35 Tofu Recipes: From Sushi to Caprese to Meaty Vegan Chicken

Americans are eating more tofu than ever. In fact, in 2020, research suggests that people in the US consumed five or more packages of the soy-based ingredient. It’s no surprise that tofu is rising in popularity; it’s nutritious, sustainable, and incredibly versatile, too. 

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Why cook with tofu?

Tofu is popular for several reasons. Firstly, it’s a good source of plant-based protein—100 grams contains around eight grams of protein. It also contains fiber and protective plant compounds, too.

Tofu can also take many different forms and textures, including soft, firm, and extra firm, and it absorbs flavor well, making it incredibly versatile and adaptable to different recipe applications. As you’ll see below, tofu can become vegan egg, chicken, pork—whatever you’re craving, there’s a good chance you can use tofu to replicate it.

And finally, tofu is far more sustainable than meat. As per the BBC’s climate change food calculator, eating a serving of beef twice a week for one-year results in more than 600 kilograms of emissions. Consuming the same amount of tofu, however, results in 12 kilograms of emissions. 

RELATED: How to Cook With Egyptian Spice Blend Dukkah, From Pilaf to Crusted Tofu

35 vegan tofu recipes to try now

If you’re looking for tofu cooking inspiration, you’ve come to the right place—check out these 35 delicious vegan recipes below.

1 Vegan Maple-Glazed Tofu Musubi

Musubi is a Japanese-inspired sushi-style snack, but it was actually created in Hawaii. While traditionally it’s made with spam luncheon meat, you can create the same taste and texture by using tender slices of marinated tofu.
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Lauren Toyota

2Vegan Tofu Benedict With Hollandaise

Eggs Benedict, but without the eggs? It sounds odd, but it’s totally possible (and totally delicious). As this recipe demonstrates, crispy-fried, spiced tofu is the perfect egg alternative.
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Bri Beaudoin

3Vegan Firecracker Tofu With Broccolini and Chili Garlic Oil

Fiery chili oil brings the heat in this spicy, flavorful firecracker tofu recipe, which is served with nutritious broccolini and zesty lime slices for the perfect midweek meal.
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Chrissy Mergogey

4 Marinated Tofu Veggie Kebabs

Bookmark this easy protein-packed recipe for an outside barbecue, or alternatively, bring a little bit of summer to the colder months by cooking these tasty kebabs using the oven grill.
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Lauren Toyota

5 Supreme Vegan Nacho Fries With Tofu Bacon Crumbles

Loaded fries are indulgent, delicious, and comforting, especially when they’re topped with crispy tofu bacon crumbles, nacho cheese, and a generous dollop of sour cream.
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Hannah Sunderani

6 Easy Vegan Tofu Egg Salad

If you’re craving a simple egg salad sandwich, good news: you can get the same taste and texture by using just a handful of vegan ingredients, including chopped tofu, kala namak (black salt), nutritional yeast, and dijon mustard.
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Ashley McLaughlin

7 Vegan Nashville-Style Hot Tofu Chicken

Cayenne, paprika, and maple syrup are the secret to these deliciously fiery and flavorful vegan chicken fingers, which swap out meat for tofu.
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William and Susan Brinson

8 Vietnamese-Inspired Vegan Tofu Bánh Mì

Traditional bánh mì is often made with pork or chicken, but tofu is arguably one of the best vegan filling choices. Try it out in this veggie-loaded sandwich, which also features a combination of hoisin, seasoned vinegar, jalapeños, and sriracha.
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9Quick and Easy Vegan Tofu Caprese

This Italian salad is usually made with a handful of simple ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The only difference in this elegant vegan version is that soft cheese is replaced with extra-firm silken tofu (with mouthwatering results).
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Marie Laforêt

10 Vegan Orange and Miso-Glazed Tofu

Add this tangy, flavor-rich, easy-to-make vegan orange and miso-glazed tofu to many different recipes. It will work well in everything from salads to stir fries to tacos.
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Eric Isaac

11 Cheesy Vegan Tex-Mex Tofu Tacos

Scrambled tofu takes the place of egg in these savory, tasty breakfast Tex-Mex tacos, which are best served with a big helping of vegan cheese, avocado, and cilantro.
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Kylie Perrotti

12 Vegan Whipped Tofu With Summery Basil Zucchini

Tofu can take on many textures, but whipped is arguably one of the best. It’s creamy, rich, and delicious, especially when served with stewed tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh basil.
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13 Vegan Filipino Tofu and Mushroom Sisig

Sisig, a traditional Filipino dish, is usually made with pork, but this plant-based version proves that you can have all the signature sour and savory flavor and tender texture without the meat.
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Lauren Hartmann and Julie Grace

14 Vegan Spicy Oven-Fried Tofu

This oven-fried tofu is crispy and crunchy on the outside, and tender and packed with flavor on the inside. What more could you want?
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Francesca Bonadonna

