41 Flavor-Packed Tofu Recipes (2024)

Table of Contents
Vegan tofu recipes 1. BBQ avocado and smoked tofu toast 2. Vegan German cheese spaetzle 3. Eggless salad sandwich 4. Maple Dijon tofu burger 5. Crispy baked tofu tacos with cilantro-lime slaw 6. Vegan fried rice Fried and stir-fried tofu 7. Honey-ginger tofu veggie stir-fry 8. Sesame-ginger tofu and veggie stir -fry 9. Crispy tofu in Chinese garlic sauce 10. Spicy sesame zoodles with crispy tofu Baked tofu 11. Crispy baked garlic tofu 12. Crispy tofu and broccoli salad 13. Almond-crusted baked tofu nuggets 14. Garlic roasted cauliflower tofu burritos 15. BBQ tofu pizza 16. Roasted brussels sprouts and honey baked tofu Tofu soups and bowls 17. Tofu and mushroom miso soup 18. Miso soba noodle bowl 19. Tofu “chicken” noodle soup 20. Peanut tofu Buddha bowl 21. Buckwheat soba noodles with coconut-lime tofu 22. Roasted veggie Buddha bowl with crispy tofu Tofu-based Indian food and curries 23. Sweet potato and kale green curry with tofu 24. Thai coconut curry tofu 25. Indian-spiced black bean and tofu burgers 26. Curried tofu salad 27. Curry tofu autumn rolls Tofu breakfast 28. Tofu scramble 29. Blueberry tofu smoothie 30. Tofu breakfast tacos 31. Mini tofu frittatas 32. Curried tofu scramble with spinach 33. Tofu cacao nib pancakes Vegan tofu desserts 34. Vegan French silk pie 35. Peanut butter banana smoothie 36. Vegan dark chocolate pots de crème 37. Chocolate stout cake with whiskey ganache 38. Lime and vanilla vegan cheesecake 39. Vegan peanut butter cup pie 40. Vegan chocolate pudding pie 41. Vegan lemon curd Bottom line FAQs References

Tofu is more popular than ever. Vegans, vegetarians, and Meatless Monday fans rely on it. The bland, soft soybean curd takes on a myriad of guises, from crisp to creamy, and absorbs every flavor under the sun.

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From breakfast to dessert, you can scramble, fry, bake, blend, and whip tofu into deeply flavored, absolutely delicious, healthy dishes. And you can feel good about eating it — nutritionally, environmentally, and ethically.

More and more people are aware of the costs of eating factory-farmed meat and dairy. Plus, the U.N. keeps warning us that the world will be eating insects in the future. Tell that to the picky eaters you know!

Most of these 41 tofu recipes are vegan or vegetarian, and none of them are bland. We like to use organic tofu because it’s not made with genetically modified soybeans, which are treated with heavy doses of herbicides. Bring on the flavor.

1. BBQ avocado and smoked tofu toast

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These cute, simple snack bites aren’t just tasty — they’re also vegan, full of healthy fats (courtesy of our BFF, avocado), and super flavorful.

Just fry up marinated smoked tofu and zucchini slices and then assemble the toasty goodness. Talk about bold flavors and contrasting textures.

2. Vegan German cheese spaetzle

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Think of this German comfort food as a version of mac and cheese — which, as any vegan knows, can be tough to re-create.

This recipe makes it work with a cashew-based vegan cheese sauce, wheat flour spaetzle (the noodles), and toppings like tofu and leeks.

3. Eggless salad sandwich

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A vegan egg salad sandwich? Yep, it’s possible. Tofu, celery, onion, vegan mayo, and seasonings combine to form the classically delicious sandwich salad — minus the eggs.

4. Maple Dijon tofu burger

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This is one of our favorite vegan burger recipes because it combines healthy, sweet vegetables like carrots and red pepper with crumbled firm tofu. Nuts and nut butter contribute healthy oils, and mushrooms add umami flavor.

Plus, the vegan mayo (store-bought — give yourself a break) flavored with sharp mustard and sweet maple syrup is awesome.

