Baffled by bean curd? You’re not alone. Even seasoned vegans can become stuck when it comes to creating tantalizing tofu recipes.
Thankfully, however, the world is now a much smaller place, so we now have access to some of the most fabulous foodie thinkers out there.
This list of recipes for tofu proves the point beautifully. Everything from Buddha Bowls to Burritos can be made with bean curd and a little know-how.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Crispy Black Pepper Stir Fry
“Meatless does NOT have to mean flavorless,” wise words come from Marzia at Little Spice Jar. Her Black Pepper Tofu Stir Fry will delight long-time vegans and even convince the casual dabbler in vegan recipes to join team tofu.
Crispy cubes of pan-fried tofu tossed in a peppery brown gravy served with rice, quinoa, or nothing at all, make this a dish to remember.
WANT MORE? CHECK OUR OUR VEGAN STIR-FRY RECIPES ROUNDUP!
Garlic Roasted Cauliflower and Spicy Baked Tofu Burritos
Connoisseurus Veg’s Alissa has created a mouthwatering dish bursting with spice and nutrition.
Her Garlic Roasted Cauliflower and Spicy Baked Tofu Burritos are delicious bundles of cauliflower, tofu, avocado and scallions smothered in a southwest sauce spiced with cumin, ancho chili pepper, and hot sauce. I love that only the oven is required for cooking. Get wrapping!
Saag Tofu
Saag is simply a word in Indian cooking for leafy greens cooked in spices, particularly spinach but also collard greens, mustard leaf, etc.
Michael Kitson over at Discover Delicious was inspired by the awesome health benefits of spinach to create this delectable dish, Saag Tofu, and I know you’ll find it inspirational, too.
Ginger, garlic and chili spice up the creamy-textured greens, while baked tofu adds a contrasting crunch. Pure comfort food in one dish.
READ NEXT: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GINGER?
Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala
Sanjana, food blogger at K.O.Rasoi, uses tofu puffs in her vegan-approved Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala. The mouth-watering aroma of the simmering sauce prepares guests for a dinner of skewered delights, so be ready for people peeking over your shoulder as you get this one ready.
If you are feeling masterful in the kitchen, pull out all the stops and wow everyone by cooking with homemade tandoori paste. This Indian inspired treat will thank you, as will your guests.
Kale Stir Fry with Crispy Curried Tofu
Kale, cabbage, and carrots (oh my!) provide a powerful punch of antioxidants and nutrients to Lauren Caris Cooks’s take on Kale Stir Fry with Crispy Curried Tofu.
This easy recipe can be prepared in less than half an hour and paired with whole wheat noodles for an easy mid-week dinner that’s bursting with flavor, but you could always use a zucchini pasta maker for a healthier meal if you have the time.
READ NEXT: BEST COOKWARE SET FOR INDUCTION
Tofu Popcorn Chick’n
Happy Healing’s creator Shae Cantrell has a gluten-free vegan recipe for Tofu Popcorn Chick’n that will please even the pickiest of eaters.
These delectable little golden brown nuggets can be eaten alone or added to pizza, sandwiches, salads, and more. This is a great one to tempt kids over to the tofu side. Yep, they are that good!
READ NEXT: IS SRIRACHA SAUCE VEGAN?
Vegan Tofu Scramble Kale Fried Rice
When I think of fast, I think fried rice. When I think super food, I think kale (I’m always thinking about kale, tbh. See my post on all things kale here for further proof!).
So what could be faster and healthier than a Vegan Tofu Scramble Kale Fried Rice by Chef de Home’s blogger and engineer, Savita? Not much!
Unlike most greens, kale does not fully wilt and gives the dish a delectable crunch, which is a great contrast to the super soft tofu scramble. This is a fantastic dish to have in your cooking repertoire.
CHECK OUT OUR VEGAN BUDDHA BOWL ROUNDUP NEXT!
Crispy Tofu in Teriyaki Sauce
I love this oil-free Crispy Tofu in Teriyaki Sauce recipe I found on the ever-fabulousNest & Glow website. Tofu has been around for over 2000 years and was first used in Asian cooking, so this recipe fromBastian & Eloise pays homage to the humble bean curd’s heritage.
Their crispy tofu steaks in homemade teriyaki sauce shows perfectly why tofu’s appeal has spread around the world and how its versatility makes it a favorite for vegans. Go check it out!
Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl
If you are not 100% sure what a Buddha bowl is, don’t worry, the “what” is not as important as the “yum”!
Basically, a lot of veggies with some protein, possibly covered in a delicious sauce make up a Buddha bowl, and Delish Knowledge’s registered dietician, Alex, has a Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl recipe simple enough to turn you into an expert Buddha bowler instantly.
I like crunchy peanut butter in the sauce, which adds another texture to the carrots, spinach, broccoli, tofu and brown rice. Brilliant!
READ OUR COMPREHENSIVE BROCCOLI GUIDE NEXT!
