Vegetarian Tikka Masala (Indian Cauliflower Masala)

This Vegetarian Tikka Masala is made with cauliflower instead of chicken. This delicious Indian cauliflower recipe is perfect for vegetarians but also great for meat-eaters. The texture of the cauliflower masala (or Gobi Masala) is perfect, and the flavor of the homemade tikka masala sauce is absolutely delicious!

Vegetarian Tikka Masala Recipe

Vegetarian Tikka Masala (cauliflower or gobi masala) is the perfect Indian dish for meat-free dinners with all of the flavor and texture you would expect from Chicken Tikka Masala. Serve it with basmati rice and Naan Bread for a truly Indian-inspired meal.

I made my own homemade tikka masala sauce with the perfect level of spice to coat the roasted cauliflower. And it is GOOD if I do say so myself. Indian food is fun to make (and to eat), and this dish makes for a tasty, healthy dinner.

Whether you eat meat or not, you have to try this vegetarian tikka masala recipe (aka Gobi Masala, aka Cauliflower Tikka Masala). Whatever you call it, it is absolutely delicious!

Recipe Card

Cauliflower Tikka Masala

4.74 from 53 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Author: Becky Hardin

Print Rate Pin

This Vegetarian Tikka Masala is made with cauliflower instead of chicken! This delicious Indian cauliflower recipe is perfect for vegetarians, but it's also great for usual meat-eaters. The texture of the cauliflower masala (or Gobi Masala) is perfect, and the flavor of the homemade tikka masala sauce is absolutely delicious! Serve it on basmati rice with naan to complete the dish.

Save this recipe!

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Go

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

For the Roasted Cauliflower:

• ▢ 1 head cauliflower washed and cut into bite-size florets
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Tikka Masala Sauce:

• ▢ 1 cup sweet yellow onion minced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
• ▢ pinch of cayenne pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ▢ 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ▢ ½ 6-7 ounce can tomato sauce
• ▢ ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar

For Serving:

• ▢ basmati rice
• ▢ chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• ▢ lemon wedges

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

For the Roasted Cauliflower:

• Heat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to combine.
  1 head cauliflower, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garam masala, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• Pour the seasoned cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet and place on the center rack of the oven.
• Roast 10-12 minutes or until cauliflower is golden and just tender.
• Transfer cauliflower to a cooling rack until ready to use.

For the Tikka Masala Sauce:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter and olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the minced onions and cook until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds, stirring often.
  1 cup sweet yellow onion, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic
• Add cumin, salt, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne, garam masala, and paprika and cook 1 minute, stirring often.
  ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, pinch of cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Add tomato sauce, reduce heat to low and allow sauce to thicken 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
  ½ 6-7 ounce can tomato sauce
• Add cream and sugar and bring sauce to a low boil. Cook another 8-10 minutes, over low heat, until sauce has thickened a bit.
  ½ cup heavy whipping cream, 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
• Add the roasted cauliflower to the sauce, mix well and serve.

For the Basmati Rice:

• Cook according to package directions. Keep warm until ready to serve.

To Serve:

• Spoon basmati rice down the center of a serving plate/platter and top with Roasted Cauliflower Tikka Masala. Serve with naan, a side of sour cream or Greek yogurt and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and a lemon wedge.
  basmati rice, chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, lemon wedges

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 352mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 47.8mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Vegetarian Tikka Masala Step by Step

For the Roasted Cauliflower

Get the oven going and prep a cookie sheet: Heat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine all the ingredients: Place 1 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into bite-size florets, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large bowl and mix well.

Cook the cauliflower: Place the seasoned cauliflower onto the prepared baking sheet, place on the center rack of the oven, and roast 10-12 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden and just tender. Transfer cauliflower to a cooling rack until ready to use.

For the Tikka Masala Sauce

Cook the aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add 1 cup of minced onion and cook until translucent. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook 30 seconds, stirring often.

Add the spices: Add 2 teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, a pinch of cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon garam masala, and 1 teaspoon sweet paprika.

Stir in tomato sauce: Add half of a 6 or 7-ounce can of tomato sauce, reduce the heat to low, and let sauce thicken, about 5-7 minutes, stirring often.

Mix in cream and sugar: Add 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and 2 teaspoons of sugar, and bring the sauce to a low boil. Cook another 8-10 minutes, over low heat, until the sauce has thickened a bit.

Combine sauce and cauliflower: Add the roasted cauliflower to the sauce, mix well and serve.

Serve and enjoy: Spoon basmati rice down the center of a serving plate/platter and top with Roasted Cauliflower Tikka Masala. Serve with naan, a side of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and a lemon wedge.

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Go

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

How to Store

Place leftover tikka masala in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat over the stove or in the microwave. Leftover vegetarian tikka masala will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

For an authentic made-at-home Indian meal, serve the tikka masala alongside this rich and creamy Butter Chicken. Start your meal off with a steaming bowl of Mulligatawny Soup and, in place of a mango lassi, serve a refreshing mango smoothie.

more cauliflower recipes to try

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Chimichurri Sauce

Cauliflower Pizza Crust (Low Carb)

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings