Best Sweet And Savoury Tofu Recipes For Every Meal Recipes, News, Tips And How-Tos (2024)

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by Jessica Witt

updated February 10, 2022

Tofu is often overlooked due to its mild flavour. But when added to dishes, it truly becomes a culinary superstar. From vegan lasagna and velvety cheesecake to poke bowls and pad Thai, here are some of our favourite recipes starring tofu.

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1/23

Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)

A fusion of Eastern and Western flavours, this spicy stew not only has tofu and kimchi, it also includes Spam and bacon. Serve it over cooked rice for a warm, comforting meal any day of the week.

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2/23

Crispy Tofu Poke Bowls

Bring some Hawaiian sunshine into your home with these fresh poke bowls. Simply add golden, crispy tofu and an assortment of veggies to a bed of fluffy cooked rice and enjoy.

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3/23

Vegan Tofu and Spinach Scramble

Start your day with a high-protein vegan breakfast scramble made with seasoned tofu, spinach and grape tomatoes. Just add a side of multigrain toast for a complete meal.

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Food Network

4/23

Vegan Classic Cheesecake

Delicate silken tofu and vegan cream cheese combine for a dairy-free, egg-free cheesecake without sacrificing any of the creaminess. Top it with fresh, ruby-red raspberries for a burst of colour and flavour. Incorporate more plant-based cuisine into your menu with these vegan desserts even non-vegans will love.

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5/23

Grilled Tofu With Asiago and Walnut Pesto

Whether you serve this grilled tofu as an appetizer or a side, you might want to make an extra batch because you won’t be able to resist a second (or third) helping. And if you have any leftover pesto, save it for another day as a topping for vegetables or pasta.

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6/23

Grilled Shiitake and Tofu Banh Mi

This meatless Vietnamese sandwich is made with extra-firm tofu and meaty shiitake mushrooms in a homemade hoisin marinade. To assemble, slather the spicy mayo on a soft sub roll, add the tofu and mushrooms and then top it with a tangy, crunchy carrot-cucumber salad. From banh mi to pho, here are some Vietnamese dishes to make at home today.

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Food Network Kitchens 15-Minute Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry

7/23

Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry

Take your tofu from dull to delectable with a spicy garlic-chili Asian marinade. By using pre-sliced shiitake mushrooms and packaged stir-fry mix, this healthy meal goes from kitchen to table in just 15 minutes.

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8/23

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This dessert tastes so rich and indulgent that you won’t guess it’s vegan. Silken tofu allows you to make a velvety vegan pumpkin pie filling and unrefined coconut oil helps achieve a flaky crust.

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9/23

Vegan Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

This dairy-free, meatless lasagna tastes just like the real deal. With the addition of mushrooms, firm tofu, vegan cream cheese and vegan mozzarella, you’ll be looking to make this dish on the regular. Go meatless any day of the week with these high-protein vegan meals that are beyond tasty.

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10/23

Mapo Tofu

This dish is Szechuan in its roots but is enjoyed around the world. A mixture of ground pork, tofu, chili sauce, garlic and ginger comes together in minutes.

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11/23

Silken Tofu, Kiwi, Coconut and Florida Orange Juice Smoothie

Silken tofu adds protein and a thick, smooth texture to this delicious dairy-free breakfast smoothie the whole family will love.

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12/23

Tofu Black Bean Burger With Curry Mayo

A healthy, simple and delicious veggie burger packed with black beans, tofu, mushrooms and bold curry flavour is a great main dish any time of year. Just add your favourite fries or salad.

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13/23

Vegan Cocoa Silken Pudding

Silken tofu is incredibly soft and creamy, often used in dairy-free desserts like this tasty recipe with cocoa and maple syrup. It’s healthier than your typical pudding so you can enjoy it for breakfast, too.

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14/23

Vegan Lasagna

Who said lasagna is just for dairy and meat lovers? This innovative dish uses tofu to make a seriously delicious ricotta and béchamel sauce that will have everyone screaming “delizioso!” To make a gluten-free version, use brown rice lasagna noodles.

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15/23

Baked Tofu Tenders

Crisp on the outside and creamy in the middle, these tasty tofu tenders are best served with a sweet and spicy sauce. Making these can be a fun family activity by letting your kiddies measure and bread the tofu while you make the dipping sauce.

