Our Best Tofu Recipes (2024)

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Anyone who equates tofu with "boring" or "bland" clearly hasn't tried any of our favorite recipes for it. A long-standing favorite among those who opt to reduce or eliminate meat from their diets, tofu is an incredibly dynamic plant-based protein source that exists to take on flavors. Whether you're infusing it with smoky char on the grill, searing it to savory, golden-crisp perfection, or coating it in a luscious sauce, tofu is a "no-rules, no problem" ingredient that can amp up your weeknight dinner rotation like no other. These recipes demonstrate some of the simplest and tastiest ways to unlock this budget-friendly protein's powerful potential.

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Grilled Tofu with Peanut Sauce Recipe

This grilled tofu is super tasty and would satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Grilling tofu gives the exterior a nice char without altering the taste, while the sauce boasts some seriously good flavor. Dusting on a little brown sugar gives the perfect amount of sweetness. The peanut sauce can be made ahead of time and keeps in the fridge for a week.

Veggie Bowl with Tofu Scramble

Veggie Bowl with Tofu Scramble Recipe

Last night's soup powers this morning's breakfast; just cook off most of the liquid to give the soup a porridge-like texture. The seasoned, sautéed tofu is just about a dead ringer for scrambled eggs, especially if you opt to add golden turmeric.

Spicy Tofu Curry

Spicy Tofu Curry Recipe

The richly aromatic coconut-curry mixture infuses the tofu with flavor as it slow-cooks in the broth. Cutting the tofu into slices shortly before serving (instead of at the beginning) ensures that the tofu holds together over the long cooking time but still gets an extra boost of flavor at the end. Look for lemongrass—a long, slender, woody herb with an herbal lemon flavor that's common in Thai curries—near other herbs in well-stocked markets or at an Asian market. Leftover lemongrass will keep the the refrigerator for at least a month or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Crispy Toasted Sesame Tofu

Crispy Air-Fryer Tofu with Toasted Sesame Recipe

Tossed in a tangy dressing rich with the flavors of honey, toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce, these crispy cubes of tofu make a hearty supper served over brown rice. The secret to getting tofu nice and crisp is two-fold: First, drain, dry, and press it to remove excess moisture; second, cook it in batches, and turn the cubes during cooking to ensure all sides have a chance to get crunchy.

Sheet Pan Curried Tofu with Vegetables

Sheet Pan Curried Tofu with Vegetables Recipe

This vegetarian one-pan meal is loaded with color and texture, from the soft sweet potatoes to the crisp-tender cauliflower and juicy pomegranate seeds. Preheating the pan will help the potatoes and tofu achieve a crispy exterior; be careful when adding the vegetable mixture to the hot pan. A cool, tangy yogurt drizzle will help balance the slight chile heat from the curry powder. Drizzle the sauce over the pan, or serve at the table.

Orange, Tofu, and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

Orange, Tofu, and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry Recipe

Fresh orange juice perks up this speedy stir-fry, becoming a sticky, glossy sauce for the colorful vegetables. A quick coat in cornstarch helps the tofu develop a supercrisp crust without needing to fry in lots of oil. It's a good idea to have every element at the ready by the stove before you start to cook, as the stir-fry will come together very quickly. You can use bell peppers or any vegetable you have on hand, such as broccoli florets, thinly sliced carrots, or sliced snap peas.

su-Pole Bean Salad with Ginger-Soy Tofu

Pole Bean Salad with Ginger-Soy Tofu Recipe

Tossed with a bright vinaigrette, tender pole beans and tofu make a hearty vegan dinner. Serve warm or chilled.

Wine pairing: Tablas Creek 2015 Grenache Blanc (Adelaida District, Paso Robles; $30)

Szechuan Tofu with Cauliflower

Szechuan Tofu with Cauliflower Recipe

We combine everything you love about Chinese takeout--the sweet and spicy sauce; the super-crispy tofu; and the crisp-tender, perfectly caramelized vegetables--into a single quick main.

Beer-Brushed Tofu Skewers with Barley

Beer-Brushed Tofu Skewers with Barley Recipe

If you don't have barley on hand, serve with brown rice, quinoa, or farro. You can also cook the tofu on a stovetop grill pan--just be sure to turn your oven vent on high, as the honey-based glaze is sure to create some smoke.

