This vegan butter chicken recipe is made with tofu and cashews for a deliciously creamy version that tastes a lot like the classic Indian dish. It’s easy, and it’s better than take-out!
Who would’ve thought that you could take something like butter chicken and make it vegan? Well you sure can.
We were actually amazed at how much tofu can taste like chicken in the right setting. And this sauce is just everything.
Basically you could put anything in this sauce and it would taste good. But the tofu is prepared deliciously too, so the two together creates the most delicious vegan butter chicken recipe ever.
If you love this recipe then you’ll also love our divine vegan katsu curry. And if you love yourself some easy and delicious Indian inspired recipes then also check out our vegan korma, vegan chana masala and vegan tikka masala.
Recipe Ingredients and Tips
Firm Tofu. Firm or extra firm tofu for the win in this recipe! And then we still press it for 30 minutes to make it super firm. If you get tofu that is already extra firm and you’re in a rush, you could skip this step, but for best results it’s always good to press it first.
Raw cashews. Cashews blended with water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and garam masala create the vegan yogurt sauce for the tofu. This is to replace the yogurt marinade often used in the classic version of this dish.
Garam masala. This is an Indian spice blend that is simply delicious in this recipe. If you don’t have any on hand, you can easily order some garam masala online.
Crushed tomatoes and coconut cream. These two things go along with the vegan butter, onion, garlic, ginger and spices and create the creaminess of the sauce. You must use canned, unsweetened coconut cream. Alternatively you can also use canned, unsweetened, full fat coconut milk.
How To Make Vegan Butter Chicken
You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.
- Press the tofu. First up you want to press the tofu. The best way to do that is to use a tofu press. But if you don’t have one, you can stand the tofu on a plate, put another plate on top of it, and then stack something heavy on top of that, like a heavy pot or stack of books. Then leave it to press for 30 minutes. This makes the tofu as firm as possible.
- When the tofu is pressed roughly chop it and place it into a mixing bowl.
- Make the vegan yogurt sauce. Add raw cashews, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and some garam masala into a blender jug and blend until smooth.
- Pour this out over the tofu in the mixing bowl.
- Gently toss the tofu pieces in the sauce so that the tofu is evenly spread with the sauce.
- Transfer the tofu carefully to a parchment lined baking tray and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare your sauce. While the tofu is baking you can start on your sauce. Add vegan butter to a pot on medium heat and melt the butter. Add chopped onions and sauté until softened.
- Now add crushed garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin and cayenne pepper and sauté with the onions.
- Add crushed tomatoes and coconut cream and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Reduce the heat and stir in some coconut sugar (for flavor balance) and add salt to taste.
- Finally, add the baked tofu pieces and fold them into the sauce.
How To Serve Vegan Butter Chicken
Serve it over basmati rice, with fresh chopped cilantro and lemon slices or lemon wedges on the side. It’s also divine with vegan naan!
Storing and Freezing
Keep any leftovers stored covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
You can also freeze it if you like for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
More Delicious Tofu Recipes
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Vegan Butter Chicken
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 14 ounces Extra Firm Tofu (400g)
For the Vegan Yogurt Sauce:
- ⅔ cup Raw Cashews (100g)
- ⅓ cup Water (80ml)
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
For the Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- 1 Medium Onion White, Yellow or Brown, Chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic Crushed
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger Freshly Grated
- 1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 cup Crushed Tomatoes (240ml)
- 1 cup Canned Coconut Cream (240ml) Unsweetened
- ½ Tablespoon Coconut Sugar or Light Brown Sugar
- Sea Salt To Taste
For Serving:
- Basmati Rice
- Fresh Chopped Cilantro
- Lemon Slices
Instructions
- Press the tofu either using a tofu press or by placing the tofu onto a plate, put another plate on top of it, and then stack something heavy on top of that, like a heavy pot or stack of books. Then leave it to press for 30 minutes. This makes the tofu as firm as possible.
- When the tofu is pressed roughly chop it and place it into a mixing bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the vegan yogurt sauce. Add the raw cashews, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and garam masala into a blender jug and blend until smooth.
- Pour this out over the tofu in the mixing bowl and gently toss the tofu pieces in the sauce so that the tofu is evenly spread with the sauce.
- Transfer the tofu carefully to a parchment lined baking tray and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare your sauce. While the tofu is baking you can begin your sauce. Add vegan butter to a pot on medium heat and melt the butter. Add chopped onions and sauté until softened.
- Now add crushed garlic, grated ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cumin and cayenne pepper and sauté with the onions.
- Add crushed tomatoes and coconut cream and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it simmer for a few minutes. Reduce the heat and stir in the coconut sugar (for flavor balance). Add salt to taste.
- Finally, add the baked tofu pieces and fold them into the sauce.
- Serve with basmati rice, fresh chopped cilantro and lemon slices.
Video
Notes
- Tofu. Firm or ideally extra firm tofu is needed for this recipe. And then we still press it for 30 minutes to make it super firm.
- Coconut cream. You can also use canned, full fat, unsweetened coconut milk instead of canned coconut cream.
- Storing. Keep any leftovers stored covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freezing. You can also freeze it if you like for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep time includes the time spent pressing the tofu.
- Nutritional information excludes rice.
Outstanding – I cannot believe how delicious it is!! I added some roasted red peppers to the after the oven sauce…
Thanks so much for your sharing!! 🥳
Yum! Thanks for sharing and for your great review Stacey!
Great recipe and taste. My go to favorite!
Happy to hear you enjoy the recipe and thanks so much for your great review!