Tofu Tikka Masala

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In this Tofu Tikka Masala, tofu chunks get marinated in a homemade spice blend and creamy yogurt, then broiled until charred and coated in a rich tomato-onion gravy. It's a plant-based spin on chicken tikka masala and one of the most delicious Indian dishes you'll ever taste!
Prep 45 minutes
Cook 35 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total 1 hour 20 minutes
5 from 259 votes

Max’s favorite takeout dish has always been chicken tikka masala. As a half-British kid who grew up in NYC (and whose mom craved exclusively Indian food while pregnant with him), this makes total sense. So, I finally developed a killer plant-based version of this recipe to please his insatiable appetite for Indian takeout.

The result is this tofu tikka masala, and I’m not joking when I say it’s almost too good to be true. Max agrees, and says it’s his new favorite Indian dish (which says a lot, because he’s obsessed with my red lentil curry).

I think you’ll love this dish just as much as we do, and here’s why:

  • Gourmet restaurant-quality: If you’ve ever cooked Indian food at home and felt disappointed that it didn’t taste as good as the restaurant stuff, this recipe will deliver that experience. Actually, Max (and I) think it’s better than any comparable meal we’ve eaten at an Indian restaurant.
  • Perfectly balanced: This tofu tikka masala is a party in your mouth but there’s no single flavor that stands out. Instead, it’s a pure harmony of flavors: tangy, spicy, slightly smoky, citrusy, and buttery.
  • Authentic Indian flavors: While tofu tikka masala is not an “authentic” Indian dish, the cooking techniques and flavor layering here give this dish authentic Indian flavors, the kind you’d expect from a really good Indian restaurant or an Indian auntie’s house.
  • Indulgent but wholesome: this plant-based spin on chicken tikka masala is vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free (it does contain coconut) but is simultaneously indulgent and oh-so-creamy.

PS: If you have my cookbook, The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook, the Tofu Cauliflower Tikka Masala in chapter 6 is a fan favorite (and a personal favorite).

tofu tikka masala in a saute pan, garnished with cilantro and green chili peppers

What is “tofu tikka masala”?

For starters, it’s an invented hybrid recipe that’s a plant-based spin on Chicken Tikka Masala. While you might not find chicken tikka masala in India, it’s extremely popular in the West. Chicken tikka masala is the UK’s national dish and is many Americans’ first introduction to Indian cuisine).

There’s some debate about where chicken tikka masala was invented and if it’s really an Indian dish. Since the flavors and cooking techniques are markedly Indian, I consider it Indian. But I also recognize most people in India don’t eat it (and it’s not a dish many Indian-Americans eat at home, though many certainly do at restaurants).

Traditionally, chicken tikka masala has two main components. (1) the chicken tikka, which are small pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, and then chargrilled in a tandoor oven; and (2) the masala, or the rich sauce made with onions, tomatoes, spices, and finished with cream and butter.

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I tried to stick to this formula as best as I could with, of course, using plant-based ingredients and a home kitchen that sadly does not include a tandoor oven.

My tofu tikka masala also contains these two components: (1) tofu tikka, which are small pieces of extra-firm tofu that get marinated in plant-based yogurt and spices, then broiled in a hot cast iron skillet until charred in some spots; (2) masala, a creamy, well-spiced tomato-onion sauce that’s finished with coconut milk and a pat of vegan butter.

The result is extraordinary and truly one of the most delicious meals I’ve made at home. The flavors are complex and keep you coming back for more; the texture is creamy and luxurious with bits of charred tofu that make for a delightful contrast.

I do want to mention that my recipe is not a weeknight, Westernized version of an Indian recipe. That’s because traditional Indian recipes are not quick. They layer so many different spices and flavors, and cooking them together takes time to meld into a harmonious dish that will delight your tastebuds.

That said, you can make this an easier weeknight friendly meal (read the FAQ section). It’s not as amazing but still pretty dang tasty.

Tip: This recipe pairs perfectly paired with rice, but is even more perfect with with my homemade vegan naan (it’s fluffy, chewy, and buttery!).

tofu tikka masala served over rice with naan in a bowl

How to make tofu tikka masala

Make the tofu tikka.