5. Crispy baked tofu tacos with cilantro-lime slaw

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Nutritional yeast gives these baked tofu cubes extra flavor without the cheese. Fill warm corn tortillas with the golden tofu and top with the zesty cilantro-lime slaw and tomatillo salsa. You in? We’re in.

6. Vegan fried rice

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Those nights when it seems like there’s not enough in the fridge to make dinner? Look again. We bet you’ve got a bag of frozen peas, a couple of carrots, and tofu. Add pantry staples like brown rice and Asian seasonings, and dinner’s ready.

7. Honey-ginger tofu veggie stir-fry

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For a hearty, flavorful bowl that will rival anything from your local takeout place (and turn out way healthier), combine cooked farro, asparagus, carrots, scallions, and tofu with a garlic-ginger stir-fry sauce.

8. Sesame-ginger tofu and veggie stir -fry

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What makes this stir-fry especially luscious is that the tofu cubes get all crispy on the edges. And then there’s the sauce that coats the veggies with fresh ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

9. Crispy tofu in Chinese garlic sauce

How do you get flavor into bland tofu? This blogger starts by soaking extra-firm tofu in salted water to season and soften it. Then she drains extra moisture by weighing it down (use a heavy pan).

After marinating in oil, salt, and pepper, the tofu is stir-fried until crisp and golden.

10. Spicy sesame zoodles with crispy tofu

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This vegan recipe couldn’t be easier. Fry tofu until crispy, and then toss it over zoodles coated in a totally yummy sauce of peanut butter, ginger, garlic, and sesame.

11. Crispy baked garlic tofu

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Baked tofu goes from boring to amazing with a simple stovetop Chinese-style garlic sauce. Serve over brown rice or with a side of broccoli for a healthier alternative to Chinese takeout.

12. Crispy tofu and broccoli salad

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Here’s a bright (red-orange) idea: Drizzle blood orange sauce over roasted broccoli and tofu. We like it with quinoa.

13. Almond-crusted baked tofu nuggets

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Your fave childhood snack (chicken nuggets, of course) just got a major health upgrade. Swap the chicken for tofu and coat it with a breading made from almonds, nutritional yeast, egg, and flour.

It even comes with a recipe for a yummy avocado-yogurt dipping sauce.

14. Garlic roasted cauliflower tofu burritos

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As easy as 1, 2, 3. Brush tofu cubes with a tomato-chile sauce and bake. Roast cauliflower florets. Slice an avocado. Now all you have to do is fill warmed whole wheat tortillas, and it’s a wrap.

15. BBQ tofu pizza

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Smoky maple-flavored baked tofu joins baked pineapple chunks (yum!) on homemade pizzas made of prepared whole wheat naan (check the freezer section of your grocery store).

But first, a flavor-bomb BBQ sauce made with hoisin is spread over the naan. This is your daily reminder that vegan is an exciting way to eat.

16. Roasted brussels sprouts and honey baked tofu

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Roasting is becoming our favorite way to cook vegetables. It’s SO easy. Here, the pleasing bitterness of brussels sprouts is offset by the spicy honey sauce on the tofu.

17. Tofu and mushroom miso soup

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This delicate soup combines tofu, mushrooms, leafy vegetables, scallion, and an egg in a broth made from instant dashi (bonito flakes and dried kelp). This is a first-course soup. Follow it with a filling eggplant stir-fry.

18. Miso soba noodle bowl

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This is how to make an awesome bowl of vegetarian ramen at home. You’ll need a few special ingredients, like miso paste, enoki mushrooms, and soba noodles. The tofu here is marinated in sriracha-spiced sauce and baked before joining the bowl as a topping.

19. Tofu “chicken” noodle soup

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Vegans and vegetarians can still enjoy everyone’s favorite home remedy. Just swap the chicken for extra-firm tofu and use a prepared vegan chicken broth. Other than that, this soup has all the regulars: carrots, onion, and whole wheat angel hair pasta.

20. Peanut tofu Buddha bowl

Tofu cubes absorb the rich, flavor-filled peanut sauce, which makes them an awesome addition to a bowl of roasted broccoli, chickpeas, and raw carrots over brown rice.

