Are you in need of ideas for easy tofu recipes? You’ve come to the right place! Tofu is a versatile ingredient, nutrientdense, and rich in plantbased protein.

Take your pick from these easy and quick dinner recipes: from fried, marinated, baked, and grilled tofu to pasta, curries, and stir-fried tofu.

30 tofu recipes

We hope you’ll get as excited about tofu as we are – and get inspired to cook tofu in new ways!

Tofu in 15 minutes

If you’re looking for super quick and easy tofu recipes, these 15-minute meals are perfect. These tofu recipes are made tasty with simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques, but you’ll still enjoy a delicious and flavorpacked meal.

1. Easy air fryer tofu

air fryer tofu with parsley

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

Fried tofu with a silver fork

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. No-egg tofu salad

vegan egg salad

Try this vegan egg salad if you want a great, quick, fulfilling vegan lunch or snack idea

Made with tofu, vegan mayo, and herbs, it’s great on a sandwich or on its own.

4. Tofu salad

tofu salad with creamy dressing

This is the perfect springtime and summertime dish.

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

5. Lemon Tofu

Lemon tofu with fork and kale

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

Simply fry the tofu in a pan with little olive oil and coat it in a quick lemon sauce.

6. Tofu Cream Cheese

tofu cream cheese bruschetta

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

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

7. Spinach Pesto with tofu

Spinach pesto in a pan with pasta

Make a deliciously smooth and creamy pesto sauce with spinach, tofu, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a great match for pasta, especially if you want a nutfree recipe.

You’ll get a proteinrich and vitaminpacked pesto, all in a creamy and smooth sauce.

8. Tofu in Pizzaiola Sauce

tofu with tomato sauce

If you love marinara sauce, you will love this tofu in pizzaiola sauce!

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

9. Tofu scramble with veggies

avocado toast with tofu scramble

Get a healthy start to your day with this 5-minute tofu scramble recipe.

It’s an easy and healthy breakfast idea with plenty of plantbased protein.

Tofu in 30 minutes

With these 30-minute tofu meals, you can enjoy tasty sauces and creamy textures that upgrade tofu in new ways.

10. Marinated tofu

diced marinated tofu served on rice

This a quick and tasty recipe ready in 30 minutes and a great pairing with rice, noodles, and salad.

This marinated tofu is a good beginner tofu recipe as it adds charred and jerky-like protein to your meal.

11. Orange tofu

Orange Tofu on a plate with a spoon

This easy orange tofu dish is one of the best alternatives to orange chicken.

We use crispy oven-baked tofu and red bell pepper coated in a sticky, sweet, and orange sauce.

12. Tofu curry

tofu curry

Making an excellent tofu curry is easy when you use this Indian spice mix.

Here we’ll show you how to put this meal together in about 30 minutes, with simple ingredients and a creamy result.

13. Tofu soup

spring tofu soup with zucchini and peas

This tofu soup is quick, tasty, and light. You can make it in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients and seasonal veggies.

It’s an Asianinspired soup that you can serve as dinner or an appetizer.

14. Tofu meatballs

tofu meatballs in marinara sauce

With these vegetarian meatballs, you can have meatballs without the meat.

This recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients and Italian seasoning – it’s great with pasta and in a sub sandwich.

15. Fried Tofu with mushrooms

tofu mushroom recipe on a plate

Pan-fried tofu with mushrooms is a quick and delicious recipe for weeknights and last-minute dinners.

It’s ready in 25 minutes and is excellent when paired with pasta, couscous, or rice.

16. Easy Tofu pasta (bolognese-style)

tofu bolognese on spaghetti

Tofu pasta is a delicious vegan recipe with tasty crumbled tofu and a rich tomato sauce.

This is tofu bolognese that you can serve as a quick, easy, and nutritious meal in about 30 minutes.

17. Kung pao tofu

kung pao tofu with chives

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. Kale salad with tofu

Kale quinoa salad with tofu cubes

Tofu is an excellent protein source for salads and grain bowls.

Try this marinated kale and quinoa salad with fresh veggies and fried tofu; it’s great for autumn and winter.