Press the tofu for 20ish minutes to drain excess water. Use your hands to tear apart into chunks (not too small).

How to press tofu: If you have a tofu press, use that. If not, wrap the tofu in a thin dish towel and weigh it down with a heavy book or a plate weighted down by several cans. Remove the towel after 10 minutes, replace it with a fresh one, and repeat.

Make the tofu tikka marinade while the tofu is pressing. Add your whole spices to a warm skillet over medium heat. Toast until fragrant, shaking the pan frequently. Allow to cool, then grind using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Combine the freshly ground spices with ground turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, Indian red chili powder, and ginger for the tikka spice blend.

Combine the tikka spice blend with the plant-based yogurt, lemon juice, freshly grated ginger and garlic, oil and salt. Mix well.

Add the marinade on top of the tofu. Use your hands to very gently toss the tofu in the marinade until well-coated. Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.

Broil the tofu. Preheat a large cast iron skillet in the oven at 500ºF/260ºC for 10 minutes. Add the marinated tofu chunks to the hot pan.

Place the pan underneath the broiler (on the second rack, not directly underneath the flame) and broil for 10-12 minutes, or until the tofu is charred in spots on top.

Note: I like to cook the tofu while finishing the masala.

Make the masala.

Note: you can make the masala 1-3 days in advance.

Gather your ingredients for the masala, aka the sauce/gravy.

labeled ingredients for tikka masala sauce

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, toast the cumin seeds in oil for 1 minute, shaking the pan frequently. Add the dried red chili peppers, and toast for 30 seconds.

Saute the finely diced onions with a pinch of salt for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown.

Toss in the ginger, garlic, green chili pepper, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute, until very aromatic.

Add the Indian chili powder, coriander, and tomato paste and stir vigorously for 30-60 seconds. Next, pop in the diced tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Add the cilantro stems, salt, and a few tablespoons of water. Cover the pan and bring to a simmer.

Simmer the masala for 15 minutes until the liquid has mostly evaporated and it’s almost jammy.

Pour in the coconut milk, garam masala, fenugreek leaves (crush with your hands before adding), and vegan butter. Stir until melted and combined.

Add broiled tofu to the masala plus lemon juice and thinly sliced serrano peppers (only add if you want a spicy spicy version). Toss to coat and simmer for 2 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro, and serve!

Ingredient Notes and Tips

Tofu

Extra firm tofu is required for this recipe (anything softer will fall apart). If you have access to super-firm or high-protein tofu, that works even better (but is not necessary).

You need to press the tofu for 20-30 minutes to enable the tofu to absorb the marinade and to get charred. I recently started using a tofu press, and I highly recommend it (affiliate link).

Be as gentle as possible when tossing the tofu with the marinade to prevent it from crumbling.

Unsweetened Plant-Based Yogurt

I recommend a thick and creamy variety for two reasons. First, chicken tikka is typically marinated in high-fat whole milk yogurt. Second, a thinner variety of yogurt will add more liquid and make the marinade (and thus the tofu) watery.

I like using Kite Hill’s Greek-style almond yogurt a thick coconut yogurt like Culina, CocoJune, or GT’s CocoYo. If you don’t have access to a yogurt like this, try canned coconut cream (but add a squeeze or two more lemon juice).

Whole Spices

One of the reasons this dish has SO much flavor is the tikka marinade uses whole spices that are toasted and freshly ground. Spices start to lose some potency as soon as they’re ground, but whole spices have protective seed coatings, so when you grind them, they’re incredibly fresh and flavorful.

Tip: Using a mixture of freshly ground whole spices with a few pre-ground spices lends this dish an incredible complexity and depth of flavor. You can find whole spices at your local South Asian grocer (or online, e.g., Amazon). If you don’t have whole spices, check out the Recipe Card Note below on how to substitute ground spices.

A couple spice-specific notes.

