Tofu Butter Masala, Tofu Tikka Masala
By :Subhadra Burugula
Ultimate butter tofu recipe that is out there, crispy tofu pieces cooked in gorgeous cashew nut tomato based gravy. Lip- smacking and heavenly are the best words to describe this dish. This same gravy can be used for meats like chicken too.
Votes: 4
Rating: 3.5
Rate this recipe!
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Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Side Dishes
Duration 15-30 min
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook, Sauté
Main Ingredient Cashews, Tofu
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp ghee or butter
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
  • 14 ounces Firm tofu cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 cup water or as needed
  • cilantro to garnish
For sauce/gravy
  • 2 small tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 4 small 1/2 inch pieces cinnamon
  • 3-4 cloves
  • 2 cardamom
  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • 1 green chili or to taste
Spices
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Red chili powder to taste
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Side Dishes
Duration 15-30 min
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook, Sauté
Main Ingredient Cashews, Tofu
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp ghee or butter
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
  • 14 ounces Firm tofu cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 cup water or as needed
  • cilantro to garnish
For sauce/gravy
  • 2 small tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 4 small 1/2 inch pieces cinnamon
  • 3-4 cloves
  • 2 cardamom
  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • 1 green chili or to taste
Spices
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Red chili powder to taste
Votes: 4
Rating: 3.5
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Instructions
  1. Take the tofu, drain the water well and cut into pieces
  2. Pan fry them with little oil until sides are golden brown and crisp. This will prevent the breaking of tofu in curry. ( I air fried the tofu in an air fryer, at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping in between. sprayed with little oil)
  3. Make a smooth paste with all the ingredients mentioned under sauce..
  4. Turn on the instant pot, put it on saute mode high.
  5. Add ghee, let it get hot. once hot add cumin seeds and fry well.
  6. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 2 to 3 mins, until golden brown.
  7. Add the sauce to the pot and mix well. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until ghee leaves the sides and sauce is well cooked.
  8. Sauce may splatter, if desired switch to saute mode low or use a splatter guard.
  9. If sauce is too thick and sticking to bottom add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water. I added 1/2 cup water (adjust as you need)
  10. After sauce is cooked, add all the ingredients mentioned under the spices and mix well.
  11. Add Tofu pieces and water as needed, I added 1/2 cup water.
  12. Turn off saute mode
  13. Put the lid, vent to sealing position and do manual high 2 minutes.
  14. Natural release or quick release after 10 mins in warm mode.
  15. Garnish with cilantro.
  16. Serve with Naan or rice of your choice.
Recipe Notes

If using heavy cream instead of cashews, add heavy cream at the end once the curry is done.
After the curry is done, if your sauce is too thick add some water and do saute mode for couple of minutes. If you sauce is too think then do saute mode till desired consistency is reached.
In the same sauce, any other vegetables, paneer or meat can be cooked. (adjust the cooking times as needed).
Vegans can skip ghee/butter and use vegan butter or olive oil.

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10 replies
  1. Herbie4
    Herbie4 says:

    This recipe is not vegan. Butter or ghi is not from a plant. Please correct this or mention alternative.

  5. Catfreeek
    Catfreeek says:

    The flavors are very good but i believe the method is wrong. Next time I will pressure cook the sauce then puree it with an immersion blender and add the tofu afterward. It makes much more sense.

  8. SUBHADRA BURUGULA
    SUBHADRA BURUGULA says:

    For all who are concerned that ghee/butter is not vegan,
    I have included that in the ******recipe notes****** that you can completely use different fat like oil to make the recipe. Please feel free to use vegan butter or oil as needed. No one is forcing vegans to use ghee/butter. The only reason I kept ghee/butter in the ingredients is because authentic recipe calls for it and I wanted to keep it in an option for non vegans browsing the recipes. Thanks for understanding.

  9. Sandrina
    Sandrina says:

    PERFECTION! I read the ingredients and directions completely (loved the option at the end to make recipe vegan). My family loved it, even my non vegan husband. Thank you for this recipe.

  10. Lisa
    Lisa says:

    Thanks for sharing this yummy-sounding recipe. I’m going to make it today! I see no issue with labeling the recipe vegan when one small modification makes it so. I routinely sub Earth Balance or homemade vegan butter for ghee, so it was clear to me how to make it vegan, but for those who weren’t sure, it was helpful that you specified in the notes. All the best and thanks again.

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