Are you a meat lover who thinks tofu is boring and tasteless? Think again! Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and contains no cholesterol, making it a healthy and nutritious food option. In this article, we’ve compiled 10 mouthwatering tofu recipes that will even have meat-eaters licking their plates clean. So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Introduction
Tofu is a soy-based product that has been used in Asian cuisine for centuries. It’s made by curdling soy milk, pressing the curds into blocks, and then cutting them into various shapes and sizes. Tofu comes in different textures, from silky smooth to extra firm, and can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to smoothies. The key to cooking with tofu is to marinate it first to infuse it with flavor. So, without further ado, here are 10 tasty tofu recipes even meat-eaters will love.
1. Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burrito
If you’re a fan of breakfast burritos, you’ll love this vegan version. This tofu scramble breakfast burrito is packed with protein and flavor and is perfect for a quick and easy breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Flour tortillas
- Vegan cheese
- Salsa
- Avocado
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until they’re soft.
- Add the crumbled tofu and turmeric and stir well.
- Cook for about 5 minutes or until the tofu is heated through and has a slightly browned exterior.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the tortillas in the microwave or on the stove.
- Assemble the burritos by adding the tofu scramble, vegan cheese, salsa, and avocado to the tortillas.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
2. BBQ Tofu Skewers
These BBQ tofu skewers are perfect for grilling season. The tofu is marinated in a tangy BBQ sauce, skewered with vegetables, and grilled to perfection.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of extra firm tofu
- 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Press the tofu to remove any excess water, then cut it into cubes.
- In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, olive oil, onion, and red pepper.
- Marinate the tofu cubes in the BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the tofu cubes and vegetables onto skewers.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the skewers for about 10 minutes or until the tofu is slightly charred and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
3. Vegan Tofu Pad Thai
This vegan tofu pad Thai is a healthier and tastier version of the traditional dish. It’s packed with vegetables, tofu, and a delicious sauce that will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pad Thai noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup of bean sprouts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions:
- Cook the pad Thai noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
- Add the tofu and stir-fry until golden brown, then remove from the wok and set aside.
- Add the bell peppers and onion to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and bean sprouts and stir-fry for another minute.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, rice vinegar, lime juice, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce into the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
- Add the cooked noodles and tofu to the wok and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped peanuts and lime wedges.
4. Vegan Tofu Quiche
This vegan tofu quiche is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s easy to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup of spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and trim the edges.
- In a blender or food processor, blend the tofu, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a pan, sauté the onion, bell peppers, and spinach until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the sautéed vegetables to the tofu mixture and blend until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crust.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the quiche is firm and golden brown.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
5. Tofu Bolognese
This vegan tofu Bolognese is a healthier and tastier version of the traditional Italian dish. The tofu gives the sauce a meaty texture and the vegetables add a delicious flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. of spaghetti
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and bell peppers and sauté until softened.
- Crumble the tofu into the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve the sauce over the cooked spaghetti.
6. Crispy Tofu Nuggets
These crispy tofu nuggets are a perfect snack or appetizer. They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the tofu pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry the coated tofu pieces in the hot oil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the tofu nuggets from the oil and drain them on a paper towel.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
7. Tofu Stir-Fry
This tofu stir-fry is a quick and easy dinner option that is packed with flavor and nutrients. You can customize the vegetables to your liking and serve it with rice or noodles.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup of broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup of sliced carrots
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
- Add the tofu and stir-fry until golden brown, then remove from the wok and set aside.
- Add the onion, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the garlic and stir-fry for another minute.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and hoisin sauce.
- Pour the sauce into the wok and stir-fry for another minute.
- Add the cooked tofu to the wok and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
8. Tofu Fried Rice
This tofu fried rice is a quick and easy meal that can be made with leftover rice and a few simple ingredients. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a side dish.
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs, scrambled (optional)
Directions:
- Cut the tofu into small cubes.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the tofu and stir-fry until golden brown.
- Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the diced onion and frozen peas and carrots to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the garlic and stir-fry for another minute.
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir-fry until heated through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir-fry for another minute.
- If desired, add the scrambled eggs to the skillet and stir-fry until cooked through.
- Add the cooked tofu to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- Serve hot.
9. Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich
This tofu banh mi sandwich is a vegetarian twist on the classic Vietnamese sandwich. It’s loaded with flavor and texture, and is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1/2 cup of pickled carrots and daikon
- 1/2 cup of sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup of cilantro leaves
Directions:
- Cut the tofu into thin slices.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and soy sauce.
- Spread the mayonnaise mixture on both halves of the baguette.
- Layer the sliced tofu, pickled carrots and daikon, sliced cucumber, and cilantro leaves on one half of the baguette.
- Top with the other half of the baguette.
- Slice the sandwich into individual portions and serve.
10. Tofu and Vegetable Curry
This tofu and vegetable curry is a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for a chilly evening. It’s packed with vegetables and protein, and is served over rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 block of firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup of sliced carrots
- 1/2 cup of sliced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup of broccoli florets
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
Directions:
- Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and sauté until softened.
- Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute.
- Add the sliced carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli florets and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the drained chickpeas, coconut milk, and curry powder to the pot and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the tofu and vegetable curry over cooked rice and enjoy!
FAQs
- Is tofu healthy for you?
- Yes, tofu is a healthy source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. It is also low in fat and calories.
- How do I make tofu taste good?
- Tofu can be made to taste delicious by marinating it in flavorful sauces, seasoning it with herbs and spices, or using it in recipes that include other flavorful ingredients.
- Can you freeze tofu?
- Yes, tofu can be frozen for later use. Simply drain the tofu, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- How do I press tofu?
- To press tofu, place it on a plate between layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy object, such as a cast iron skillet or a can of beans, on top of the tofu and let it sit for 20-30 minutes to remove excess water.
- Is tofu a good meat substitute?
- Yes, tofu is a popular meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans due to its high protein content and versatility in recipes.
- Can tofu be used in desserts?
- Yes, tofu can be used as a base for desserts such as puddings and pies. Silken tofu works well in desserts because of its smooth texture.
Conclusion
Tofu is a versatile and healthy ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat eater, these 10 tasty tofu recipes are sure to please. From stir-fries and salads to sandwiches and curries, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So why not give tofu a try and see how delicious it can be?