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These tofu recipes are so delicious, they’ll please vegetarians & meat eaters alike! Here are the best ways to use this plant based protein.
Are you a tofu fan? This plant-based protein couldn’t be more delicious when it’s prepared correctly. Here are all our best recipes for turning this tasty soy product into healthy and easy meals. You’ll find our favorite tofu stir fry, an easy way to make it into a full meal with colorful veggies. Marinated tofu doesn’t require cooking at all, or try the tofu scramble that saves us for weeknight dinners or as a healthy breakfast option. We’ve also rounded up a few great tofu ideas from one of our favorite vegan recipe developers, Jessica in the Kitchen.
And now…the best tofu recipes worth trying!
First up in our tofu recipes...the classic tofu stir fry! Cook tofu the right way and it’s one of the tastiest plant-based dinners you can have. This healthy vegan protein is great for incorporating into your meal prep repertoire. Come taste this tofu stir fry. It’s got the most flavor-packed stir fry sauce that works with any veggie, and the tofu is crisped on the outside and perfectly seasoned.
Here’s a way to prepare it tofu we cannot get enough of: this crispy tofu recipe! It’s easy to make and comes out perfectly seasoned, with extra crunchy edges and a tender interior. There’s no need to even press the tofu! It’s actually pretty amazing that it can transform into meaty, savory cubes in just 20 minutes.
This simple tofu soup recipe is a tasty, nourishing plant-based meal! Cubes of tofu float in a savory broth flavored with miso, ginger, dried mushrooms, and fresh mushrooms. Add crunchy carrots and green onions just before serving, and it’s a satisfying combination of hearty earthiness with crisp, fresh vegetables.
Try this crispy Baked Tofu! You won’t be able to resist sneaking bites off the pan with this one. It’s irresistibly savory and seasoned to perfection, with a satisfying crunch to each bite. Even better, there’s no 30 minute wait while you press the tofu (our pet peeve in tofu recipes). Come, experience the magic of actually easy, actually crispy tofu.
Tofu can be majorly delicious, when it’s prepared correctly. Douse it in a little smoked sauce sauce and sesame oil and pan fry it until golden brown, and it’s positively irresistible! This perfect pan fried tofu recipe is our go-to for easy plant-based dinners. Throw it in a bowl with rice and veggies and call it a meal.
Here’s a must-make recipe for tofu fans: and eaters on the fence, too. Try this irresistible BBQ Tofu recipe! Each bite has just the right chewy texture, bathed in a silky, sweet, savory sauce. You’ll want to keep eating it for days. This plate disappeared very quickly at our house! This recipe is easy to put together and a great starter recipe for people who are wary of the stuff.
Here’s a tofu recipe that makes the most delicious dinner you’ll put on your regular rotation immediately. Try this Tofu Curry! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness. The Thai-style flavors are the perfect way to introduce tofu to those wary of it. And if you’re already a lover (like us!), you’ll appreciate this delightful way to serve it.
Have we got a recipe for you: this Baked Tofu Salad! It stars this crispy, perfectly seasoned baked tofu: so irresistible you’ll find yourself sneaking crunchy bites right off the baking sheet! Save some though, because this salad is a great way to turn them into a meal! Toss them over fresh veggies and drizzle with carrot ginger dressing or sesame dressing, and it makes a deliciously healthy dinner you won’t want to end.
Need a fresh dinner idea or crowd-pleasing appetizer? Try this lettuce wraps recipe! The punchy, savory filling is infused with hoisin, soy sauce and rice vinegar, mixing savory tofu with cashews and green onions. Throw it into tender leaf of crunchy green lettuce with a few more colorful veggies, and it’s to die for!
Craving sushi without the fish? Try this fresh, delectable Tofu Sushi! These rolls have got it all, proving that this Japanese dish (or rather, art form!) is perfectly adaptable no matter what the filling. Savory, flavor-popping marinated tofu joins crunchy veggies and tender sushi rice to make a crave-able roll filling. Top it off with Japanese BBQ Sauce and it tastes like a dream!
Need a meatless dinner…fast? Here’s one of our favorite shortcuts: these quick and easy Tofu Crumbles! They’re savory, meaty and the perfect plant-based substitute you can use in endless ways. If you’re not a tofu fan…you will be after you take one bite! (Promise.) Use these as a taco filling like in Tofu Tacos, or try them on salads, pasta, bowl meals…even as a savory breakfast! There’s nothing these crumbles can’t do.
Tofu is ideal in tacos, though it's not often used in Mexican-style recipes! Its neutral flavor takes on whatever flavors you season it with: and these tofu crumbles are quite the kitchen trick. Add cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and smoked paprika, and the filling is bursting with flavor! You can whip up these easy tacos in just 20 minutes, making them ideal for weeknight meals.
Here's one of our favorite tofu recipes of all time...because it's so easy. Try this tofu scramble! It tastes oddly similar to the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs: and it’s so hearty and satisfying! Even better: it takes only 10 minutes to make. It’s hard to find healthy vegan breakfast ideas that are savory (so many are sweet), and this one is perfection. We often eat it for dinner.
