One pot wonder alert! This easy Tofu Curry has the warmth and richness of a traditional curry, but is healthier, prepared entirely with ingredients you can find at an average grocery store, and cooks up in a single pot.
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About This Tofu Curry Recipe
Shortly after college, I spent a summer traveling in India.
I’ve been smitten with Indian recipes ever since.
As much as I adore Chicken Tikka Masala (Ben lived in India for two summers and it is still his favorite dish) and this Thai Chicken Curry (made with thai red curry paste), I have a special appreciation for vegetarian Indian recipes like Paneer Tikka Masala, Tofu Tikka Masa, and Potato Curry.
It is something special to be able to prepare a meatless main so robust, so deeply satisfying, and so filling, no one misses the meat at all.
Such is the case with this easy tofu curry.
- The tomato curry sauce is a vibrant blend of spicier ingredients (curry and cumin) and warm flavors (coriander and cloves). The complexity is marvelous.
- It is filling. Tofu is high in protein. Serve this curry with a fiber-rich whole grain like brown rice, and you’ll stay full and happy. Can easily be made gluten free!
- This recipe is healthy. In place of the heavy cream to enrich curry, we’re calling in Greek yogurt.
While I am drawn to spices that smell like faraway places I would like to visit—saffron, curry leaves, peri peri—and I like the idea of grinding my own spices, in day-to-day life, I rely on the spices available at my local grocery store.
5 Star Review
“I’ve made this twice now (and several others from your site) and it’s soooooo good and easy to make. It gets a big thumbs up from my husband as well.”
— Sarah —
How to Make Tofu Curry
This creamy tofu curry is valuable weeknight meal material.
It comes together in less than an hour, and you’ll love the leftovers too!
Tip!
Are you looking to incorporate more meatless meals this year? Be sure to check out my full collection of meatless mains.
The Ingredients
- Tofu. Protein-rich tofu is an excellent choice for filling vegetarian recipes. Its mild flavor makes it the ideal canvas to soak in the spices of the curry sauce. Be sure to use EXTRA FIRM tofu for the best texture.
- Soy Sauce. This pantry staple adds saltiness and umami.
- Ginger. An acrobat in the spice circus. It majestically walks the tightrope between “hot” spices such as cayenne and “warming” spices such as cloves, making it the ideal flavor to incorporate in Tofu Curry.
- Tomato Paste. Gives the tomato curry base simmered-all-day flavor in a fraction of the time.
- Spices. Curry, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, and ground cloves give the curry unmistakable warmth and authentic Indian flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes. This pantry staple lends itself well to curry dishes and helps create the sauce base.
- Greek Yogurt. The Greek yogurt calms the spices and gives the sauce a lovely creaminess, without the excess.
- Frozen Green Peas. An instant way to up the nutritional content of this tofu curry and a lovely burst of color.
The Directions
- Sauté the tofu in spices until crispy. Move to a plate.
- Sauté the onion.
- Add the spices and cook until very fragrant.
4. Add the veggie and remaining ingredients. Let the tofu curry simmer for 10 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the tofu and peas. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store leftover tofu curry in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on the stovetop or gently in the microwave.
- To Freeze. The tofu curry will become a little mealy when frozen, but still be reasonably yummy. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Meal Prep Tip
Up to 1 day in advance, sauté the tofu as directed in Step 1. Chop the onions. Store each separately in the refrigerator.
Leftover Ideas
Take a note from these Eggs in Purgatory and poach eggs gently in the leftovers. Dip with Homemade Naan.
What to Serve with Tofu Curry
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Dutch Oven. This is an investment piece, but it will last you a lifetime.
- Tofu Press. For next-level crispy tofu.
Whether you’re a long-time Indian food lover or just dipping your toes, this rich and lively tofu curry is a yummy stop in the journey.
As always, if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
While I haven’t tried it myself, you could experiment with swapping a dairy-free yogurt for the whole milk Greek yogurt in this recipe.
Or check out this Coconut Curry, Slow Cooker Red Lentil Cauliflower Curry, and Thai-inspired Chickpea Curry.
Instead of tofu, bulk up this meatless main with 2 cans of rinsed, drained chickpeas (also, be sure to check out this Chickpea Curry). Or check out this pumpkin squash curry soup for a vegan option!
This recipe isn’t spicy in the sense “hot.” Rather, it is full of spices that are warm and aromatic. If you’d like to make spicy tofu curry, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Tofu Curry
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce plus additional to taste
- 1 block extra firm tofu (14 ounces) pressed dry and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion chopped (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 can diced tomatoes with their juices
- ¾ cup whole milk plain Greek yogurt at room temperature*
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups frozen green peas thawed
- Cooked brown rice for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro for serving
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a non-stick large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add tofu in a single layer and let cook undisturbed for a few minutes, until the tofu is brown on one side. With a spatula, carefully turn the tofu so that all sides brown, cooking for a few minutes on each side. Once tofu is lightly browned and crispy (about 10 minutes), drizzle with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and stir to coat. Remove tofu from pan and set aside.
- Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, along with onion and ginger. Cook until onion softens and begins to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, garlic, curry powder, bay leaf, salt, cumin, coriander, cloves, and cayenne and cook for 3 minutes. Add remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
- Remove pan from heat. Add tomatoes, yogurt, and water, return to medium heat and let cook 10 minutes. Add reserved tofu and peas, cover, and turn off the heat. Let sit 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf and discard. Serve warm with brown rice and garnish with cilantro. Top with additional soy sauce as desired.
Notes
- *To help avoid curdling, ensure the yogurt is at room temperature and remove the pan from the heat prior to adding it. Do not use low fat or fat free yogurt, as it is prone to curdling.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate curry in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently reheat leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze curry in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Great curry with lots of flavour
Nice suggestions, I am going to try it. Your omission of sodium content is notable. The soy sauce and added salt would be expected to boost it. Some can consume sodium without health concerns, not others….