30 Easy Tofu Recipes With Plant Based Protein

Whether you’re a tofu enthusiast or looking for plant–based protein ideas, these recipes are designed to cater to all levels of expertise. From quick lunch ideas to vegetarian dinners, each dish showcases the remarkable adaptability of tofu, proving that it can be the star of your plate in countless ways. We hope you’ll get as excited about tofu as we are – and get inspired to cook tofu in new ways.

Tofu recipes video

Basic tofu recipes

Tofu recipes in 45 minutes

16. Tofu tikka masala

Try this 15-minute air fryer recipe with tips and ideas to serve it as a dinner.

2. Quick and fried tofu

Pan-fried tofu is delicious, flavorful, and perfect as a salad topping and protein addition to your meal. Here’s a simple cooking method that makes fried tofu taste great and feel as good in your mouth. This recipe is ready in 15 minutes.

3. Baked tofu

Our baked tofu recipe helps you transform a block of firm tofu into mouthwatering high-protein tofu chunks. You’ll love how easy, tasty, and versatile baked tofu is. Add it to salads, curries, stir-fries, burritos, wraps, and sandwiches, or dip it in your favorite sauce.

4. Marinated tofu

You can use our marinated tofu in salads, wraps, stir-fries, and other recipes, and it is excellent for last-minute dinners and meal prep. Thanks to its neutral flavor, tofu takes on well the carefully crafted flavor of the marinade, which we make with yogurt, dried herbs, and spices to coat the tofu with plenty of taste.

5. Grilled tofu

d tofu is a quick and easy protein-packed recipe you can make in 10 minutes on a grill pan or grill and season with your favorite sauces and condiments. With its smokey and slightly charred exterior and tender interior, grilled tofu is a versatile, healthy, and nutritious alternative to traditional grilled meats.

6. BBQ tofu

You’ll love this recipe because the tofu gets chewy, meaty, and flavorful. Try putting it in a toasted buttered bun with some vegan mayo and creamy coleslaw salad; the bold flavors’ll blow you away.

Easy tofu recipes in 30 minutes

6. No-egg tofu salad

Try this vegan egg salad for a great, quick, fulfilling vegan lunch or snack idea. The texture of tofu mimics that of boiled eggs perfectly. We’ll show you how to cut and crumble it to make it look and taste like a boiled egg. It’s great on a sandwich and made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs. This tofu salad recipe is perfect for lunch or dinner, and you can make it all year round with seasonal greens and veggies.

8. Lemon Tofu

Pan-fried tofu with lemon sauce is an easy, weeknight–friendly recipe prepared in just 15 mins. Fry the tofu in a pan with olive oil and coat it in a quick lemon sauce.

9. Tofu Cream Cheese

This tofu cream cheese is made with five simple ingredients, and it’s smooth, velvety, and perfect as a starter, dip, or spread in a sandwich. Eat it as is, or blend it with roasted eggplant or caramelized onions for a creamy and delicious sauce or spread. It’s an easy and satisfying soup recipe for chilly evenings and those seeking a revitalizing, plant–based meal.

11. Tofu in marinara Sauce

Tofu with tomato sauce is a simple yet delicious pan-fried recipe ready in 20 minutes. Fry tofu slices in a pan, add tomato sauce and fresh herbs, and serve with sautèed greens and toasted bread.

12. Tofu scramble with veggies

You’ll love tofu scramble because it’s an easy, nutritious, and versatile recipe. While we often make this recipe a replacement for scrambled eggs, its use goes way beyond that. For example, you can serve it on toast with avocado spread or top a microwaved sweet potato to add protein to your meal. Thanks to the sticky, zesty orange glaze that perfectly coats the crispy tofu, every bite packs a ton of flavor.

14. Tofu curry

You can combine this tofu meal in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients and a creamy result. This tofu curry recipe is a vegan curry where we use tofu cubes instead of meat, and the South Asian Cuisines of India and Nepal inspire it. We use spices such as curry powder, turmeric, and black pepper to recreate those warm Indian flavors that make curries irresistible. We use simple pantry ingredients to recreate a beloved, classic Italian dish with slices of tofu and sautèed mushrooms for a quick and delicious dinner.

