12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (2024)

Discover an array of vegan tofu recipes that redefine plant-based dining with flavor-packed innovation and wholesome ingredients.

12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (1)

Tofu often gets a bad rap as being bland. This quality is actually a secret superpower! As an ingredient, tofu can take on the flavors of marinades and sauces like no other.

It also means that the neutral flavor of tofu fits in with both sweet and savory recipes, adding extra protein and providing a rich texture component.

What Do We Know About Tofu

Tofu is a staple ingredient in plant-based diets, capable of transforming into a myriad of delicious dishes. Originating from ancient China over 2,000 years ago, tofu is made from coagulated soy milk, resulting in a protein-rich and nutrient-dense food.

Its neutral taste and sponge-like texture make it an ideal canvas for absorbing flavors, whether it’s in savory stir-fries, creamy soups, or decadent desserts.

Beyond its adaptability in the kitchen, tofu boasts an impressive nutritional profile, offering a rich source of

  • Protein
  • Essential amino acids
  • Iron
  • Calcium

Its low calorie and low saturated fat content make it a favored ingredient for people seeking heart-healthy alternatives to animal proteins.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet, tofu stands as a wholesome and delicious cornerstone of mindful eating.

Best Vegan Tofu Recipes

With various types available, including silken, soft, firm, and extra-firm, tofu caters to diverse culinary preferences.

If you’re looking for inspiration, this selection of vegan tofu recipes is the perfect place to start.

1. Shredded Tofu Wrap

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (3)

If you are an athlete, this shredded tofu wrap is a great high-protein option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

My favorite part about this recipe is that this shredded tofu wrap is delicious served hot or cold! You can pan grill it and serve it with your favorite side, or refrigerate it and take it to work.

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2. Waffle Iron Tofu Salad

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (5)

This is one of my favorite vegan tofu recipes – it’s refreshing, delicious, and most importantly, QUICK.

All you need is the ability to chop up a few veggies and a waffle iron. I promise, the result is simply out of this world.

3. Vibrant Tofu Tacos

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Tofu lends itself perfectly to veganized versions of Mexican food. These tofu tacos are loaded with familiar flavors, not to mention nutritious.

The beauty of tacos, including this recipe, is that you can use whatever toppings you like! It’s a perfect party food or family meal, where everyone can customize their own tacos.

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4. Crispy Tofu Cutlets

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If you’re looking for something special to serve at a holiday table, these breaded tofu cutlets go perfectly with sides like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and gravy.

This dish is more affordable than meat alternatives you might get at the store, and you can even add an element of Scrappy Cooking by making your own breadcrumbs and sides like broccoli stem fries.

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5. Vegan Glazed Ham

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (9)

Speaking of holidays, this vegan ham recipe takes advantage of tofu’s ability to absorb flavors. Roasted with delicious sticky glaze and cloves, it’s the perfect centerpiece for a celebration.

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6. Hidden Vegetable Tofu Curry

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (11)

This recipe is for anyone struggling to incorporate extra veggies into their diet. This tofu curry features several vegetables hidden in the sauce, ensuring you can still have your nutritional needs met without dealing with the different textures.

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7. General Tso’s Tofu

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This recipe is a vegan take on General Tso’s chicken, a sweet and spicy dish popular in Chinese restaurants across North America.

The extra firm tofu conveys the same “meaty” texture, cooked in an air fryer instead of deep-frying. It’s a great homemade alternative to Chinese takeaway, which is both healthy and affordable!

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8. Dill Pickle Tofu Sandwich

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (14)

This dill pickle tofu sandwich has a beautiful breadcrumb coating, chicken-like texture, and mouth-watering savory flavor. The not-so-secret ingredient? Pickle juice!

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9. Creamy Vegan Tzatziki

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (16)

Another great way to utilize tofu is to use it in dips. It’s a foolproof way to enrich your vegan tzatziki with extra protein. It also creates a thick, creamy texture for this famous Greek dip!

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10. Smashed Potato Salad

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (18)

This recipe uses a similar method, incorporating tofu into the creamy dressing for the best potato salad you will ever make.

The most amazing thing about this vegan tofu recipe is that you can barely tell it’s even there!

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11. High Protein Flatbread

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12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (20)

Another “hidden” tofu recipe, this high-protein flatbread is similar to garlic naan. With just a handful of ingredients and a food processor, you could be enjoying this recipe in less than half an hour.

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12. Tofu Chocolate Mousse

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Who said tofu had to be limited to savory recipes? This delicious tofu chocolate mousse proves that tofu is an incredibly versatile ingredient.