15 Easy, Crispy Vegan Tofu Popcorn Chicken

Forget the colonel, this tofu popcorn chicken is just as crispy, golden, and addictive. Serve with your favorite sauce (we recommend sriracha or BBQ!).
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16 Vegan Sticky Sweet Char Siu Tofu

Thanks to this vegan recipe, you can make sweet-and-tangy delicious char siu tofu from home. Make sure to pair with rice noodles or steamed rice for a nourishing, filling, and satisfying meal.
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Maureen Eppler 

17Tangy Vegan Tofu Adobo Musubi

Combine the Hawaiian favorite with the flavor and texture of Filipino adobo in this unique recipe. It’s tasty on its own, but if you want something more substantial, it also tastes delicious with a tangy cucumber salad on the side.
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Hannah Kaminsky

18 Easy Two-Step Vegan Tofu Scramble With Mixed Veggies

It doesn’t get more simple and delicious than a tofu scramble. It’s one of the easiest ways to prepare tofu, and it’s packed with flavor and nutrition, especially when it’s served with your favorite mixed vegetables, too.
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Danielle Keith

19 Spicy Vegan Air-Fried Buffalo Tofu Poppers

These crispy, spicy vegan air-fried buffalo tofu poppers are best enjoyed with friends and a movie. Don’t forget the cool vegan ranch and sour cream for dipping.
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Wade Hammond

20 Vegan Spicy Korean BBQ Tofu Satay

Popular Indonesian street food satay is usually made with marinated, grilled chicken, but as this recipe demonstrates, you can get all the same delicious taste and texture with tofu.
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Hollan Hawaii

21 Curry-Spiced Vegan Tofu Scramble

The best way to level up a simple scramble? Add some warming spices and serve with roasted potatoes, toast, vegan butter, and jam. Perfection.
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So Vegan

22 Vegan Harissa-Spiced Tofu Scramble

Okay, so there is more than one delicious way to upgrade a scramble. This recipe is also packed with flavor, and it’s super easy to make, too. The key ingredients are just tofu, harissa paste, and red onion.
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Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer

23 Vegan Tandoori Tofu Skewers With Yogurt Sauce

Succulent, fiery, and mouthwatering—these are the three words that sum up this tasty tandoori skewer recipe. Need we say more?
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America’s Test Kitchen

24 Vegan Tofu Rancheros With Avocado

Huevos rancheros is a classic Mexican breakfast. To make it vegan, this recipe combines the dish’s signature rich, tomatoey sauce with creamy, firm tofu.
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Alison Bickel

25 Vegan Fried Rice Bowl With Baked Tofu

If you’ve got some leftover rice at hand, put it to good use in this delicious fried rice bowl, which is also loaded with vegetables and crispy baked tofu before it’s finished off with a drizzle of sriracha.
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Luke Albert

26 Crispy Vegan Beer-Battered Tofu Fish and Chips

Crispy beer-battered tofu takes the place of fish in this iconic British-inspired recipe. Just like the original, it’s best served with a squeeze of lemon and mushy peas.
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Eat the Rainbow

27 Vegan Sushi Sandwich With Crispy Tofu and Pickled Beets

Bored of regular sandwiches? Switch things up with these tasty sushi sandwiches, which feature juicy pickled beets and crispy tofu.
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Mixed & Measured

28 Crispy Hoisin Tofu Vegan Tacos With Scallion Tortillas

Impress your friends on Taco Tuesday with this fusion dish, which combines Cantonese hoisin tofu with Mexican tacos for delicious results.
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Neelam Pokhrel

29 Savory Vegan Kadai Tofu

Silky garlicky tomato gravy pairs beautifully with crispy tofu in this nourishing Indian recipe. For extra sustenance, serve with rice or naan (or both!).
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30 Vegan Crispy Tofu Parm Melt Hoagies

This ultra-filling, ultra-satisfying sub sandwich combines crispy breaded tofu with marinara sauce, vegan mozzarella, and parmesan for the ultimate lunchtime treat.
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31 Oil-Free Vegan Sweet Chili Tofu Broccoli Mushroom Stir-Fry

For an easy, quick, healthy weeknight meal, look no further than this oil-free stir-fry. The dish is loaded with nutrients thanks to ingredients like tofu, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, peas, and kale.
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32 Vegan Spicy Spinach Chili Pālak Tofu

This hearty, flavorful Indian gravy is usually made with paneer cheese, but the texture of chopped tofu works beautifully as a vegan alternative.
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Compassionate Cuisine

33 Herbed Vegan Tofu Ricotta

Paneer isn’t the only cheese that tofu can replace. It also works well as a creamy, tasty vegan ricotta, too. Try it on toast, in pasta, or any other dish that takes your fancy.
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34 Vegan Sticky Orange Sesame Tofu

Best served with noodles or over rice and vegetables, this is another great dish to bookmark for a fakeaway night.
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Neelam Pokhrel

35Vegan Malai Kofta

Think you need meat to make meatballs? Think again. These savory, crispy bites are made with a mix of tofu and potato, and they’re even more delicious than the meat version.
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