21. Buckwheat soba noodles with coconut-lime tofu

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Garlicky noodles combine with marinated tofu, spinach, and a host of seasonings. Think soy sauce, Thai red chile, sesame oil, and ginger. It’s a spicy-sweet combo that will perk up your palate.

22. Roasted veggie Buddha bowl with crispy tofu

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We love efficiency in the kitchen, like the way this recipe calls for roasting pans of broccoli and cauliflower and the tofu at the same time. Toss half the homemade tahini dressing over the golden-brown tofu, and then drizzle the rest over the bowl of quinoa and veggies.

23. Sweet potato and kale green curry with tofu

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Tofu fits right into this warming bowl of healthy orange vegetables and baby kale in sweet-spicy green curry coconut milk. Meals like this make us so happy to be home.

24. Thai coconut curry tofu

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Red curry paste is the key to the spice-filled flavors of this creamy coconut curry. A touch of maple syrup adds sweetness, rounding out the flavors to achieve the sweet-sour-spicy balance of Thai cooking.

25. Indian-spiced black bean and tofu burgers

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Silken tofu mixes with panko, black beans, and garam masala in these Indian-inspired burgers. Top them with goat cheese or your favorite vegan cheese and serve them on whole wheat buns.

26. Curried tofu salad

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This room-temperature salad is chock-full of flavor. Tofu, celery, carrots, onions, raisins, and almonds come alive in a homemade vegan curry sauce. Serve the salad over greens, on whole grain toast, or in a wrap.

27. Curry tofu autumn rolls

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These rolls are way easier to make than you might think. Just scramble some tofu, add kale and peanuts, and mix in lime juice, soy sauce, curry powder, cilantro, and scallion.

Soak rice paper in water for about 30 seconds, and then place on parchment paper. Scoop filling into the middle of the paper, roll it up like a burrito, and start nomming.

28. Tofu scramble

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Think of this hearty breakfast as scrambled eggs — only swap out the eggs for extra-firm tofu and add some produce like bell pepper, red onion, and spinach and good-for-you seasonings like garlic and turmeric.

29. Blueberry tofu smoothie

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Tofu is a super easy way to add protein and texture to post-workout/breakfast/afternoon-snack smoothies. For real. It makes them taste way more like a milkshake than a juice — score! This one is a double whammy with creamy avocado.

Blueberries and strawberries give it a pretty color.

30. Tofu breakfast tacos

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Tacos aren’t just for lunch or dinner. Scramble tofu with nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, and taco seasoning, Sauté cherry tomatoes, spinach, and lime juice. And put ’em all together in whole wheat tortillas.

Season with cilantro and you’ve got a hearty, protein-rich start to your day.

31. Mini tofu frittatas

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Think of these cute little breakfast bites as savory muffins. They pack some serious flavor and nutrients thanks to garlic, lots of veggies, and fresh basil pesto.

32. Curried tofu scramble with spinach

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Here’s a spicy way to start the day: Cook crumbled tofu until golden brown, and then add olive oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper to cook for a few minutes. Season with curry powder, cumin, and coriander and stir to combine.

Serve on whole grain toast with scallions sprinkled over top.

33. Tofu cacao nib pancakes

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Protein pancakes can sometimes taste like, well, protein powder. Using tofu instead achieves the same healthyish breakfast treat protein punch and makes them extra fluffy.

Cacao nibs and vanilla extract sweeten these pancakes, but you should still drizzle a little maple syrup on top.

34. Vegan French silk pie

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A Brazil nut crust, sweetened with dates, encases a smoooooth chocolate mousse. That’s all we need to hear.

35. Peanut butter banana smoothie

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This is a filling smoothie made of soft tofu, flavored with the classic combo of peanut butter and banana.

36. Vegan dark chocolate pots de crème

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Because this recipe has so few ingredients, each is extra important. The tofu must be silken. The chocolate must be dark: 70 percent cacao, with no dairy. The espresso powder and salt are essential — they elevate the flavors.

37. Chocolate stout cake with whiskey ganache

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This cake is love in Bundt cake form. It comes with a story about the bond between a father and daughter. The ingredient list includes both Guinness and Irish whiskey. Oh, yeah, and silken tofu.

