The cooking time for vegetable tikka masala varies depending on the recipe, but generally takes around 20 minutes to simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Vegetable tikka masala is an aromatic Indian curry sauce typically made with cream, ghee or oil and a blend of spices. It may include paneer (an Indian cheese) or chicken for added flavor and texture.
This vegan veggie tikka masala recipe is super-easy to make on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot! It’s hearty, filling, and vegan-friendly.
Vegetable Tikka Masala
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an incredibly versatile vegetable, capable of being prepared in various ways. You can roast, boil, steam, fry or pickle it to suit your own preference.
Vegetarian tikka masala recipes are an easy way to incorporate vegetables into a curry dish. This vegetarian tikka masala recipe swaps chicken for tender cauliflower florets in a rich tomato and coconut milk sauce, finished off with cilantro for an irresistibly cool touch.
This 30-minute Instant Pot cauliflower curry is perfectly spiced, creamy and so easy to make! Plus it’s gluten free and vegan – the perfect addition to your Indian meal rotation!
Carrots
If you’re looking to increase the vegetable content in your tikka masala recipe, carrots are an ideal addition. When cooked with some spices and herbs, they take on a delicious flavor that will enhance this vegetarian Indian dinner.
Making vegetable tikka masala is all about cooking your veggies until they’re tender but not mushy. This recipe calls for cauliflower, potatoes and carrots; however you can easily substitute other veggies of your preference.
Peas
Green peas make an excellent addition to this vegetable tikka masala. Their earthiness and slight bitterness provide a nice counterpoint to the richness of the other ingredients in the dish.
Peas are cooked directly in a pan, giving them a fresher flavor and vibrant green hue. By contrast, pressure cooked nimona tends to lose that vital freshness.
This recipe is a lighter take on traditional tikka masala, featuring tender florets of cauliflower simmered in a tomato base with peas, chickpeas, coconut milk and curry spices. It makes an wholesome vegetarian dinner that can be made any night of the week.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an essential ingredient in many Indian dishes, but vegetable tikka masala stands out due to their vibrant and flavorful backdrop that complements other vegetables in the dish.
Sweet potatoes make an excellent addition to sauces as they add starch that helps hold it together without making it too watery. Furthermore, sweet potatoes contain plenty of vitamins and fiber.
Peppers are another popular vegetable that pairs well with tikka masala. Their vibrant color stands out against the dark brown of the curry, while their mild flavor won’t overpower other components.
Garlic
Tikka masala is a beloved curry dish in India and an ideal way to incorporate more veggies into your meals. This dish consists of tomato- and cream-based sauce seasoned with spices such as garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric and chili powder.
Vegetables make an ideal accompaniment to tikka masala, adding texture and color contrast to the creamy tomato-based sauce. Popular vegetables that go great with this dish include spinach, zucchini and peppers.
Spinach is an ideal option as its mild taste won’t overpower the fiery heat of the tikka masala sauce. Zucchini also provides a neutral taste which helps balance out the fieriness of the marinade.
Ginger
Ginger is an essential element in tikka masala, adding a warm and spicy kick that complements the other vegetables in the recipe as well as tomato-based sauce.
Additionally, ginger is an inherent sweetener which helps to balance out the spice intensity in tikka masala sauce. This makes it more accessible for people who may find other ingredients too bitter.
Spices
Vegetable tikka masala is an irresistible Indian dish that’s easy to make at home. Packed full of nutritious flavor, this meal makes for a quick weeknight dinner in no time!
This recipe calls for a variety of spices, such as red chili powder, cumin, coriander and turmeric. These aromatics add depth and complexity to the curry while maintaining an even balance throughout.
Other spices to consider include smoked paprika and garlic. Combining these will create an irresistibly smoky, fiery sauce to serve alongside your vegetables.
The Ingredients for Vegetable Tikka Masala
The ingredients for Vegetable Tikka Masala include olive oil or ghee, yellow onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, tomato paste, cauliflower florets, thick-cut carrots, green peas and coconut yogurt or cream.
This dish is vegetarian and vegan-friendly and can be served with basmati rice and naan bread. To make the best Vegetable Tikka Masala it is important to have all of the spices ready before starting.
The spices that give this dish its flavor are garam marsala, ground turmeric, chili powder, cumin, paprika and a little cayenne pepper.
Additionally it is possible to add other vegetables such as paneer (Indian cheese), tofu or chickpeas to the dish.
Cooking Time for Vegetable Tikka Masala
The cooking time for vegetable tikka masala varies depending on the method used. When cooked on the stovetop, it takes about 40 minutes.
If cooked in a slow cooker, it takes 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high. If cooked in a pressure cooker, it takes about 10 minutes.
Additionally, if you are freezing the tikka masala, allow it to cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