This marinated tofu recipe: well, it’s special. It’s packed with savory umami: toasted sesame oil and ginger and garlic and soy sauce. There’s a touch of maple to balance, and it’s mixed with green onion and sesame seeds. Oh: and you don’t have to cook it! All you have to do is throw in the fridge to marinate: so it’s almost totally hands off. You’ve got to try this one...it’s a winner.
Looking for a tasty tofu ramen recipe with a flavorful slurpable broth? Authentic ramen from a Japanese restaurant is the absolute best. But the next best thing is trying it homemade! The best part is the tofu: it’s crispy and bursting with flavor from soy sauce and miso. Alex and I kept sneaking bites while making it! It’s served in a broth that’s filled with savory umami, and it’s 100% plant based.
Here's a unique tofu recipe: try Tofu Pudding! It’s rich and chocolatey, spiced with cinnamon and a little chili powder, making its flavor complex and irresistible. We know what you’re thinking: sounds a little crazy, right? Well, let us assure you, this vegan pudding is pure rich, chocolatey goodness through and through.
One of the best ways to cook tofu? On the grill. Yes, this grilled tofu recipe tastes simply irresistible, charred to perfection and then painted with a sweet and savory marinade. Grilled tofu is a healthy grilled dinner idea that’s full of plant-based protein. You might even convert the meat eaters when they take a taste…it’s darn delicious.
How to make tofu taste delicious? Smother it in a silky sweet and sour sauce! Here the tofu is perfectly crisp, balanced by an flavor popping sweet and sour sauce! It comes together quickly and works for meal prep, too. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Here's how to enjoy Jamaican jerk flavors in a vegan meal! This Jamaican jerk tofu is saucy and spicy, sweet and savory, and chewy and crispy. Made by a Jamaican, you know it's authentically that good. via Jessica in the Kitchen
These vegan chicken nuggets use tofu as the base and you might prefer them to the real thing! The outside is extra crispy and crunchy, and the inside is intensely savory. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Another great tofu recipe? Try it with Gernal Tso's sauce! Here crispy tofu is coated in a sweet, tangy sauce. Pair it with rice and broccoli to make for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Here's a fun tofu recipe to spice up your dinner routine: lemon pepper tofu! Chewy, crispy tofu is tossed in a sweet, citrusy sauce with loads of black pepper. It makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Got an air fryer? Try this Air Fryer Tofu, which cooks up in just 10 minutes! It makes the perfect main dish for a hearty dinner or a simple lunch. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Love Indian cuisine? If you're a fan of Indian butter chicken, this vegan version is just as tasty! Try this Vegan Butter Chicken, made with tofu that swims in a creamy coconut-based sauce. via Jessica in the Kitchen
Love a little heat? These spciy tofu and rice bowls are made with gochujang, a Korean red chili paste. The tofu comes out sweet, savory and spicy, perfect for a an easy and flavorful meal. via Jessica in the Kitchen
What is tofu?
Well, it’s soy: kind of. Tofu is a soy milk turned into curds (like in cheesemaking) and pressed into blocks. It originated in China about 2,000 years ago. It’s very popular in Asia and it’s becoming more prevalent in the US: because we’re finally figuring out how to cook it. This plant-based protein is well-known all around the world.
Is tofu healthy?
Some people claim that tofu is unhealthy and should be avoided. But research shows that tofu is part of a healthy diet. According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red meat and processed meat. Learn more about tofu here: Straight Talk About Soy and Is Tofu Good for You?
Print25 Tasty Tofu Recipes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This tasty tofu stir fry recipe is our go-to for healthy plant based dinners! It’s got the best stir fry sauce, and you can use any veggies.
Ingredients
For the stir fry sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For the tofu stir fry
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, stem on (about 3 large heads or 6 heaping cups florets)*
- 1 red bell pepper (or half red and half orange)
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms (optional)
- 2 green onions
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 14-ounces firm or extra firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Start the rice: If serving with rice, start the rice.
- Make the sauce: Whisk together the stir fry sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, or make the sauce in advance and refrigerate until cooking.
- Chop the veggies: Chop the broccoli into florets. Thinly slice the pepper. Remove the shiitake stems and thinly slice them, if using. Thinly slice the green onion. Peel and grate the ginger.
- Cook the tofu: Cut the tofu into bite sized pieces (1-inch squares, 3/8-inch thick and pat it dry with a towel. Add the oil to a large non-stick pan and add the tofu cubes and a few pinches kosher salt. Turn on the heat to medium-high. Cook 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom.
- Flip the tofu: Briefly remove the pan from the heat to reduce spitting. Flip the tofu with chopsticks (the easiest method!) or tongs. Return the heat to medium-high and cook 5 to 6 minutes until browned. Remove the tofu to a bowl and set it aside.
- Stir fry the veggies: Add another 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the broccoli, pepper, and shiitake mushrooms and two pinches salt and cook 6 to 7 minutes until just starting to brown on edges, stirring occasionally. In the last minute, add 1 tablespoon water and allow the vegetables to steam.
- Turn down the heat to low. Add the green onion and ginger and cook 1 minute. Turn off the heat. Add the tofu and sauce and stir until the sauce thickens. Serve immediately. Store leftovers up to 3 days refrigerated.
- Category: Stir Fry
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Tofu recipes
I love the food,they are so good…
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Well thank you.