General Tso’s Tofu
Shelby, author of the wonderfully titledGrumpy’s Honeybunch, has taken a traditional Chinese dish, removed any ingredient that has a face and come up with her adaptation for General Tso’s Tofu…and it’s a winner!
Lightly fried tofu provides plant-based protein in this recipe. Adjust the spicy heat to please your family and do not worry about making room in the fridge for leftovers, because there’ll be none to worry about!
READ NEXT: CAN VEGANS EAT SPRING ROLLS?
Tofu & Chickpea BBQ Sandwiches
Arguments, feuds, and wars erupt over differing opinions about barbecue. Breathe a sigh of relief with me because Izzy of She Likes Food fame has a sauce that can mend fences, repair foodie rifts, and heal all wounds from the barbecue wars.
Tofu & Chickpea BBQ Sandwiches, made with the title ingredients in a smoky, sweet sauce, will satisfy the appetites of both vegans and non-vegans alike, and it may even have them asking for the recipe, too. It really is a thing of great beauty.
Vegan Nasi Goreng With Ginger Tofu
Indonesian fried rice, or nasi goreng, traditionally features eggs, but do not fear, faithful vegans, Ania at Lazy Cat Kitchen has a guilt-free Vegan Nasi Goreng With Ginger Tofu that is a treat to eat and cruelty-free.
Roasting the aromatics before blending is what gives the sauce its intense flavor. Also, pressed tofu (see our best tofu press reviews if you haven’t already got one) absorbs flavors more fully so the ginger is not lost amid the other tastes of Austronesian cuisine. This is a fantastic dish you really must try.
READ NEXT: WHAT ARE THE BEST PANS FOR A GLASS TOP STOVE?
Healthier Tofu Nachos With Smoky Avocado Cream
Healthier Tofu Nachos With Smoky Avocado Cream are light, healthy, and full of plant-based protein. Natalie Tamara, creator of The Tofu Diaries, combines the best from traditional nachos and vegetable salads to make this light dinner with smoky undertones and lime highlights.
I love this tofu recipe because it makes such a beautiful center piece for sharing. Go check it out!
Tofu & Mango Forbidden Rice Bowls
“When your lunch looks like a rainbow, you know you’ve done something right.” I wish I could say the words are mine, but credit for the quote and the recipe for Tofu & Mango Forbidden Rice Bowls go to Emilie of Emilie Eats.
Black rice, red cabbage, decadent mango, creamy ripe avocado, cucumber, and tofu dressed in tahini sauce makes a dinner as beautiful as it is delicious. Make it once, and it will become a favorite go-to for any on-the-go day.
Pan Fried Sesame Tofu With Broccoli
Imagine your favorite rice smothered in a beautiful brown sesame sauce over tofu and broccoli, topped with sliced green onion. I liked the picture in my head, and was equally impressed with the end result once I’d put together this fabulous tofu recipe for myself.
Beth at Budget Bytes set out to master cooking with tofu, and she won! If you are new to the tofu world, start here for a successful dish that won’t break the bank. It truly is beautiful.
Japchae Korean Glass Noodles With Tofu
Jessica Gavin is a culinary scientist, but her Japchae Korean Glass Noodles With Tofu is pure magic. This sweet and savory dish stars glass noodles, intriguingly transparent noodles made from sweet potato starch that soak up flavors incredibly, but there’s more.
Mushrooms, carrots, scallions, spinach, and tofu cooked with soy sauce and honey result in a satisfying, colorful combo for vegetarians, but vegans can easily switch to a honey alternative for equally tasty results (check Is Honey Vegan? for reasons why you need to find alternatives).
The noodles are available in many stores, but you can expand your kitchen repertoire, and amaze yourself, by making your own. This one is well worth the effort. Go make it now!
Tofu Bolognese
A cool, rainy day begs for a kitchen filled with tantalizing smells of a hearty pasta sauce. A meat-free one, of course!
Treat yourself and your family to Tofu Bolognese by Sam over at It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken and you won’t be disappointed. The secret to this cholesterol-free, high fiber, dish is crumbled, baked tofu which gives the sauce its varied texture.
The sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. Love it!
LOOKING FOR MORE DINNER IDEAS? CHECK OUT OUR VEGAN CASSEROLE ROUNDUP!
Did these tofu recipes tantalize your tastebuds?
I sure hope they did. Having these terrific tofu recipes to hand will help expand your plant-based cooking no end, and they might even persuade a few non-vegans to go meat-free for an evening or two!
Got a recipe for tofu that isn’t featured here? Let me know in the comments section below. I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to enjoy this vegan staple.
About The Author:
Lisa Williams
Lisa Williams is a committed vegan, passionate animal welfare advocate, and keen follower of too many v-friendly food blogs to mention. She startedhappyhappyvegan.comback in 2016 because she felt there was a need for more straightforward information on plant-based living.
Back then, too many sites seem to either concentrate solely on recipes or be too intimidating or inaccessible for the v-curious, and she wanted to change that. The landscape is certainly a whole lot different now!
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