The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (2024)

These 20 tofu recipes will definitely change the way you look at tofu! Tofu doesn’t have to be boring and plain. In fact, it’s super delicious, extremely versatile, and packed with protein! These 20 vegan tofu recipes are the perfect proof!

I’m sure you’ve heard someone saying that tofu is super plain and has a weird texture. Or maybe you even think so yourself? I’ve been there! When I became vegetarian, I didn’t like tofu at all! In fact, I hated its texture and taste. However, over the years I learned how to prepare it the right way and I now absolutely LOVE it!

It’s such a healthy and versatile product and often plays an important part in vegan cooking!

Tofu is:

  • a great source of protein
  • extremely versatile
  • budget-friendly
  • kind of tasteless, so you can add any kind of flavor to it by using spices and sauces
  • super delicious
  • a real super star in the vegan kitchen!

I have some delicious vegan tofu recipes on the blog myself. But to provide you with even more recipes with tofu, I teamed up with some fellow food bloggers.With these 20 tofu recipes you will never think again that tofu is boring!!

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (2)

This roundup includes:

  • crispy tofu recipes (like Nashville hot tofu nuggets or baked sesame tofu cubes)
  • Chinese tofu recipes (how does general tso’s tofu sound?)
  • tofu skewers
  • crusted tofu as well as baked tofu recipes
  • a tofu chili with beans and corn (it’s packed with protein!)
  • tofu burgers and sandwiches
  • and lots of other simple tofu recipes!

So let’s get started with all the yumminess!!

1.Vegan Bibimbap with Crispy Sesame Tofu

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (3)

Crispy tofu cubes with sesame seeds on top are the superstar in this vegan bibimbap. The whole dishcomes together pretty quickly and you can prepare most of the ingredients in advance. It’s a Korean classic that is packed with flavor and color – all in one bowl!

2. Vegan Nashville Hot Tofu Nuggets

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (4)

These vegan Nashville hot tofu nuggets by Lauren from Rabbit and Wolves are the perfect comfort food! They’re kind of like a vegan take on deep fried Nashville hot chicken!

But the best part is that Lauren’s tofu nuggets are super crispy and crunch all without frying! The sauce is a little sweet and very spice. BIG yum!!

3.Afghan Cauliflower and Tofu Tikka Kebab Skewers

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (5)

These smokey cauliflower and tofu tikka kebab skewers byEva from The Curious Chickpea are perfect for summertime barbecues! Before Eva grilled the skewers, she marinated the cauliflower and the tofu in a vegan spiced yogurt sauce. They’re great on a bed of rice or you could also serve them in wraps with some extra vegan yogurt sauce.

4. Spicy Vegan Tofu Chili with Sour Cream

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (6)

You definitely won’t miss the meat in this spicy vegan tofu chili with cashew sour cream! It’s super easy to make and packed with protein! It has been one of my favorite vegan weeknight meals for a long time. Top it off with some homemade cashew sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips.

5. Almond Rosemary Lemon Crusted Tofu

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (7)

Doesn’t this almond rosemary lemon crusted tofu by Sam from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken look absolutely delicious? It’s super crispy and crunchy and makes a great meal. Maybe in combination with a side of greens and potatoes or on top of a salad. All in all, this crusted tofu is ready in just under 40 minutes.

6.Vegan Battered Tofu Mexican Tortas

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (8)

I wish I could just bite right into this vegan battered tofu Mexican sandwich by Eva from The Curious Chickpea! It’s filled with refried beans, vegan mayonnaise, seitan bacon, roasted poblanos, and cabbage slaw. And the main part is a vegan battered tofu steak! This is what I call an AWESOME vegan sandwich!

7.Vegan Sheet Pan Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Tofu

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (9)

This recipe for vegan sheet pan fajitas with chipotle lime tofu by Caitlin from From My Bowl couldn’t be easier! All you need for the preparation is your oven and a sheet pan! It makes a perfect weeknight dinner for busy days. Such a great and easy way to use tofu!

8. Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (10)

This vegan tofu and kale pesto sandwich with carrots, grilled zucchini, and lettuce is perfect for a quick and healthy lunch! Maybe the best vegan sandwich I had in a long time. And it’s packed with protein and vitamins!

9.Vegan Thai Red Curry with Tofu and Vegetables

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (11)

This vegan Thai curry with tofu and mixed vegetablesby Ruchi from Ruchi’s Kitchen makes a great weeknight dinner. All in all, it comes together in less than 30 minutes and is packed with flavor. Furthermore, it’s very easy to customize to your personal liking. For a healthier version serve it with brown rice.

10.Sweet and Salty Tofu Bowls

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (12)

These sweet and salty tofu bowls by Cindy from Vegetarian Mamma are such a great way to use tofu. They are very easy to make and, thus, make a great weeknight dinner.

Besides, they have the perfect balance between sweet and salty! And for an extra boost of vitamins you could add some broccoli.

11.Baked Spicy Peanut Butter Tofu by Amber from Quite Good Food

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (13)

These baked spicy peanut butter tofu cubes by Amber from Quite Good Food are the perfect protein bomb! You can add them to salads or warm meals. For her blog post, Amber served them with pre-shredded slaw, mint leaves, and more sesame seeds. For an extra kick of flavor, drizzle some hot sauce on top.

12.Vegan Sunbutter Chocolate Pretzel Pie

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (14)

Yes, you can also make sweet recipes with tofu. This vegan sunbutter chocolate pretzel pie by Dianne from Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen is the perfect proof! You need only six ingredients for this pie: silken tofu, chocolate chips, maple syrup, sun butter, and crushed pretzels. Sounds pretty easy, right?

