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Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala (Gluten-Free)

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Tofu Tikka Masala

Skip the delivery and try this vegan and gluten-free version of the classic Indian dish known as tikka masala that uses tofu in place of meat! Serve over freshly steamed basmati rice and garlic naan for a complete Indian spiced dish.

Tofu Tikka Masala

Tikka masala is surprisingly easy to make vegan! Instead of meat, I used tofu, which works perfectly in this dish since it soaks up all the delicious spices and flavors in this recipe. The sauce is creamy, tangy and spicy, but not hot or overbearing.

And what’s an Indian meal without spice?! You’ll notice my list of ingredients have a handful of them. So, if you enjoy spicy foods, your taste buds are definitely going to enjoy the turmeric, garam masala, cumin, cayenne pepper and paprika found in this dish.

Tikka Masala Overview

Just in case you’ve never come across Tikka Masala before, I wanted to give a quick overview of what it means.

Tikka masala is an Indian dish consisting of roasted marinated chicken chunks in spiced curry sauce.

  • The “tikka” refers to the protein. The most common ingredient used is chicken, but it varies. Some people like to use lamb instead. For my recipe, we skip the meat altogether and replace it with tofu.

  • The “masala” translates as “spice mix” and refers to the sauce. Most include a tomato base, garam masala and a creamy element like yogurt or, in this case, coconut milk.

MAIN INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala

  • Tofu – Make sure to buy the extra firm kind.

  • Olive Oil

  • Ginger

  • Garam Masala, Cumin, Tumeric & Cayenne Pepper – Mix these with a few other spices in the recipe to create a spicy and tangy flavor.

  • Tomato Sauce – A common pantry item, this is going to be the base for the sauce.

  • Coconut Milk – I use full-fat coconut milk for the sauce, which makes this dish super rich and creamy without needing to rely on any dairy.

ADJUST THIS RECIPE TO YOUR DIET

  • Need a little less spice? You can adjust the amount of spices to suit your heat preference, or leave it out all together for a non-spicy tikka masala dish.

  • Dairy: You can try using yogurt, a heavy creamer or regular milk in place of the coconut milk.

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS Tofu Tikka Masala Recipe

  • Serve with basmati rice and naan (a popular Indian flatbread) for a complete meal.
Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala (Gluten-Free)
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Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala (Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DinnerCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

40

minutes

Skip the delivery and try this vegan and gluten-free version of Tikka Masala that uses tofu in place of meat with flavorful spices that is bound to give your taste buds something to look forward to!

Ingredients

  • For the tofu:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 (16-ounce) blocks extra firm tofu, pressed dry with a dish towel then cut into cubes

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • For the sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 4 garlic cloves, grated

  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

  • 2 teaspoons garam masala

  • 1 ½ teaspoon cumin

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

  • 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 (13.5-ounce) can full fat coconut milk

Directions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add in the tofu in an even layer and sprinkle evenly with salt.
  • Cook tofu 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove tofu from skillet and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil for sauce in the same skillet and cook onions for about 3 minutes or until slightly soft.
  • Add in the garlic and ginger, cook for one minute before adding in the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, ground coriander, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  • Cook spices for about 30 seconds before pouring in the tomato sauce and coconut milk. Reducing heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add tofu back into the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Storage: Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat: Gently rewarm leftovers in an oven over medium-low heat. You can also reheat leftovers in the microwave until hot.

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30 Minutes or Less

Blackened Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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overhead image of blackened chicken on a plate with spices around the plate

This blackened chicken is incredibly tender and juicy! With a handful of delicious spices, and just one pan, you’ll have an intensely flavorful protein. Enjoy this blackened chicken over a salad, with your favorite veggies, or whatever your heart desires for a quick and healthy meal!

blackened chicken on a plate with lemon wedges on the side and blackened seasoning on the side

What You Need To Make Blackened Chicken

Smoked Paprika – The main spice in our blackened seasoning is the incredible smoked paprika! Unlike regular paprika, smoked paprika has this irresistible smoky flavor that simply can’t be beat. If you don’t already have this delicious spice in your spice cabinet, then I highly recommend you buy some.

Cayenne Pepper – The amount of cayenne pepper you use in this blackened chicken recipe is entirely up to you and your spice preferences. I personally love a bit of spice, so I use almost 1/4 teaspoon in my seasoning. However, if you’re averse to spice, you can simply leave the cayenne pepper out altogether.

Chicken Breasts – Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are the way to go! Without the skin, the spices can better penetrate into the meat. This makes your chicken that much more delicious. And as far as boneless goes, it’s easier to eat – a no brainer if you ask me!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Make it Less Spicy: If you don’t like spice, simply omit the cayenne pepper in this blackened chicken recipe.
  • Make it Vegan: Turn this into a blackened tofu recipe by taking a block of tofu, pressing as much water out of it as possible, then slicing it down the center to create two tofu “steaks.” Then, season the tofu exactly how you would the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes per side!

Tips For Making Blackened Chicken

  • Cook over medium-high heat, nothing lower! The key to blackened chicken is placing the seasoned breasts into a very hot pan. Then, do not touch the chicken until it’s ready to be flipped. This way, the crust will cook up super crispy and delicious!
  • Don’t forget to let your chicken rest after cooking. Once out of the pan, your chicken is holding on to a ton of its flavorful juices. Therefore, if you slice into it too soon, you risk having all that flavor pour out. So do yourself a favor and leave the chicken alone for at least 5 minutes!
  • Serve this chicken however you’d like! I enjoyed mine over a salad loaded with my favorite fresh vegetables. However, for a heartier meal, I recommend pairing this blackened chicken with a side of rice and/or roasted potatoes – yum!
Blackened Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
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Blackened Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This blackened chicken is incredibly tender and juicy! With a handful of delicious spices, and just one skillet, you’ll have an intensely flavorful protein. Enjoy this blackened chicken over a salad, with your favorite veggies, or whatever your heart desires for a quick and healthy meal!

Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • pinch of cayenne pepper, optional

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

  • spray cooking oil

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil

Directions

  • Mix together the smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
  • Coat both chicken breasts with either spray cooking oil or a drizzle of avocado oil, then sprinkle evenly with blackened seasoning.
  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then transfer chicken to skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from heat, transfer to a plate, and cover with foil then let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • This blackened chicken recipe can be easily doubles or even tripled! Making it the perfect and healthy meal to throw together for friends or family.

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Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

Like this recipe?

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