Tofu Vindaloo Recipe (Indian Tangy Chili Sauce)

Tofu Vindaloo – pan-seared tofu in a tangy Kashmiri chili garlic vinegar sauce! Make this vegan spin on a restaurant-style Indian dish as an easy weeknight dinner. Glutenfree Nutfree. soyfree option

Tofu Vindaloo! Forget take-out – this is a delicious spicy Vindaloo that you can make right at home. Seared, golden pan-fried tofu with crispy edges simmered in a vibrant and tangy gravy together with Indian spices! What could be better?

Instead of meat, this dish is made with tofu. The tofu is surprisingly reminiscent of paneer – a pressed Indian cheese you often see in Indian curries, and with its mild taste, it works beautifully against the flavorful vindaloo gravy. How’s that for diving in head-first?

Vindaloo is a Portuguese influenced Indian(Goan) dish. Vindaloo means meat marinated in wine, over the years the sauce has adapted to use vinegar. it doesn’t necessarily contain aloo(potato) . The simplest recipe uses just some meat and a chili and vinegar based marinade. The recipes and heat vary and additions like onion, tomato or potato help tone down some of the heat. We use tofu in this version but you can easily use a vegan chicken or pork substitute.

I like serving this thick sauced vindaloo with rice or naan or flatbread and something mild. A dollop of cashew cream or yogurt helps with the heat.

Why will you love this recipe!

• Vindaloo is an amazingly flavored sauce
• Although it uses some special chilies, they are available on Amazon or in Indian stores
• its Glutenfree and Nutfree
• Can be easily made without soy
• it needs just 1 pan!

MORE INDIAN COMFORT FOOD

• Baked Madras curry Tofu
• creamy baked Korma
• Baked Chana Pulao
• Baked Tofu Curry 
• Baked Balti Veggies
• Veggie curry casserole 
• Butter Tofu- GF
• IP Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce GF
• Tofu in Spinach Curry – Saag Tofu
• Vegetable Jalfrezi

Print Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Tofu Vindaloo

Tofu Vindaloo - pan-seared tofu in a tangy Kashmiri chili garlic vinegar sauce! Make this vegan spin on a restaurant-style Indian Vindaloo as an easy weeknight dinner. Glutenfree Nutfree, Soyfree option

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: vegan vindaloo, vegetable vindaloo, vindaloo recipe

Servings: 4

Calories: 175kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

For the vindaloo paste:

• 2 large dried Kashmiri chilies soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, use 3 - 4 if medium size
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 inch ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds or ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper corns use 1/4 teaspoon for less heat (or use freshly ground black pepper)
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or Indian red chili powder
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar Or malt vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups (354.88 ml) water

For the tofu:

• 14 ounce (396.89 g) firm or extra firm tofu pressed for at least 15 minutes then cubed
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or paprika
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons (20 g) corn starch or tapioca or arrowroot starch

For the sauce:

• 2-3 teaspoons oil
• 1 1/2 cups (240 g) finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• cilantro and non dairy yogurt or cashew cream for garnish

Instructions

• Vindaloo paste: Drain the soaking chilies and add to blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until the spices are broken down and the chilies have broken down into a somewhat smooth mix. Then set aside.
• For the tofu: Add the cubed tofu to bowl. Sprinkle in the rest of the ingredients and toss well to coat evenly.
• Heat the skillet over medium heat with 2 teaspoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu to the skillet and cook until most of the edges are golden.
• Then remove the tofu from the skillet into a bowl.(Alternatively, You can bake the tofu at 400 deg F for 20 mins )
• Add another teaspoon of oil and add the onion and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion is golden. Add splashes of water if the onion is starting to crisp too quickly, to help it cook evenly, get golden and stay moist.
• Then add in the blended vindaloo paste and bring to a good boil. Add the tofu and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more water for saucier consistency if you like. Switch off heat then let it sit for another 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and some non-dairy yogurt or cashew cream. Serve with rice , naan or flatbread. Store refrigerated for upto 3 days.

