8 Creative and Delicious Tofu Recipes You’ll Love

Do you think it’s impossible to make great dishes, drinks, or desserts with tofu? Have you had a hard time working with this ingredient in the past?

If so, you probably haven’t tried the right tofu recipes that highlight this incredibly versatile food.

The simplicity of tofu can’t be beaten. It’s a breeze to work with, it takes on flavor with ease, and it’s packed with protein.

Furthermore, it’s affordable.

It’s also a great alternative to eggs and dairy for those on a plant-based diet.

Ready to Incorporate Tofu into Your Diet?

Before getting started, you need to understand the two basic kinds of tofu – regular and silken.

Recipes for smoothies and desserts require silken tofu because it has a smooth consistency. Regular tofu is much firmer and better for savory dishes that require stir-frying or baking.

Go ahead a take a shot at some of the recipes below. You might just surprise yourself! Eventually, you might even start making your own tofu!

1. Tofu Breakfast Tacos

Ready for breakfast? Tofu replaces scrambled eggs in this recipe.

• 1 block firm tofu (12 oz.)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp taco seasoning (optional)
• 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Lime juice and cilantro to taste
• 4 soft taco shells

1. Place tofu between two towels, and then set something heavy on top to press out excess liquid. Let it sit for approximately 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, slice tomatoes and saute in a skillet with olive oil and spinach.
3. Once the tofu is pressed, crumble it into “scrambled” pieces into a bowl.
4. Add nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional taco seasoning in with the tofu. Stir together.
5. Transfer the tofu mixture to the skillet and cook on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally for at least five minutes or until the tofu has absorbed all of the flavors.
6. Transfer the tofu to taco shells, and then add tomatoes, spinach, lime juice, and cilantro.

2. Blueberry Energy-Boosting Smoothie

Maybe you’d rather drink your breakfast. No problem! Energize your mind and body with this smoothie:

• 1 cup frozen wild blueberries
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 1/2 cup (packed) baby spinach
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/3 cup silken tofu (about 1/5 of a 16-ounce block)
• 1/4 cup raw walnuts
• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
• 1-2 Medjool dates (pitted), depending on the desired level of sweetness
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Simply blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

3. Vegan Tofu Feta “Cheese”

If you love the tangy zip of feta cheese but you’re cutting dairy out of your diet, try this vegan version instead.

It has almost no fat and is cholesterol-free. It goes well with Greek salads, sandwiches, and spinach pie.

• 10 ounces firm tofu
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp oregano

1. Press the tofu (see Tofu Breakfast Tacos recipe above).
2. Once the excess liquid is drained off, cut the tofu into cubes.
3. Mix lemon juice, water, apple cider vinegar, and oregano in a bowl.
4. Add the tofu, cover, and refrigerate for at least two hours. For best flavor, let it sit for two or three days.

4. Faux Egg Salad

Next time you’re craving an egg salad sandwich, try this healthy, protein-packed alternative.

• 1 block firm tofu, drained
• 1/3 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 stalk celery, diced
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp mustard
• Salt and pepper as desired

1. Using firm tofu, cut it into one-inch cubes.
2. Let the cubes drain, then mash them with a fork until they have a chunky consistency.
3. Add vegan mayo, relish, juice, celery, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then allow the mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes.
5. Refrigerate unused portions.

5. Tofu and Mushroom Miso Soup

This healthy soup is easy to make and will warm your belly without weighing you down.

• 6 ounces tofu, cubed
• 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• A handful of leafy vegetable, chopped
• 1 egg, whisked
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 4 cups dashi or vegetable broth
• 4 tablespoons miso paste

1. Bring the broth to a boil in a saucepot.
2. Add the tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables.
3. While stirring the broth, slowly pour in the whisked egg.
4. Cook for two minutes, then remove the pot from the heat.
5. Ladle a half cup of the hot broth into a bowl with the miso paste.
6. Soften the miso paste by stirring with a fork or whisk.
7. Pour all of the miso paste into the pot and stir gently.
8. Top with green onions and serve immediately.

6. Pan Seared Tandoori-Style Tofu

It might sound complicated and exotic, but this recipe is really quite easy. You’ll end up with delicious tofu flavored with tandoori spices that you can use in other recipes, or even eat it straight out of the pan!

• 1 block extra firm tofu, sliced into 1 cm slices
• Cooking oil of your choice
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 – 1 tablespoon sea salt (depending on taste)
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (optional – for a smoky flavor)
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1. Coat a large frying pan with oil and heat on hot heat.
2. In a small mixing bowl, mix all of the spices.
3. Dip one side of the sliced tofu in the spice mixture. Place it face down on the hot pan.
4. Keep tofu face down for two or three minutes. Then flip it and and cook it on the other side for two minutes.
5. Remove.
6. Serve immediately, or allow it to cool and use it later.

7. Sesame Ginger Tofu Veggie Stir Fry

Tofu lends itself amazingly well to Asian dishes and has been a staple of Far East cuisine for a long time.

Stir Fry:

• 1- 14 ounce extra firm tofu
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
• 2 1/2 cups green beans, roughly chopped
• 1 cup carrots, sliced or baby carrots cut lengthwise

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

1. Press the tofu (see Tofu Breakfast Tacos recipe above).
2. Once dry, cut the tofu up into one-inch cubes and toss in one tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Blend until completely smooth. Set side.
4. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, coat pan with two teaspoons of oil. Add the cubed tofu and fry for three minutes. Flip the tofu as needed to brown all sides.
5. Add two tablespoons of the prepared sauce and cook for an extra two or three minutes.
6. Once the tofu is caramelized, remove to a plate.
7. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and cook the veggies for three to four minutes.
8. Add the remaining sauce and the tofu. Stir to coat. Cook for one or two minutes.

8. Easy Chocolate Mousse

What better way to end a busy day than with a sweet reward? And this chocolate mousse won’t weigh you down with dairy.

• 1 box soft organic tofu
• 2 bananas
• 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
• 4 tablespoons honey
• a few dashes of ground cinnamon

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Spoon into serving dishes and chill until set.

So simple and so rewarding!

Ready to Try These Awesome Tofu Recipes?

Don’t be afraid. You’ve got this. And the more you cook with tofu, the more you’ll see just how easy it is.

We hope you enjoy trying these tofu recipes. And keep checking back with our blog for more inspiring recipes and helpful tips!