grilled.

Masala is a delicious creamy sauce where onion and tomatoes are cooked with aromatic spices and finished with cream or coconut milk. 

While Tofu is not typical in Tikka Masala dishes, this method of marinating and baking the tofu will make you fall in love with this curry. 

tofu tikka masala served in a white plate with naan and lemon

How to make Tofu Tikka Masala?

Cover the tofu with a kitchen towel and place a heavy object on it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes press it gently with the towel and cut the tofu to cube size pieces.

To a large bowl add ½ cup thick yogurt, 2 grated garlic, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1.5 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ¾ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix it well and gently toss the tofu cubed in the yogurt mixture.

Let the Tofu marinate for atleast 1 hour before baking them.

tofu made to cubes and marinated in yogurt and spices

Baking the Tofu:

Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the tofu cubes and bake the tofu for 22-24 minutes, shaking it half way.

You can also pan fry the tofu in a non stick pan.

marinated tofu placed in  tray lined with parchment paper and baked

Masala (Curry)

While the tofu is baking, let make the curry. Heat one tablespoons each of oil and butter in a pan. Add one teaspoon cumin seeds and saute for 30 seconds. Add 1 large finely chopped onion, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Saute for 6-7 minutes till onions turn slight brown.

Add one finely chopped serrano pepper (remove seeds if you want less spice), 2 teaspoons chopped ginger and 3 large garlic cloves minced. Saute for a minute.

Add 2 teaspoons coriander powder, 1 teaspoon Indian red chili powder, and 2 teaspoons tomato paste. Stir for 30 seconds.

sauteed onion, spices and tomato paste in a steel pan

Add two pureed tomato and salt to taste. Cook for 8-10 minutes till tomato starts getting thick.

Add 1 cup of full fat coconut milk, ¾th cup of water, ¼ teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon each of garam masala and kasoori methi (rub it between your palms to release the aroma). Mix it and cook for 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and seasonings.

tomato pureed added and coconut milk is added and cooked till creamy

Add the baked tofu and simmer for 2 minutes. Finally add some fresh coriander leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

baked tofu and coriander leaves added to the tikka masala gravy

Enjoy the Tofu Tikka Masala with Naa, Chapathi or Rice.

tofu tikka masala served in a white plate with naan and lemon

Tips & Notes:

Use extra firm tofu and squeeze out the excess moisture

Marinate the tofu in yogurt and spices to add tons of flavor

Tomato paste adds so much depth to the curry, highly recommend using it.

Add full fat coconut milk to get a rich curry base.

Make the curry 1-2 hours before serving so the flavors blend well.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What kind of Tofu to use?

Extra firm tofu.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes, skip butter and replace plain yogurt with plant based yogurt.

tofu tikka masala served in a white plate with naan and lemon

Tofu Tikka Masala

Tofu Tikka Masala is a delicious Vegetarian Curry where baked tofu is tossed in a creamy onion tomato gravy. This recipe will turn any one into a Tofu lover. Vegan option included.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Marinating time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Author: Madhavi

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients

Tofu Tikka

  • 1 14 ounce extra firm tofu
  • ½ cup thick yogurt ( you can also use hung yogurt or greek yogurt)
  • 2 medium garlic, grated
  • 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
  • 1 ½ teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder ( mild)
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Masala ( gravy)

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablsepoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small serrano pepper, finely chopped ( remove seeds to make it less spicy)
  • 3 – 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon Indian red chili powder ( spicy kind)
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 2 medium tomato, pureed
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon dry fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi)
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk
  • ¾ cup water
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tablepsoon coriander leaves, finely chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Tofu Tikka

  • Marinating the Tofu – Cover the tofu with a kitchen towel and place a heavy object on it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes press it gently with the towel and cut the tofu to cube size pieces
  • To a large bowl add ½ cup thick yogurt, 2 grated garlic, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1.5 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ¾ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix it well and gently toss the tofu cubed in the yogurt mixture.
  • Let the Tofu marinate for atleast 1 hour before baking them.
  • Baking the Tofu – Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the tofu cubes and bake the tofu for 22-24 minutes, shaking it half way.
  • No oven? pan fry the tofu in a non stick pan

Masala ( gravy)

  • Heat one tablespoons each of oil and butter in a pan. Add one teaspoon cumin seeds and saute for 30 seconds. Add 1 large finely chopped onion, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Saute for 6-7 minutes till onions turn slight brown.
  • Add one finely chopped serrano pepper (remove seeds if you want less spice), 2 teaspoons chopped ginger and 3 large garlic cloves minced. Saute for a minute.
  • Add 2 teaspoons coriander powder, 1 teaspoon Indian red chili powder, and 2 teaspoons tomato paste. Stir for 30 seconds.
  • Add two pureed tomato and salt to taste. Cook for 8-10 minutes till tomato starts getting thick.
  • Add 1 cup of full fat coconut milk, ¾th cup of water, ¼ teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon each of garam masala and kasoori methi (rub it between your palms to release the aroma). Mix it and cook for 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and seasonings.
  • Add the baked tofu and simmer for 2 minutes. Finally add some fresh coriander leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Enjoy the Tofu Tikka Masala with Naan, Chapathi or Rice.

Notes

Use extra firm tofu and squeeze out the excess moisture
Marinate the tofu in yogurt and spices to add tons of flavor
Tomato paste adds so much depth to the curry, highly recommend using it.
Add full fat coconut milk to get a rich curry base.
Make the curry 1-2 hours before serving so the flavors blend well.
The left overs taste great the next day. 
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @MadhusEverydayIndian or tag #MadhusEverydayIndian!

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Comments

  1. Subbarao.y

    March 12, 2023 at 4:01 am

    5 stars
    Delicious

    Reply

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Hello there, I am Madhavi, welcome to my blog! I share vegetarian, dairy and egg recipes from India and around the world. Hope you enjoy my recipes and Happy Browsing!

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