Vegetarian Tikka Masala
Updated June 08, 2019
Vegetarian Tikka Masala that is made with cauliflower, chickpeas, and a rich creamy tomato sauce. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread for a delicious Indian dinner at home.
Vegetarian Tikka Masala
We recently shared our Chicken Tikka Masala recipe and you guys are loving it! Yay! We did get a few emails and comments asking for a vegetarian version so we whipped one up in our kitchen and it is my new favorite dinner.
You guys, this Vegetarian Tikka Masala is basically my dream meal, I could eat it every single day. We used cauliflower and chickpeas and I guarantee you won’t miss the chicken, even Josh gives this version two thumbs up and he LOVES our chicken tikka masala. Even meat eaters will enjoy this vegetarian tikka masala. It has all of the same great spices and flavors and is super hearty and filling thanks to the veggies and chickpeas.
Tips for Making Vegetarian Tikka Masala
This tikka masala recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and OH SO DELICIOUS! My mouth is watering just thinking about this Indian dish, I want it NOW! Good thing we put some in our freezer, I am going to bust it out for lunch today. Yes, this vegetarian tikka masala freezes well, another reason to love it.
Ok, let’s get down to business, here are my tips for making the best vegetarian tikka masala.
- Use a large skillet, pot, or Dutch oven.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic to maximize the flavor. You can’t beat fresh. I always keep fresh ginger in the freezer. It is easier to grate when it is frozen.
- Before you get started, have all of your spices ready! The spices that give this tikka masala LOTS of flavor are: garam marsala, ground turmeric, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a little cayenne pepper. You can find all of these spices at any grocery store.
- You will need 3 cups cauliflower florets, one small head of cauliflower will do it.
- When you get the veggies, tomato paste, tomatoes, spices, and broth all in the pan, simmer for about 20 minutes until the cauliflower is tender. Don’t over cook the cauliflower, you don’t want it to be mushy.
- Stir in the chickpeas, coconut milk, and lemon juice and heat for about 5 minutes.
- I used canned full fat coconut milk, make sure you shake it well before opening. It will be thick. I add ½ cup but if you want a richer, saucier tikka masala, you can add up to 1 cup. If you don’t need the recipe to be vegan, you can use heavy cream.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with basmati rice and naan bread, if desired. I highly recommend it:)
Can you Make Tikka Masala in the Slow Cooker?
Yes! You can make this vegetarian tikka masala in the slow cooker. Add all of the ingredients, except the coconut milk, lemon juice, and cilantro, to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. When the tikka masala is done cooking, stir in the coconut milk, lemon juice, and cilantro.
Favorite Vegetarian Meal
This vegetarian and vegan tikka masala is one of my all-time favorite meals. I love making it for dinner because it is easy to make, once you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go, and it is SO delicious. The flavors will WOW you and that creamy tomato curry sauce will have you coming back for more. This vegetarian recipe is very filling, I promise you won’t miss the meat! (If you do want a chicken version, check out our chicken tikka masala recipe.)
The leftovers are great the next day. Reheat in the microwave and enjoy! And like I mentioned earlier, this tikka masala freezes beautifully! This really is a dinner winner! Forget Indian takeout and make this healthy vegetarian tikka masala at home!
More Vegetarian Recipes:
- Roasted Cauliflower & Chickpea Tacos
- Turmeric Chickpea Vegetable Soup
- Cauliflower Bolognese
- Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake
Vegetarian Tikka Masala
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 cups cauliflower florets
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves optional
- Basmati rice and naan bread for serving optional, and serve
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste, ginger, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper and cook until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower florets, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the cauliflower is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the chickpeas, coconut milk and lemon juice and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro. Serve warm with rice and naan, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Hi MARIA & JOSH,
It looks yummy and healthy. And will be a perfect meal for lunch or dinner. Going to take the taste soon.
Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Do you simmer the cauliflower covered or uncovered?
I didn’t cover the pan, but you can!
