Not sure what you think about tofu? These 25 easy and DELICIOUS tofu recipes will make you fall in love. With so much variation in taste and texture, tofu can be used to make just about any meal a little bit better.
This post was originally published on 1/27/2019. Last updated on 7/3/2020
Tofu gets a bad rap.
I'm not sure why, but people love to hate tofu. Some think it's gross and tasteless. Others say it's overly processed. And still, others argue that tofu is not healthy.
While I agree that tofu should not be considered a health food, I have never understood the concern that it is bad for you. There are plenty of non-GMO tofu options out there that are not overly processed and are high in protein and low in calories.
I'm not going to get into a health argument for tofu since My Darling Vegan is not a health food blog, but I do 100% stand behind tofu and I think you should too!
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Types of Tofu
Tofu comes in many different textures and is one of those delightful foods that has the versatility to be transformed into a hearty entree or a creamy custard. It works as egg, cheese, and meat replacers. Understanding the distinction is critical in perfecting your tofu recipes.
Regular vs. Silken Tofu
The first thing to note in the recipe does it call for regular or silken tofu.
Regular tofu is most of the water-packed tofu on the market. It is in the refrigerator section as is used in recipes such as stir-fries, scrambles, and cutlets.
Silken tofu, on the other hand, is a shelf stable product found usually in the international food aisle at most well-stocked grocery stores. Silken tofu has a creamier consistency than regular tofu making it a great egg replacement for custards, puddings, and cream pies. When a recipe calls for silken, it is very important that you use that variety. Regular tofu just won't work.
Pro Tip: Both silken and regular tofu come in soft, medium, firm, and extra firm textures. Make sure to stick to the recipe guidelines when choosing the correct tofu as these all have a huge impact on the overall texture of the recipe.
How to Make Crispy Tofu
Mastering perfect crispy tofu is key to enjoying your tofu in savory tofu-heavy recipes. There are several factors in getting the perfect crisp on your tofu. Buying the right kind of tofu, pressing it, and preparing it correctly are all key components.
While it's not difficult to get the perfect crisp, it may take some time to master the art. That's why I've created this step-by-step tutorial for How to Make Perfectly Crispy Tofu.
Make sure to take a look at it for recipes that call for crispy tofu.
Vegan Tofu Recipes
Once you learn how to cook with tofu, you will understand why people love it. It's a perfect food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.
Here are some of my favorite vegan tofu recipes.
Vegan Breakfast Recipes
I love tofu for breakfast. Because of the variety of textures (silken, regular, firm, extra firm) and neutral flavor, tofu can take on the texture of eggs for perfect scrambles, quiches, and frittatas.
Here are a few of my favorite breakfast recipes that use tofu.
5-Minute Vegan Scrambled Eggs
Vegan scrambled eggs at last! These easy vegan scrambled eggs are made with crumbled tofu and flavored with nutritional yeast garlic, and onions for a simple, hearty and healthy 5-minute breakfast.
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Mexican Tofu Scramble
Start your morning off with this vegan and gluten-free Mexica Tofu Scrambled filled with fresh corn, pico de gallo, cilantro, and avocado. Ready in 20 minutes for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Southwest Vegan Breakfast Burrito
This Southwest Vegan Breakfast Burrito is loaded with protein and vegetables and filled with flavor for a healthy, delicious breakfast. Keep them in the freezer for grab-n-go meals all week long. Made in under 30 minutes!
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Caramelized Onion and Shiitake Mushroom Vegan Quiche
This Caramelized Onion and Shiitake Mushroom Vegan Quiche with butter lettuce makes the perfect addition to your holiday brunch table. With a pastry pie crust and filled with savory tofu filling, this quiche is sure to impress!
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Vegan Huevos Rancheros
Start your day off right with these Vegan Huevos Rancheros. Made with scrambled tofu, refried beans, and spicy rancheros sauce for a hearty and healthy breakfast.
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Vegan Eggs Benedict
Start your day off right with this Vegan Eggs Benedict with avocado - made to perfection with seasoned tofu and homemade vegan hollandaise sauce.
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Vegan Lunch Recipes
Tofu makes a great meat substitute in light meals such as soups, salads, and sandwiches. I love a big slab of tofu on a BLT or Banh mi sandwich. I also love to use it as a base for my egg salads and as the protein in simple soup recipes.
Here are a few of my favorite tofu lunch recipes.
Thai Noodle Soup with Tofu
You’re going to love this rich and creamy Thai Noodle Soup with tofu and eggplant. A hearty and delicious Thai soup for the perfect vegan and gluten-free meal. Made in just 30 minutes!
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Vegan BLT with Avocado Mayo
A vegan BLT made with smoky tofu bacon and fresh avocado mayo for a delicious and healthy twist on this classic sandwich.
