30 Easy Tofu Recipes Tastier Than Meat – A Couple Cooks

First up in our tofu recipes…the classic tofu stir fry! Cook tofu the right way and it’s one of the tastiest plant-based dinners you can have. This healthy vegan protein is great for incorporating into your meal prep repertoire. Come taste this tofu stir fry. It’s got the most flavor-packed stir fry sauce that works with any veggie, and the tofu is crisped on the outside and perfectly seasoned.

Here’s a way to prepare it tofu we cannot get enough of: this crispy tofu recipe! It’s easy to make and comes out perfectly seasoned, with extra crunchy edges and a tender interior. There’s no need to even press the tofu! It’s actually pretty amazing that it can transform into meaty, savory cubes in just 20 minutes.

Here’s your ultimate tofu sandwich: crispy breaded tofu, tangy Russian dressing, and crunchy pickles create a flavor explosion that will have you wanting seconds after the first bite! We modeled this recipe after a crispy fish sandwich, right down to that savory creamy sauce, and it’s got all the most satisfying flavor and texture contrasts. It’s a fun plant-based recipe and vegan dinner to impress your friends and family.

Try this crispy Baked Tofu! You won’t be able to resist sneaking bites off the pan with this one. It’s irresistibly savory and seasoned to perfection, with a satisfying crunch to each bite. Even better, there’s no 30 minute wait while you press the tofu (our pet peeve in tofu recipes). Come, experience the magic of actually easy, actually crispy tofu.

Looking for a rock-star dinner idea? Try this crispy tofu bowl! Imagine, chunks of perfectly-seasoned, savory crispy tofu that are golden on the outside and tender on the inside. Combine that with fluffy rice and fresh veggies, then cover it with a spicy mayo. The best part? Sprinkle everything with crunchy fried onions! It makes a bowl that’s an explosion of textures and flavors—which happens to be totally plant-based.

Tofu can be majorly delicious, when it’s prepared correctly. Douse it in a little smoked sauce sauce and sesame oil and pan fry it until golden brown, and it’s positively irresistible! This perfect pan fried tofu recipe is our go-to for easy plant-based dinners. Throw it in a bowl with rice and veggies and call it a meal.

There’s just something about the cozy comfort of ginger-scented fried rice that’s nearly impossible for us to turn down. Here’s a rendition that makes it into a vegan meal: try tofu fried rice! Chewy cubes of tofu nestle into fluffy, veggie-packed rice bursting with savory, garlicky flavor. Top it with a drizzle of hot sauce and serve it warm, and it’s absolutely packed with flavor. 

Here’s a tofu recipe that makes the most delicious dinner you’ll put on your regular rotation immediately. Try this Tofu Curry! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness. The Thai-style flavors are the perfect way to introduce tofu to those wary of it. And if you’re already a lover (like us!), you’ll appreciate this delightful way to serve it.

This simple tofu soup recipe is a tasty, nourishing plant-based meal! Cubes of tofu float in a savory broth flavored with miso, ginger, dried mushrooms, and fresh mushrooms. Add crunchy carrots and green onions just before serving, and it’s a satisfying combination of hearty earthiness with crisp, fresh vegetables. 

Here’s a must-make recipe for tofu fans: and eaters on the fence, too. Try this irresistible BBQ Tofu recipe! Each bite has just the right chewy texture, bathed in a silky, sweet, savory sauce. You’ll want to keep eating it for days. This plate disappeared very quickly at our house! This recipe is easy to put together and a great starter recipe for people who are wary of the stuff.

Craving a healthy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than this tofu broccoli stir-fry! This type of fast and easy meal has become exactly what we crave (don’t you want to just dive right into that bowl?). The tender tofu cubes and crisp broccoli florets get tossed in a savory sauce that’s both sweet and umami, making it a vegetarian and vegan dinner everyone will love. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes, so you can get dinner on the table fast. 

Have we got a recipe for you: this Baked Tofu Salad! It stars this crispy, perfectly seasoned baked tofu: so irresistible you’ll find yourself sneaking crunchy bites right off the baking sheet! Save some though, because this salad is a great way to turn them into a meal! Toss them over fresh veggies and drizzle with carrot ginger dressing or sesame dressing, and it makes a deliciously healthy dinner you won’t want to end.

Need a fresh dinner idea or crowd-pleasing appetizer? Try this lettuce wraps recipe! The punchy, savory filling is infused with hoisin, soy sauce and rice vinegar, mixing savory tofu with cashews and green onions. Throw it into tender leaf of crunchy green lettuce with a few more colorful veggies, and it’s to die for! 

