The Easiest Tofu Curry Recipe (Vegan) (2024)

Tofu curry brings just the right spices to the table. When you are looking for a delicious tofu curry with coconut milk for your vegan main dish, I’ve got you covered with an easy recipe.

This tofu curry recipe is a game changing Indian recipe fit for royalty. I love that curry has an amazing flavor profile that fits with many proteins, no matter your diet. The great thing about it is you don’t even necessarily have to make it spicy-hot. The Indian spices are simply a new profile for some of us, and can be warming instead of light your mouth on fire hot.

I love to go simple and serve this with cooked white rice. You can always serve it next to brown rice, quinoa, or even pasta. Steamed broccoli is the perfect blank canvas to soak up even more of the sauce. Let’s curry!

Ingredients for Tofu Curry

Reach for the firm tofu that I hope is always in your fridge! Some of the spices used might be new to you, so give the list a read and see if you need to make a run to the store. All of these items should be available at your regular grocery store.

• Firm Tofu: This vegan protein is a blank canvas for anything you throw at it, and will soak up all the color and flavor we add. For a soy-free version of this recipe, use chickpea tofu!
• Garlic & Shallots: These give us a flavorful base for the curry.
• Spices: Yup, there are five jars of spices needed here, plus salt to tie it all together – garam masala, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika.
• Coconut Milk: This is one of the most versatile non-dairy ingredients for adding creaminess. The coconut flavor is classic for curry.
• Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes provide a tasty umami flavor to tie it all together!

How to make Tofu Curry Coconut Milk

It’s worth the extra time here in this recipe to brown the tofu on all sides before proceeding with the rest of the steps. Yes, that means flipping each and every cube over until each edge is golden brown!

Step 1: Rice
If you want to serve your tofu curry Indian style with white rice (and don’t have leftovers in the fridge!) get that started now with whatever your favorite cooking method is.

Step 2: Tofu
Pat the firm tofu dry. I don’t always press out the excess moisture before using it in this recipe, but you can if you like. Then cut it into bite-size cubes so it’s easy to eat. Finally, give it a good sear in the skillet, making sure each side of every cube is a beautiful golden color.

Step 3: Flavor
Add the garlic and shallot to the pan, keeping it moving until fragrant. Don’t walk away at this step as these ingredients burn easily.

Step 4: Spices
Stir in all the spices and seasoning and make sure every piece of tofu is evenly coated. Things will really start looking (and smelling!) great at this point.

Step 5: Cans
No curry is complete without the sauce, so here is where we add the can of tomatoes (with their juices) and coconut milk. Cover and let gently simmer for about 15 minutes so all the flavor develops and everything is heated through.

Step 6: Serve
By now your rice should be ready, so add it to your serving bowls. Ladle on a heaping serving of this tofu curry. Lastly, sprinkle on some minced fresh cilantro for a final burst of flavor.

Recipe tips

Leftovers: Got leftovers? Both rice and curry will reheat well in the next day or two if stored in an airtight container. Best stored separate from each other!

Cool It Off: Plain yogurt is the perfect accompaniment to cut the heat in your bowl.

Swap It Out: Whether you aren’t a fan of tofu, or have a pack in your fridge – tempeh is a great substitute here. While it does have a stronger flavor than tofu, it will still play nicely with the curry sauce.

An Indian Feast

Indian food is so rich and flavorful, perfect for serving as a whole meal! Here are a few pairing ideas for this tofu curry:

• Homemade Naan is essentially a given because you can wipe up every last drop of sauce from your bowl.
• Meal Prep Your Curry, to make this recipe into some quick and easy lunches.
• Oven Roasted Chickpeas, will add a great little crunch on top of your curry.