Tofu can be so versatile and delicious when it’s prepared the right way. These 30 tofu recipes are proof that there is nothing boring about bean curd! The list include vegan dishes as well as some that are vegetarian and pescatarian.
Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes such as stir fries and stews, as a meat replacement, because of its high protein content. It’s also a great dairy substitutes for desserts like puddings and cakes, and drinks like shakes and smoothies. I always have a few blocks of firm and silken tofu in my pantry because I cook with tofu every week.
If you are looking to cut down on meat or dairy, then getting familiar with tofu and learning the best ways to make it shine will become an asset in your kitchen. You’ll be an expert a cooking and creating your own tofu recipes in no time!
What is Tofu?
Tofu (豆腐), or bean curd, is made by clotting soy milk and pressing the curds into white blocks of various levels of softness. For example, silken tofu, which is the softest kind, is often used in soups, as a side dish dressed in a light sauce, or can also be blended into drinks or to make various desserts. that are used in main dishes such as soups, stews, and stir fries, and in desserts. The firmer types of tofu are used as a protein for stir fries and stews, or used as a topping for rice bowls and salads.
Tofu originated in China and has been used in Chinese, Singaporean, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine for centuries. It’s only the last few decades that it has become a popular ingredient to use in western cuisine, and has been making an appearance on restaurant menus more frequently.
Here Are 30 Different and Delicious Ways to Cook with Tofu!
Vegan Tofu Recipes
Stir Fried Bean Sprouts with Tofu and Garlic Chives
This delicious tofu stir fry comes with bean sprouts and garlic chives, tossed in a sweet, savory, and garlicky sauce. It’s one of those tofu recipes that can be served as a main or a side. Ready in 20 minutes.
Sweet and Sour Tofu
Better than takeout? You bet it is! This sweet and sour tofu recipe hits the spot whenever I crave American Chinese food. Plus, it only take 20 minutes to make!
Vegan Mapo Tofu
If you are looking for a spicy umami bomb for dinner, this vegan mapo tofu will hit the spot. While most mapo tofu recipes are made with ground meat, this one uses chopped mushrooms that infuse the dishes with plenty umami, sweet leeks, silken tofu that melts in your mouth, and a fiery, tongue numbing, pungent sauce, this is one of my favorite Chinese dishes of all time. Ready in 1 hour.
Mapo Tofu Curry
Not only is this mapo tofu beautiful to look at, the deep smokey and savory flavors will keep you coming back for more. Find all the traditional flavors of a Japanese mapo tofu, with the addition of curry powder and szechuan peppercorns. Ready in 17 minutes.
Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Spicy Stew)
This is a traditional Korean soybean paste stew that spicy and savory, and is packed with tofu and vegetables. Delicious and comforting! Ready in 25 minutes.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Tofu
Making tasty tofu doesn’t get any easier than this! Extra firm tofu is marinated in a sweet and smoky teriyaki sauce for 25 minutes, and tossed in a little cornstarch to give the exterior of each cube, a crispy texture. Ready in 40 minutes.
Crispy Tofu
These crispy tofu cubes make a great substitute for chicken when you feel like going meat-free. The crispy exterior and pillowy interior pair well with a dipping sauce such as this tonkatsu sauce. Ready in 17 minutes.
Mexican Style Tofu Scramble
This tofu scramble tastes so close to real scrambled eggs that your family won’t be able to tell the difference! The tofu is broken down into crumbles and seasoned with a mixture of ground cumin, ground turmeric, salsa, and sriracha sauce. The dish is topped with chopped avocado, cilantro, and finished with a squeeze of lime juice. So good! Ready in 25 minutes.
Southwestern Style Baked Tofu Steak
Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, coriander powder and oregano, this southwestern style baked tofu can be served with quinoa, black beans, and corn, for a complete meal. And don’t forget the creamy lime dressing for a refreshing taste! Ready in 70 minutes (passive time included).
