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The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
Want to get cooking with more delicious tofu? Whether you're a vegan or vegetarian, or are looking to include more meatless meals in your routine, tofu is a great option for adding healthy plant protein into your diet. This soy-based wonder food is made from curdling soy milk, and forming it into a solid block (a whole lot like making cheese). Beyond being a nutrient-rich vegan food, tofu has a mild flavor which helps it play well in many different dishes, from classic all-American recipes to those from global cuisines. Browse our delicious ideas for using tofu at every meal of the day, including quick breakfast scrambles, make-ahead lunches, easy weeknight meals, and dinner party-worthy mains. We've even included an Instagram-worthy vegan "tofurkey" with stuffing that is ideal for holiday meals.
What's the difference between firm and soft tofu?
When shopping for tofu, you may notice it comes in both "firm" and "soft" varieties, which lend themselves to different uses. Wherever appropriate, you will find this indicated in our recipes. You can also shop for a tofu press, which you can use to remove excess moisture from blocks of tofu, so they hold together better during certain types of cooking (particularly frying and grilling).
Blueberry Tofu Smoothie
The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
If you are looking for a vegan fruit smoothie or simply one that is made without dairy, this blueberry tofu smoothie is for you. The silken tofu blends up beautifully to make a creamy shake while offering a healthy dose of protein. The banana and blueberries bring vitamins and minerals as well as color and flavor to this refreshing drink while the honey adds a touch of sweetness.
Jamaican Jerk Tofu
The Spruce / Emily Hawkes
Take a culinary trip to the islands without leaving home thanks to this tasty, rum-spiked Jamaican recipe. Marinate tofu steaks overnight in a mixture of coconut oil, rum, brown sugar, tomato paste, soy sauce, herbs, hot peppers, and dried spices, before baking until gorgeously blackened.
Breakfast Vegan Tofu Scramble
The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
Breakfast just got a little brighter for those avoiding eggs with our easy tofu scramble. The popular vegan breakfast alternative mimics the fluffy texture of scrambled eggs, and uses turmeric to add color. You get all the old school breakfast feels, without the need of animal products. We add chopped green peppers and onions for crunch, but feel free to experiment with other veggies and spices to make it your own.
Japanese Fried Agedashi Tofu
The Spruce / Ali Redmond
Agedashi tofu is a popular Japanese restaurant appetizer with a crispy fried exterior and a warm, creamy, custard-like interior. Recreate it at home by coating soft tofu in a mixture of potato starch, dashi soup stock, soy sauce, and rice wine, before deep-frying and serving topped with its own sauce.
Continue to 5 of 23 belowDeep-Fried Tofu
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Transform a block of tofu into crispy, golden-brown nuggets of goodness with this easy 10-minute snack or meal. Deep frying gives the tofu a golden color and a crispy texture in this easy-to-make tofu recipe. You can enjoy deep-fried tofu as its own course, served with a dipping sauce, or add to recipes for stir-fries, noodles, rice dishes, pasta, and more.
Sesame and Chili Marinated Tofu
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
This tofu marinade made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili paste does double duty as a marinade and a sauce. Pressing the tofu and then dry-frying before marinating removes all of the moisture, enabling the tofu to really soak up the flavors.
Vegan Tofu Tikka Masala
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Create a meatless tikka masala with this veganized version of the takeout favorite. Marinate cubes of pressed, extra-firm tofu before cooking them in a thick, creamy sauce made with soy yogurt, canned crushed tomatoes, and warming spices.
Ganmodoki Fried Tofu Dumpling
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Ganmodoki, or Japanese deep-fried tofu fritters, are a vegan foodie's delight. While you can buy these dumplings at the store, they don't hold a candle to freshly-made, piping hot ganmodoki made with tofu and diced fresh vegetables, and cooked on your stove-top. Serve them as a party appetizer with soy sauce for dipping, or enjoy them as a dumpling in dashi broth.
Continue to 9 of 23 belowBaked Tofu in Thai Peanut Sauce
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Thai satay lovers will adore this baked tofu in a delicious Thai-inspired peanut sauce. Maple syrup helps to caramelize and sweeten the baked tofu before it is coated in thick, citrus-spiked peanut sauce. Serve over rice noodles or rice.
