What’s the secret to creating a delicious meal? A great blend of spices and seasonings.

Ingredients are undoubtedly important, but spices can transform a dish from basic to extraordinary. In this Vegan Tikka Masala recipe, you’ll find nothing short of that.

The inspiration to create my own Tikka Masala came from a trip to upstate New York a few weeks back for my cousin’s wedding. My family in New York took us out to a restaurant that served this dish, but with their own unique twist.

Now my wheels were turning! After we returned, I researched vegan and non-vegan Tikka Masala recipes and noticed several were made with tofu or tempeh, but not lentils.

Eureka! I now had direction for my own unique twist. 

After writing down several ingredient combinations, I narrowed in on the one that was easiest to prep, yet was still healthy. That thought process is the backbone of all of my recipes!

Prep

This recipe is a real rock star because it only takes a couple of minutes. to prep your ingredients. Simply dice the yellow onion, mince the garlic, and mince or grate the fresh ginger (you can sub fresh with 1/2 tsp ginger powder). Additionally, have the rest of the seasonings ready nearby.

Cook

Then, add your onion to a large-rimmed skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté for 3 minutes or until it begins to brown. Make sure not to over cook here as the onions will simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

After 3 minutes, add your garlic, fresh ginger, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for another 30 seconds.

This dish has a spice level of a 2 out of 5. If you prefer a milder spice, only add ¼ tsp chili powder. 

Now immediately add diced tomatoes, and half the can of coconut milk. Combine everything once more and simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. stir every five minutes while your Vegan Tikka Masala simmers.

If you prefer a thinner consistency, simmer for 15 minutes; for thicker, 20 minutes.

During the last 5 minutes of simmering, add the lentils and the other half of the canned coconut milk. Mix well, taste test, and adjust seasonings as needed.

If the spice is still too much, add a couple pinches of brown or coconut sugar. 

Eat

Add your Vegan Tikka Malasa on top of a bed of Cilantro Lime Rice or grain of your choice. Alternatively, you could also add this on top of a bed of steamed vegetables.

But WAIT, since you’re here, you might also enjoy:

• Chickpea Meatballs and Spaghetti with Homemade Marinara
• Chipotle Pinto Bean Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce
• Hearty Vegan Black Burger
• Crunchy Greek Roasted Chickpeas
• Vegan Mushroom Lentil Burger