Creamy Vegan Carbonara
A healthy vegan carbonara recipe that tastes so indulgent you will think you are digging into a bowl of creamy cheesy pasta! The smokey mushrooms will remind you of crispy bacon, and don’t be shy with the Italian parsley – the refreshing taste lightens up this pasta dish and gives it even more depth of flavor. Ready in 30 minutes.
Tofu Dengaku
I’ve swapped the eggplant (check out my nasu dengaku recipe) for tofu to make this traditional Japanese dengaku dish. The tofu is broiled and glazed with miso paste, mirin, sugar and sake, and served with chopped scallions. It’s salty, savory, a little sweet, nd packed with umami. Ready in 25 minutes.
Hiyayakko (Chilled Tofu)
Hiyayakko is a delicate tofu dish made of silken tofu topped with various ingredients such as scallions and nori. This dish is light and perfect as a side to a healthy meal or a traditional Japanese dinner. Ready in 5 minutes.
Tofu Chow Fun with Watercress
This is a quick Chinese stir fry made with wide rice noodles, and topped with watercress, scallions, and firm tofu marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, chinkiang vinegar and shaoxing wine. The result is a savory and nutty dish you won’t be able to stop eating. Ready in 40 minutes.
Tofu and Vegetable Poke Bowl
This poke bowl is so colorful and refreshing! The tofu cubes are marinated in a soy and sesame sauce and served over a bed of rice with fresh vegetables. It’s the perfect summer meal! Ready in 35 minutes.
Creamy Tofu Ginger Dressing
This dairy-free, tangy and gingery tofu dressing is made using silken tofu, tahini, olive oil, rice vinegar, sugar and salt. It pairs well with any salad of your choice, with a cold noodle dish, or makes a delicious dipping sauce. Ready in 5 minutes.
Green Goddess Smoothie
This green goddess smoothie is tangy, fruity, and so silky! The mixture of silken tofu, spinach, mango, kiwi, banana, turmeric, and almond milk make it an invigorating drink that will keep you energized all morning! Ready in 5 minutes.
Tofu Chocolate Brownies
Get your chocolate fix with these tofu chocolate brownies! The addition of silken tofu gives these brownies a moist and light texture, making them the perfect snack or dessert for those who are on a dairy-free or vegan diet. Ready in 40 minutes.
Vegetarian and Pescatarian Tofu Recipes
Crispy Honey Sriracha Tofu
This is one of the most love Asian tofu recipes on the blog. Tossed in a sweet and spicy honey sriracha sauce, and topped with sesame seeds, each delectable tofu cube is a crispy on the outside and silky soft on the inside. Ready in 15 minutes.
Honey Ginger Tofu Stir Fry
This is an easy tofu dinner that only take 17 minutes to make from start to finish. Firm tofu cubes are stir fried with red bell pepper and green beans, and tossed in a sweet, nutty and slightly spicy sauce. Serve it with white or brown rice for a filling and family friendly meal.
General Tso Tofu
This is a better than takeout General Tso tofu with crispy tofu tossed in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy glaze and topped with crunchy scallions. Ready in 20 minutes.
Spicy Honey Sesame Tofu
If you think tofu is bland, wait until you try this recipe! These crispy tofu cubes are cooked in a sweet, spicy, and nutty sauce made with a mix of honey, chili paste, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Serve with rice or on a bed of greens. Ready in 15 minutes.
Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Tofu and Seafood Stew)
Soondubu jjigae is a traditional Korean dish made with mixed seafood, silken tofu, and served in a spicy and pungent soup. The dish is cooked in a claypot until it’s bubbling and piping hot. It’s the ultimate spicy stew to warm the body and soul. Ready in 37 minutes.
Vegetarian Tofu Bibimbap
Here’s another classic Korean dish to fall in love with! Bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with various seasoned toppings such as boiled spina, pan fried carrots, bean sprouts, and for this particular bibimbap, crispy tofu cubes. It’s served with a spicy bibimbap sauce and a fried egg, for a filling and satisfying meal. Ready in 35 minutes.
