Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (2024)

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala is my ultimate guilty pleasure dish. Juicy chunks of puffy tofu, a smoky tandoori marinade and creamy vegan curry sauce.

It carries the flavour of an excellent Makhani sauce, with extra tandoori tofu. Indeed, it’s a vegan take on Britain’s favourite curry.

In my book, anything served on a stick is a winner. It seals the deal if what’s on the stick is smothered in a charred tandoori paste, restaurant style.

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (1)

Here’s my take on a British-‘Indian’ dish. It’s loaded with homemade tandoori spices, garlic, lemon, ground almonds and coconut cream. The best thing about it is that it’s 100% vegan.

How to make Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it’s not an “authentic Indian recipe” and have heard far too many times, “Ask any Indian what tikka masala is and they won’t know.”. Wrong. It’s delicious and you must try it.

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (2)

What type of tofu is best for Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala?

I’ve been obsessed with tofu puffs for as long as I can remember. I like to think of them as sailboats for any sauce or spice you add. They soak in flavours like there’s no tomorrow and you don’t have to marinate them for hours.

Tofu puffs are pre-fried tofu cubes you can find in your local Chinese supermarket. If you can’t get these, substitute them for firm tofu. Drain it and pan fry it until golden.

How to cook with tofu puffs

A lot of the time, we make our weeknight stir fries in a matter of minutes and thanks to these spongy little fellas, they’re filling and seriously flavoursome.

In this recipe, tofu puffs the perfect carriers for my homemade tandoori paste and creamy vegan tikka masala sauce.

If you like a mild curry that still packs a punch in terms of being aromatic, this one’s for you.

How to make Tofu Tikka Masala

As compromised as I feel for not owning my own tandoor (I keep telling myself it will happen one day), this works just as well in the oven. Whack the temperature up as high as it goes and cook your skewers for about 8-10 minutes or until slightly they carry a slight char.

It’s also worth noting that while it’s not exactly traditional to add tomato puree to a tandoori masala paste, I do. However, if you don’t like tomatoes, go ahead and add some red food colouring. This is your dish.

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (3)

What if I don’t have tofu?

If you can’t get tofu puffs (I get mine from our local Chinese supermarket), try this with regular firm tofu, cauliflower florets, baby potatoes, paneer, mushrooms, idli pieces or anything else that will hold its own on a skewer.

If you still want to use tofu but can’t get the puffed kind, try using firm tofu, weighted and pressed for a few hours to remove excess water, cubed and lightly pan-fried. I’m afraid that medium or silken tofu won’t cut it on the kebab skewer for this recipe.

What kind of skewers should I use?

I use flat metal kebab skewers. They get really hot so be careful if you’re using them too. If you only have bamboo skewers, soak them in cold water for an hour to ensure they don’t burn in the oven.

How to serve Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala

Finally, serve with flaky paratha, rice and lime wedges. It’s also delicious with garlic and coriander naan.

Tofu Tikka Masala recipe

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (4)

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala (Vegan)

In my book, anything served on a stick is a winner. It seals the deal if what’s on the stick is smothered in a charred tandoori paste, restaurant style. Here’s my take on a British-‘Indian’ dish. It’s loaded with homemade tandoori spices, garlic, lemon, ground almonds and coconut cream. The best thing about it is that it’s 100% vegan. That’s got to get me extra brownie points, right?

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: curry, north indian, tandoori, tofu, vegan

Servings: 4

Author: Sanjana

Ingredients

  • 300 g tofu puffs (I get mine from my local Chinese supermarket)
  • Fresh coriander chopped, to garnish
  • Lime or lemon wedges to garnish
  • Paratha or naan to serve
  • Basmati rice to serve

For the homemade tandoori paste:

  • 1 tsp whole coriander seeds
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • 2 dried red chillies or fresh if you like
  • 2 inch stick cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 star anise
  • 4 cloves
  • Seeds of 4 green cardamom pods
  • 1 black cardamom optional
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp concentrated tomato puree
  • 2 tbsp coconut cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the sauce:

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic chopped
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 3 red chillies chopped (or to taste)
  • 1 tbsp concentrated tomato puree
  • 400 g passata
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp ground almonds
  • 2 tsp ground green cardamom seeds
  • 2 tsp ground fennel seeds
  • 400 ml coconut milk
  • 1 tsp kasoori methi optional
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • To make the tandoori paste, heat a dry frying pan until hot. Add all the spices apart from the coconut cream, lemon juice, salt and concentrated tomato puree. Toast until aromatic, a couple of minutes but don’t leave it unattended because it can burn very easily.

