This vegan Jackfruit Tikka Masala is bursting with irresistible flavor! Marinated jackfruit is charred to perfection then smothered in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce. Ladle it over your favorite rice and enjoy an easy dinner in just 40 minutes!
Such a comforting meal that’s great for busy weeknights and one that everyone will love!
This curry is as creamy, buttery, and rich as the traditional version! It is full of spices that strike a beautiful balance between savory, spicy, warm, and sweet flavors.
The earthy aroma alone is incredibly comforting and mouthwatering. Easily whip it up for a big group or enjoy delicious leftovers for days.
Jackfruit is used as the meat replacement, while plant-based yogurt and creamer help to create a thick and tangy consistency.
Simply coat the jackfruit in the marinade mixture before cooking it in the pan. Then, cook it in a tomato-based masala sauce that is out of this world. The flavors will marry beautifully in just a few minutes and dinner is served!
If you love recipes that are full of dynamic layers of flavor, be sure to check out my Sweet Potato and Mushroom Curry, Green Curry Fried Rice, Garlic Chili Oil Noodles, and Chai-Spiced Cookies!
Reasons To Love This Dish
- Gluten-free
- Layers of flavor
- A breeze to make
- Very filling and nutritious
- Vegan version of the classic recipe
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Homemade Spice Blend - A simple mixture of garam masala, chili powder (red or Kashmiri), turmeric, cumin, salt, paprika, and coriander.
- Jackfruit - Use 2 cans of jackfruit in either water or brine for the meat replacement. After being marinated and cooked, it’s the perfect texture in this dish!
- Vegan Yogurt - Plain plant-based yogurt such as soy, coconut, oat, or almond is great here.
- Oil - Just a little for coating the pan is needed. Use your favorite such as olive, avocado, etc.
- Vegan Butter - This helps create a buttery, smooth masala sauce.
- Aromatics - Sweet onion, fresh garlic, and fresh ginger take this over the top!
- Tomato Sauce - Use any small can of tomato sauce.
- Vegan Creamer - Unsweetened and unflavored creamer such as Silk Soy adds creaminess while cutting some of the acid from the tomato.
- Sugar - Use just a pinch for balance. I like cane sugar best here, but another option such as coconut or brown can work as well.
How to Make Jackfruit Tikka Masala
Here are some quick visual steps. Find the full recipe with exact measurements on the recipe card below.
Make the spice blend and divide it in half. Set it aside for now.
Mix half of the spice blend into the vegan yogurt then coat the jackfruit with this. Let it marinate in the refrigerator while you start the masala sauce.
Cook the marinated jackfruit in a large pan until it's browned and a little crispy.
Meanwhile, sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger.
Pour in the tomato sauce and let this cook for about 15 minutes.
Add the vegan creamer and sugar, and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the jackfruit to the sauce and cook it for 5 more minutes.
Garnish your tikka masala with cilantro, a squeeze of lemon, and enjoy it with a side of rice!
Tips For Success
- Rinse the jackfruit well.
- You can break the jackfruit into small pieces while cooking it or leave it in larger chunks.
- Having a few burnt or blackened ends of the jackfruit adds great flavor to the dish!
What To Serve With Jackfruit Masala
Plant-based tikka masala is a great weeknight meal or you can serve it up for a special occasion.
- Add a side of naan.
- Spoon it over your favorite type of rice or veggies.
- Dollop dairy-free yogurt over top to make it even creamier.
- Vegan Chai Cookies would be an amazing dessert afterwards!
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Swap the jackfruit for extra-firm tofu or vegan chicken.
- Mix in some veggies such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers.
Storage & Reheating
Store the tikka masala in a covered dish in the refrigerator for 5 days or freeze it for 2 months. Reheat it in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop until heated through.
More Jackfruit Recipes To Try!
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Jackfruit Tikka Masala
Ingredients
Spice Blend
For The Jackfruit Tikka
- 28 ounces jackfruit, canned
- 1 cup plain vegan yogurt, coconut, soy, etc.
- half of spice blend from above
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For The Masala Sauce
- 2 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 medium onion (sweet, yellow, etc.), finely diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- half of spice blend from above
- 14 ounces tomato sauce,
- 1 cup plain vegan creamer
- 1 teaspoon cane sugar
Optional Garnish And Sides
- fresh cilantro, lemon or lime wedges, vegan yogurt, rice, naan
Instructions
- Make the spice blend by stirring the garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, paprika, and coriander together. Divide this in half (about 5 teaspoon each) and set it aside.
- Drain the canned jackfruit and then rinse it really well.
- Combine the yogurt with half of the spice blend in a large bowl. Add the jackfruit and stir it around to fully coat the pieces. Cover it and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, cut the onions, garlic, and ginger. Bring a large sauté pan to medium heat. Add the butter then the onions. Sauté them for 3-5 minutes or until they have softened. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and remaining spice blend seasoning. Cook this for 1 minute.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and reduce the heat to low. Stir occasionally as it cooks for 15 minutes. Add the vegan creamer and sugar. Let this cook for another 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and then when it's hot, add the jackfruit and all of the marinade to the pan.
- Stir occasionally as it cooks for about 5 minutes or until the jackfruit has started to brown. Scrape the bottom of the pan during this time. Don’t worry if some of it looks burned because this adds so much flavor!
- Add the jackfruit to the sauce and cook it for another 5 minutes. Garnish the tikka masala with cilantro, a squeeze of lemon, and enjoy with a side of rice!
Video
Notes
- You can either break the jackfruit into small pieces while cooking it or leave it in larger chunks.
- Having a few burnt or blackened ends of the jackfruit adds great flavor to the dish!
Nutrition
The nutrition information is estimated and can vary depending on brands and measurements used.
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