31 Killer Tofu Recipes That Give Meat A Run For Its Money
Think tofu is bland, boring, or inaccessible? No more! One of our editors likens it to fresh dairy products, similar to ricotta, cottage cheese, or even butter. Whatever you think of it, all it needs is a little coaxing (we’ve got the tips and tricks here on how best to cook tofu) to turn it into a protein that can stand up to the most meaty of options. Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or vegan looking for creative ideas or are just trying to eat less meat and are looking for alternatives, we’ve got a recipe here for you. Check out our 31 best tofu recipes for ideas—they make it easy to eat meatless every day of the week.
Let’s start with the basics. If you’ve never cooked tofu before, it can be a little intimidating. Start out with food editor Taylor Ann's explanation of all the different types of tofu and when you should use each one. Then, check out our baked tofu or tofu stir-fry recipes for an in-depth analysis of best practices (including whether to press your tofu or not) and some surprising hacks for making your tofu the best it can be (sneak preview: boil or freeze it for the best texture!).
Once you’ve got those down, try one of our myriad creative recipes that are great for every meal of the day. Need a filling vegan breakfast? Try our tofu scramble. Looking for a quick, delicious lunch? Try our jerk tofu grain bowls, our spicy fried “chicken” sandwich, our tofu nuggets, or our caramelized tofu lettuce wraps. Want tofu to star in a hearty main for dinner? Check out our vegan lasagna, our sesame tofu & broccoli, our marry me tofu, or our sweet & sour tofu. Once you start to cook with it, it’s easy to find ways to swap it for eggs, meat, and dairy in tons of your favorite meals.
For most of these recipes, you’re going to want to reach for firm tofu options (ranging anywhere from medium-firm to super-firm), but there is a time and a place for the softer options (known as silken or soft tofu) too. Check out our mapo tofu, our kimchi tofu stew, or our hot & sour soup, or our pretty in pink raspberry smoothie to see how truly versatile soft tofu can be.
Want more inspiration? Tofu has been a regular part of many Asian cultures’ diets for thousands of years, so check out our favorite Chinese, Japanese, and Korean recipes for more ideas.
Sweet & Sour Tofu
Sweet & sour sauce is a staple across Chinese-American restaurant menus—and for good reason. The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with virtually every protein, and especially tofu—because it’s mild in flavor, the sweet and sour sauce truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).
Get the Sweet & Sour Tofu recipe.
Tofu Nuggets
Soggy baked tofu nuggets are a thing of the past, thanks to our one-ingredient upgrade. These bite-sized beauties get irresistibly crispy in the oven, making them the perfect vehicle for a dunk in ranch dressing or curry ketchup.
Get the Tofu Nuggets recipe.
Chili Crisp Fried Tofu
Chili crisp is the MVP in the flavor bomb pantry, and it’s back to prove it again with this chili crisp fried tofu. Featuring a vibrant spicy-sweet sauce made with just four pantry ingredients, this crispy fried tofu is waiting to make your weeknight dinner a little more exciting.
Get the Chili Crisp Fried Tofu recipe.
Marry Me Tofu
Because tofu is so versatile, why not give this plant-based protein a romantic spin, à la our marry me chicken? Pairing our signature creamy, garlicky sauce with crispy tofu was every bit as good as we knew it would be.
Get the Marry Me Tofu recipe.
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’ll be on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the Sesame Tofu & Broccoli recipe.
Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich
Crunchy, spicy, creamy, and tart—this "chicken" sammie is total bliss. We replicated spicy fried chicken with protein-packed tofu and added cornmeal to the batter for extra crunch. Don't skip the freezing step; it's what gives the tofu a more meat-like texture.
Get the Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich recipe.
Vegan Ground Beef
Searching for a plant-based alternative to ground beef? Look no further! Made with tofu and simple seasonings, this ground “beef” is the perfect substitute in all your favorite recipes, like tacos, pastas, grain bowls, and more.
Get the Vegan Ground Beef recipe.
Fried Tofu
Meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike rejoice! Fried tofu has arrived. Pan-fried to crispy perfection and glazed in an irresistible sticky sweet and spicy glaze, these poppable tofu nuggets will become your new favorite weeknight protein.
Get the Fried Tofu recipe.
Tofu Katsu Curry
This hearty Japanese curry comes complete with crispy sesame-panko-crusted tofu, tender vegetables, and a rich and flavorful curry sauce. For a quicker version, swap out the curry for some cold shredded green cabbage, along with some katsu sauce for dipping.
Get the Tofu Katsu Curry recipe.
Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Inspired by our caramelized beef with rice, this simple tofu recipe is big on flavor and perfect for even the most reluctant of tofu eaters. Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce wraps are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments, so get creative with your favorites.
Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Mapo Tofu
Disclaimer: “authentic” mapo tofu is hard to perfect without a flaming hot wok above a fire and some hard-to-find ingredients. Never fear, we've made some concessions, and this one is still delicious. Just make sure to serve it with rice to help sop up all that yummy sauce!
Get the Mapo Tofu recipe.
Tofu Stir-Fry
For best results, use extra-firm tofu that has been frozen so it can absorb flavors more readily, and simmer the tofu in salted water briefly to make it hardier and less likely to crumble. Otherwise, the sky's the limit, so add your favorite veggies to this stir-fry!
