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    Home » Dinner

    Tofu in Indian Sauce

    Oct 12, 2021 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This Tofu in Indian Sauce is just bursting with flavor. You're going to love the delicious mix of spices in this simple but satisfying vegan dish.

    Tofu with Indian Sauce in a skillet

    This flavorful Tofu in Indian Sauce is so mouthwatering and delicious. The complex mix of spices gives it so much flavor. It's a simple and easy dish to prepare, and it doesn't have to be spicy. In fact, the spices are more for flavor than heat, so this can be served to the whole family. Kids will love the yummy flavors and textures of this scrumptious meal.

    The spices used in this dish are cumin, coriander, garam masala, curry, and chili powder. This may seem like a lot, but each one brings a robust flavor to the sauce and tofu. They also complement each other, coming together in a tasty combination that will wow your taste buds. You'll love preparing this quick and fun recipe.

    Video Tutorial

    Main Ingredients

    For the Tofu:

    • Firm tofu. Preferably non-GMO and organic.
    • Oil. Neutral tasting is best. I used grapeseed oil.
    • Cornstarch. Or tapioca starch could be used instead.
    • Paprika and Salt.

    For the Sauce:

    • Plant Based Butter. Or regular butter could be used if you're not following a vegan diet.
    • Onion + Garlic + Ginger. We'll sauté these veggies in butter.
    • Spices. Cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala, curry powder, chili powder, and salt. All of these spices could be easily found in any Indian store. They are also sold online.
    • Tomato Paste.
    • Coconut Milk. Make sure you are using full-fat coconut milk in this recipe.

    How to Make This Tofu in Indian Sauce

    1. Wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy object (such as a cast-iron pot) on top of the block and allow it to press the tofu for 20 minutes. (This step removes extra moisture from the tofu).

    pressing tofu

    2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Unwrap the tofu block and, using your fingers, break it into medium, bite-sized pieces. Season the tofu pieces with oil, cornstarch, salt, and paprika. Mix everything together gently.

    mixing tofu with spices and cornstarch

    3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tofu evenly. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until it's crispy and golden brown.

    baking tofu

    4. While the tofu is in the oven, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes.

    cooking onions

    5. Add the ginger, garlic, and spices and cook this for about 1 minute.

    adding spices to the onions

    6. Add the tomato paste and coconut milk, stir well, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    adding tomato paste and coconut milk

    7. When the tofu is done baking, add it to the pot and stir it in to coat the pieces thoroughly with sauce. Enjoy!

    adding the tofu to the sauce
    Tofu with Indian Sauce in a skillet

    Helpful Tips & Tricks

    • Remove excess moisture from the tofu. Make sure that you don't skip the first step of removing the extra moisture from the tofu block. This makes it easier for the tofu to get crispy and also to tear into pieces.
    • Use full-fat coconut milk. Using coconut milk with all the fat in it results in a creamier sauce with a deeper flavor.
    • Bake the tofu. Baking the tofu until crispy is an important part of this recipe because it creates a texture that goes really well with the creamy Indian sauce. If you just put the tofu in without baking, it would be soft and get lost in the sauce. Crispy is definitely the way to go.

    How to Store the Leftovers

    If you have leftovers of this Tofu in Indian Sauce, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for 3-5 days. When you reheat them, the tofu may not be as crispy, but it will still taste amazing. You may need to add a little bit of water when you reheat it.

    What to Serve this Tofu in Indian Sauce with

    This flavorful dish goes best with some warm naan or basmati rice. You can also serve it with rustic bread, over pasta, or even atop zuchini noodles ("zoodles").

    Tofu with Indian Sauce in a plate with brown rice on the side

    This Tofu in Indian Sauce is such a tasty and delicious recipe. It's simple and easy, so feel free to add it to your meal plan and whip it up even on busy days. The flavors and textures are so good, and leftovers are even more intensely flavored as the sauce soaks into the tofu. So, make it for dinner and reheat it for lunch. I promise you will not get tired of this yummy meal.

    You'll Also Enjoy These Tasty Recipes:

    • Fried Tofu
    • Chipotle Sofritas
    • Zucchini Noodles
    • Skillet Potatoes

    Tofu in Indian Sauce

    Tania Sheff
    This Tofu in Indian Sauce is just bursting with flavor. You’re going to love the delicious mix of spices in this simple but satisfying vegan dish.
    4.56 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Pressing Tofu 20 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 444 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Tofu

    • 16 oz. firm tofu
    • 1 tbsp. oil
    • 1 tbsp. cornstarch or tapioca starch
    • ¼ tsp. salt
    • ½ tsp. paprika

    For the Sauce

    • 2 tbsp. plant based butter
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 2 large garic cloves, minced
    • 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
    • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
    • 1 tsp. coriander powder
    • 1 tsp. garam masala
    • ½ tsp. curry powder
    • ¼ tsp. chili powder
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • 3 oz. tomato paste
    • 13.5 oz. (1 can) full-fat coconut milk
    • fresh cilantro, to garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy object (such as a cast-iron pot) on top of the block and allow it to press the tofu for 20 minutes. (This step removes extra moisture from the tofu).
    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Unwrap the tofu block and, using your fingers, break it into medium, bite-sized pieces. Season the tofu pieces with oil, cornstarch, salt, and paprika. Mix everything together gently.
    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the tofu evenly. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until it’s crispy and golden brown.
    • While the tofu is in the oven, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes.
    • Add the ginger, garlic, and spices and cook this for about 1 minute.
    • Add the tomato paste and coconut milk, stir well, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • When the tofu is done baking, add it to the pot and stir it in to coat the pieces thoroughly with sauce. Enjoy!

    Notes

    HOW TO STORE THE LEFTOVERS

    If you have leftovers of this Tofu in Indian Sauce, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for 3-5 days. When you reheat them, the tofu may not be as crispy, but it will still taste amazing. You may need to add a little bit of water when you reheat it.

    WHAT TO SERVE THIS TOFU IN INDIAN SAUCE WITH

    This flavorful dish goes best with some warm naan or basmati rice. You can also serve it with rustic bread, over pasta, or even atop zuchini noodles (“zoodles”).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 14gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 551mgPotassium: 409mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 687IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 187mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can't wait to hear from you!

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    Filed Under: All Recipes, Dinner, Healthy Recipes, Lunch, Vegan, Vegetarian

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    Comments

    1. PJ Brooks says

      February 17, 2023 at 5:57 pm

      I love how enthusiastic you are! You are also very thorough and generous with the photos to walk us thru step by step. I love the hints for success and that you use ingredients that are not hard to find often have on hand! Thanks for taking the time to make me want to experiment..even with TOFU!!

      Reply
      • Tania Sheff says

        February 18, 2023 at 12:44 pm

        Thank you so much for the kind words, PJ!

        Reply

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