  • For the whole green cardamom, split open the pods and use only the black seeds inside (discard the pods).
  • Kasoori methi, AKA fenugreek leaves, adds a bold, savory flavor to the marinade and the masala that can’t be replicated with anything else. I’ve listed it as optional, but if you visit an Indian grocery store, I’d consider it a must-buy!
  • An electric spice grinder makes this a breeze (this one grinds everything super finely; affiliate link). If you are using a mortar and pestle, it’ll take more time and be a bit more difficult; also be sure break the cinnamon sticks into a few pieces (before or after toasting) to make it easier to grind.

Aromatics and Chili Peppers

Finely dice the onions. You want them to blend into the background, not have distinct pieces.

There’s a lot of heat in this dish from different sources: Indian red chile powder in the tofu marinade, along with dried red chili peppers, fresh serrano peppers, and Indian red chile powder in the masala. I even add a serrano pepper at the end for a fresh herbal crunch (we love spicy food, in case you didn’t know it!).

To reduce the spiciness, you have several options: (1) omit the serrano pepper at the end of the recipe (this makes it spicy spicy!); (2) remove the membranes and seeds from the serrano pepper for the masala, or use a milder jalapeño pepper; (3) scale down the amount of Indian red chile powder used in the masala; (4) omit the dried red chili peppers in the masala.

tofu tikka masala in a saute pan, garnished with cilantro and green chili peppers

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this recipe quicker / more weeknight-friendly?

While I think the marinated and charred tofu tikka makes for an incredible dish (and is similar to how chicken tikka masala is traditionally prepared), if you want something quicker, skip the tofu tikka and just simmer plain tofu in the masala.

Press the tofu, tear it into chunks, and then add it to the masala (after the coconut milk, etc. has been added). Allow to simmer in the masala for 5-10 minutes, gently stirring occasionally.

Note: you can make the masala 1-3 days in advance. That will save you time on the day you’re serving it and allow you to make the original version in less time.

Is Indian red chile powder the same thing as chili powder?

Nope! Chili powder, the kind found in all grocery stores and used in Mexican and Tex-Mex chili recipes, is usually a spice blend of powdered chilies and spices like oregano and paprika.

Indian red chile powder is made of pure ground dried chile peppers (no additives) and is spicier than standard chili powder. There are a few types of Indian chile powder: standard red chili powders like this are quite spicy (and often just called “red chili powder” or mirchi, Hindi for chili) and the Kashmiri chili powder is more milder (and more beautifully red).

If you don’t eat a lot of spicy food, Kashmiri chili powder is a good option. You can also substitute cayenne pepper for the standard chili powder, but I usually use about 50-75% less cayenne.

How long do leftovers last? Can I freeze leftovers?

Store covered leftovers in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

This dish also freezes beautifully. In our tests, you couldn’t really even detect any difference after this dish was frozen and defrosted. I recommend freezing it in smaller containers instead of one big container (it will defrost more quickly). Defrost in the fridge and reheat on the stove or the microwave.

Can I substitute the coconut milk for something else?

Tikka masala is typically made with cream, and you need something rich to balance the spices and the tanginess of the tomatoes. Coconut milk works great here, and is the easiest plant-based option (the spices do a great job of masking any coconut flavor).

But if you’re allergic to coconut, a homemade cashew cream would be delicious here. Simply blend all the below ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth, thick, and creamy.

• 3/4 cup (100g) raw cashews (soaked overnight, or boiled in water on the stove for 15 minutes)
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon water (135 mL), more as needed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

More gourmet vegan Indian recipes

  • Dal Makhani: an incredibly creamy and complex dal that’s perfect for special occasions.
  • Vegan Palak Paneer: an easy but gourmet plant-based take on palak paneer that’s indulgent but really nourishing.
  • Malai Kofta: Crispy dumplings in a creamy, spiced curry. Perfect celebratory dish!
  • Dal Tadka: an everyday dal that doesn’t skimp on flavor and will become a regular in your rotation.

That’s all you need to know about this Tofu Tikka Masala! If you give it a try and love it, please leave a rating and review below. It helps the blog and our business continue to grow :)

Watch: How to make Tofu Tikka Masala!

