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Creamy Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade with Fresh Cilantro

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A quick and easy creamy vegan butter chicken made with tofu, coconut milk, and cashew cream, flavored with warm spices and fresh cilantro for a comforting, plant-based meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) firm tofu, pressed and cubed
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 cup (240 ml) canned coconut milk (full-fat)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) raw cashews, soaked for 30 minutes
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup (15 g) fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Press your tofu for at least 20 minutes to squeeze out excess water. Cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
  2. Soak raw cashews in warm water for 30 minutes to soften, then drain.
  3. Blend soaked cashews with ½ cup (120 ml) water until silky smooth. Set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, and grated ginger. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in garam masala, smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook spices with the aromatics for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Push the aromatics to the side and add the tofu cubes. Brown on one side for 3-4 minutes before flipping.
  7. Pour in the coconut milk and the blended cashew cream. Stir gently to combine. Simmer over low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in fresh chopped cilantro and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Press tofu well to avoid mushy texture. Brown tofu before adding sauce for better flavor and texture. Cook spices on medium-low heat to avoid burning. Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or coconut milk as needed. Fresh cilantro and lemon juice added at the end brighten the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan butter chicken, creamy vegan curry, tofu recipe, plant-based dinner, dairy-free butter chicken, cashew cream sauce, coconut milk curry, easy vegan dinner

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/creamy-vegan-butter-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-with-fresh-cilantro/