Mushroom Masala is a versatile dish that packs a burst of flavors from earthy mushrooms, tart tomatoes, and aromatic spices. The intense flavors are balanced with easy homemade cashew cream. Ready in under 20 minutes and savory to the last bite, this curry is sure to win you the master chef crown at your next party.
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As a food enthusiast, I cook and entertain a lot, and I often have guests who prefer vegetarian food. I am always looking for vegetarian options that can stand up to my signature Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala. Everybody loves my vegetarian mushroom masala, and it completes my dinner spread.
Making mushroom masala in the Instant Pot is such a hassle-free job that it has now become a weeknight staple. My boys enjoy mushroom masala with piping hot parathas, and they polish off big portions at mealtime.
This mushroom curry uses the same base ingredients as my popular Dum Aloo recipe. I add mild-tasting white button mushrooms, which intensify their flavors after cooking in the rich sauce. I am excited to share this Indian mushroom recipe and add it to my list of 60+ vegetarian main meals.
What Makes This Mushroom Masala a Go-To Weeknight Favorite
This Mushroom Masala is a quick, easy recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes; perfect for busy weeknights. Naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan, it's also simple to adapt for nut-free diets by swapping cashew cream with coconut or heavy cream. The recipe is flexible, too! Stir in green peas for a comforting Mushroom Matar Masala or toss in some spinach for a hearty Mushroom Palak Masala. Whether you're cooking for dietary needs or just craving something cozy and flavorful, this dish has you covered.
Ingredient Notes
- Mushrooms - I prefer to buy the big pack of fresh white cello mushrooms available at Costco. Substitute the white mushrooms with the Baby Bella, Shitake, or Cremini mushrooms, since they work well with this recipe.
- Yellow Onions, ginger, and garlic - finely diced yellow onions, homemade ginger, and garlic paste make for a perfect base for this Indian curry.
- Tomatoes - Good quality tomato puree comes in handy for this recipe. You can also puree ripe plum tomatoes in the blender instead of the store-bought puree.
- Spices - This recipe uses a few basic spices like turmeric, mild Kashmiri red chili powder, and homemade garam masala, which adds authentic taste and warmth to the curry.
- Cashews - blend with warm water to make a smooth paste. Add to the cooked curry to round up the flavors and add a creamy texture.
How to make Mushroom Masala
Here's a quick step-by-step photo guide for making Mushroom Masala in the Instant Pot. For full instructions and the stovetop version, check the recipe card below.
★ Tried this recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and let me know, or snap a quick pic and upload it-I love seeing your creations. If you're on Instagram, tag @ministry_of_curry so I can check it out. Your feedback means so much to me and makes all the time I spend perfecting each recipe totally worth it. Thank you!
Recipe
Mushroom Masala
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound white mushrooms rinsed, dried and sliced
- 2 tablespoons ghee or neutral oil for vegan version
- 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger grated
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- ¾ cup tomato puree or 2 fresh ripe red tomatoes pureed
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ to 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder or any other mild red chili powder
- ½ to 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- cilantro leaves chopped for garnish
Cashew Paste
- ⅓ cup cashews
- ½ cup warm water for soaking
- ¼ cup water for blending
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain. Blend them with fresh water until smooth and set aside.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and heat add ghee. Add onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes with a glass lid on, stirring a few times. Add ginger and garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Turn the Instant Pot off.
- Add tomato puree, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala salt, and mushrooms. Mix well, deglazing the pot to remove any browning on the bottom of the pot. Close the Instant Pot, and pressure cook(Hi) for 4 minutes followed by Quick Release.
- Stir in dried fenugreek leaves, cashew paste, and chopped cilantro. Mix well and serve with Basmati Rice and parathas. For a low-carb meal, serve mushroom masala over cauliflower rice. Add a side of cucumber salad for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Heat oil in a medium-sized pot or skillet.
- Add onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes with a lid on, stirring a few times. Add ginger and garlic, cook for 30 seconds.
- Add tomato puree, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala salt, mushrooms, and ½ cup of water. Mix well.
- Cook covered on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are cooked through.
- Stir in dried fenugreek leaves, cashew paste, and chopped cilantro.
Nutrition
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Prasanna Raja says
This recipe is packed with nothing but deliciousness. It's lipsmackingly good . A regular in our household and will be on our menu for quite a long long time! Stunning dish.
Archana says
Thank you!
Steve Hedrick says
Absolutely delicious, you nailed it!
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you!!
Aarti says
Such a tasty and easy to make dish. I’ve shared the recipe with friends and family. I’m excited to make it again!