Craving sushi without the fish? Try this fresh, delectable Tofu Sushi! These rolls have got it all, proving that this Japanese dish (or rather, art form!) is perfectly adaptable no matter what the filling. Savory, flavor-popping marinated tofu joins crunchy veggies and tender sushi rice to make a crave-able roll filling. Top it off with Japanese BBQ Sauce and it tastes like a dream!

Need a meatless dinner…fast? Here’s one of our favorite shortcuts: these quick and easy Tofu Crumbles! They’re savory, meaty and the perfect plant-based substitute you can use in endless ways. If you’re not a tofu fan…you will be after you take one bite! (Promise.) Use these as a taco filling like in Tofu Tacos, or try them on salads, pasta, bowl meals…even as a savory breakfast! There’s nothing these crumbles can’t do.

Tofu is ideal in tacos, though it’s not often used in Mexican-style recipes! Its neutral flavor takes on whatever flavors you season it with: and these tofu crumbles are quite the kitchen trick. Add cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and smoked paprika, and the filling is bursting with flavor! You can whip up these easy tacos in just 20 minutes, making them ideal for weeknight meals.

Here’s one of our favorite tofu recipes of all time…because it’s so easy. Try this tofu scramble! It tastes oddly similar to the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs: and it’s so hearty and satisfying! Even better: it takes only 10 minutes to make. It’s hard to find healthy vegan breakfast ideas that are savory (so many are sweet), and this one is perfection. We often eat it for dinner.

This marinated tofu recipe: well, it’s special. It’s packed with savory umami: toasted sesame oil and ginger and garlic and soy sauce. There’s a touch of maple to balance, and it’s mixed with green onion and sesame seeds. Oh: and you don’t have to cook it! All you have to do is throw in the fridge to marinate: so it’s almost totally hands off. You’ve got to try this one…it’s a winner. 

Looking for a tasty tofu ramen recipe with a flavorful slurpable broth? Authentic ramen from a Japanese restaurant is the absolute best. But the next best thing is trying it homemade! The best part is the tofu: it’s crispy and bursting with flavor from soy sauce and miso. Alex and I kept sneaking bites while making it! It’s served in a broth that’s filled with savory umami, and it’s 100% plant based.

Here’s a unique tofu recipe: try Tofu Pudding! It’s rich and chocolatey, spiced with cinnamon and a little chili powder, making its flavor complex and irresistible. We know what you’re thinking: sounds a little crazy, right? Well, let us assure you, this vegan pudding is pure rich, chocolatey goodness through and through. 

One of the best ways to cook tofu? On the grill. Yes, this grilled tofu recipe tastes simply irresistible, charred to perfection and then painted with a sweet and savory marinade. Grilled tofu is a healthy grilled dinner idea that’s full of plant-based protein. You might even convert the meat eaters when they take a taste…it’s darn delicious.

How to make tofu taste delicious? Smother it in a silky sweet and sour sauce! Here the tofu is perfectly crisp, balanced by an flavor popping sweet and sour sauce! It comes together quickly and works for meal prep, too. via Jessica in the Kitchen

Here’s how to enjoy Jamaican jerk flavors in a vegan meal! This Jamaican jerk tofu is saucy and spicy, sweet and savory, and chewy and crispy. Made by a Jamaican, you know it’s authentically that good. via Jessica in the Kitchen

These vegan chicken nuggets use tofu as the base and you might prefer them to the real thing! The outside is extra crispy and crunchy, and the inside is intensely savory. via Jessica in the Kitchen

Another great tofu recipe? Try it with Gernal Tso’s sauce! Here crispy tofu is coated in a sweet, tangy sauce. Pair it with rice and broccoli to make for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner. via Jessica in the Kitchen

Here’s a fun tofu recipe to spice up your dinner routine: lemon pepper tofu! Chewy, crispy tofu is tossed in a sweet, citrusy sauce with loads of black pepper. It makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. via Jessica in the Kitchen

Got an air fryer? Try this Air Fryer Tofu, which cooks up in just 10 minutes! It makes the perfect main dish for a hearty dinner or a simple lunch. via Jessica in the Kitchen

Love Indian cuisine? If you’re a fan of Indian butter chicken, this vegan version is just as tasty! Try this Vegan Butter Chicken, made with tofu that swims in a creamy coconut-based sauce. via Jessica in the Kitchen

This teriyaki tofu recipe has a crispy texture and a satisfying depth in flavor! The marinade features soy sauce or liquid aminos, crushed red peppers, sugar, ginger, and rice wine vinegar. Serve with rice and broccoli for a filling meal! via Jessica in the Kitchen

Love a little heat? These spciy tofu and rice bowls are made with gochujang, a Korean red chili paste. The tofu comes out sweet, savory and spicy, perfect for a an easy and flavorful meal. via Jessica in the Kitchen