13.General Tsos Tofu

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (15)

This general tsos tofu by Melissa from Vegan Huggs is such a sticky sweet goodness! The recipe is originally from Chloe Coscarelli’s cookbook Chloe Flavor, which Melissa reviewed on her blog. Instead of chicken, Chloe used tofu for this delicious Chinese American classic! For more spiciness add some extra sriracha.

14.Black Bean Tofu Tacos with Walnut Crumble

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (16)

Don’t these vegan loaded black bean tofu tacos by Anjali from Vegetarian Gastronomy look delicious? They make such a great weeknight meal. And the best part is that they’re super delicious while being pretty healthy and protein-packed at the same time. Anjali served these tofu tacos with walnut crumble lettuce, avocado, and vegan sour cream.

15.Vegan Goulash with Smoked Tofu and Potatoes

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (17)

This vegan goulash with smoked tofu by Bianca from Elephantastic Vegan is a great recipe for fall and winter. It’s very comforting and requires only very few ingredients. And it’s also pretty budget-friendly! Plus, it practically cooks by itself and you only have 5 minutes of actual preparation time!

16.Vegan Chocolate Pudding with Silken Tofu

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (18)

Here’s another great vegan dessert recipe with tofu! If you haven’t tried vegan chocolate pudding or mousse au chocolat with silken tofu yet, you should really give it a try! Sara from Beaming Banana has a great recipe on her blog!

17.Chilled Smoked Tofu Sesame Rice Noodle Salad

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (19)

If you’re looking for a fresh summer recipe, this cold noodle salad with smoked tofu and sesame dressing by Linda from Veganosity is perfect for you! It’s packed with healthy protein and vitamins. I mean just look at all those different colors! It definitely won’t put you down. And it’s also pretty easy to make!

18.Easy Tofu Teriyaki Skewers

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (20)

These teriyaki tofu skewers by Steven from The Nut-Free Vegan make such a great finger food! Or serve them as a tasty protein in combination with a salad, vegetables, or over rice.

19.Teriyaki Grilled Tofu Kabobs

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (21)

Are you looking for a vegan barbecue recipe? Then these teriyaki grilled tofu kabobs with pineapple and red bell pepper are perfect for you!Amy from Veggies Save The Day did such a great job creating these! They’re super easy to make and very delicious. And the recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.

20.Easy Cheezy Tofu Loaf

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (22)

This tofu loaf by Joann from Woman In Real Life sure is a creative way to use tofu. It makes such a delicious and festive entree for the holidays. Who thought that tofu could be this festive?

I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS!

I hope you like these vegan tofu recipes. There are so many different ways to use tofu! What’s your favorite tofu recipe?

If you give any of these recipes a try, I’d love to know what you think about it. Justleave me a commentbelow. Your comments really make my day!

You like my recipes and roundups and want to see more? Then follow me onFacebook,Instagram, orPinterest!

Sina – xx

The 20 Best Tofu Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What is the tofu rule? ›

No one cares about unblocking a task as much as the person doing it. That's why it's important for that person to follow the Take Ownership and Follow Up (TOFU) principle. That means taking ownership of the task and chasing the people you are waiting on until it gets done.

Why won t my tofu get crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

How to make best tasting tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

Is tofu good for your liver? ›

The soy-protein present in tofu helps to reduce the fat built in the liver. Tofu is one of the best foods for fatty liver. It is an essential source of protein to be included in your diet. Tofu is low in sugar and fat so this is an added advantage.

How much tofu is safe to eat per day? ›

If you consume the recommended 2 servings of tofu in a day the health benefits are hard to ignore. It is high in calcium, manganese, selenium, phosphorous, iron, copper, magnesium and Zinc. It is also said to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol. The calcium and isoflavones are said to improve bone density.

Can you eat a block of tofu raw? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

Why does my tofu have no flavor? ›

Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

What kind of oil is best for frying tofu? ›

If you want a nutty flavor, she suggests trying semi-refined peanut oil (such as Lion & Globe), or blending unrefined peanut oil one-to-one with a neutral cooking oil. Cook the tofu over medium to medium-high heat, searing it for one to two minutes on each side.

What goes well with tofu? ›

What to serve with tofu. These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles.

Should you marinate tofu before cooking? ›

Let the marination magic happen

You should aim to marinate tofu for at least 2 hours in the fridge. To infuse more flavour, you can leave it to marinade for up to 2 days before cooking up.

How to get rid of the smell of tofu? ›

To reduce the smell before cooking, you can rinse the tofu under cold water and pat it dry before frying it. You can also marinate in your preferred marinade and grill it over high heat. Once cooked, stinky tofu will have a mild flavor and creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside texture.

Do I need to soak tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

How do you keep tofu from getting soggy? ›

Draining Is Good—Pressing Is Better

Whether you're baking, roasting, or frying (especially frying!) it, the results will be better-tasting and crispier-crunchier if you drain it first. To avoid soggy tofu-syndrome, sandwich it between multiple layers of paper towel-lined plates and weigh it from the top.

Do you have to drain tofu before frying? ›

Most recipes (frying, stir-frying or deep-frying) require the tofu to be drained well and patted dry before cooking. This is logical, as moist tofu doesn't absorb marinades or spices and splatters in the pan. To pat dry, place a triple layer of paper towel on a wooden board or a deep plate.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 6264

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.