In addition to its magical airy texture, this vegan mousse is easy to make, healthy, and high in protein.

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If you love tofu as much as I do, you will appreciate the PlantYou Planner! It features over 600 delicious vegan recipes in its database, including dozens of creative ways to incorporate tofu into your meals.

If you prefer to have your recipes in physical form, the PlantYou Cookbook and the upcoming Scrappy Cookbook are guaranteed to brighten your kitchen.

PREORDER NOW and receive access to over $200 worth of digital freebies. The bundle includes bonus recipes, a vegan meal plan, a plant-based holiday menu, and so much more!

12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (22)
12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland (2024)

FAQs

12 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes - Anything But Bland? ›

Place the Tofu cubes in a large glass bowl, then drizzle 1 tbsp of Tamari over them. Now that the Tofu has been pressed, it's much more likely to absorb the Tamari flavor (and taste less bland). I like to use a large spatula to gently toss the Tofu, so the cubes don't break.

How to make tofu not taste bland? ›

Place the Tofu cubes in a large glass bowl, then drizzle 1 tbsp of Tamari over them. Now that the Tofu has been pressed, it's much more likely to absorb the Tamari flavor (and taste less bland). I like to use a large spatula to gently toss the Tofu, so the cubes don't break.

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 do you make tofu not boring? ›

I gently pat its outside dry, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. I cook the tofu in 2 tablespoons of oil (I like to use coconut, but vegetable oil or grapeseed oil also work well) over medium-high heat, and salt it. The tofu cooks in a single layer for 4-5 minutes, undisturbed (this is how it gets its lovely, crispy crust).

Why does tofu taste bland? ›

“Tofu has no taste. It's the marinade and seasonings that give it taste.” “By itself, it is bland with not very much going for it.

How to make tofu more flavorful? ›

Coat it in a lot of dry seasonings.

You can also use your favourite potent seasoning mix and coat your tofu in it. Pre-season it, then let it soak in a sauce to soak up flavours. My Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken wasn't even pre-seasoned, but it was well pressed, and so it truly soaked up the flavours of that sauce.

How do you neutralize soy taste? ›

Incorporate Lemon Juice, Vinegar or Sugar

Many cooks combat a salty dish with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. You can also try mixing in a sweetener like white sugar, brown sugar, honey or agave syrup. The goal is to dilute the soy sauce and to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

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.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

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 eat tofu if you don't like it? ›

How to Make Tofu Taste Good
  1. Understand the different tofu varieties. ...
  2. Press your tofu. ...
  3. Marinate the tofu – for a long time! ...
  4. Use cornstarch to make crispy tofu. ...
  5. Use sesame oil for pan-frying. ...
  6. A good sauce is your best friend. ...
  7. Crumble it up. ...
  8. Use your blender.
Apr 6, 2022

What spices go well with tofu? ›

Chili Powder: A melody of chili peppers, garlic, and cumin that bestows a warm, smoky zest to tofu, perfect for crafting delectable tacos or fajitas. That's Amore: A medley of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, this blend is the essence of the Mediterranean.

How to make tofu less bland? ›

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.

Why does my stomach feel weird after eating tofu? ›

A soy intolerance is when your digestive system has a hard time breaking down (digesting) soy. When you ingest soy, you may have symptoms such as gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain. A soy allergy is a type of food allergy that occurs when your immune system mistakenly triggers a defensive response to soy.

Why does restaurant tofu taste better? ›

Restaurants understand the power of salt and use it liberally to ensure that tofu is well-seasoned. As masters of flavors, professional chefs know that tofu's porous nature allows it to absorb the flavors it's cooked with, and they use this to their advantage.

How long does it take for tofu to soak up flavor? ›

In a sealed container, add your tofu and cover in the marinade. 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 do you remove tofu aftertaste? ›

The flavor of the soy beans is what makes tofu taste like tofu. That being said you can mask the flavor by marinating the tofu with strong flavors such as vinegar, oils, mustard, herbs, spices, ect.

Why doesn't tofu absorb flavor? ›

Depending on the amount of moisture in the tofu, the oil can form a layer around the tofu, preventing it from absorbing flavours. For example, when grilling tofu, brush with oil only after it has been marinated. Due to its high water content, tofu takes up little oil during preparation.

Can you make tofu taste like meat? ›

A: Marinating tofu in a rich umami marinade and then searing on high heat will make it taste like meat. The longer you can marinate it for, the more meaty it will taste.

References

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