This dish made my boyfriend breakup with Indian takeout
This dish made my boyfriend breakup with Indian takeout

Tofu Tikka Masala

5 from 259 votes
In this Tofu Tikka Masala, tofu chunks get marinated in a homemade spice blend and creamy yogurt, then broiled until charred and coated in a rich tomato-onion gravy. It's a plant-based spin on chicken tikka masala and one of the most delicious Indian dishes you'll ever taste!
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 6

Ingredients

1) TOFU TIKKA

  • 2 (14-ounce/400g) blocks of extra firm tofu
  • 1 cup (227g) unsweetened thick, creamy vegan yogurt*
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed with a press or grated
  • ½- inch piece fresh ginger, grated or minced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other high-heat oil, plus more for cooking the tofu
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Tikka Spice Blend*

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 4 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 6 whole cloves
  • ~30 black peppercorns
  • 6 green cardamom pods, (black seeds only; discard pods)
  • 2 (2-to-3inch) cinnamon sticks***
  • ½ tablespoon fenugreek leaves, AKA kasoori methi (optional but recommended)****
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Indian red chile powder***** (use half the amount for a milder heat)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated (or pre-ground)

2) MASALA******

  • 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other high-heat oil
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 6 whole dried red chilies (if not available, you can sub with ½ tsp red pepper flakes, or omit for less heat)
  • 1 large red onion or 2 small red onions, finely diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2- inch piece ginger, minced or grated
  • 1 serrano pepper, diced (plus 1 thinly sliced serrano pepper for garnish – only for spicy spicy version)*******
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Indian red chile powder** (use half the amount for a milder heat)
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
  • 1 pound (454g) tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup (14g) cilantro, stems finely chopped and leaves chopped (save leaves for garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 2 tablespoons fenugreek leaves AKA kasoori methi (optional but recommended)***
  • 1 (13.5 ounce/400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste

For serving

  • 3 cups cooked white rice or flatbread, such as naan or roti
  • Vegan yogurt to dollop on top (optional, but adds a nice cooling balance)

Instructions

  • Prepare the tofu. Use a tofu press. Or, wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel or several layers of paper towels, weigh it down with a heavy cookbook or a large plate weighed down by a few cans of beans. Press the tofu for 20 to 30 minutes. Tear the tofu into chunks with your hands and transfer the tofu chunks to a large bowl.
    NOTE: the tofu chunks shouldn’t be too large or too small (see photos in blog post for reference), but it’s totally fine if they’re not all the same size.
  • Make the tikka spice blend. Heat a small or medium frying pan over medium heat. Once warm, add the whole spices (cumin and coriander seeds, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom seeds, cinnamon sticks, and fenugreek leaves).
    Toast, shaking the pan frequently, until they are very fragrant and toasty, and the lighter seeds have browned, 2 ½ to 3 ½ minutes. Transfer the seeds out of the pan and allow to cool.
    Once cool, add to a spice grinder or a mortar & pestle and crush until finely ground. Pour into a bowl, add the ground spices (Indian red chile powder, turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, and ginger), and toss all the spices to combine.
  • Make the Tikka marinade. In a medium bowl, mix together the spice blend with the yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Pour the marinade over the tofu chunks and use your hands to very gently coat all the crevices of the tofu, taking care to not mash it.
    Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
  • When ready to bake the tofu, arrange an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source (usually, the second rack). Add a 12-inch cast iron skillet to the rack and preheat the oven to 500ºF/260ºC.
    Once the skillet is smoking hot, transfer it to the stove or a pot holder. Turn the broiler to high.
  • Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Add the marinated tofu to the pan, leaving excess marinade behind. It will be pretty tightly packed into the pan.
    Return the pan to the second oven rack and broil until the tofu is cooked through and charred in some spots on top, 10 to 12 minutes.
    NOTE: after the 5-minute mark, I recommend checking every 1-2 minutes to prevent burning since every oven is different.
  • MAKE THE MASALA. Heat the 3 tablespoons of oil in a deep 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute, swirling the pan frequently. Add the dried chilies and cook for another 30 seconds, swirling frequently to prevent burning.
  • Add the onions with a couple pinches of salt and cook until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes (if the onions start browning too quickly, lower the heat to medium).
  • Add in a few splashes of water to stop the onions from browning too much, then add the garlic, ginger, diced serrano pepper, and turmeric, and cook for 1 minute, tossing frequently. Add the red chili powder, coriander, and tomato paste. Stir frequently for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Add the tomatoes and their juices, and cook until broken down and softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
    Add the cilantro stems (save the leaves for the garnish), 3 tablespoons of water, and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, and stir. Cover the pan and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer the masala for 15 minutes, opening the pot to stir occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated. Scoop out the dried red chilies and discard.
  • Add in the coconut milk, garam masala, and vegan butter. Crush the fenugreek leaves in your hand to release the aroma and add to the masala. Increase the heat slightly and stir until everything is combined and the butter is melted.
    If you prefer a smoother texture, feel free to run an immersion blender through the masala.
  • Add the baked tofu, the thinly sliced serrano pepper (if using for spicy spicy!), and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes and coat the tofu in the sauce. Taste, and if it’s a bit too acidic, add a tiny bit of sugar (¼ to ½ teaspoon).
  • Garnish the masala with the cilantro leaves and season to taste with salt. Serve tofu tikka masala over rice and/or with Indian flatbread.

