30 Easy Tofu Recipes

Welcome to a celebration of the versatility of tofu with our 30 best tofu recipes.

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a protein–packed, plant–based ingredient that has been a staple in various cuisines for centuries.

Its neutral taste and sponge–like texture make it a perfect canvas for various flavors and cooking styles.

1. Easy air fryer tofu

We start this tofu list with one of the easiest ways to make tofu tasty and perfectly chewy: air frying.

Try this 15-minute air fryer recipe with tips and ideas to serve it as a dinner.

2. Quick and fried tofu

Pan-fried tofu is delicious, flavorful, and perfect as a salad topping and protein addition to your meal.

Here’s a simple cooking method that makes fried tofu taste great and feel as good in your mouth. This recipe is ready in 15 minutes.

3. Baked tofu

Our baked tofu recipe helps you transform a block of firm tofu into mouthwatering high-protein tofu chunks.

You’ll love how easy, tasty, and versatile baked tofu is. Add it to salads, curries, stir-fries, burritos, wraps, and sandwiches, or dip it in your favorite sauce.

4. Marinated tofu

You can use our marinated tofu in salads, wraps, stir-fries, and other recipes, and it is excellent for last-minute dinners and meal prep.

Thanks to its neutral flavor, tofu takes on well the carefully crafted flavor of the marinade, which we make with yogurt, dried herbs, and spices to coat the tofu with plenty of taste.

5. Grilled tofu

d tofu is a quick and easy protein-packed recipe you can make in 10 minutes on a grill pan or grill and season with your favorite sauces and condiments.

With its smokey and slightly charred exterior and tender interior, grilled tofu is a versatile, healthy, and nutritious alternative to traditional grilled meats.

6. BBQ tofu

You’ll love this recipe because the tofu gets chewy, meaty, and flavorful.

Try putting it in a toasted buttered bun with vegan mayo and creamy coleslaw salad; the bold flavors blow you away.

Tofu recipes in 30 minutes

6. No-egg tofu salad

Try this vegan egg salad for a great, quick, fulfilling vegan lunch or snack idea. 

The texture of tofu mimics that of boiled eggs perfectly. We’ll show you how to cut and crumble it to make it look and taste like a boiled egg.

It’s great on a sandwich made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs.

7. Tofu salad

Tofu’s remarkable ability to get flavorful and crunchy makes it the ideal protein choice for this salad with fresh veggies and tahini sauce.

This tofu salad recipe is perfect for lunch or dinner, and you can make it all year round with seasonal greens and veggies.

8. Lemon Tofu

Pan-fried tofu with lemon sauce is an easy, weeknight–friendly recipe prepared in just 15 mins.

Fry the tofu in a pan with olive oil and coat it in a quick lemon sauce.

9. Tofu Cream Cheese

This tofu cream cheese is made with five simple ingredients, and it’s smooth, velvety, and perfect as a starter, dip, or spread in a sandwich.

Eat it as is, or blend it with roasted eggplant or caramelized onions for a creamy and delicious sauce or spread.

10. Tofu soup

Tofu soup is a comforting and wholesome dish that effortlessly combines the delicate silkiness of tofu with an aromatic broth, creating a soothing culinary experience.

It’s an easy and satisfying soup recipe for chilly evenings and those seeking a revitalizing, plant–based meal.

11. Tofu in marinara Sauce

Tofu with tomato sauce is a simple yet delicious pan-fried recipe ready in 20 minutes.

Fry tofu slices in a pan, add tomato sauce and fresh herbs, and serve with sautèed greens and toasted bread.

12. Tofu scramble with veggies

You’ll love tofu scramble because it’s an easy, nutritious, and versatile recipe.

While we often make this recipe a replacement for scrambled eggs, its use goes way beyond that.

For example, you can serve it on toast with avocado spread or top a microwaved sweet potato to add protein to your meal.

13. Orange tofu

You’ll love our orange tofu recipe because it’s easy to put together, with simple ingredients, in less than 30 minutes.

Thanks to the sticky, zesty orange glaze that perfectly coats the crispy tofu, every bite packs a ton of flavor.

14. Tofu curry

You can combine this tofu meal in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients and a creamy result.

This tofu curry recipe is a vegan curry where we use tofu cubes instead of meat, and the South Asian Cuisines of India and Nepal inspire it.

We use spices such as curry powder, turmeric, and black pepper to recreate those warm Indian flavors that make curries irresistible.

Tofu works beautifully in Indian recipes, and while it’s not widely used in Indian cooking, its color, texture, and flavor is fantastic for this vegetarian tikka masala.

