Our Tastiest Tofu Recipes

09/19/2022

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

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Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: Armando Rafael

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©Food stylist: Jamie KimmProp Stylist: Marina Malchin3

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Photo By: Antonis Achilleos

Photo By: Renee Comet

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Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: RYAN DAUSCH

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Photo By: Antonis Achilleos

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Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich

This fried tofu sandwich is so phenomenal, it just might unite vegans and meat eaters once and for all. The tofu gets soaked in a seasoned pickle brine (if you know, you know), then blanketed in a sweet mustard glaze and battered with a savory flour mixture. After a quick fry, the crispy patty is ready to get stacked on a bun with shredded lettuce, dill pickles and a fast and delicious vegan Buffalo mayo. The key here is freezing the tofu overnight, which creates a sturdy sponge-like structure that’s ready to soak up tons of flavor. It’s a simple hack that will rocket your tofu game to the next level!

Get the Recipe:Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Ree says these wraps are “surprisingly scrumptious.” She sautés her tofu until golden brown, then adds color and spice with corn, chili powder and green onion.

Get the Recipe:Tofu Lettuce Wraps

15-Minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Tofu sometimes gets a reputation for being bland, but that’s not the case in this quick stir-fry. We toss meaty baked tofu in a spicy Asian marinade with tons of bold flavor. Packaged stir-fry mix and pre-sliced shiitake mushrooms can easily be found in the produce section of most grocery stores, and make it possible for this healthy meal to come together in 15 minutes or less.

Get the Recipe:15-Minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Tofu and Rice with Scallion Oil

The genius of this six-ingredient dish lies in the easy but mighty scallion oil. There are many ways to make scallion oil, ranging from merely pouring hot oil over scallions to more elaborate preparations involving a myriad of ingredients. This version adds fish sauce and a touch of sugar. The result is an umami-laden sauce that transforms a simple bowl of tofu and rice into an example of Vietnamese home cooking at its simplest and finest. You’ll make more scallion oil than needed for this recipe. Refrigerate the leftover oil in an airtight container for up to five days and use it to dress grilled meats, roasted potatoes or vegetables.

Get the Recipe:Tofu and Rice with Scallion Oil

Vegan Classic Cheesecake

A better-for-you take on a classic dessert! Whip together silken tofu and vegan cream cheese for a dairy- and egg-free cheesecake that is both creamy and delicious.

Get the Recipe:Vegan Classic Cheesecake

The Best Crispy Tofu

The key to getting tofu nice and crispy is to first remove excess moisture. We wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy pan on top of it to press out as much water as possible. When searing the tofu, resist the urge to move it around. Instead, allow it to form a crust before flipping, and then again let it cook undisturbed on the other side until browned.

Get the Recipe:The Best Crispy Tofu

Baked Tofu Tenders

These tofu tenders are crisp on the outside and creamy inside. Serve with a quick sweet and spicy sauce or with your favorite condiment. For both little and big kids: Let them help measure and bread the tofu (use separate hands for the wet and dry ingredients when breading, so little fingers don’t get breaded themselves).

Get the Recipe:Kids Can Make: Baked Tofu Tenders

Mapo Tofu

This spicy, aromatic Sichuan dish is recognizable from the citrus aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and the spicy fermented flavor of hot bean sauce. According to legend, Mapo Tofu (Pock-Marked Grandma’s Tofu) was named after an old Chinese woman who served the dish to her restaurant guests. She became known for it and people began referring to the dish as the pock-marked woman’s tofu.

Get the Recipe:Mapo Tofu

Cheesy Carrot and Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

We mix two types of cheese (pepper Jack and Parmesan) into the stuffing for these mushrooms — giving them plenty of savory flavor.

Get the Recipe:Cheesy Carrot and Tofu Stuffed Mushrooms

Tex-Mex Tofu and Quinoa Bowl

With fresh veggies and a honey-hot sauce topping, this simple dish is big on flavor.

Get the Recipe:Tex-Mex Tofu and Quinoa Bowl

Tofu Parmesan Subs

Crispy tofu is topped with a tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese for a vegetarian version of the Italian classic — no chicken needed.

Get the Recipe:Tofu Parmesan Subs

Carrot-Ginger Soup with Tofu

Those aren’t croutons on top of this creamy spiced-carrot soup — they’re bits of curry-flavored, crispy fried tofu.

Get the Recipe:Carrot-Ginger Soup with Tofu

Barbequed Tofu

Barbecue tofu that even the meat lovers will enjoy is perfect for your next cookout.

Get the Recipe:Barbequed Tofu

Tofu Tacos

Use crunchy cubes of tofu instead of meat to build your next taco. Pile it into whole-wheat tortillas alongside Greek yogurt sauce and crunchy, tangy slaw for a healthy meal that’s not short on flavor.