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Tofu Banh Mi
Bite into this meaty and perfectly flavored Tofu Banh Mi with quick pickled carrots and cucumbers and topped with creamy Bánh Mî sauce.
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Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
This refreshing vegan egg salad sandwich is made with scrambled tofu mixed with fresh herbs and spices and topped with mixed greens and fresh tomatoes.
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10-Minute Vegan Miso Soup
A healing and immune-boosting vegan miso soup full of flavor and packed with green veggies and sprouted tofu for a wholesome vegan and gluten-free meal. Make it in just 10 minutes!
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Vegan Dinner Recipes
Tofu makes an incredible protein alternative for dinner. You can eat tofu like a steak, on a skewer, or gently pan fry it and toss it in your favorite sauce. Tofu provides a healthy amount of protein that will fill you up without many calories and zero cholesterol. It's the perfect protein!
I'm a HUGE fan of tofu dinner recipes. Here are some of my favorites:
Blackened Tofu Steaks
Impress your guests with these Chewy Blackened Tofu Steaks. Made with extra-firm tofu marinated in a mixture of sauces and spices and then grilled to perfection for a wholesome vegan and gluten-free meal.
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General Tso's Tofu
If you have a hankering for Chinese takeout but are trying to stick to your healthy food goals, PUT THE PHONE DOWN! I'm here to help you with my recipe for General Tso's Tofu, the best dang takeout fake-out around.
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Coconut Curry with Tofu
You're going to love this rich and creamy coconut curry with tofu and broccolini. A hearty and delicious Thai curry for the perfect vegan and gluten-free dinner.
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Tofu Stir Fry with Broccoli and Bell Peppers
This vegan Tofu Stir Fry is made with sautéd broccoli and peppers and mixed with a Ginger Peanut Sauce for a delicious, hearty, and healthy weeknight meal.
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Tofu with Peanut Sauce
Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce! This vegan and gluten free meal is rich, creamy, and so good! Serve it with green veggies and rice for a delicious, hearty, and healthy weeknight dinner. Made in under 30 minutes for a family friendly recipe everyone will love!
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One-Pot Teriyaki Tofu and Rice
Make your weeknight dinner easy with this One-Pot Teriyaki Tofu and Rice. It's a delicious blend of tofu, vegetables, and homemade Teriyaki sauce with minimal fuss and mess. Vegan & Gluten-Free!
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Rainbow Teriyaki Tofu Skewers
Sweet and savory Rainbow Teriyaki Tofu Skewers made with marinated tofu, pineapple chunks, and bell peppers. Grilled or baked, these delicious skewers are vegan, gluten-free, and 100% DELICIOUS!
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Smoky Vegan Barbecue Bowl
A hearty dinner bowl made with BBQ tofu, black-eyed peas, and collard greens, all slathered in homemade BBQ Sauce. Made in just 30 minutes for a delicious vegan and gluten-free weeknight meal.
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Vegan Korean BBQ Bowl
A delicious Korean BBQ bowl filled with cabbage slaw, spicy pan-fried tofu, and sautéed broccoli and carrots, this weeknight meal is hearty and delicious. Vegan and Gluten-free!
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Vegan Dessert Recipes
Did you know you can even eat tofu for dessert? Silken tofu has a creamy consistency that can be blended with flavors and turned into puddings, custards, pies, ice cream, and so much more. It works as a binder and thickener similar to eggs.
Make sure to try out these delicious dessert recipes...
Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan Pudding
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pudding is so good; it's like eating a Reese's with a spoon. Bet yet, this vegan pudding is incredibly easy to make. Made with just 5 ingredients for a rich and decadent dessert.
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Vegan Pumpkin Pie
This classic vegan pumpkin pie is so creamy and rich, no one will believe it's vegan. The filling can be made in a blender for a quick and easy fall dessert the whole family will love.
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Vegan Lemon Bars
This recipe for vegan lemon bars is the best lemon recipe you'll ever try! Tart and sweet, these soft lemon bars are bright with citrus and dusted with powdered sugar. Family-friendly and simple to make, this recipe for easy lemon squares is simply amazing!
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Creamy Vegan Chocolate Pie
This creamy vegan chocolate pie is the perfect pie for your holidays. Made with a gluten free graham cracker pie crust and with just 6 ingredients, it's a quick and easy dessert that the whole family can enjoy. Rich, decadent, and delicious!
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More Vegan How-To Guides
- How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- How to Perfectly Roast Vegetables
- How to Replace Eggs
- How to Stock a Vegan Pantry
If you give one of these recipes recipe a try, snap a photo and share it on Instagram. Make sure to tag @mydarlingvegan so I can see your creations!
