20 Easy Tofu Recipes That Are Big on Flavor
Whether you crisp it up or keep it squishy and tender, tofu soaks up flavor like nobody’s business. Case in point: our roundup of easy tofu recipes that will help you eat more of this versatile and protein-packed ingredient. Here, 20 top-notch meals in which tofu totally steals the show.
RELATED: How to Prepare Tofu for Frying, Baking, Grilling and Beyond
1. Crispy Tofu Steaks with Broccoli Rabe and Romesco
Crispy tofu is hard to pass up no matter what it’s served with, but it’s next-level delicious when drizzled with romesco sauce. Bonus: This creamy and zippy dressing comes together in the blink of an eye, thanks to Linda Pugliese’s brilliant almond butter hack.
2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Baked Tofu with Sesame Glaze
Chili sauce gives this honey-sesame glaze just a little heat, and the end result is so tasty you’ll want to marinate in it yourself. That said, you’re better off pairing it with a plate of caramelized sprouts and oh-so crispy tofu for a plant-based meal that promises to satisfy both your stomach and your palate.
3. Scrambled Tofu
Warm spices (think: coriander, turmeric, paprika) give this silky tofu scramble loads of flavor and the whole dish only takes 10 minutes to make. Yep, eggs just got a run for their money.
4. Crispy Tofu Banh Mi
Here the traditional Vietnamese sandwich gets a vegan makeover with crispy tofu in place of pork. We promise you won’t miss the meat, though—thanks to spicy mayo and piquant pickled vegetables, this guy’s got flavor for days.
5. Black Pepper Tofu
Sweet, salty, sticky and far from snoozy, this stir-fry recipe calls for dressing up cubes of tofu with a ginger-garlic slurry. Suffice it to say, it’s a winning new look.
6. General Tso’s Tofu
General Tso’s sauce tastes good on everything (duh) and, as it turns out, it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Add some crispy pan-fried tofu and you’ve got yourself a meal that’s every bit as tasty (and quick) as Chinese takeout.
7. Roasted Squash with Tofu, Soy, Honey, Chile and Ginger
Squash and tofu get tossed in a sweet and spicy ginger glaze before being roasted side-by-side in this plant-based dish, which boasts bold flavors and a beautiful presentation to boot.
8. Teriyaki Sheet Pan Tofu Stir-fry with Zoodles
Is it a stir-fry if it’s cooked on a sheet pan? Does it matter when it tastes this good? This zucchini noodle and tofu dish, courtesy of Coterie member Ali Maffucci, features a swoon-worthy teriyaki sauce and comes together with minimal effort. (Think: just 10 minutes of prep time.) In other words, this one-pan wonder is in a category all of its own.
9. Grilled Tofu with Spicy Herb Marinade
Here tofu gets grilled, drenched in an easy herb marinade of Kalamata olives, parsley, oregano, red onion and olives, and sent to the fridge overnight. Yes, you’ll have to wait for your reward—but when you crisp that tofu up the next day and taste the Mediterranean flavor, you’ll be glad you did.
10. Crispy Tofu Bites
Introducing your new favorite snack. These tofu bites are seriously crispy—so crispy you won’t believe they aren’t deep-fried—and far from bland, thanks to a combination of sriracha, soy sauce, garlic powder and honey.
11. Vegan Keto Coconut Curry
Coconut milk, scallion, and cilantro make fine companions to tender pieces of tofu in this veggie-loaded curry. Decadent, yet healthy—this is comfort food at its finest.
12. Tofu Scramble Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Here’s another tofu scramble you’ll want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner...and it wouldn’t be bad if you did, ‘cause this one is packed with good-for-you ingredients. The icing on the cake is the poblano pepper vessel, which yields a mildly spicy flavor boost and an impressive presentation to boot.
13. Vegan Sriracha Meatballs
A decidedly healthier alternative to red sauce and meat, these tofu meatballs are easy to make and downright delicious—namely because of a tangy three-ingredient sriracha sauce. (Hint: You will want to drink it.)
14. Veggie Banh Mi Bowls with Crispy Tofu
This deconstructed Banh Mi in a bowl is good news for anyone following a gluten-free diet—no bread, but lots of texture and all the bold flavors you’d expect from the favorite sandwich.
15. Vegan Chilaquiles with Red Sauce
Who needs eggs when you can cozy up to a plate of palate-pleasing vegan chilaquiles? This recipe, courtesy of Coterie member Alejandra Graf, makes brunch-time dreams come true...and it comes together in a mere 15 minutes.
16. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles
This no-cook meal, featuring tender pieces of tofu and cucumber noodles, is a breeze to make—provided you have a spiralizer, that is—and a refreshing choice on a hot day (or anytime really). Plus, the tangy tahini and sriracha-spiked dressing is one for the (recipe) books.
17. Buffalo Tofu Wrap
Presenting: A vegan buffalo wrap that will actually fill you up. Packed with avocado, veggies, and slabs of tofu, these suckers make a hearty lunch—although, we should warn you that the spicy and tangy Buffalo sauce might leave you wanting more.
18. Roasted Tofu with Quinoa
This recipe calls for a mouthwatering marinade of fresh ginger, scallion, soy sauce and spices. The longer you let your tofu languish in the sauce, the bigger payoff when it comes time to roast, so you might want to plan ahead. That said, the whole roasting process takes but 15 minutes and the flavors are big.
19. Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken
Fans of Indian cuisine will be thankful for this one—a vegan riff on the rich Northern Indian curry, which boasts a generously seasoned (and spoon-licking good) tomato gravy for a base and tender chunks of tofu as protein.
20. Smoky Chipotle Tofu Sandwich
The tofu filling here cooks up quickly and is anything but bland, thanks to a brief dip in a rich, smoky chipotle marinade. The flavors also happen to pair beautifully with all the standard sandwich fixings. Bottom line: Do yourself a favor and incorporate this one into your lunch rotation, stat.
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