Get the Recipe:Tofu Tacos

Grilled Shiitake and Tofu Banh Mi

A banh mi, the popular Vietnamese hero sandwich, with its tangy cucumber salad and spicy mayonnaise, is generally piled high with meat or fish. We’ve subbed in meaty shiitakes and tofu, slathered with a hoisin marinade, to make our banh-meatless. Pressing the liquid out of the tofu firms it up and keeps it from sticking to the grill.

Get the Recipe:Grilled Shiitake and Tofu Banh Mi

Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

You can make crispy tofu without a cauldron of bubbling oil. Turns out, an air fryer does a stellar job of cooking up cubes of marinated tofu into perfectly browned and crispy bites. Toss them into stir fries, noodle dishes and salads, or eat them as a protein-packed snack with a simple dipping sauce such as the one here.

Get the Recipe:Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu

Kale and Tofu Salad

This powerhouse salad combines chunks of crispy, protein-packed tofu and fresh, fiber-rich greens to keep you full and fueled!

Get the Recipe:Kale and Tofu Salad

Tofu Chocolate Ice Cream with Mixed Berry Sauce and Whipped Coconut Cream

Healthy dessert? All you need is coconut milk, tofu, cocoa powder and vanilla bean paste to create this creamy, ice cream alternative.

Get the Recipe:Tofu Chocolate Ice Cream with Mixed Berry Sauce and Whipped Coconut Cream

Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans

Air fryers aren’t just for French fries, and this recipe showcases their versatility with a stir-fry-like dish that uses just a fraction of the typical amount of oil. Cleanup is a breeze since any splatters are kept in the fryer, and everything is cooked in about 30 minutes. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the warming chili sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe:Air Fryer Chili-Garlic Tofu with Green Beans

Southern Fried Tofu with Sweet Potatoes

Tofu gets the deep-fried treatment in this feel-good recipe. Don’t forget the sweet-and-spicy ketchup for serving!

Get the Recipe:Southern Fried Tofu with Sweet Potatoes

Lightened-Up Guacamole

This lighter version of guacamole is extra-creamy because of the addition of protein-dense silken tofu. Not only does it make a super-smooth puree, it reduces the fat and calories in the overall recipe.

Get the Recipe:Lightened-Up Guacamole

Spicy Tofu and Vegetable Lo Mein

Fresh ginger adds great flavor — and as a bonus it contains gingerol, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Get the Recipe:Spicy Tofu and Vegetable Lo Mein

Bean and Tofu Burritos

Looking for a healthy lunch? Full of beans, tofu and rice, these vegetarian burritos will keep you satisfied all afternoon.

Get the Recipe:Bean and Tofu Burritos

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

We use a few vegan-friendly stand-ins for this can’t-believe-it’s-vegan pie. Unrefined coconut oil provides a flaky, buttery texture for the crust, and silken tofu lends creaminess to the filling.

Get the Recipe:Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Eggplant and Tofu Curry

Tofu is the perfect protein for stir-fry. Just be sure you choose ‘firm’ so that it doesn’t crumble during cooking.

Get the Recipe:Eggplant and Tofu Curry

Crispy Tofu and Delicata Squash Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and spicy squash, crispy-coated tofu and sesame-scented spinach are quick and easy to make in this Japanese-inspired sheet pan meal.

Get the Recipe:Crispy Tofu and Delicata Squash Sheet Pan Dinner

Vegan Tofu and Spinach Scramble

This low-calorie breakfast scramble is high in fiber and protein. The lemon juice adds a little brightness. Serve with whole-wheat toast to round out the meal.

Get the Recipe:Vegan Tofu and Spinach Scramble

Fried Tofu Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Marinate your tofu pieces in buttermilk for 10 minutes before covering them in flour and frying to give them a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Get the Recipe:Fried Tofu Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Crispy Tofu With Vegetables

Dress up basic tofu by cooking it crisp and serving it with a colorful veggie stir fry.

Get the Recipe:Crispy Tofu With Vegetables

Avocado Tofu Toast

Need more ways to incorporate tofu into your meals? Instead of sourdough, slice up a couple of “tofu toasts” and pile them high with avocado and toppings for a new take on a brunch classic.

Get the Recipe:Avocado Tofu Toast

Grilled Tofu and Chicken Pad Thai

No need to order out when you can make your own delicious pad Thai at home using pantry staples like peanut butter.

Get the Recipe:Grilled Tofu and Chicken Pad Thai

Sesame Tofu Salad

Brighten up your lunch with Ree’s colorful salad. She marinates her tofu in a soy-ginger dressing, then tosses it with mandarin oranges, grape tomatoes, red onion and mixed greens.

Get the Recipe:Sesame Tofu Salad

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