Vegan Tofu “Butter Chicken” (Tofu Makhani)

Vegan “Butter Chicken” is one of my favorite vegan, Indian-inspired dishes to whip up. 

Made with creamy coconut milk and a variety of Indian spices, this plant-based recipe is perfectly creamy with an array of flavors mingling together. 

To turn this dish into a full meal, I highly recommend pairing it with naan/flatbread, roti, white basmati rice.  

Why You’ll Love This 

• This tofu makhani recipe is 100% plant-based, dairy-free, and made with easy-to-find ingredients. 
• Frozen tofu is the real winner here! Freezing then thawing tofu creates a chewy, “meaty” texture similar to chicken. Additionally, freezing tofu helps expand its pores, which makes it easier for the gravy to penetrate. This means BIG FLAVOR throughout the tofu and the dish. 
• It’s the perfect comfort food for any time of the year. I love serving vegan “butter chicken” during the warmer months alongside warm naan or rice. 
• Makes for an impressive date night meal! Switch things up and have dinner at home with this creamy, flavorful dish. It’ll impress the veg person in your life! 

If you love Indian food, you’ve probably heard about butter chicken or murgh makhani.

Butter chicken is a chicken curry made with different spices, butter, tomatoes, and a cream sauce.

It’s similar to chicken tikka masala, the difference being that tikka masala is less creamy and has more tomato essence. Both are incredibly delicious!

For this recipe, we’re veganizing butter chicken by switching out the chicken for tofu, the butter for vegan butter, and the milk/cream for coconut milk.

How To Make Vegan Tofu “Butter Chicken” 

1. Freeze then thaw tofu. Toss with oil, salt, and flour. 
2. Bake tofu or air fry tofu over 400 degrees F. 
3. Next, make the gravy. 
4. Transfer the gravy to a blender and blend until smooth. 
5. Finally, combine the gravy with the tofu “chicken.” Simmer until thick, then serve. 

To cut back on time, air fry the tofu rather than cooking in the oven.

Recipe FAQs

What Does Vegan Butter Chicken Taste Like

Vegan butter chicken has a creamy, warm, tomato-y, umami flavor profile. Although this one uses coconut milk as the cream base, the coconut flavor is subtle against the other flavors added to the gravy. 

What is Vegan Butter Chicken Sauce/Gravy Made Of

Butter is one of the main ingredients in this recipe – hence the name. Other ingredients in vegan butter chicken include tomato paste, cumin, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, coriander, cayenne/chili, and creamy coconut milk. 

Many of these ingredients can be found at an Indian or Asian grocery store. 

Their prices are typically better than big-box stores and you can purchase the spices in bulk. 

If you’re having a difficult time finding these spices and ingredeints at your local grocery store, they can be found on Amazon. 

How To Store 

Store the cooked vegan “butter chicken” in an airtight container or reusable silicone bag for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. 

This can also be stored in the freezer in a freezer-grade container.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. 

Recipe Tips 

1. Use full-fat coconut milk – this will help create a very creamy dish. Low-fat coconut milk won’t cut it. 
2. Cayenne pepper is Indian chili powder. Use it. If you want it to be spicer, add more. If you prefer to hold back on the heat, add less, or opt-out. 
3. Removing water from frozen then thawed tofu is very easy to do. A tofu press is not necessary. Simply take the backs of two plates and gently press the tofu. 
4. Note, you’ll need extra firm tofu to get that springy, texture you want to get from the tofu. Avoid silken tofu for this recipe. 
5. For this recipe, I used a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity that comes from the tomato paste. However, if that’s your jam – omit the sugar. 
6. If you do not have fresh crushed garlic on hand, use a tablespoon of dry garlic powder, instead. By the way, a garlic crusher is hands-down one of my favorite kitchen purchases. It cuts prep time considerably.

If you’re looking for more vegan Indian recipes, check out our Aloo Tikki, Palak Paneer, and Indian-inspired Garam Masala Savory Oatmeal. 

Tried out this Vegan “Butter Chicken” recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.

Did you try out this Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) Recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us.

Go plant-based the budget-friendly way and check out our Guide To A Cheap Plant-Based Diet.