Tandoori Tofu
This vegetarian builds firm or extra-firm tofu, plain yogurt and garam masala into a comforting meal you can have ready in about 65 minutes. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for oven and grill / broiler. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: not verified. We could not confirm firm from the ingredient list, so we make no dietary claim for this recipe.
Contains: Dairy Soy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Drain the tofu and press it between paper towels under a weighted plate for at least 20 minutes to remove excess moisture so it will absorb the marinade.
- Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes and place them in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, garam masala, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, minced garlic, grated ginger, lemon juice and salt to form a thick tandoori marinade.
- Pour the marinade over the tofu and toss gently until every piece is evenly coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C and line a baking tray with parchment, or thread the tofu onto skewers if grilling.
- Arrange the marinated tofu in a single layer with space between the pieces and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway, until the edges are charred and the coating has set.
- Rest the tofu for a few minutes, then serve hot with a squeeze of lemon, alongside rice, naan or a fresh salad.
You'll use: Oven · Grill / broiler · Whisk · Baking tray
Ingredient substitutions
- Lemon
- lime · 1 tbsp white wine vinegar per lemon
Tips & common questions
How long does Tandoori Tofu take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of lemon?
Try lime. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Tandoori Tofu suitable for my diet?
We make no dietary claim for this recipe: at least one ingredient could not be resolved to a definite plant or animal source, so labelling it either way would be a guess. The full ingredient list is above.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Tandoori Tofu is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Tandoori tofu with vegetables and noodles. IMG 0313.jpg by panuhorsmalahti, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.