Notes

*For plant-based yogurts, a thick and creamy variety is necessary because a thinner variety will add too much liquid to the marinade. I like using Kite Hill’s Greek-style almond yogurt a thick coconut yogurt like Culina, CocoJune, or GT’s CocoYo
**While whole spices take this dish over the top, you can sub with ground spices if needed (can’t guarantee the same results though). 
  • 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds = 1 tsp ground
  • 4 tsp coriander seeds = 3 tsp ground
  • 6 whole cloves = 1/2 tsp ground
  • ~30 black peppercorns = 1/2 to 1 tsp ground
  • 2 (2-to-3inch) cinnamon sticks = or 1/2 tsp ground
  • 6 cardamom pods = 1/4 tsp ground
***If you don’t have an electric spice grinder / are using a mortar and pestle, break the cinnamon sticks up into a few pieces to make grinding easier. 
****Kasoori methi (fenugreek leaves) brings a really unique flavor to Indian dishes; it tastes like a hybrid between fennel and celery. You can find it at South Asian grocery stores or online (affiliate link). 
*****If you can’t get Indian red chile powder, use about half the amount of cayenne pepper. 
****** You can make the masala 1-3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge. On the day of serving, reheat it on the stove, add proceed with step 12.  
*******If you love spicy spicy food, consider adding 1 thinly sliced serrano pepper at the end when you add the tofu. It adds a fresh, vegetal crunch (but a lot of spice). To moderate the heat in this recipe, please read the “Ingredient Notes” section.

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 593mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1105IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 4mg

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410 comments on Tofu Tikka Masala

  1. Frank Williams

    5 stars
    Can I give this more than 5 stars?
    Trust me, guys: toasting and grinding the spices for this recipe IS WORTH IT! My whole apartment smelled amazing after making the tikka blend.
    Yes, it took the longest to prepare of any recipe I have tried from RPL, but holy moly is this a tasty result.
    I sometimes ordered Indian takeout for lunch at work. Your vegan versions are healthier, tastier and more nutritious–and cheaper per meal! It’s not hyperbole, it’s a fact.
    Keep up the good work.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Aw, so sweet of you Frank! :) We’re so glad you enjoyed the Tikka Masala and think the recipes are better than takeout!

  2. Angie Lawrence

    5 stars
    Hi Nisha,
    Will you please tell me what the type of dried red chiles (calls for six) needed for in this recipe? I think it was on Facebook a few days ago.
    I found a rack at the store and there are a few varieties of dried red chiles (brand name Terra Dolce) and they all look bigger than the ones in your photos, or they are very tiny. And they have a huge range in heat units! I am second guessing the organic Anaheim dried chiles (500-1500 heat units) that I purchases and thought that I would ask you before I open this package. I like heat more than the average person (not a baby mouth) and eat bottled 505 green chiles nearly every day. It is spicy, not super spicy, and the heat unit rating is a mystery. Terra Dolce must be a newer brand in my natural grocers. They also have a Chipotle dried red chile pepper, and a couple of other varieties. Who knew there would be this many varieties…
    Thank you, Nisha!