38. Lime and vanilla vegan cheesecake

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This no-bake beauty has a crust made from dates, nuts, and seeds and a creamy cashew-tofu filling flavored with lime and maple syrup. As a rule, we go light on sweeteners, adding less than called for. Taste as you go.

39. Vegan peanut butter cup pie

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This is a recipe for the devoted baker — or a team effort. It has layers: an old-fashioned graham cracker crust, a smooth peanut butter filling, a vegan chocolate ganache, roasted peanuts, and whipped coconut cream. How good does that sound?

40. Vegan chocolate pudding pie

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It takes just 10 minutes to whip up this delish chocolate pie. Hold a contest to see who can guess the secret ingredient (applesauce). Winner gets an extra slice!

41. Vegan lemon curd

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A foolproof lemon curd? Yes! If you’ve shied away from this English favorite after making a soupy mess in the past, try this recipe. Agar agar, a seaweed-based gelatin, thickens the lemony curd.

As creative Instagram food trends and meat-free dishes grow more popular, so does tofu. But don’t let tofu’s natural blandness fool you. It’s just waiting to be transformed into a delicious, flavor-packed meal (or dessert) at any time of day.

41 Flavor-Packed Tofu Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you use packaged tofu? ›

Silken tofu

Be gentle when removing its packaging, and let it drain on a paper towel. Try it: Pureed into smoothies, salad dressings, sauces, dips, and creamy desserts like mousse, pudding, and cheesecake, or traditional in Japan, raw and chilled, topped with grated ginger, bonito flakes, scallions, and soy sauce.

How to cook packed tofu? ›

Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add the tofu to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (otherwise it'll steam). Cook the tofu until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

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.

How to cook tofu so it doesn't taste like tofu? ›

Simply press firm tofu and use your hands to break it up by smashing it between your fingers until it mimics the texture of scrambled eggs. Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies.

How do you eat packed tofu? ›

Raw tofu is tofu that has not been cooked since it was pressed and packaged. You can eat raw tofu without cooking directly from the pack, but make sure that you drain off the excess water first because it does not add anything to the experience.

Is packaged tofu ready to eat? ›

For Eating Raw: Pretty straightforward. Soft and silken tofu are ready to go right out of the package (though, technically, any tofu can be eaten raw). Drain off the excess water, and eat up!

Can you eat packaged tofu without cooking? ›

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 do you eat packaged fried tofu? ›

Added to salads: A sprinkle of fried tofu cubes on your salad will make it extra filling and exciting. With dipping sauce: Fried tofu dipped in spicy mayo, barbecue sauce, ketchup, or ranch dip is a truly delicious and filling snack. On top of Vegan Fried Rice.

Is it better to bake or pan fry 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.

What is the downside of tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

What pairs well with tofu? ›

Best Vegan Side Dishes for Grilled Tofu at a Barbecue or Cookout
  • Vegan Dill Potato Salad with Fiddleheads (No Mayo) ...
  • Herb Grilled Vegetables. ...
  • Vegan Spinach Salad Recipe with Maple Balsamic Dressing. ...
  • Fresh Tomato Lime Salad Dressing with Cilantro. ...
  • Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing.
Jul 12, 2021

How to prepare tofu from a package? ›

Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add tofu to the pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan. Allow tofu to cook, undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes or until the underside is golden brown and crispy.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.

What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Do you have to cook tofu out of the package? ›

The bottom line

It's a good source of nutrition and can easily be added to a number of meals and recipes with little preparation required. While tofu can be eaten straight out of its package, it still comes with some risk of contamination, which can occur during its manufacturing process.

Can you eat tofu straight from the packet? ›

Eating raw tofu out of its packet is safe because it isn't actually raw at all — tofu by its nature is already cooked. Tofu is made from dry soybeans that have been crushed and boiled into soy milk, which is further cooked, coagulated, and pressed into dense slabs.

Can you eat tofu from the packaging? ›

Generally speaking, raw tofu means tofu that hasn't been cooked since it was pressed and packaged. You can eat raw tofu straight from the pack if you like, but you'll probably want to drain off some of the excess water first, as it can be messy, and it doesn't really add anything to the experience.

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