Easy, hearty vegetarian dinner. Served with jasmine rice. Mine had a bit more liquid than I liked so I’ll probably reduce the broth next time. Also doubled the lemon juice for my taste. I used light coconut milk so that may be why mine was less creamy than the picture. A good solid recipe to keep in my meatless rotation.
Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
My husband and I loves indian food. I will definitely try this and will you know. Tnx for posting it.re
This is delicious! I took the advice of a previous reviewer and decreased the broth, and I’m glad I did. Also, I added a little salt and topped the dish with cashews. Finally, for all those lazy cooks out there like me, a 12 oz. bag of frozen cauliflower works great in this recipe.
Thanks for a vegetarian recipe my family loved!
This is delicious! Loved it! Thank you for the recipe!
Made this today and even decreased the broth and the tomatoes and it was very liquidy. It doesn’t taste like the authentic recipe I’ve been waiting for but it still has a lot of flavor.
Why do you wait to put in the chick peas?
Delicious and easy for the win! I know Tikka Masala is usually creamier but I like more heat so a chopped jalapeno or a few green chili peppers sauteed with the onion and carrot added a nice buzz. Can’t wait to give the chicken version a try. Thanks!
Has anyone tried freezing this? I’m on the hunt for recipes I can make and store for a while!
Just realized it says in the recipe it freezes well!
Whoops!
Awesome post, thanks you so much for sharing, you should also visit http://chefclub.stream/category/vegetarian-recipe perhaps cause this site is great for vegetarian recipe stuffs said harold just above.
there is a good flavor to it! It is not like the usual Tikka masala I am use to. I should have read reviews and would have also reduced the broth. It was very soupy. Maybe drain tomatoes and less veg broth. Overall it was great. I added green and red bell peppers for more veggies.
I just made this and it turned out amazing!! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. I’ve been craving some good Indian food and you nailed it
Love this recipe! I tweak the spices to suit my taste and use different veggies depending on what’s in the fridge. I always receive lots of compliments when I make this.
So happy you like the recipe!
This was easy and very delicious! I did not have any issues with liquidity as some commented (maybe because I had a big head of cauliflower) and I used light coconut milk. Served with brown basmati rice. Will make this again!
The flavors were fantastic, added a bit more cayenne for kick. It was a little soupy, so next time I will use less broth, and think I may blend the tomatoes to make the base a bit creamier.
Did not have that size can of diced tomatoes, so i subbed crushed tomatoes and it turned out really tasty! No issue with liquid or soupiness. Unfortunately, i think I’m getting a lot of tininess from my tomatoes. Would love to make again with fresh tomatoes!
Great flavor, but it was not creamy. I did not drain the can of diced tomatoes though – next time i will do that and use less broth.
If you like a thicker sauce, you can use less broth.
I did not love it, and it is not like other tikka masala dishes I have had. Chili powder seems a strange add. I wished I could take it back.
Not much flavor, very bland and was made according to the recipe. Too much diced tomatoes, they drown out all the spices. Would not make it again.
Just wondering if anyone tried this in in the Instapot?
I’ve made this twice and absolutely loved it!
Amazing! Found it served 4 without rice 🙂
Thursday’s Dinner
Hi Maria, By the way, I have used your cookbook to the point that the binding is loose and I have taped pages back in place! I have a question rather than a comment. May I put vegetarian tikka masala together successfully a day or two ahead of serving. I would be thrilled to have a response! In all honesty, I have NEVER had one of your recipes “flop”! A faithful fan in Colorado
Hi Cathy, I am so glad you are enjoying our cookbook and recipes. Yes, you can make this one in advance and reheat! I hope you love it!
My coconut milk splits every time we get to step three. Should I be reducing the temperature before putting in the coconut milk?
Love the recipe! We use it every other week
Hmmm, it should stir right in. You can try turning down the temperature.
please could you use metric measurements alongside the imperial measurement. the oz and ‘cups’ are like reading Greek to many of your readers. thanks.