Vegan Tempeh Tikka Masala (2024)

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Vegan tempeh tikka masala made with coconut yogurt and coconut milk that will leave you with all the comfort feels minus all the heavy feels. You’ll love this healthy spin on traditional Indian food.

If you’ve been following EBF for a minute, you know that I’m obsessed with tempeh and that I LOVE Indian food, so it was only a matter of time before I created a vegan version of one of my favorite Indian dishes.

Healthy Indian Food at Home

Indian food is one of our go-to takeout options, so when I created my own version of tikka masala with tempeh we had a little celebration. Now we can enjoy this Indian dish any night we please (and don’t have to wait 45 minutes for delivery!). The longest part of the recipe is when the tempeh is marinating; besides that, this is ready in no time.

What is Tempeh?

It’s a plant-based protein made of cooked soybeans that have been fermented. It’s a great plant-based protein option that’s a great source of fiber and is high in vitamins and minerals.

Tempeh is similar to tofu, however there are some differences – tempeh is less processed, fermented, has a stronger flavor and a bit more texture. The flavor is usually described as nutty or earthy, but there are different varieties with subtle taste differences.

My biggest tip when it comes to tempeh is to marinate or pair it with a flavorful, robust sauce so it can take on the flavors of the dish it’s a part of. This tempeh tikka masala is a great example of both! Not only are you marinating the tempeh in advance, but you’re also coating it in a well-rounded sauce with tons of flavor.

I’ve tried a ton of different tempeh varieties andLightlifeis definitely my favorite for a few reasons: it’s organic, GMO-free and easy to find at mainstream stores.

How to Serve Tempeh Tikka Masala

Make this dish your own by pairing it with sides of your choice and adjusting the spice level to your taste. I highly recommend serving it over rice or cauliflower rice with a few pieces of naan to soak up the delicious sauce. And of course we like things spicy over here, so we added a little sriracha on top. There’s no shame in my hot sauce game. I add it to everything… even salads!

More Indian Cuisine Inspired Recipes to Try:

• Mattar Tofu
• Dairy-Free Butter Chicken
• Coconut Curried Eggplant
• Channa Masala
• Naan Pizza
• Coconut Curry Soup

More Tempeh Recipes to Try:

• Tempeh Tacos with Tempeh Taco “Meat”
• Curried Tempeh Salad
• Maple Mustard Tempeh Meal Prep Bowls
• Vegan Sweet and Sour Tempeh
• Blackened Tempeh Salad
• Tempeh Butternut Squash Bake

Be sure to let me know if you try this vegan tempeh tikka masala recipe by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. Your feedback is so helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.