There’s never really a time when I’m not craving Indian food. Long day of work and want something comforting? Indian food. Just get home from skiing all day and want something warm? Indian food. Date night and want to make something memorable? Indian food. When when the question is what to order, the answer is almost always tikka masala. I think you’re going to love this Tofu Tikka Masala recipe. It’s:
Packed with flavor, as any authentic Indian dish is! It has all the seasonings and taste of a restaurant-style tikka masala. Streamlined to make the process more approachable. (I’ve got a trick for prepping the most tedious parts of the recipe all at once so that the dish actually comes together pretty easily). Adaptable to whatever protein you’d like to use. We’re using tofu today, but you could also use beans, chickpeas, tempeh, or even soy curls!
What is “Tikka Masala”?
The exact origins of tikka masala are debated. While it’s often associated with Indian cuisine, some culinary historians claim its birthplace might not be India at all, and that it may have been created in the UK by Indian immigrants. “Tikka” refers to the method of preparation, typically involving marinated pieces of meat—like chicken—cooked on skewers in a tandoor oven. The marinade often includes yogurt and spices, like cumin, coriander, and paprika. “Masala” refers to the flavorful spice blend or sauce that’s integral to countless Indian dishes. In Tikka Masala, it signifies the creamy, tomato-based sauce infused with a medley of spices like cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and more. So, when you bring these two components together—marinated, flavorful protein cooked to perfection and wrapped in a luscious sauce—that’s when the magic of Tikka Masala happens!
How to make Tofu Tikka Masala
I go into detail on how to make this vegetarian tikka masala in the recipe card below (I’ve also included photos for each step), but just so you can wrap your head around it, the process looks something like this:
Variations & Substitutions
The tofu part of this dish can easily be replaced with so many other ingredients! While the traditional curry includes chicken, to keep it vegetarian you could make a paneer tikka masala with paneer cubes, or use:
Cauliflower florets Chickpeas White beans Soy curls (see how to cook soy curls)
Make It Vegan
We’re using plain dairy-yogurt here, making this dish not suitable for vegans. To make a vegan tikka masala, simply use a non-dairy yogurt for the tofu marinade! The tikka masala sauce is already vegan.
Storage
This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day! Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of water or coconut milk if needed to get things soupy again.
Serving Ideas
Make it a next-level feast by pairing this dish with one of our other Indian recipes:
Homemade Naan is easier than you would think and perfect with this tikka masala. Air Fryer Veggies help to get a quick side dish on the table. Mango Lassis wash everything down!