    1. Luisa Moore

      I can answer that I think. If you go into an Indian grocer, you’ll only ever find one type of Indian dried chilli, or so I’ve found (which is long & skinny). It’s called Kashmiri. Likewise the standard Indian chilli powder is made from ground Kashmiri chillis. Sometimes Indian recipes call for ground cayenne, but I’ve never seen that dried whole (and it’s way hotter I think). There’s also birds eye (little, intense chillis), but that’s used way less often and always fresh I’ve found (never seen it dried, although it does come in powder form, but I’ve never seen an Indian recipe call for that or my Indian MIL use it). Good luck!

    2. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Angie, sorry for all the confusion. There are a ton of varieties!! We typically use whole dried chile de arbol peppers. On the Scoville scale, these range from 15,000 to 30,000 heat units, so yes, those are much spicier than the anaheim dried chiles. If you find something less spicy than chile de arbol peppers but spicier than anaheim, that would be fine too. Happy cooking!

  3. Zana

    What should we do if we don’t have a cast iron skillet?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Zana, you can just use another oven-proof skillet. We hope you love the recipe!

  4. Jenni

    5 stars
    Making this recipe for for the 5th time tonight. I can’t get enough of it. And I love how my house still smells beautiful for a few days after cooking this dish. Yes, it’s a lot of ingredients and steps, but so, so, so worth it. I occasionally order a tofu tikka masala from an Indian restaurant, but they are never as good as this. The flavors are amazing.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Jenni, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoy the tikka masala :) Such a lovely compliment that you think it’s better than restaurant quality!

  5. Miranda

    5 stars
    This is an outstanding recipe. We love Indian food and I’ve made a number of different entrees over the years. My husband is still complimenting me for this dish 5 days later. Leftovers keep great as well. While it was definitely time intensive (also made your Naan that day!), I will save and make again for sure. Thank you!! It was delightful and well worth the time🤤

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re over the moon to hear you two enjoyed the recipe, Miranda. Thanks for your kind words!

  6. Barb

    Best recipe EVER for Tikka masala. No joke. I’ve been cooking Indian for years, ever since my first visit there. The spice blend is spot on. Transported me right back to Rajasthan!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Barb, we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!

  7. Paulina

    5 stars
    Thank you to introducing me to the making of indian spice blends. It was definitely a lot of work (especially when trying to match the timing with naan baking) but more than worth it. My family could not stop eating and All I can say is that this portion was not enough for 6 tonight (we are 3 people and there are no leftovers).

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      You’re welcome, Paulina! We’re happy to learn you and your family enjoyed the recipes. Cheers!

  8. Will Grinstead

    Can ground cardamom be substituted for the seeds/pods? If so, how much?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Will, you’ll need a teaspoon of ground cardamom in this case. You’ll also skip the part where you toast the cardamom on the skillet and instead just add it in with the rest of the ground spices (Indian red chile powder, turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, and ginger). Hope that helped!

  9. Sumanta Mitra

    5 stars
    Hi Nisha, if I want to substitute mushrooms or gobi in place of the tofu, how would you recommend preparing the tikka for those?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Sumanta, you can definitely use mushrooms or cauliflower instead of tofu! You shouldn’t need to change the recipe too much. Mushrooms have a huge water content so depending on the size of them you may (likely will) need to cook for less time.

      1. Margherita

        Hello, how do you cook the cauliflower? Do you Do exactly the same as it was tofu? I am allergic to tofu, otherwise I would have followed the recipe to the letter. Thank you!!!!

        1. Hannah @ Rainbow Plant Life

          Hi Margherita, sorry to hear about your allergy to tofu. We’ve never tested this recipe with cauliflower instead of tofu. If you’d like to try using the same method, be sure to line your sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper to ensure (a) it doesn’t stick to the pan (b) you don’t lose all the marinade. You’ll need to keep a close eye on it, as you do with the tofu. You will probably need to broil for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning. Alternatively, you could bake the marinated cauliflower at 400 F for 20-25 minutes without flipping and without keeping a close eye on it. If you end up trying this, feel free to let us know how it turned out.