It’s similar to chana masala, although creamier, and vegan butter chicken, but with a bolder, redder, more tomatoey sauce, less cream, and no butter.

17. Kung pao tofu

Our kung pao tofu is a stir-fried recipe with a piquant, sweet, savory flavor blend and a sticky and chewy texture.

Get plenty of plant-based protein and crispy veggies with this quick weeknight meal.

18. Tofu meatballs

You can make these vegan meatballs with pantry staples in 3 easy steps in a food processor and bake them in 20 minutes.

Have tofu meatballs with spaghetti or in a sub with your favorite marinara or arrabbiata sauce.

19. Navratan korma

Elevate your dinner with this easy Navratan Korma, offering a delightful twist on this classic Indian dish.

The velvety korma sauce with coconut milk creates a rich and satisfying texture that complements the medley of colorful vegetables, tofu cubes, and cashew nuts.

20. Thai Red Curry

Creamy, slightly spicy, and aromatic, here is an Asian-inspired dinner idea with tofu.

Mix the curry paste with creamy coconut milk and add tofu, peas, and bell pepper for a tasty, veggie-packed meal.

21. Sesame noodles

Grilled tofu makes a perfect protein addition to these creamy sesame noodles.

Paired with fresh mango, cucumber, and a peanut butter tahini sauce, you will be satiated and content for hours after eating it.

22. Tofu Cacciatore

This tofu cacciatore is based on Italy’s original chicken (hunter-style) chicken.

It’s baked tofu with olives, fresh herbs, and a rich tomato sauce, best served with focaccia bread, pasta, crostini, and sauteed spinach.

23. Baked tofu “fish.”

You can make this simple meal in 30 minutes in the oven with slices of tofu, nori sheets, lemon, capers, and olives.

Serve this Italian-inspired recipe as a fish replacement, and try a new and flavor-packed way of eating tofu.

24. Spinach tofu cutlets

These spinach cutlets with tofu are juicy, tender, and made with simple ingredients.

Mix all ingredients in a food processor, shape them into cutlets, and bake them for about 20 minutes. They are delicious on a bed of salad and with a drizzle of ranch dressing or chipotle sauce.

25. Stir fry tofu

Better than Asian takeaway, this tofu stir fry with noodles or rice is easy, pan-fried, and will please everyone around your table.

It’s ready in about 40 minutes, and you can serve it with sesame seeds, chili oil, or a side of miso soup.

26. Braised tofu

Similar to stir fry, this braised tofu is tangy, slightly sweet, and has jerky–like tofu slices.

For a balanced, Asian-inspired dinner, serve with sauteed leafy greens, rice, or noodles.

27. Vegan carbonara with tofu

Make this carbonara sauce with carrot, chickpea flour, and cubes of tofu or tempeh bacon.

It’s a great alternative to the traditional carbonara, but without eggs and bacon, and it delivers a salty and creamy flavor.

28. Buddha bowl

Grilled tofu sizzles with a smoky aroma, adding plant–based protein to this wholesome Buddha bowl.

Serve the tofu in this colorful bowl with crisp veggies, peanut sauce, quick pickled onions, and brown rice; it’s a beautiful and nourishing meal.

29. Tofu butter chicken

Hand-torn pieces of tofu in a rich Indian–spiced yogurt marinade, this vegan butter chicken is a delightful meal.

This satiating and family-friendly tofu dinner is paired with rice, naan bread, or flatbread.

30. Vegan curry

This vegan curry recipe uses roasted cauliflower, bell pepper, crispy baked tofu, and a fragrant and creamy sauce.

We recommend using firm tofu for the “meat” to create a tasty and extra-chewy protein source.

31. High-protein pasta

This 20-minute high-protein vegan pasta recipe combines creamy red pepper and silken tofu sauce with al dente paccheri pasta.

Use dairy-free feta to garnish the pasta alongside fresh basil and scallions for a vegan meal.

32. Asian noodle salad

This Asian salad is served chilled and offers a refreshing mix of textures and flavors – crunchy vegetables, tender noodles, and a tangy-sweet dressing with umami notes.

And if you want to add extra protein, this noodle salad is delicious with grilled tofu and marinated tofu.

Do I need to press tofu?

Based on our testing, pressing tofu before cooking has no (or negligible) impact on the final result.

All you need to do is take the tofu out of its package, drain the water, and pat it dry with a towel. Then, cook it according to the recipe instructions.

However, you can press tofu if you want to change its texture. If you like a firmer, tougher, drier tofu, feel free to push it. You can freeze, thaw, and press it to make it chewier.

What to serve with tofu

These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles. Make it a complete meal by adding extra vegetables to your meal with a side dish or green salad:

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