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    Home » Recipes » Curry

    Easy Creamy Tofu Korma

    Published: Jul 18, 2022 by Jess & Dan · Modified: Jul 18, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Tofu korma on a Pinterest image with a title at the top.
    Pinterest title in bottom half, vegan korma with roti at the top.

    A creamy and indulgent classic curry house style korma made vegan. Tofu korma is easy to make and one of the most popular types of curries ever. Great served with vegan naan bread to mop up all that delicious gravy.

    Tofu korma in a bowl with rice and a roti on the side.
    Jump to:
    • 🌟 Why this recipe works
    • 📋 Ingredient Notes
    • 📋 Step-by-step Instructions
    • 👩‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 FAQs 
    • 🍚 Serving suggestions
    • 🍛 More recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🌟 Why this recipe works

    Self-diagnosed curry addicts – we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, but curry is life! Whether it’s a vegan butter chicken, spicy vegetable jalfrezi or sweet and creamy veggie pasanda, we’re in! Especially when it’s served with creamy vegan raita and roti too. It’s one of our favourite things to cook, and something that we’ll always make if we have friends and family coming over for dinner.

    Creamy and mild – sometimes nothing but a creamy, mild and indulgent curry will do. If that’s where you’re at, then this is the recipe you've been looking for. However – and controversially – if you do like your spice, this one is great with a bit of chilli added – either with the rest of the spices or chilli flakes on top.

    Classic ingredients and techniques – the word ‘korma’ is actually taken from the word braised in Urdu (source), referencing how the traditional dish was cooked, but this recipe is based on a classic British curry house korma, which has taken on a life of its own. Curry is synonymous with Britain, due to Indian influence and surprisingly (maybe?) is one of the most popular dishes in the UK. Our tofu korma is an amazing vegan korma that uses the proper ingredients and techniques to make a classic curry house korma but completely plant-based.

    📋 Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for making tofu korma

    Tofu – it wouldn’t be a tofu korma without the tofu! For this recipe, we recommend using extra-firm tofu or firm tofu that has been pressed in a tofu press. We like the brand Tofoo, as it doesn’t need to be pressed. Ideally, if you brown it off in an air fryer or frying pan before adding to the tofu korma, it’s even better. If you love tofu, try this braised tofu and this amazing Szechuan tofu.

    Cashews – it’s important to soak the cashews in boiling water before blending them, this way they turn into cashew cream. They take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to soak in boiling water. Cashews are actually used in a traditional korma recipe, but we have increased the amount in this recipe so that it replicates the creaminess of yoghurt, which is what would usually be used. When paired with the coconut cream, it creates the dreamiest tofu korma, that rivals a traditional version!

    Coconut cream – we used the set coconut cream found on the top of a full fat can of coconut milk. Alternatively, you can buy coconut cream in a can or as a block. If using the cream from the top of the can, don’t forget to save the separated water! It can be added to smoothies to save wasting it.

    Whole spices – the whole spices are super important to a tofu korma. It’s important to lightly crush the cardamom pods but not so much that the insides spill out into the gravy. That wouldn’t make for a pleasant eating experience! The cloves, cardamom pods, bay leaves and cinnamon stick may look like they’re not much but they bring key flavours to this vegan korma. Just make sure to remove them all before serving!

    Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this article for exact measurements to make this creamy tofu korma recipe.

    📋 Step-by-step Instructions

    This is a step-by-step overview with photos for making vegan tofu korma. The full recipe, along with measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

    Two side-by-side images of cashews soaking in hot water and then a blended mix of cashes, tomatoes, garlic and ginger

    1. Start by soaking the cashews in boiling hot water for at least 30 minutes. The longer they soak, the smoother the paste will be once blended.

    2. Add cashews to a blender along with the tomatoes, garlic and ginger and blend until smooth. Set aside.

    Two side-by-side images of onions being fried and browned, followed by dry spiced being added

    3. Melt the butter in a large pan, then add sliced onions until browned – this will take around 10 minutes. Optionally, remove some onions to use as a garnish.