  • Place all the spices in a high-powered blender or coffee grinder. I use my NutriBullet. Once ground to a fine powder, stir in the lemon juice, coconut cream, tomato puree and salt.

  • Add the tofu puffs to the paste and give them a good mix, taking care not to break the tofu pieces up. Set aside while you make the vegan tikka masala sauce.

  • Pre-heat the oven to 200°C.

  • To make the vegan tikka masala sauce, heat the oil in a medium, non-stick pan. Add the garlic, ginger and chillies. Sauté for a few moments before adding the concentrated tomato puree. Cook for 5 minutes on a medium heat, stirring all the time. Add the passata, followed by the rest of the ingredients. Give it a good whisk, cover and cook on a low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring often.

  • Lightly grease a non-stick oven tray. Skewer the tofu pieces onto your kebab sticks. Arrange on the baking tray and pop into the oven for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven.

  • Serve immediately, bringing the kebabs and sauce to the table, letting everyone mix their own sauce and tofu pieces for a bit of fun and drama. Garnish with chopped coriander, lime or lemon wedges and extra coconut cream. Serve with jalebi paratha or garlic and coriander naan and rice.

Share your remakes with me!Follow me on Instagram @Sanjana.Feasts and tag #SanjanaFeasts for a chance to be featured!

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Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (5)

If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Kadai Tofu & Vegetables

Love Sanjana

Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala - Sanjana.Feasts - All Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tikka and tandoor? ›

Chicken tikka kebab requires skinless and boneless chunks of chicken necessarily taken from breast. On the other hand, chicken tandoori can be made with both half and full chicken. Most of the time, legs, breasts, and wings are used for preparing tandoori. The delicacy is not boneless.

Is Tandoori Sauce Vegan? ›

KIYO Fresh Tandoori Sauce || 100% Natural & Vegan Ingredients || No Artificial Flavours & Colours Added || Enjoy It With Noodles, Pizza, Burger & Pasta in Fresh Pantry || 210 gm Each (Pack Of 12)

Is tandoori masala the same as tikka masala? ›

Tandoori chicken is often marinated with lemon juice and yogurt in addition to various spices before being cooked at high heat, while 'Tikka' dishes are often chunks of meat in a spiced sauce (and thus more commonly called 'Tikka Masala').

What's the difference between garam masala and tikka masala? ›

Tikka masala is pieces of meat or chicken marinated with spices, whereas garam masala is the term used for 'hot spices' that are not spicy but can keep the body warm. Garam masala powders may contain chilli and peppers, although they can be aromatic but are not spicy.

What do you eat with tandoori tofu? ›

A tandoori-inspired spice rub and smokiness from the grill flavor these tofu “steaks.” While you're there, grill some vegetables, too, to serve alongside. Serve with: Grilled eggplant and cherry tomato skewers and brown basmati rice.

Is naan made in tandoori? ›

Naan is a soft, pillowy flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor.

What ethnicity is tandoori chicken? ›

The dish is attributed to Kundan Lal Gujral, a Hindu from Punjab state who fled newly formed Pakistan after the 1947 partition of India and opened a restaurant in Delhi. Tandoori chicken quickly became popular throughout South Asia and the Middle East as well as in Western countries.

Is tikka a tandoor? ›

Tikka consists of boneless pieces of meat or vegetarian alternatives such as paneer, which are marinated in spices and yogurt and subsequently strung through a skewer to be cooked. It is generally cooked in a tandoor and served dry.

Is chicken tikka cooked in a tandoor? ›

It is a dish of chicken chunks which have been marinated in yoghurt and spices, then baked in a tandoor (oven).

Is Tandoori chicken a tikka? ›

Undoubtedly Tandoori chicken is the king of all tikkas in the tandoor repertoire. Amidst all the street food, kebabs, tikkas, biryanis and grilled meats I've scoffed down over the years in India and the UK; this dish is a firm fixture on every restaurant and street cart menu.

Is tandoori and tikka paste the same? ›

Tandoori paste, which is also called tikka or tikka masala is easy to make at home. Just like what you find in Indian restaurants, but the advantage of making this tandoori masala at home is you know exactly what is in it and you can tweak it to make a hotter curry paste if you like.

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