Tofu is actually versatile. Gentle on taste in the easiest way attainable, it soaks up no matter elements you cleverly pair it with, from spicy to salty to candy to tart. Deal with it as a wonderfully-textured clean canvas: You’ll be able to grill, fry, or bake agency tofu as a stand-in for meat or purée silken tofu as an alternative to dairy or eggs. In our favourite tofu recipes, nonetheless, this excellent block of soy isn’t merely a stand-in—it’s a star. Strive these 15 dishes that function tofu as a headline ingredient.

1. Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu With Soy-Scallion Sauce

Right here, crispy tofu serves as a impartial base for a concentrated, super-flavorful sauce made with gochugaru, soy sauce, honey, and a complete lot of scallions. Impressed by each Japanese agedashi tofu and the Korean-style pan-fried tofu she ate rising up, recipe developer Pleasure Cho says that each one you want is a bowl of rice to finish this easy, budget-friendly meal.

2. Sheet-Pan Miso Tofu With Brussels Sprouts, Apple & Arugula

We love sheet-pan dinners for his or her versatility and ease—and this one, that includes quick-marinated tofu, caramelized, shredded Brussels sprouts, arugula, and contemporary apple isn’t any exception. Be at liberty to change up the greens right here: You should use broccoli, cauliflower, or no matter’s in your fridge rather than the sprouts.

3. Crispy Tofu With Maple-Dijon Glaze

This tackle crispy tofu is completed with a sweet-and-savory glaze made with simply 4 elements: maple syrup, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and salt. Pan-frying the tofu in unrefined coconut oil provides a refined coconuty taste, and a aspect of combined grains (like rice, quinoa, or farro) rounds out the dish.

4. Mapo Tofu

You received’t miss the bottom pork on this vegan model of mapo tofu, which got here to us from Fly by Jing founder Jing Gao.

5. Tofu Satay With Kuah Kacang (Peanut Sauce)

Charring provides marinated tofu a complexity that’s arduous to realize in any other case—particularly when that tofu is then paired with kuah kacang, a peanut sauce flavored with garlic, chiles, ginger, lemongrass, and tamarind. To maximise the sear in your tofu, it’s value breaking out your favourite cast-iron skillet.

6. Tofu Breakfast Scramble

Crumbled, pan-fried tofu is a surprisingly convincing stand-in for eggs, and a more healthy one, too. Turmeric provides a yolky hue, whereas tamari and tahini add layers of savory taste. Eat as is, or toss right into a breakfast burrito.

7. Frozen Vegan Coconut Chocolate Almond Bars

Chocolatey, nutty, and completely vegan; when you received’t discover the tofu on this dessert, it nonetheless lends richness. The coconut cream acts as a type of vegan icing on the cake.

8. Sesame-Miso Asparagus and Tofu Salad

Shortly blanched, brilliant inexperienced asparagus stalks are tossed with cubes of tofu and a lightweight sesame dressing for a salad that’s totally spring.

9. Marinated Tofu Steak Sandwiches

The key to the really meaty texture discovered on this tofu sandwich is urgent after which freezing the tofu beforehand. Defrosted, it expels most of its water, permitting it to take in sauce and tackle a spongier, meatier texture that’s sandwich-worthy.

10. Vegan Lasagna with Roasted Greens

Crumbled tofu combined with dietary yeast makes a remarkably good swap for ricotta cheese on this vegan lasagna. Roasting the veggies earlier than provides the ultimate dish a greater texture and a extra satisfying taste.

11. San Bei (Taiwanese Three Cup) Tofu and Ramen

San bei interprets to “three cups” in Chinese language and refers back to the equal quantities of sesame oil, soy sauce, and cooking wine used to make the extraordinarily fragrant sauce. Mixed with pan-fried tofu, bouncy noodles, and a jammy egg, it’s a memorable lunch.

12. Tofu, Aubergine, and Beluga Lentils with Pomegranate Molasses

This sudden mixture of tofu, eggplant, black lentils, and tomatoes makes for a satisfying stew. Chiles add a bit of warmth and pomegranate molasses provides tangy sweetness.

13. Crispy Sesame Baked Tofu & Shiitake Mushrooms

Whereas fried tofu is scrumptious, oven-frying is much less intense, much less messy, and decidedly more healthy. Give pressed tofu a fast run by means of oil, cornstarch, panko, and sesame seeds, put it within the oven, and be amazed how crisp it emerges.

14. Vegan Chocolate Pie

Mix up silken tofu with darkish chocolate, maple syrup, and vanilla for a particularly simple and creamy vegan pie. A fast cookie crust provides a pleasant crunch, and you may simply costume up the dessert with coconut whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

15. Hannah Kirshner’s Greatest Ever (Vegan) Waffles

Silken tofu takes the place of the eggs and milk in these tender waffles. Make additional and reheat them within the waffle iron for a fast breakfast.

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This text was up to date in January 2023 with extra of our favourite tofu recipes.

What’s your favourite approach to cook dinner with tofu? Tell us within the feedback.