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One-Pan Tofu Coconut Curry

One-Pan Tofu Coconut Curry

Today’s recipe is tasty, colourful, and hearty! It’s an easy-to-make Tofu Coconut Curry all made in one-pan and ready in 30 minutes.

The creamy, golden coconut milk and tomato-based sauce is deliciously spiced with curry powder, turmeric, cumin (and of course salt and pepper) along with fresh pungent garlic and ginger.

It’s mild and not very spicy (unless your curry powder blend is spicy), which is great to serve the whole family!

The tofu sucks up the curry flavours as well as adding protein and texture to the dish. I like to use extra-firm tofu so it holds its shape when mixed into the curry.

The addition of tasty sweet bell peppers, onions, green spinach, and fresh cilantro gives this curry additional bulk and nutrition too.

Serve this curry along with rice to make it one filling meal. I like to use a brown basmati rice.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

How do you make this tasty and easy tofu recipe?

(Full ingredient amounts and instructions available in the recipe card down below)

In a large sauté pan or skillet (I used a 12-inch skillet) at medium-high heat, add vegetable oil, then sauté the onions and peppers with salt and pepper, until the onions start to brown.

Stir in the garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, and cumin until fragrant, around one or two minutes.

Reduce to low heat. Stir in the coconut milk, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste until uniform. Add the tofu and toss to coat with the sauce.

Bring the curry to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Then stir in the spinach, lime zest, and lime juice, until the spinach wilts.

Taste for additional salt and pepper and top with fresh cilantro. Scoop over bowls of rice and enjoy!

Love one pan/pot/sheet pan meals? Take a look at these four recipes!

Creamy tofu coconut curry with brown rice in a white bowl.

To sum up, this One-Pan Tofu Coconut Curry is:

  • Delicious and flavourful: The curry sauce is creamy and wonderfully spiced. It goes perfectly with the tender tofu bites and the colourful vegetables in this recipe.
  • Hearty and filling: It makes a generous amount of curry that’s will fill you up and warm you from within.
  • Quick and easy to make: It takes only 30 minutes to make and has a few simple instructions to follow.
  • Vegan and gluten-free too: Tofu is naturally gluten-free, but make sure it’s labelled as such when choosing the brand if this is important to you.
Delicious tofu coconut curry with fresh cilantro on top of brown rice in a white bowl.

Did you make this easy tofu coconut curry recipe? Leave me a rating and comment down below or tag me on any of my social media. I’m @yay_for_food on Instagram. Please share your recipe pictures!

Overhead view of creamy and colourful tofu coconut curry in a large white skillet.

One Pan Tofu Coconut Curry

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Wonderfully spiced with a mild curry flavour, this tofu coconut curry is a quick, easy, and delicious vegan meal made in one pan.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow (or white) onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • 400 ml (14 fl. oz.) canned coconut milk
  • ½ cup crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 454 g extra firm plain tofu, chopped into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 lime, zest and juice
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Serve with cooked rice.

Instructions

  1. In a large sauté pan or skillet (I use a 12-inch skillet) at medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil, onion, bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the onions begin to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Add in the garlic, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, and cumin and stir for another minute or two, until fragrant.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the coconut milk, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste until well-incorporated. Add the tofu and gently stir to coat with the sauce.
  4. Bring the curry to a boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the spinach, lime zest, and lime juice, until the spinach wilts. Taste for additional salt and pepper. Top with fresh cilantro and serve over rice. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information is based on one serving for a total of six servings excluding rice.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 10g

Nutritional values are estimated based on the ingredients used by the author; your ingredients may differ. These values are calculated using Nutritionix.

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Sara

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

I love to cook but my curry making skills are pretty bad so came looking for a good and easy recipe. I mostly followed the recipe except substituting kale for spinach (didn’t have any) and adding carrots and yellow squash. I did bake the tofu first as I don’t enjoy squishy tofu but didn’t season it prior to baking. No modifications to the spices. I didn’t have an actual lime so I used bottled lime juice and had to omit the zest. It was really tasty! My 3 and 6 year old ate it down. I will make it again. The sauce is a good base recipe and you could modify the veggies to be whatever you prefer. Good and straightforward to make.

Robyn

Friday 16th of February 2024

I've been on the hunt for family friendly recipes that are easy to make, nourishing, and tasty.. This hit the mark on all 3 counts. I make it exactly as written and cannot believe how delicious, warm, and comforting it is. Will be making this often!!

Thank you!

Marie | Yay! for Food

Thursday 22nd of February 2024

Thank you Robyn! It's a recipe that I make often too!

Ella

Monday 11th of September 2023

This recipe is so good. made with fresh ingredients. it tastes very fresh.

Marie | Yay! for Food

Wednesday 13th of September 2023

So glad to hear that you liked this recipe! Thank you.

hope

Sunday 20th of August 2023

this is so bomb. i made this for my son and my boyfriend and myself and my mother in law and it was so freaking good will definetely be making it again i just suggest if anyone reading this doesnt like ginger dont add it just add a bit of ginger powder.

Marie | Yay! for Food

Sunday 20th of August 2023

I’m so happy to hear it was enjoyed by everyone! Thank you for the great review.

Adriana

Thursday 18th of May 2023

I don’t know why people are complaining about it being bland, you can see what seasonings are in the recipe and can add more to suit your palate. Love this recipe, it’s so simple and easy. You can add whatever you like or make it as is and can’t go wrong! Serve with rice, noodles or bread and it works.

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