  10. Chelsea

    5 stars
    This. Is. Incredible. Your Malai Kofta and now your Tikka Masala are foods that I dream about. The time it takes to make I consider part of the beauty of the meal and I’m sure will become more efficient the more I make it. Thank you for bringing joy to me through food!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, thank you for trying the recipes Chelsea!

  11. Sara

    Hello! Would it be possible to substitute ground fenugreek for the fresh? Thank you!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Sara, yes you can! You’ll need to use about 3x more fresh leaves, as they’re less potent, though.

  12. Nicole P

    5 stars
    Nisha, I am sooooo glad you switched to food blogging and vlogging! This is insanely fantastic! We eat Indian food regularly but I have been a little intimidated to make it at home – all those ingredients, steps, and work! Halfway through the process of making this dish, I was a little overwhelmed but after tasting the finished product it was absolutely worth every moment of it and I cannot wait to make it for guests! I served it extra spicy over Jeera rice I made in the Instapot. Next time I will make your naan with it, too. This Tikka Masala recipe is by far THE tastiest, most delicious dish to ever come out of my kitchen!!! I cannot wait for The Vegan Instapot Cookbook to arrive so we can try more. What a hit this dish was.
    My husband took one bite, looked over at me, and with dreamy eyes said, “I love you!”
    Please keep ’em coming & thank you so much for sharing!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Aw, what a lovely review to read, Nicole! We’re thrilled the recipe was such a hit in your household. And make the naan to go with it, you won’t regret it!

      Also, such a cute comment about what your husband said. We are so happy to hear a rainbow plant life recipe was at the center of this story!

      Please keep leaving reviews on the blog posts, we thoroughly enjoyed this one!

  13. Alec

    5 stars
    Wow! I made this for my first Thanksgiving since I went vegan and it was absolutely incredible. The broiled tofu had a wonderful texture and the spice blend was SO good. Truly off-the-charts flavor levels. It also refrigerates really well and tastes even better the next day. Please let Nisha know that she really outdid herself with this recipe!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      That’s so awesome to hear, Alec! We’ve passed the message along to Nisha. :)

  14. Brittany

    5 stars
    I followed this recipe almost exactly, few minor things that I don’t feel would change much. But it was insanely good and I indeed have never had Indian food that resembled restaurant levels in my own home.

    BUT! I will say my feet are crazy tired, I did this slowly and the right way. I also threw in making basmati rice, vegetable pakoras and a fresh chutney (I don’t know chill). If I could go back I’d simply just throw a few greens in this dish and call it a day. It’s for sure a recipe that needs all the love on it’s own, not something I’d cook anything but rice with.

    So anyhow! It was perfection and there was plenty of leftovers. I’m thinking this will be even better tomorrow, just based on the sauce and flavors. It will be one of my go to recipes for Indian food in the future.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for putting trust into the recipe, Brittany! We’re glad all the hard work paid off :)

  15. Carly

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe, just made it tonight and will have leftovers tomorrow! Love all recipes I’ve made from you so thank you so much!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Carly. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  16. KamirX

    5 stars
    In my wildest dreams I never would have imagined I could make something this good. Thanks so much!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Aw, that is so awesome! Thank you for sharing, KamirX :)

  17. Chris

    Made this before and loved it; however, The tomatoes at the store (Whole Foods) have been very bad recently. If I were to use canned tomatoes is there a preferred type and what amount would you use?

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Chris, good to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Canned diced tomatoes should work well. You’ll use about 18oz of those. Enjoy!

  18. Frances

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this dish is absolutely delicious😍. My spice cupboard is so stacked that I didn’t have to buy anything more!!! My son wants me to make this next time he’s home. I’m off to check out more of your recipes. Thank you 🙏

  19. Emeline

    Delicious! I am not a huge fan of Tofu but this recipe reconcile me with tofu. Thanks for your amazing video and recipes.

    1. Hannah @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Emeline, what a lovely compliment. Thank you for taking the time to share.

  20. X

    5 stars
    A bit of work and ingredients, but definitely worth it!

    1. Hannah Hairston

      Hi there,

      Thank you for appreciating the outcome of this recipe, it’s a favorite in our household too :)

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