16. Easy Tofu pasta (bolognese-style)

Tofu pasta is a delicious vegan recipe with tasty crumbled tofu and a rich tomato sauce. Serve your tofu bolognese with spaghetti for an Italian-inspired vegan dinner idea.

17. Vegan breakfast burrito

This vegan breakfast burrito recipe combines our easy and tasty tofu scramble with delicious Mexican ingredients. For toppings, you can add chopped tomatoes, fresh lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hot sauce, vegan sour cream, guacamole, avocado spread, or sliced avocado. It’s similar to chana masala, although creamier, and vegan butter chicken, but with a bolder, redder, more tomatoey sauce, less cream, and no butter.

17. Kung pao tofu

Our kung pao tofu is a stir-fried recipe with a piquant, sweet, savory flavor blend and a sticky and chewy texture. Get plenty of plant-based protein and crispy veggies with this quick weeknight meal.

18. Tofu meatballs

You can make these vegan meatballs with pantry staples in 3 easy steps in a food processor and bake them in 20 minutes. Have tofu meatballs with spaghetti or in a sub with your favorite marinara or arrabbiata sauce.

19. Navratan korma

Elevate your dinner with this easy Navratan Korma, offering a delightful twist on this classic Indian dish. The velvety korma sauce with coconut milk creates a rich and satisfying texture that complements the medley of colorful vegetables, tofu cubes, and cashew nuts.

20. Thai Red Curry

Creamy, slightly spicy, and aromatic, here is an Asian-inspired dinner idea with tofu. Mix the curry paste with creamy coconut milk and add tofu, peas, and bell pepper for a tasty, veggie-packed meal. Paired with fresh mango, cucumber, and a peanut butter tahini sauce, you will be satiated and content for hours after eating it.

22. Tofu Cacciatore

This tofu cacciatore is based on Italy’s original chicken (hunter-style) chicken. It’s baked tofu with olives, fresh herbs, and a rich tomato sauce, best served with focaccia bread, pasta, crostini, and sauteed spinach.

23. Baked tofu “fish.”

You can make this simple meal in 30 minutes in the oven with slices of tofu, nori sheets, lemon, capers, and olives. Serve this Italian-inspired recipe as a fish replacement, and try a new and flavor-packed way of eating tofu. Mix all ingredients in a food processor, shape them into cutlets, and bake them for about 20 minutes. They are delicious on a bed of salad and with a drizzle of ranch dressing or chipotle sauce.

25. Stir fry tofu

Better than Asian takeaway, this tofu stir fry with noodles or rice is easy, pan-fried, and will please everyone around your table. It’s ready in about 40 minutes, and you can serve it with sesame seeds, chili oil, or a side of miso soup.

26. Braised tofu

Similar to stir fry, this braised tofu is tangy, slightly sweet, and has jerky–like tofu slices. For a balanced, Asian-inspired dinner, serve with sauteed leafy greens, rice, or noodles. It’s a great alternative to the traditional carbonara, but without eggs and bacon, and it delivers a salty and creamy flavor.

28. Buddha bowl

Grilled tofu sizzles with a smoky aroma, adding plant–based protein to this wholesome Buddha bowl. Serve the tofu in this colorful bowl with crisp veggies, peanut sauce, quick pickled onions, and brown rice; it’s a beautiful and nourishing meal.

29. Tofu butter chicken

Hand-torn pieces of tofu in a rich Indian–spiced yogurt marinade, this vegan butter chicken is a delightful meal. This is a satiating and family-friendly tofu dinner paired with rice, naan bread, or flatbread.

30. Vegan curry

This vegan curry recipe uses roasted cauliflower, bell pepper, and crispy baked tofu, along with a fragrant and creamy sauce. We recommend using firm tofu for the “meat” to create a tasty and extra-chewy protein source. All you need to do is take the tofu out of its package, drain the water, and pat it dry with a towel. Then, cook it according to the recipe instructions.However, you can press tofu if you want to change its texture. If you like a firmer, tougher, drier tofu, feel free to push it. You can freeze, thaw, and press it to make it even chewier.

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