Mu Shu Tofu with Vegetables
This Mu Shu Tofu Recipe has all the smoky, sweet and savory flavor you’d expect from you favorite delivery spot. The dish is loaded with crunchy veggies and smoky tofu, wrapped in a hoisin sauce loaded Mandarin pancake. They are the Asian version of tofu tacos! Ready in 20 minutes.
Kimchi Tofu Mandu
Here is a delicious meat-free dumpling recipe that uses chopped kimchi and tofu as a filling. The dumplings are so flavorful on their own they can be eaten without a dipping sauce. But if you want extra flavor, serve them with this easy dumpling sauce.
Tofu Edamame Patties
These tofu patties can be eaten as a side dish or be used in sandwiches and wraps. The patties are pan fried until the exterior has a nice crunch (the mixture of egg, breadcrumbs and firm tofu ensures that the patties hold their shape), while the interior stays moist and tender, just like chicken. I love serving these with my homemade tonkatsu sauce. Ready in 20 minutes.
Tofu and Tomato Salad
Simple, easy, healthy. This tofu and tomato salad may be light and low in calories but still packs a punch in the flavor department. The combination of chopped mint, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil gives the dish a tangy and nutty taste that’s unbelievably refreshing! Ready in 10 minutes.
Agedashi Tofu
Agedashi tofu is one of my favorite tofu dishes of all time. Tofu cubes are dusted with potato starch and deep fried until the exterior is super crispy. The tofu is then served in a warm broth made with dashi, soy sauce and mirin, and topped with chopped scallion and bonito flakes. So good and ready in just 25 minutes.
London Broil Tofu
These tofu cubes make the perfect topping for salads. With the tangy and sweet taste of the marinade, the cubes pair beautifully with a simple green salad, or something more filling like a rice or quinoa bowl. Ready in 45 minutes.
How to Store Tofu
This method is for plain tofu that hasn’t been cooked or seasoned.
To help the bean curd last longer than 2 to 3 days, I recommend transferring the tofu to a storage container and filling it with water, until slightly above the tofu. This will keep the tofu hydrated (tofu is made of 80% water) which will give it a longer shelf life. Close the container with an airtight lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Make sure to change the water every 24 hours to keep the tofu as fresh as possible, and to prevent bacteria from forming.
I hope you enjoy these tofu recipes!
PrintTofu Steak with Japanese Plum Sauce
These tender and moist tofu steaks are dusted in cornstarch to give the exterior a gooey and slightly crispy texture. The slightly sweet and umami packed Japanese plum sauce is then added to the pan to caramelize and coat the tofu steaks. This is a unique tofu dish like you’ve never had before!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 tofu steaks 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Pan frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 14 to 16 ounce firm or extra firm tofu block
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch (katakuriko)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Japanese plum sauce
- 3 Japanese plums (umeboshi), pit removed, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons mirin
Instructions
- Take the tofu block out of the packaging, drain, and place it on a plate. Leave for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix all of the ingredients for the Japanese plum sauce in a bowl and set aside.
- Drain the excess water and wrap the tofu in a paper towel to dry it.
- Slice the tofu block into 8 equal pieces.
- Dust each piece on all sides with cornstarch and set aside.
- In a medium size pan over medium high heat, add the olive oil and when the oil is hot, add the tofu steaks. I like to cook 4 at a time so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded.
- Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Turn the heat off and add the plum sauce to the pan (it should sizzle). Swish the sauce around the pan so the tofu steaks get coated with the sauce. Flip the tofu steaks over and swish the sauce around one more time.
- Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.
Notes
Leftovers: Transfer the tofu steaks in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tofu steaks
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5.9g
- Sodium: 921mg
- Fat: 12.2g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13.1g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 10.9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Tofu is one of my favorite foods. Most of the time, I do like it fried then dipped into a soy-vinegar sauce, just as simple as that. This recipe can be eaten with or without rice. Anyway, I would like to try more of your shared recipes!
Where is the best place to buy good quality tufo? Non-GMO
Hi Leona, you can buy non GMO tofu easily these days, at your local grocery store or health food store. Look for Japanese brands (avoid Chinese) such as House Foods and Nasoya.
my favorite agedashi tofu. I can eat it everyday!!