Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe With Cauliflower And Tempeh (Gluten-free!) (2024)

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This vegan butter chicken with cauliflower and tempeh takes less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish. It’s naturally gluten-free and easy to meal prep.

Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe With Cauliflower And Tempeh (Gluten-free!) (1)

This vegan butter chicken recipe can easily become a family favorite. As with many popular vegan Indian dishes,the unique combination of spices that makes them so irresistible. This recipe is no exception.

The tasty blend of Indian spices paired with tomatoes and coconut milk is key to creating that flavorful sauce.

Cauliflower and tempeh make a great vegan alternative to chicken. They are also gluten-free and low-carb.

It’s even more delicious paired with some fragrant basmati rice, roti, or naan, or try this Indian Brussels sprouts recipe. This is one of those dishes that will keep your family coming back for more. For another delicious curry recipe, try this Pumpkin Chickpea Kale Curry.

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Ingredients you’ll need

How to make Vegan Butter Chicken

More vegan curry recipes:

Ingredients you’ll need

Cauliflower

Fresh or frozen cauliflower can be used in this recipe.

Tempeh

Tempeh is similar to tofu but it’s made from whole, fermented soybeans. It can also be made from chickpeas, black beans or even hemp seeds for a soy-free option.

It easy to flavor and has a firmer texture than tofu. I went into more details about why tempeh is so great in my Vegan Tempeh Bacon Sandwich recipe.

Indian spices

The Indian spices are the star of this recipe. They include garam masala, turmeric, cumin, cardamom and chilli powder.

Tomatoes

Traditional butter chicken recipes use fresh tomatoes instead of canned. They give the dish the best flavor and provides acidity to balance the richness and creaminess of the dish.

I’ve also made this recipe using tomato paste which was fine as a substitute. I’d recommend using canned if that’s all you have available.

However, try not to use sweetened tomato or pasta sauce. This dish is meant to be more savory than sweet.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk adds the richness and creaminess that this recipe needs. You can also use soy or cashew milk.

How to make Vegan Butter Chicken

(Quick summary. More details in the recipe card at the end)

1. In a small bowl, combine garam masala, turmeric and cumin.

2. Cut tempeh into cubes and add to a bowl.

3. Thaw frozen cauliflower and drain properly or rinse fresh, chopped cauliflower. Add to the bowl with tempeh and season with 2 teaspoons of the spice blend.

4. Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons oil and add tempeh and cauliflower. Cook until brown.

5. Add ginger, garlic, cardamom, chilli and remaining spices. Toast until fragrant then add tomato purée.

6. Next, stir in coconut milk, salt and pepper. Ensure that you pick up the flavorful bits at the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat and cook until it thickens for 2 minutes.

7. Serve with rice and garnish with cilantro.

More vegan curry recipes:

  • Jamaican Tofu Curry (Vegan Curried “Chicken”)
  • Thai Red Curry with Tofu
Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe With Cauliflower And Tempeh (Gluten-free!) (2)
Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe With Cauliflower And Tempeh (Gluten-free!) (3)

Vegan Butter Chicken Cauliflower and Tempeh

4.79 from 28 votes

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 2

Calories: 507kcal

Print Pin Rate

This simple recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish. It's naturally gluten-free and easy to meal prep. Oil-free option included!

Author: Jhanelle Golding

Baking Recipes: For more accuracy, use Metric measurements and measuring spoons.

Ingredients

  • 3.5 oz (100 g) tempeh, cubed
  • 8 (100 g) cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) oil, (See notes)
  • 1 tsp (5 g) ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves (9 g) garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons (10 g) garam masala
  • 1 teaspoons (5 g) turmeric
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp (5 g) red chilli powder, (might be spicy)
  • 3 small (200 g) tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk, (See Notes)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped cilantro for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine garam masala, turmeric and cumin.

    2 teaspoons (10 g) garam masala ,1 teaspoons (5 g) turmeric ,1/4 tsp (1 g) ground cumin

  • Cut tempeh into cubes and add to a bowl.