19. Grilled tofu

Grilled Tofu with paprika

You can make this protein-packed recipe in 10 minutes on a grill pan or grill and season with your favorite sauces and condiments.

It’s delicious in a Buddha bowl, with noodles, pasta, and in sandwiches.

20. Thai Red Curry

Thai Red curry with rice

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

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

21. Sesame noodles

Sesame noodles with grilled tofu

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.

Sunday dinner with tofu

Perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or dinners with friends. These tofu meals with simple ingredients cater to all eaters as they’re packed with flavors, vegan and vegetarian-friendly, and inviting.

22. Tofu Cacciatore

Tofu cacciatore in a skillet

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

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

23. Baked and steamed tofu “fish.”

baked tofu like vegan 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-style tofu as a fish replacement, and try a new and flavor-packed way of eating tofu.

24. Spinach tofu cutlets

Spinach cutlets on bed of salad

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 over 20 minutes.

25. Stir fry tofu

tofu stir fry with noodles

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

Braised tofu with bok choy

Similar to stir fry, this braised tofu is tangy, slightly sweet, and with jerkylike tofu slices.

Serve with sauteed leafy greens, rice, or noodles for a balanced, Asian-inspired dinner.

27. Vegan carbonara with tofu

carbonara on a plate

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

Buddha bowl with peanut sauce

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

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

29. Tofu butter chicken

Vegan Butter Chicken with hand and bread

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

Paired with rice or naan bread, this is one of our favorite tofu recipes, period!

30. Tofu platter with chimichurri sauce

grilled vegetables and tofu

Chimichurri sauce is a fantastic drizzle for tofu, grilled veggies, and barbecues.

Learn how to make an easy chimichurri; it only takes five minutes and seven simple ingredients.

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 press it. To make it even chewier, you can freeze, thaw, and press it.

tofu cut in cubes are slabs

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:

For many more easy and quick tofu meals, make sure to check out our Tofu Recipes Page!

30 tofu recipe ideas

30 easy tofu recipes

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 5 votes
These 30 tofu recipes include baked and fried tofu, salads, best sauces to serve with tofu, soup, curry, and more.
This tofu scramble is easy to make with a few ingredients, and you can serve it with avocado on a slice of toasted bread for breakfast, lunch or a quick dinner.
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3 people
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
Cuisine: International

Ingredients

  • 9 ounces firm tofu (a tofu block around that size, not a problem if it's a little more or less)
  • ¾ cup unsweetened plant milk soy, oats, cashew
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • 2 twists black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon black salt optional for an eggy flavor. Add more for more eggy taste.

Serving suggestions (totally optional)

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 thick slices bread toasted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil optional to drizzle on top
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chives, or green onions finely chopped

Instructions 

  • Crumble the tofu with your hands and put it in a non-stick pan on medium-high heat.
  • Add the unsweetened plant milk.
    The milk will make the scrambled tofu softer and moist, similar to scrambled eggs
  • Add the turmeric powder to give the scrambled tofu a yellow color.
    Season with salt, black pepper, and optionally with black salt or Kala namak, a rock salt that tastes like egg.
  • Cook on medium-high heat until the pan is dry. It should take about 5 minutes.

Serving suggestion

  • We like to serve scrambled tofu on toasted bread. Add some avocado slices on the bread, scrambled tofu on top, some freshly chopped parsley, chives, or green onions.
    Then you can add some roasted tomatoes and roasted portobello mushrooms on the side, and a drizzle of olive oil to make it a complete and fulfilling breakfast.

Video

Easy Tofu Scramble in 5 minutes

Notes

Nutritional information is for the scrambled tofu only, without the serving suggestion.
See variations chapter for more ideas.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Potassium: 104mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 241IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 4mg, Vitamin E: 2mg, Vitamin K: 2µg, Calcium: 246mg, Folate: 19µg, Iron: 2mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 2mg, Zinc: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.


Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

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3 Comments

    1. Hi Jeff, thanks for commenting. This blog post is a compilation of our best tofu recipes – you just have to click on the recipe(s) you like th best, and you’ll be directed to them. I hope that helps! Cheers, Nico