Vegan Indian Palak "Paneer"
The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram
Every once in a while, we come up with something so good that it impresses us so much, and we just want to shout it from the rooftops. This vegan paneer substitute, made from tofu seasoned with a blend of nutritional yeast for savoriness, Dijon mustard for tanginess and a touch of onion powder, garlic powder, curry and salt to tie it all together, is one of those times.
Inarizushi (Rice Stuffed Tofu Pockets)
The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
If you've tried and loved inarizushi at a Japanese restaurant, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn how easy they are to make at home. You start by buying the seasoned, deep-fried tofu pouches (aburaage) at the market. Then it's a simple matter of stuffing the pockets with cooked and seasoned sushi rice. They make a tasty bento box addition for packed lunches, or a healthy after-school snack.
Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Tom Yum soup is a beloved Thai comfort food that packs an insane amount of flavor and goodness into every bowlful. Our vegan version is easy to pull together with soft tofu, a can of coconut milk, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a few common pantry seasonings. Serve the aromatic soup for lunch, add it to a Thai dinner menu, or pour it into a thermos for a warm and healthy lunch at work.
Continue to 13 of 23 belowVegan Blackened Grilled Tofu
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Crispy blackened tofu is so full of flavor, you won't miss the meat. Marinate pressed tofu in plenty of the seasoning mixture before cooking it quickly on a hot grill. Makes a tasty filling for vegetarian tacos.
Vegan Tofu Spring Rolls
The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
Vegan spring rolls with tofu, vegetables, and bean thread noodles make a lovely light lunch or party appetizer. Fresh mint leaves add fantastic brightness to chopped cabbage, carrots, ginger, and noodles wrapped in softened spring roll wrappers. Serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
Crispy Sesame Tofu With Vegetables
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Enjoy the texture and flavors of this sesame-crusted tofu along with tender bell peppers and onions. Serve it over fluffy rice for a pleasing meal in under 30 minutes.
Vegan Potstickers With Mushroom and Tofu
The Spruce / Christine Ma
You won't miss the meat in these savory mushroom and tofu-filled, Asian-inspired potstickers that make a tasty party appetizer. Cabbage, ginger, garlic, and scallions add extra flavor to tasty dumplings you can steam or fry. Serve with your favorite Asian dipping sauce.
Continue to 17 of 23 belowVegan Chinese Kung Pao Tofu
The Spruce / Stephanie Goldfinger
This vegetarian kung pao tofu recipe also calls for lots of vegetables, including snow peas, bok choy, cabbage, and mushrooms, making for a colorful, balanced dish. This version utilizes red pepper flakes and hot sauce to develop some heat, but feel free to use Szechuan and chili peppers if you like.
Grain Bowl With Vegetables
The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney
There are so many possibilities for how you can change up this vegan recipe. Use what veggies and proteins you have on hand and even create different creamy sauces. Green goddess, salsa, or tzatziki—there are tons of possibilities.
Vegan Pho (Tofu Noodle Soup)
The Spruce / Preethi Venkatram
Chewy rice noodles, a nourishing broth, fresh vegetables, spicy sambal oelek, and tender chunks of tofu make Vietnamese-inspired vegan pho an outstanding main course soup to enjoy on chilly autumn or winter nights. Top with basil leaves and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Vegan Broccoli Quiche
The Spruce
Delight vegan and omnivore guests alike at your next brunch with this egg-free broccoli quiche. Its lovely, custard-like filling uses tofu instead of eggs or egg replacer.
Continue to 21 of 23 belowSwiss Chard and Tofu Stir-Fry
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Stir-fries are a great way to get a meal on the table that the whole family will love. And when you need to satisfy a vegetarian, vegan, or even a family member that is gluten-free, a tofu stir-fry is a tasty solution. With Swiss chard, tofu, mushrooms, and a bit of soy sauce or tamari, this recipe is a simple but delicious meal that is quick to put together.
Vegan Tofu Veggie Burgers
The Spruce
Build a better veggie burger by combining well-pressed, drained tofu with diced onions, scallions, wheat germ, garlic powder, soy sauce, and a little flour. Form into patties and pan-fry until golden-brown, then serve on buns.
Sichuan Mapo Tofu
The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn
Mapo tofu is a classic Sichuan dish of soft tofu and ground pork in a spicy, pungent sauce that includes fermented Chinese black beans. After briefly marinating pork and blanching the tofu, the dish comes together quickly in a hot wok. Serve over hot steamed rice.