    3.5 oz (100 g) tempeh

  • Thaw frozen cauliflower and drain properly or rinse fresh, chopped cauliflower. Add to the bowl with tempeh and season with 2 teaspoons of the spice blend.

    8 (100 g) cauliflower florets

  • Heat a pan with 2 tablespoons oil and add tempeh and cauliflower. Cook until brown. Add ginger, garlic, cardamom, chilli and remaining spices. Toast until fragrant then add tomato purée.

    2 tbsps (30 ml) oil ,1 tsp (5 g) ginger ,3 cloves (9 g) garlic ,1/4 tsp (1 g) ground cardamom ,1 tsp (5 g) red chilli powder ,3 small (200 g) tomatoes

  • Next, stir in coconut milk, salt and pepper. Ensure that you pick up the flavourful bits at the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat and cook until it thickens for 5 minutes.

    1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk ,Salt and pepper

  • Serve with rice and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

  • If you can’t have coconut milk, try usingsoy or cashew milk.
  • For an oil-free option, bake the tempeh and cauliflower on a tray lined with parchment paper at 350°F/170°C for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • More curry recipes: Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu, Jamaican Tofu Curry (Vegan Curried “Chicken” Recipe)

Tried this recipe? Upload a photo in the comments below!If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a rating. It really helps the blog.

Nutrition

Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 995mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1501IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Vegan Butter Chicken Recipe With Cauliflower And Tempeh (Gluten-free!) (2024)

FAQs

Is tempeh healthier than tofu? ›

While you can't go wrong with either plant-based protein, tempeh is generally considered to be the healthier option due to its rich nutrient profile. It contains more protein, fiber, and vitamins than tofu. Tempeh is also fermented, and fermented foods are easier to digest and provide healthy gut bacteria.

Is tempeh an anti inflammatory? ›

While people with inflammation should generally avoid dairy, soy protein products like tofu and tempeh have been found to reduce pain in joints according to a study from Oklahoma State University. An easy way to add soy to your diet is using soy protein powder.

Is it OK to eat tempeh everyday? ›

Fact: soy doesn't cause breast enlargement in men. Fact: soy doesn't raise your breast cancer risk. It's actually linked to a lower risk of breast cancer. “It's completely safe and healthy to eat up to two to three servings of soy products, such as tempeh, daily,” says Palmer.

What is a good substitute for butter chicken? ›

In this recipe, oven-baked tofu is the tasty and protein-packed chicken substitute. The silky sauce is made with only a few spices, tomatoes, and a bit of cream and butter (although much less than your favorite takeout option!). The combination is bursting with flavor.

Is butter chicken naturally gluten free? ›

We have some good news for you – the absolutely delectable Butter Chicken is gluten-free and ready to be devoured with some basmati rice.

What to use instead of cashew nuts for butter chicken? ›

You can use fox nuts/ makhana. Roast makhana in just one tsp ghee or oil and grind it with tomato gravy. It will also add good flavour to your recipe. Use magaz, that is dried seeds of watermelon.

Is tempeh highly processed? ›

Tofu, tempeh and seitan are minimally processed foods that offer plenty of nutrients with little or no added fats or salts. Overall, it's the switch that's important. If you are replacing lentil stews and roasted chickpeas with ultra-processed plant-based burgers, that is the less nutritious choice.

Does tempeh increase estrogen? ›

Isoflavones are able to mimic some effects of estrogen in your body. As such, eating tempeh may be beneficial for symptoms of menopause, but women who have been diagnosed with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer should be cautious with their soy intake.

Is store bought tempeh healthy? ›

Potential health benefits

Tempeh is a nutrient-dense complete protein food because it contains all nine essential amino acids. In comparison to other typical protein sources like meats, eggs, or fish, tempeh has little to no saturated fats or cholesterol. Tempeh is a good source of calcium which promotes bone health.

Does cooking tempeh destroy nutrients? ›

However, the rest of the nutritional benefits of tempeh like its protein and fibre content, the remnants of microorganisms, its micronutrients like iron and calcium and so on, are all maintained after cooking. Cooked or pasteurised tempeh is more reliably safe to eat too, so on balance we think it's the better choice.

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