Notes

• Kashmiri chilies substitute: If you cannot find Kashmiri chilis, you can use any moderately hot or mild dried red chilies such as guajillo or California red or a mix of guajillo and dried Indian red chilies (these are hot). Although I would suggest you get some for this recipe for the true flavor. I’ll be using them in more recipes. 
• Kashmiri Chili Powder sub: Use a mix of sweet paprika and cayenne
• Heat: this sauce is hot because of the black pepper and cayenne. Kashmiri chilies are mild. To adjust heat reduce the cayenne and black pepper 
• Soy-free: Use my chickpea tofu, or vegan chicken subs such as soycurls, or some veggies such as cauliflower, zucchini, or use chickpeas. Soak soycurls in hot broth for 10 mins, then drain and use.
• Oilfree: omit the oil from the tofu marinade. Bake the tofu for 20 mins. Sauté the onion in broth.
• To make vegetable vindaloo: Use 2.5 cups chopped vegetables such as cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, squash, green beans, parsnip etc. Toss in the marinade ingredients under tofu. Add 1-2 tsp more chili powder. Bake at 400 deg F for 30 mins then add to the sauce. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Tofu Vindaloo

Amount Per Serving

Calories 175 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 306mg13%

Potassium 220mg6%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 221IU4%

Vitamin C 39mg47%

Calcium 167mg17%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Ingredients:

•  firm or extra firm tofu is what works best – make sure to press it for at least 15 minutes
• For the vindaloo paste we blend Kashmiri chilis that are soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
• vindaloo spices include chili, cinnamon, ginger, cumin seeds, coriander seeds or ground coriander along with black peppercorn!
• apple cider vinegar or white vinegar adds the signature tang to the gravy
• before frying, the tofu is coated with a small amount of cornstarch and chili or paprika to create crispy edges
• sauteed onions: the base of any Indian gravy gravy
• cilantro and yogurt or cashew cream for garnish

Tips:

• Servings this dish with a dollop of cashew cream or yogurt really helps with the spiciness
• Kashmiri chilies substitute: If you cannot find Kashmiri chilis, you can use any moderately hot or mild dried red chilies such as guajillo or California red. Although I would suggest you get some for this recipe for the true flavor. I’ll be using them in more recipes. 
• Kashmiri Chili Powder: Use a mix of sweet paprika and cayenne
• Heat: this sauce is hot because of the black pepper and cayenne. Kashmiri chilies are mild. To adjust heat reduce the cayenne and black pepper
• Soy-free: Use my chickoea tofu, or vegan chicken subs such as soycurls, or some veggies such as cauliflower, zucchini, or use chickpeas. Soak soycurls in hot broth for 10 mins, then drain and use
• Oilfree: omit the oil from the tofu marinade. Bake the tofu for 20 mins. Sauté the onion in broth

How to make Tofu Vindaloo

Vindaloo paste: Drain the soaking chilies and add to blender.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until the whole spices are broken down and the chilies have broken down as well. Then set aside.

For the tofu: Add the cubed tofu to bowl. Sprinkle in the rest of the ingredients and toss well to coat evenly.

Heat the skillet over medium heat with 2 teaspoons of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu to the skillet and cook until most of the edges are golden.

Then remove the tofu from the skillet into a bowl.(Alternatively, You can bake the tofu at 400 deg F for 20 mins )

Add another teaspoon of oil and add the onion and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion is golden. Add splashes of water if the onion is starting to crisp too quickly, to help it cook evenly, get golden and still stay moist.

Then add in the blended paste and bring to a good boil. Add the tofu and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium-low heat.

Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Switch off heat then let it sit for another 5-10 minutes before serving.

Garnish with cilantro and some non-dairy yogurt or cashew cream. Serve with rice or flatbread.

What to Serve with vindaloo?

Serve this tofu vindaloo with a side of rice, Naan or flatbread(regular or glutenfree).
With a hot and flavorful main such as this, addd milder veggie sides such as okra onion stir fry, cabbage, potatoes, cauliflower and potatoes, corn and greens or other spices seasonal veggie.

Storage

Store refrigerated in a closed container for upto 3 days. Freeze for upto 2 months