    4. Pop in the whole spices, that’s the cardamom, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon stick.

    Two side-by-side images where the first is the dry spices being fried and the second shows the addition of the cream

    5. Sprinkle in turmeric, coriander and chilli powders. Stir well.

    6. Pour in the cashew paste from the blender. Stir well. It will thicken quite quickly, so best to keep it over a medium heat.

    Two side-by-side images of the korma sauce being cooked and then the tofu being added

    7. Loosen with the water, then sprinkle in the sugar.

    8. Pop in the tofu and stir through. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins. Oil should start coming out of the edge of the sauce once it is nearly ready.

    Two side-by-side images, the first shows the seasonings being added to the curry, with the second showing coconut cream being added

    9. Add desiccated coconut, salt and garam masala. Stir well.

    10. Then add the coconut cream and allow to melt into the sauce. Feel free to add slightly more coconut cream or water to make the gravy looser, or don’t add any extra and serve with the thick and creamy sauce.

    Two side-by-side images, the first showing the cinnamon bark being removed from the curry and the second showing the finished tofu korma

    11. Remove the whole spices and serve the vegan korma with rice and roti.

    👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

    Kashmiri chilli – this is a mild chilli powder that is used in Indian cooking for adding a hint of red to the colour palette, not for heat. If you don’t have kashmiri chilli powder, use plain old paprika powder. Don’t make the same mistake as us – when testing this recipe the second time, I thought I was using kashmiri chilli powder but it was actually hot chilli powder, and I had mixed the pots up. It was the spiciest tofu korma I have ever tasted! So much for it being the mildest curry, eh? Ha. 

    Sugar & coconut – the sugar and desiccated coconut can be omitted if you’d like. However, a lot of curry house kormas have a sweet, coconutty flavour to their curries. This is achieved with the sugar and desiccated coconut! They’re a great addition and really take the tofu korma to the next level, in my opinion. If you don’t want your vegan korma to have this sweet edge, it can be omitted.

    Seasoning – a tofu korma, well any korma, and also a lot of curries aren’t just seasoned with salt! They’re seasoned with garam masala too. If you’re not sure on this, taste before seasoning. And then again after adding the salt and then the garam masala. It makes such a huge difference, and really elevates the flavour of the tofu korma.

    Add some veg – while this is a tofu korma and the main ingredient is, well – tofu, you can also add veggies too. This vegan korma replicates a chicken korma which generally only has chicken in the sauce. We often add some cauliflower, just before simmering – so add it in with the tofu. Broccoli, courgette and peas also work, our fave combination is a pea, cauliflower and tofu korma, but you make this dish yours!

    💭 FAQs 

    How to make vegan korma?

    It’s not too difficult really! Blend up the garlic and ginger with cashews, fry off onions, add whole spices, powdered spices and the paste and then water. Simmer with the tofu and then finish with coconut cream, garam masala, salt and desiccated coconut. We practised this recipe 4 times, so we know this method works well!

    Is korma vegan?

    Often korma isn’t vegan. It usually contains meat, yoghurt and butter or ghee. With a few subsitions – tofu for chicken and dairy free butter or margarine instead of ghee – you’ll have a super delicious vegan korma. Coconut cream and cashews are used in traditional recipes, so it really doesn’t take a big change to make a vegan version.

    Can I freeze it?

    Yes, this tofu korma freezes well for up to 3 months. Serve one portion into each container and then freeze, making sure to label the pot with the date and what’s inside! Defrost and then reheat until piping hot. It’s important to note that the texture of tofu changes once it has been frozen. It will become chewier.

    Vegan tofu korma in a bowl with rice and paratha.

    🍚 Serving suggestions

    • Brinjal bhaji
    • Pilau rice
    • 3 ingredient roti

    🍛 More recipes to try

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      Roasted Aubergine and Cauliflower Curry (Easy)
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      Easy Vegetable Tikka Masala (Cauliflower and Potato)

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a rating below, or tag us in your photos on Instagram! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest for later.

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    📖 Recipe

    Tofu korma topped with fresh coriander, almonds and fried onions.