Get the Tofu Stir-Fry recipe.
Air Fryer Tofu
To get crispy tofu, you'd typically need to heat up a bunch of oil and worry about overcooking or a messy cleanup. Enter: the air fryer! It makes getting perfect golden brown tofu a cinch.
Get the Air Fryer Tofu recipe.
Tofu Scramble
Tofu scrambles have been a mainstay of vegan cuisine for decades. This one is seared and crisp on the outside, tender and creamy on the inside, and assertively spiced. Who needs eggs?
Get the Classic Tofu Scramble recipe.
Baked Tofu
If you want the crispiest baked tofu, use baking powder (insteadof the more traditional cornstarch). Baking powder will react with heat in the oven and moisture in the slurry to create tiny bubbles that will crisp up this crust.
Get the Baked Tofu recipe.
Vegan Lasagna
Tofu replaces ricotta in this vegan version of classic lasagna. Add that to a béchamel-inspired white sauce, and you've got a vegan dinner that won't make you feel at all deprived.
Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.
Tofu Marinade
This sweet-savory tofu marinade is filled with pantry staples, and reminds us of BBQ sauce with a spicy kick. 😋 Perfect for baked, grilled, or pan-fried tofu, this recipe is a great base for any of your favorite tofu dinners.
Get the Tofu Marinade recipe.
Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls
This vegan recipe is a bit of a culinary road trip through some Jamaican staples: sweet plantains, aromatic rice and peas, and tofu in a jerk marinade. Topped off with a simple red cabbage and carrot slaw, this bowl is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Get the Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls recipe.
Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers
Tofu is so much more than a meat substitute, it’s a protein source that stands on its own, and the perfect base to soak up tasty sauces, like this chipotle and guajillo chile marinade inspired by a popular Mexican street food, tacos al pastor.
Get the Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers recipe.
Grilled Tofu
Miso and soy sauce are both high in umami, meaning they infuse the tofu here with savory depth. Allowing the planks of tofu to soak in the marinade for at least an hour means each bite is seasoned to perfection, though if you have 5 hours, it's worth the wait.
Get the Grilled Tofu recipe.
Tofu Banh Mi
In this meat-free Vietnamese classic, the pressed tofu will marinade twice: once quickly before cooking so it doesn’t soak up too much liquid, and again after it’s cooked to flavor it through. The result is tofu so tasty, you won't even miss the meat.
Get the Tofu Banh Mi recipe.
Kimchi Tofu Stew
Inspired by Korean sundubu-jjigae, this tofu stew is a fast, easy meal that's still BIG on flavor. Both spicy and savory—thanks to a hefty dollop of gochujang (a fermented chili paste) and a mixture of fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions—it's an amazingly satisfying vegetarian meal.
Get the Kimchi Tofu Stew recipe.
BBQ Tofu
Who needs meat? BBQ tofu isn't just for vegetarians and vegans. Be sure to serve the tofu with more of the spicy BBQ sauce on the side, and it will compete with all your classics like brisket, short ribs, and chicken.
Get the BBQ Tofu recipe.
Miso Soup
Dashi is what gives miso soup its distinct flavor, but don't be intimidated by it. It's a simple broth made by boiling water with kombu (dried seaweed) and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). Serve this soup next time you're feeling under the weather, or alongside any of your favorite sushi rolls.
Get the Miso Soup recipe.
Collard Wrap Bento Boxes
We're newly obsessed with collard greens—they're not as flimsy as, say, romaine, so you can create a hefty wrap with them. You need something strong enough to hold up to hearty fillings like veggies, hummus, and sauteéd tofu.
Get the Collard Wrap Bento Boxes recipe.
Steamed Buns (Baozi)
Making Chinese steamed buns that look like beauty queens might take some practice but it's really what's on the inside that matters here: The dough is soft but not too cakey, tender with a slight chew, with a barely sweetened taste that pairs well with, well, almost anything, including tofu.
Get the Steamed Buns (Baozi) recipe.
Vegan Sweet Potato Curry
For this vegan curry, we went for ease so that you can whip it up in under an hour. We used five veggie elements here that soak up the curry sauce well: onion, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and fried tofu puffs, but you can use whatever is in your fridge!
Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Curry recipe.
Hot & Sour Soup
This is an infinitely adaptable soup that you can easily customize. Add ground or sliced meat at the very beginning of the cooking process, or skip it and go vegetarian—try rehydrating dried shiitake mushrooms to use in the soup and keep the soaking liquid to use as broth.
Get the Hot & Sour Soup recipe.
Peanut Butter Tofu Stir-Fry
Bust out of a stir-fry rut (we've ALL been there) by mixing together peanut butter and soy for a creamier sauce. You're going to want to put this sauce on everything, so make extra!
Get the Peanut Butter Tofu Stir-Fry recipe.
Seared Tofu With Mango Avocado Salsa
Treat tofu like fish and sear a slab, then top with a citrusy salsa of avocado, mango, and lime. Enjoy it on its own, or serve it over rice or in tacos for a delightful vegetarian meal.
Get the Seared Tofu With Mango Avocado Salsa recipe.
Black Rice Tofu Bowls
Complete with forgotten and forbidden black sticky rice, marinated frozen tofu, and creamy leek sauce, this Budget Eats-inspired bowl is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Get the Black Rice Tofu Bowls recipe.
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