It's high time tofu gets its spot in the limelight.
If you're looking to get into tofu, but are worried about its bad reputation for being bland, boring, and inaccessible—we've got you. One of our editors likens it to fresh dairy products, similar to ricotta, cottage cheese, or even butter. Whatever you think of it, all it needs is a little coaxing (we’ve got the tips and tricks here) to turn into a protein that can stand up to the most meaty of options. Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or vegan looking for creative ideas or are just trying to eat less meat and are looking for alternatives, we’ve got a recipe here for you. Check out our 27 best tofu recipes for ideas—they make it easy to eat meatless every day of the week.
Let’s start with the basics. If you’ve never cooked tofu before, it can be a little intimidating. Check out our baked tofu or tofu stir-fry recipes for an in-depth analysis of best practices (including whether to press your tofu or not) and some surprising hacks for making your tofu the best it can be (sneak preview: freeze it for the best texture!).
Once you’ve got those down, try one of our myriad creative recipes that are great for every meal of the day. Need a filling vegan breakfast? Try our tofu scramble. Looking for a quick, delicious lunch? Try our jerk tofu grain bowls, our spicy fried “chicken” sandwich, or our caramelized tofu lettuce wraps. Want tofu to star in a hearty main for dinner? Check out our vegan lasagna, our , our tofu katsu curry, or our tofu banh mi. Once you start to cook with it, it’s easy to find ways to swap it for eggs, meat, and dairy in tons of your favorite meals.
For most of these recipes, you’re going to want to reach for firm tofu options (ranging anywhere from medium-firm to super-firm), but there is a time and a place for the softer options (known as silken or soft tofu) too. Check out our mapo tofu, our kimchi tofu stew, our hot and sour soup, or our pretty in pink raspberry smoothie (trust us, you can’t taste the tofu) to see how truly versatile soft tofu can be.
Want more inspiration? Tofu has been a regular part of many Asian cultures’ diets for thousands of years, so check out our favorite Chinese, Japanese, and Korean recipes for more ideas.
1
Air Fryer Tofu
To get crispy tofu, you'd typically need to heat up a bunch of oil and worry about overcooking or a messy cleanup. Enter: the air fryer! It makes getting perfect golden brown tofu a cinch.
Get the Air Fryer Tofu recipe.
2
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’ll be on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the .
3
Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Inspired by our caramelized beef with rice, this simple tofu recipe is big on flavor and perfect for even the most reluctant of tofu eaters. Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce wraps are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments, so get creative with your favorites.
Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Wraps recipe.
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4
Tofu Stir-Fry
For best results, use extra-firm tofu that has been frozen so it can absorb flavors more readily, and simmer the tofu in salted water briefly to make it hardier and less likely to crumble. Otherwise, the sky's the limit, so add your favorite veggies to this stir-fry!
Get the Tofu Stir-Fry recipe.
5
Vegan Ground Beef
Searching for a plant-based alternative to ground beef? Look no further! Made with tofu and simple seasonings, this ground “beef” is the perfect substitute in all your favorite recipes, like tacos, pastas, grain bowls, and more.
Get the Vegan Ground Beef recipe.
6
Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich
Crunchy, spicy, creamy, and tart—this "chicken" sammie is total bliss. We replicated spicy fried chicken with protein-packed tofu and added cornmeal to the batter for extra crunch. Don't skip the freezing step; it's what gives the tofu a more meat-like texture.
Get the Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich recipe.
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7
Tofu Scramble
Tofu scrambles have been a mainstay of vegan cuisine for decades. This one is seared and crisp on the outside, tender and creamy on the inside, and assertively spiced. Who needs eggs?
Get the Classic Tofu Scramble recipe.
8
Baked Tofu
If you want the crispiest baked tofu, use baking powder (insteadof the more traditional cornstarch). Baking powder will react with heat in the oven and moisture in the slurry to create tiny bubbles that will crisp up this crust.
Get the Baked Tofu recipe.
9
Tofu Katsu Curry
This hearty Japanese curry comes complete with crispy sesame-panko-crusted tofu, tender vegetables, and a rich and flavorful curry sauce. For a quicker version, swap out the curry for some cold shredded green cabbage, along with some katsu sauce for dipping.
Get the Tofu Katsu Curry recipe.
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10
Vegan Lasagna
Tofu replaces ricotta in this vegan version of classic lasagna. Add that to a béchamel-inspired white sauce, and you've got a vegan dinner that won't make you feel at all deprived.
Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.
11
Tofu Marinade
This sweet-savory tofu marinade is filled with pantry staples, and reminds us of BBQ sauce with a spicy kick. 😋 Perfect for baked, grilled, or pan-fried tofu, this recipe is a great base for any of your favorite tofu dinners.
Get the Tofu Marinade recipe.
12
Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls
This vegan recipe is a bit of a culinary road trip through some Jamaican staples: sweet plantains, aromatic rice and peas, and tofu in a jerk marinade. Topped off with a simple red cabbage and carrot slaw, this bowl is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Get the Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls recipe.
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13
Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers
Tofu is so much more than a meat substitute, it’s a protein source that stands on its own, and the perfect base to soak up tasty sauces, like this chipotle and guajillo chile marinade inspired by a popular Mexican street food, tacos al pastor.
Get the .
14
Mapo Tofu
Disclaimer: “authentic” mapo tofu is hard to perfect without a flaming hot wok above a fire and some hard-to-find ingredients. Never fear, we've made some concessions, and this one is still delicious. Just make sure to serve it with rice to help sop up all that yummy sauce!
Get the Mapo Tofu recipe.
15
Grilled Tofu
Miso and soy sauce are both high in umami, meaning they infuse the tofu here with savory depth. Allowing the planks of tofu to soak in the marinade for at least an hour means each bite is seasoned to perfection, though if you have 5 hours, it's worth the wait.
Get the Grilled Tofu recipe.
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16
Tofu Banh Mi
In this meat-free Vietnamese classic, the pressed tofu will marinade twice: once quickly before cooking so it doesn’t soak up too much liquid, and again after it’s cooked to flavor it through. The result is tofu so tasty, you won't even miss the meat.
Get the Tofu Banh Mi recipe.
17
Kimchi Tofu Stew
Inspired by Korean sundubu-jjigae, this tofu stew is a fast, easy meal that's still BIG on flavor. Both spicy and savory—thanks to a hefty dollop of gochujang (a fermented chili paste) and a mixture of fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions—it's an amazingly satisfying vegetarian meal.
Get the Kimchi Tofu Stew recipe.
18
BBQ Tofu
Who needs meat? BBQ tofu isn't just for vegetarians and vegans. Be sure to serve the tofu with more of the spicy BBQ sauce on the side, and it will compete with all your classics like brisket, short ribs, and chicken.
Get the BBQ Tofu recipe.
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19
Miso Soup
Dashi is what gives miso soup its distinct flavor, but don't be intimidated by it. It's a simple broth made by boiling water with kombu (dried seaweed) and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). Serve this soup next time you're feeling under the weather, or alongside any of your favorite sushi rolls.
Get the Miso Soup recipe.
20
Collard Wrap Bento Boxes
We're newly obsessed with collard greens—they're not as flimsy as, say, romaine, so you can create a hefty wrap with them. You need something strong enough to hold up to hearty fillings like veggies, hummus, and sauteéd tofu.
Get the Collard Wrap Bento Boxes recipe.