    Creamy Tofu Korma

    Tofu korma is easy to make and one of the most popular types of curries ever. It’s an indulgent and creamy curry house style korma that’s great served with roti and pilau rice.
    5 from 4 votes
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    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Soaking time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 343kcal
    Author: Jess & Dan

    Ingredients

    • 50 g cashew nuts – soaked in hot water for 30-60 mins
    • 2 tomatoes – chopped into quarters
    • 1 inch ginger
    • 6 cloves garlic
    • 2 tbsp vegan butter
    • 1 large onion – sliced
    • Cinnamon stick
    • 4 cardamom
    • 3 cloves
    • 2 bay leaf
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1 tbsp coriander powder
    • 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder – paprika can be substituted
    • 300 ml water
    • 560 g tofu – cut into big pieces and (optionally) fried off
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 4 tbsp coconut cream
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut

    Instructions

    • Start by soaking the cashews in boiling hot water for at least 30 minutes. The longer they soak, the smoother the paste will be once blended.
      50 g cashew nuts
    • Optionally, fry off the tofu pieces in either an air fryer or frying pan, until golden brown.
      560 g tofu
    • Add cashews to a blender along with the tomatoes, garlic and ginger. Set aside for a moment.
      2 tomatoes, 6 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger
    • Melt the butter in a large pan, then add sliced onions until browned – this will take around 10 minutes. Optionally, remove some onions to use as a garnish.
      2 tbsp vegan butter, 1 large onion
    • Pop in the whole spices, that’s the cardamom, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
      4 cardamom, 3 cloves, 2 bay leaf, Cinnamon stick
    • Sprinkle in turmeric, coriander and chilli powders. Stir well.
      1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp coriander powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
    • Pour in the cashew paste from the blender. Stir well. It will thicken quite quickly, so best to keep it over a medium heat.
    • Loosen with the water, then sprinkle in the sugar.
      300 ml water, 1 tsp sugar
    • Pop in the tofu then cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins. Oil should start coming out of the edge of the sauce once it is nearly ready.
      560 g tofu
    • Finish by adding in coconut cream, desiccated coconut, salt and garam masala. Stir well. Remove the whole spices. Feel free to add slightly more coconut cream or water to make the gravy looser, or don’t add any extra and serve with the thick and creamy sauce.
      4 tbsp coconut cream, ¾ tsp salt, 2 tbsp desiccated coconut, 1 tsp garam masala

    Notes

    • Use kashmiri chilli powder or paprika powder. Not hot chilli powder. It will be too spicy for a korma if you use hot chilli powder!
    • The sugar and coconut is optional but recommended. Curry house curries have a sweet coconutty edge, but you can omit them if you don’t like this.
    • Add vegetables to bulk out the curry. We like to add cauliflower sometimes to add a different texture. Courgette (zucchini) and peas also work.
    • Storage – keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezes for up to 3 months. Defrost and thoroughly reheat in the microwave. Tofu will become chewier once frozen.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 784IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag us today!Mention @vegan_punks or tag #veganpunks!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shirley Leger

      January 14, 2023 at 5:41 pm

      How can I make this recipe without the cashews? We have nut allergies.

      Reply
      • Jess & Dan

        January 16, 2023 at 11:46 am

        I would either try replacing the cashews with sunflower seeds in the paste, or using the equivalent amount of coconut cream. The overall taste will be a bit different, but this is what I would do if I needed it to be made nut-free. Let us know how you get on! Jess 🙂

        Reply
    2. Lorraine Barrett

      August 10, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      This curry is truly the best I've ever made. I happened to have tofu, cashew nuts and creamed coconut already, so was able to make it without having to buy any extras. It was so easy and I've never made creamed cashews before. It's going to be a regular dish from now on. I prepared the sauce in the morning so it was able to develop the flavours in the fridge. I added some exotic mushrooms I had left and also frozen peas which made it a very filling dish. Thank you. It really is a 5* recipe.

      Reply
      • Jess & Dan

        August 10, 2022 at 3:32 pm

        So glad to hear that you love this korma Lorraine, and thanks so much for leaving such a lovely review! Jess x

        Reply

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    Hey there! Thanks for checking out Vegan Punks. We're Dan and Jess – a husband and wife team who love creating and sharing vegan recipes. We draw on our experiences of travelling the world and learning about different cuisines. That's why you'll find plant-based versions of traditional dishes from all around the globe on our blog. And, of course, all with a pinch of punk attitude.

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