Are you looking for the best vegan tofu recipes? Tofu is a wonderfully versatile ingredient. Use it as one of your main ingredients for an easy weeknight meal. Here are the 101 best tofu recipes. Enjoy!
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What Is Tofu?
When you’re a plant-based eater or simply looking for a meatless protein to add to a meal, tofu I the answer you need. It is made from soybean curds and is a low-calorie, no-cholesterol food filled with calcium and iron. The process of making tofu involves coagulating soy milk to create the curds. These curds are then pressed and compacted into white blocks that can range in texture from silken to super firm.
The List: 101 Best Vegan Tofu Recipes
In this list of vegan tofu recipes, you’ll find healthy tofu stir fry, quick breakfast scrambles, ramen, curries, tofu steak, the perfect marinade ingredients, and more.
Tofu Recipes for Stir Fries
A tofu stir fry recipe may be a more traditional method of using and enjoying tofu. Stir-fry recipes are relatively easy to make and the perfect way to dip your toe into vegan cooking if you aren’t too familiar with it.
Tofu Broccoli Stir Fry
Tofu Broccoli Stir Dry by Piping Pot Curry. Cooked with tender broccoli and served over rice, this easy tofu broccoli stir fry will make you wonder why you ever ordered takeout.
Here are some delicious tofu recipes for soups and stews. They are tasty all on their own or topped with your favorite greens such as green onion, cilantro, or basil.
Vegan Tom Kha Soup With Tofu
Made with tofu and fresh veggies, you can whip up this meat-free traditional Thailand dish!
These delicious recipes for tofu curries are divine. Enjoy them over a bed of rice for an extra-filling meal. White rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice can all be tasty, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Green Tofu Curry
Skip the takeout and try this delicious batch of one-pan green curry tofu.
Combining tofu, veggies, and the flaky baked crust mix makes a vegan version of this classic pot pie. The perfect cold-weather dinner by My Darling Vegan.
As you’ll soon see below, there are many great ways to make tofu. But these tips will help you ensure it comes out amazing every time. Here are my best tips.
1. Drain it.
Blocks of tofu are always packed in water. You’ll need to drain that water to get the best flavors. But it’s not just about pouring that packing water out. You should press or squeeze the block of tofu to get that excess water out. With waterlogged inside of it, your tofu won’t soak up the flavors of your marinades or become crispy in a frying pan.
You’ll need to use a tofu press or press it out yourself. Without a tofu press, you can wrap the block in paper towels and then set a cast iron skillet or another heavy object on top of it. While it’s best to prepare this about an hour in advance, even just 30 minutes will help significantly.
2. Marinate and/or season it.
Tofu has no flavor of its own, which makes it a great blank slate for so many incredible recipes. However, you need to add those flavors to it. The recipes below will help you achieve that beautifully but always remember tofu won’t taste good if you don’t add that flavor.
3. Crispy tofu needs cornstarch.
In addition to draining and pressing, if you want those crispy cubes of tofu, you’ve got to coat it with cornstarch.
4. Get your pan hot.
When frying tofu, you’ll get the best results with a super-hot pan. Make sure your pan and your oil warm up enough to give it that good sear. And while you’re at it, use an oil with a high smoking point to get that ultimate crisp.
What type of tofu should I use?
Silken Tofu: Silken tofu has the highest water content and a lovely custard-like texture. It’s great for use in blended recipes or when you need something creamy like smoothies, puddings, desserts, sauces, and dips. You can also use it to substitute for eggs in a baking recipe.
Firm Tofu: Firm tofu really absorbs flavors well and stands up to stir-frying and pan-frying techniques. But you can also crumble it with ease, making it great for scrambles or to replace ricotta cheese in your recipes.
Extra-Firm Tofu: Extra-firm tofu retains its shape quite well, making it ideal for cubing, slicing, and all types of frying styles. Plus, you can grill, bake, or crumble it too. It’s very versatile. However, it is harder to infuse with flavor, so keep that in mind when seasoning.
Super-Firm Tofu: Super-firm tofu has a dense texture and is high in protein. It is easier for those new to tofu to work with, though it does tend to dry out more quickly if you’re baking or grilling.
How to improve the texture and taste of tofu
Press Tofu: Pressing tofu helps remove that extra water, allowing it to absorb all the flavors from your dish. You’ll find you enjoy the taste much more when you’ve taken the time to get that excess water out of there.
Boil Tofu: Put out a pot of hot, salted water and blanch your tofu in it. This freshens its flavors and warms it up before you pop it in with other ingredients. Blanching tofu works the same way as it does for vegetables, slightly cooking it and seasoning it too. It brings out a better texture and flavor, though be careful! You want the water at a simmer, not a boil, or the tofu will become less tender and won’t soak up your recipe’s flavors.
Freeze Tofu: You can also freeze tofu before working with it. This changes the consistency so it is firmer, stronger, and spongier, allowing it to hold its shape better and soak up flavors.
FAQ
What is the best way to eat tofu?
The best way to eat tofu is to combine it with flavors you typically enjoy. If you’ve never cooked tofu before or are tired of the same recipes, look below to find 75 amazing ways to cook it!
What does tofu pair well with?
Tofu pairs well with rice, noodles, soups, and more. It is amazing with vegetables, soy sauce, ginger, oyster sauce, gochujang, and other Asian flavors but surprisingly great with flavors that aren’t Asian too. For inspiration, check out the recipes below!
Is it better to pan-fry or bake tofu?
Pan frying is great but does run the risk of getting stuck to the pan. When you bake it, it gets that crispy outside and that soft, pillowy texture inside that makes it so enjoyable.
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Hi, I'm Rae. The voice behind Raepublic. I have an MS in Nutrition and Functional Medicine. My aim is to assist people who have experienced trauma to live a more holistic, well-balanced life. Through nutrition, plant-based eating, sustainable living, mindfulness, and movement.