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16/23

Vegan Quiche Tarts With Red Pepper Relish

The vegan diet doesn’t contain eggs, but you can recreate their protein-packed goodness with tofu. These adorable tarts are perfect bite-size, but can be made larger for a weekend brunch main course.

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17/23

Vegan “Meatballs” With Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce

Anna Olson makes meatballs for the meatless crowd with TVP (textured vegetable protein), tofu and bulgur for a spot-on “meaty” texture and taste. You’ll be just as satisfied by the familiar, homey aroma of this dish as you will be with the taste. Want to get a head start on weeknight meal prep? Try these freezer-friendly vegan dinner ideas.

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18/23

Miso Meal in a Bowl

Tofu’s protein is what makes it so satisfying and because it has a neutral taste, you can flavour it with just about anything. Here, an Asian-inspired ramen is made vegan and gluten-free while packing in the produce. Be sure to look for a gluten-free miso for a fully gluten-free dish.

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19/23

Spicy Garlic Soy Tofu

With 10 grams of protein per half-cup, tofu is a soy-based, low-fat meat alternative and blank canvas that will absorb any flavour you throw at it. Enjoying tofu is a meat and dairy-free way to amp up your iron and calcium intake too.

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20/23

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

These lovely tender pillows of homemade pasta are held together with soft tofu in place of egg, keeping them vegan.

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21/23

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

If you’re stuck in a chili rut, take it out of the bowl. These deliciously crunchy lettuce wraps are packed with chili-spiced tofu, corn and green onions and finished with sliced avocado for some creamy contrast.

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22/23

Tofu Patties With Chili Lime Pineapple

What better way to brighten up your veggie burger than with a big, juicy slice of grilled pineapple? If you don’t have a barbecue, use a grill pan on your stovetop to get the perfect sear.

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23/23

Sesame Tofu Salad

Firm tofu chunks are doused in a sweet-spicy dressing and sautéed until browned and crispy. They are then tossed with mixed greens, tomatoes and mandarin oranges for a delicious salad.

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Best Sweet And Savoury Tofu Recipes For Every Meal Recipes, News, Tips And How-Tos (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

What is best to season tofu? ›

Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips. Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over.

What is the downside of tofu? ›

Health risks of eating tofu

Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake. Thyroid issues: Some professionals also advise people with poor thyroid function to avoid tofu due to its goitrogen content.

Why can't you eat a lot of tofu? ›

If you consider its minerals and vitamins alone, tofu is a healthy choice for people to consider, says Mok. But "a misconception is how soy impacts hormone levels," she says, "And [that] eating too much soy may be causing some health issues." Mok says this is untrue.

Is tofu good or bad for gut? ›

Soy has actually been found to increase the good bacteria in the gut, leading to overall better gut health when consumed. This might help explain why soy foods have been associated with healthier outcomes as we are learning more and more about how connected a healthy gut is to an overall healthy body.

Is tofu good for losing belly fat? ›

If you are eating tofu that is processed with sugar, salt, or preservatives, then it may not be healthy for you. But if you are eating it that has been processed in a way that preserves its nutritional value, then tofu can help you healthily lose belly fat.

Does tofu detox your body? ›

Soya products like miso, tofu and edamame (also called green soybeans) are all diuretics, which help in the detoxification process as they increase the flow of urine and help flush out impurities through the kidneys in the form of urine (I personally recommend soya only in moderation as it can lead to hormonal ...

What is a good marinade for tofu? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

How can I flavor my tofu? ›

garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika (preferably smoked) – my preferred seasonings for this marinade! cornstarch – this helps to thicken up the rest of the marinade to make the marinated tofu a bit saucy too after cooking!

How to prepare tofu for beginners? ›

A Guide to Cooking Tofu for Beginners
  1. Step 1: Buy the best variety of tofu for what you're cooking. ...
  2. Step 2: Press and drain the tofu. ...
  3. Step 3: Marinate tofu for maximum flavor. ...
  4. Step 3: Cook tofu in the oven, on the stove, or on the grill.

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together. Both eggs and soya chunks are good sources of protein, and consuming them together can help meet your daily protein requirements. You can add boiled or scrambled eggs to your soya chunk curry or stir-fry for a balanced meal.

Does tofu affect your stomach? ›

Soy sensitivity can cause a number of symptoms including gas, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea (a.k.a. nothing pretty).

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