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Vegan Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Instant Pot Tikka Masala Sauce. Flavorful Weekday Dinner. Freezer Friendly. Glutenfree Soyfree Nutfree option
The Tikka Masala Sauce that we made in the earlier post goes amazingly with almost anything. Most veggies, tofu, tempeh, seitan, vegan chikin, chickpeas, lentils, soycurls or just use as a dressing over a bowl. Easy, luscious, so flavorful!
The sauce is made in the Instant Pot before adding anything else to it, so that just the sauce can be cooked for a longer time. This helps roast the ingredients under pressure for that deep flavor profile. If you add veggies, they will become overcook in the time needed for the sauce. You can pressure cook other ingredients such as tempeh, seitan, soy curls or chickpeas with the uncooked sauce ingredients. Just add them to the sauce before closing the lid, With Cauliflower I prefer to bake it and then simmer in the cooked sauce for a few mins for best results. To cook it in the instant pot, pressure cook for just 1 minute at low pressure with the already cooked sauce or just Simmer with cooked sauce on the stove top/IP for 10-12 mins or until cauliflower is cooked to preference.
Try it both ways to decide which you prefer, Add some chickpeas in for added protein. Lets make this!
Tips and substitute options
Like with all my Indian Recipes, I try to keep the flavors as authentic as possible while making it simpler. You can change up other things based on availability and preference (non dairy yogurt can easily be subbed with non dairy cream or milk). It doesn’t affect the amazing flavor, the sauce if flavorful enough and some changes here and there dont affect the deliciousness. It might affect the traditional flavor profile, which may or may not be detectable :).
Use other veggies such as roasted pumpkin/sweet potato/butternut squash, fresh broccoli or zucchini for variations. Add some beans or lentils for a hearty meal.
If you make this Tikka Masala, do let me know how it worked out!
Step Photos
More Instant Pot options
- Chana Saag GF
- Instant Pot Vegan Butter Chickin(soycurls). GF – Creamy, Delicious
- Japanese Veggie Curry. GF
- Aloo Gobi GF
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup with Red lentils.  – So Easy
- More Instant Pot Recipes!
Vegan Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Ingredients Â
- 1 medium head of cauliflower chopped into florets
- 2 tsp oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp or more salt
- 1 Recipe my Tikka masala sauce, , use 2/3 of the sauce recipe if using a small head of cauliflower
- 1/4 cup non dairy cream, such as cashew ( (blend 1/4 cup cashews with 1/4 cup water until smooth), soy, coconut (optional)
InstructionsÂ
- If you havent yet, make  my Tikka Masala Sauce. To a large bowl, Add the chopped cauliflower florets, drizzle oil and lemon juice and toss well to coat. In a small bowl mix all the spices and salt. Sprinkle the spices all over the cauliflower and toss to coat. Spread the florets on a parchment lined baking sheet or baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 C) for 25 mins.
- In a saucepan over medium heat or instant pot on saute mode, combine the tikka masala sauce and baked cauliflower. Add 1/4 cup of non dairy cream if needed. Mix well. Bring to a boil. At this point you can also add in a cup or more chickpeas for added protein. Cook for about 3-4 mins. Taste and adjust salt and flavor.Â
- Garnish with fenugreek leaves or cilantro. Sprinkle some smoked paprika or cayenne (really important for a smoky flavor). Take off heat. Then let the mixture sit for another few mins before serving. Serve with Naan, flatbreads or rice.Â
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Another amazing recipe! Delicious!
This is a lovely recipe. Made it on the stove top with several modifications. Used Anaheim pepper instead of bell pepper, used 2 serrano peppers, and vegan sour cream as it was thicker with less risk of breaking in the sauce. It was delicious. The roasted cauliflower is now going to be made separately for my vegan biryani. Thank you ever so much for noting the stove top modifications for this recipe. Gave me the confidence to give it a go.
awesome!
The best cauliflower curry I’ve had! Sauce was the right consistency without being too heavy or unhealthy. The cauliflower wasn’t mushy. Family loved it. Thanks!
yay!
Another VR hit! This was so easy to make and yet with such incredible depth of flavor… and oh so delicious! Adding yet another one to my fav list! (which is basically your whole site by now!)
yay!
Delicious! My friend made this for me and it was totally delicious! Thanks for another great recipe!
yay!
Can I use coconut milk/cream instead of the cashew for the non dairy cream replacement.
yes
This looks great! You put in the liquid from the diced tomatoes right?
Yes, Adding the video of the recipe now. Check in a few mins.
This was incredible! Definitely one of the best indian dishes I’ve ever made. Thank you so much for this recipe! I’ll be making it again for sure.
awesome!
This looks so good! I need to get to the store to pick up the ingredients. I’ve tried making a Tikka Masala before but this one looks a bit easier. Can’t wait to try it!
Ah yes, I have eaten Indian curries where the vegetables become incredibly soggy. Nobody likes mushy broccoli! This tikka masala curry looks absolutely fabulous. I think adding chickpeas, potatoes, and some zucchini would add even more heartiness to this lovely dish!
Yes, the baked cauliflower retains the crisp and al dente ness. Simmer just long enough to develop some flavor and we are done!
This turned out so amazing!! all clean plates! kids love d it too
yay!
Am I missing instructions? The video has about 10 different steps and ingredients that the written instructions didn’t have. If I had followed that I would only have cauliflower and dried seasonings, and a little fake milk. I went on a mission because I knew there was no way that was all that was needed and I was right. I’ll watch the video instead but for someone who looks at a list and then goes shopping… I would have missed lots of crucial steps. Am I blind? Honestly nobody else commented about this so I’m wondering if I’m missing the additional sauce instructions.
the link to my tikka masala sauce is missing. I updated it.
The video is for both the sauce and tikka masala. Here is the tikka masala sauce https://fettabbau-trim.today/2018/09/instant-pot-tikka-masala-sauce-vegan-recipe.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
This is one of my favorite, go to recipes. Delicious!!! 5 stars