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.

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).
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.
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.
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.
5. Add the ginger, garlic, and spices and cook this for about 1 minute.
6. Add the tomato paste and coconut milk, stir well, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. When the tofu is done baking, add it to the pot and stir it in to coat the pieces thoroughly with sauce. Enjoy!
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").
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.
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Tofu in Indian Sauce
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!
PJ Brooks says
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!!
Tania Sheff says
Thank you so much for the kind words, PJ!