Archana Mundhe says
That makes me so happy to hear. I'm glad you enjoyed it and even shared it with friends and family—thank you! Hope you love it just as much the next time you make it.
Sow says
Hello, can this be made in slow cooker?
Archana says
Yes! You can cook in the slow cooker or I have also included stove top instructions on the recipe card.
Sunita says
Delicious!! The cashew cream hit the spot.
I added a cup of lightly stir-fried tofu cubes (for added protein) and 1/2 cup of peas. This has become a family favorite.
Thanks!
Archana says
YUM! Love the idea of adding tofu.
Abi O says
Great recipe. Any tips for smoother consistency cashew paste? I’ve made this a few times and it’s always still crunchy
Archana says
Make a double batch of cashew paste and process it for longer time.
Brenda says
Just made this recipe this week and it was amazing! I hadn't planned to even look for a vegetarian masala recipe but 2 lb package of mushrooms was on sale for a crazy low price and I couldn't resist. but had no idea what to make with all those mushrooms. I have a few of your recipes saved to try and was happy to see that you had a mushroom recipe. Your recipe was easy to make and had so much flavor! This is definitely going to be made often in my house. I can't wait to try the other recipes that I have bookmarked.
Archana says
Thank you Brenda for your lovely feedback.
Victoria C says
Deeeeeelicious - thanks for the recipe! I could eat this almost every day, I think. I'm going to try to make a giant batch in a 6-qt slow cooker for Thanksgiving - fingers crossed!
Nisha says
How to know how much cashew paste to make? About how many cashews?
Archana says
Hey! For this recipe the recipe card has the exact ingredient quantity. 15 cashews, soaked in 1/2 cup water, drained and then blended in 1/4 cup water.
Eden Brown says
So easy! I had mushrooms to use and this was perfect. I added a bit more spice and didn’t add the tomato until the spices were thoroughly mixed into onion mixture to enhance flavor. I just chopped the cashews and threw them in. THanks!
Jenny says
I have to make a double or triple batch of this lovely mushroom masala for the family. They can't get enough and it keeps as leftovers just fine for a day or two. Thank you so very much for sharing. Always looking for fast and simple yet fabulous recipes. This one hits the spot.
Teri K says
My husband used he word phenomenal for this dish and he is super picky with his Indian food. It was delicious.
A few things I changed and added.
When it was time for the mushrooms, I first sauteed the mushrooms for about 6 minutes before adding the spice mixture ( went with 1 tablespoon of the Indian chilli powder and 1/4 tsp of the gram masala as well as the other spices and almost a full can of drained and rinsed chickpeas to add protein which I added and let the mushrooms soak in the spices for a few minutes stirring around before adding the tomato puree and 1/2 cup of water. I also made the cashew paste but it was more like cashew milk because I added a bit more water. I strained it so there was no chunks in the mixture. I also added some heavy cream at the end to make it even creamier. I tasted the dish and it was almost perfect but I added a pinch or two of sugar to help balance out the flavors as I felt there was no sweetness to the dish. I served it with jasmine rice. Highly recommend this recipe I didn't use the garnishes but I don't think it needs it.
century-foods says
Looking so yummy, Thanks For sharing the recipe’s instructions. I will make it in my free time.
Mike says
Have wanted to do this for ages and am going to try it tomorrow night.
However I noted that the instructions do not change if you adjust the serves, so for 2 serves can I assume I also halve the water for both soaking and blending the cashews?
Also when you say tomato purée do you mean what pretty much everyone outside the USA would called crushed tomatoes (in a tin)? For most people tomato purée is a very thick concentrated paste.
Not criticising, just want to make sure I understand what I’m using so I don’t mess it up - I’m very good at misreading recipes. :-/
Archana Mundhe says
Great questions! I've updated the recipe so the cashew paste now adjusts based on the servings. Tomato puree, also known as "Passata" outside the U.S., is simply smooth pureed tomatoes. Hope this helps! I can't wait to hear what you think of the recipe
Mike says
Ah, passata - now we're on the same page!
Thx for adjusting the recipe - looking forward to my mushroom curry tonight!
Archana Mundhe says
Let me know how it goes!
Debbie says
Delicious. I used coconut cream instead of cashew paste, added half bag fresh spinach and squirt of tomato paste. Bit less salt. Made on stove top and served on cauliflower rice. Thanks
Archana Mundhe says
Yum! Love it. Thank you for the feedback.
Jules C. says
This recipe was simple and SO DARN DELICIOUS. I didn't have all the spices on hand and was forced to do some substitutions, but it turned out soooo good. I can only imagine how great it will taste with the proper spices! This one is definitely a keeper.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you Jules! I am so glad you enjoyed this quick and easy mushroom masala recipe.