Vegan Tandoori Tofu (GF)

This Vegan Tandoori Tofu is:

• super easy to make
• spicy and fragrant
• perfect for grilling!

I always used to get Tandoori Chicken at Indian restaurants, and so was keen to make a delicious vegan version of this dish. And I was so happy with the results: this Vegan Tandoori Tofu is smoky, sweet, tangy and spicy and packed with all the amazing flavours of the traditional dish.

If you're worried about the tofu part, I can assure you that this dish is anything but bland, thanks to the flavour-packed marinade, which is made using:

• cool, creamy coconut yogurt
• tangy lemon juice
• sticky agave syrup
• fragrant garlic and ginger
• sweet, nutty desiccated coconut
• smoky paprika
• cheerful turmeric
• earthy cumin
• kaleidoscopic curry powder

This means this Tandoori Tofu is not only dairy-free, but also naturally gluten-free and refined sugar free too. If you're not into agave syrup, you can substitute it with any other sweetener, such as maple syrup.

But if you're still worried about using tofu, this dish works equally well using chickpeas instead of tofu!

Once you've left your tofu to marinade, all that's left to do is to pan-fry it. It's also great for BBQs and grilling, and you can put the tofu cubes on skewers if you like.

This Vegan Tandoori Tofu works as a great appetiser on its own, but also goes so well with lots of other dishes, such as:

• Yellow Turmeric Rice
• Potato Pea Curry
• Chickpea Kedgeree
• Mango Daikon Radish Salad
• Papaya Mint Lime Salad

For more tofu recipes suitable for grilling, check out my:

• Tofu Satay Skewers
• Tofu Yakitori Skewers

And for a bigger range of different types of tofu recipes, you may find this round-up useful:

14 Easy Vegan Gluten-Free Tofu Recipes

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

Helpful tools to make this Vegan Tandoori Tofu:

glass mixing bowl

Vegan Tandoori Tofu (GF)

This Vegan Tandoori Tofu is super easy to make, spicy and fragrant and perfect for grilling! 

4.09 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: vegan grilling recipe, vegan tandoori tofu

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 29 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 78kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

For the marinade:

• ▢ 1 tablespoon coconut yogurt (or any other plant-based yogurt)
• ▢ Juice of ½ lemon
• ▢ 1 teaspoon agave syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
• ▢ 1 garlic clove, grated
• ▢ 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢ 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon curry powder, to taste
• ▢ Salt + pepper, to taste

For the tofu:

• ▢ 400 g (14oz) firm tofu
• ▢ 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or sub olive, rapeseed or vegetable)

To serve (optional):

• ▢ Fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped

Instructions

• Mix together all the ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl
• Pat tofu dry with a paper towel and cut into small cubes
• Place the tofu cubes in the bowl with the marinade, making sure that every piece is covered in equal amounts of sauce (you can either cook this tofu immediately or covered and put in the fridge to leave to marinate for up to 12 hours)
• To cook the tofu, heat up the oil in a large wide-bottomed frying pan and add the tofu once hot
• Fry the tofu for about 7 minutes on each side, or until crispy, golden brown and slightly caramelised
• Sprinkle with chopped coriander to serve, if desired

Notes

This Tandoori Tofu also works well cooked on a BBQ or grill. You can put the tofu cubes on skewers, and if using wooden skewers make sure to soak them in water first before cooking.

Here are some serving suggestions for this Tandoori Tofu:

• Yellow Turmeric Rice 
• Potato Pea Curry
• Chickpea Kedgeree
• Mango Daikon Radish Salad
• Papaya Mint Lime Salad

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Tandoori Tofu (GF)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 78

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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