Tofu and Vegetable Lo Mein

Tofu and Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe

This dish has all the umami-rich qualities we love about classic takeout and none of the greasy, sodium-bomb qualities we don't. Wavy, deep yellow Chinese egg noodles can be found in the refrigerated section of any Asian market and many supermarkets. You can substitute any refrigerated fresh pasta or even brown rice noodles; boil until just al dente. Sliced baby bok choy, carrots, and snap peas would also be delicious here; add the vegetables in stages, from hardy and dense to leafy and tender, so all can cook to the perfect doneness.

Tofu Curry with Lemongrass and Chile

Tofu Curry with Lemongrass and Chile Recipe

You don't need to press the tofu to drain the water for this recipe; a slow pan-fry achieves the same effect and gets the exterior extra crispy. For a vegetarian dish, swap the fish sauce for reduced-sodium soy sauce or the liquid from soaked dried porcini mushrooms.

Lemongrass and Five Spice Tofu

Lemongrass and Five Spice Tofu Recipe

Inspired by the sandwiches at TigerTiger, this herbaceous tofu marinade is irresistible. Fresh ginger and lemongrass excite the senses, and soy sauce adds a salty, Asian-inspired kick. Make sure the tofu is extra-firm, as softer consistencies will collapse and not be able to hold up in a sandwich. Find this blend of fennel, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger with the spices at well-stocked grocery stores. Cut, marinate, and chill tofu up to a day ahead, keeping chilled and covered the entire time.

Tofu Banh Mi Wraps with Quick-Pickled Carrots and Radishes

Tofu Banh Mi Wraps with Quick-Pickled Carrots and Radishes Recipe

Drain the pickles well before adding to each wrap. This is a saucy sandwich, so extra liquid can make it a bit messy once you bite in.

Seared Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce and Broccoli

Seared Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce and Broccoli Recipe

Sweet chili sauce has less heat than Sriracha. A bit of sugar balances its vinegar punch. Find it in the international aisle.

Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu

Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu Recipe

Since this Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu is a good source of protein, it works as a main dish if you double the portion size. White pepper gives the soup mild heat; for more spice, stir in sambal oelek.

Banh Mi Rice Noodle Bowl

Banh Mi Rice Noodle Bowl Recipe

It's all about the variety of toppings with a Banh Mi Bowl. Top your noodles with protein of your choice.

Tofu Saag

Tofu Saag Recipe

Saran's eye-opening technique here is to pat the tofu dry very briefly, rather than for 20 or 30 minutes. This keeps it moist and creamy inside, and the outside still gets browned. Look for ghee--clarified, toasted butter--at Indian or Asian markets.

Wasabi Pea Tofu with Red Cabbage and Leeks

Wasabi Pea Tofu with Red Cabbage and Leeks Recipe

This dish is spectacular, as wasabi peas make a delicious breading for tofu. Surprisingly, they lose their bite when cooked but provide intriguing flavor and crunch in the slightly sweet, salty crust. Look for cans of the peas in the Asian food section of your supermarket or in the bulk bin of some large grocery stores. A few crushed peas get sprinkled on top of the finished dish for added crunch and a pop of pungency.

Millet Amaranth Buddha Bowls

Millet Amaranth Buddha Bowls Recipe

Imagine a classic Asian-style rice bowl, but with a risotto-like blend of millet and amaranth as the base. At Vital Root in Denver, chef-owner Justin Cucci tops the grains with loads of vegetables and tofu, then drizzles on a silky tahini sauce.

Wine Pairing: A dry but aromatic white like VML 2014 Gewürztraminer (Russian River Valley; $24). The perfume of the sesame and tahini match the wine's floral and spicy aromas; the haunting minerally character and mouth-filling weight of Gewürz work well with tofu. --Sara Schneider

Tofu and Edamame Noodle Bowl with Caramelized Coconut Broth

Tofu and Edamame Noodle Bowl with Caramelized Coconut Broth Recipe

Grating jalapeño, ginger, and garlic allows them to infuse the coconut milk with bold flavor quickly, while caramelizing the mixture intensifies the savory-sweet appeal of this saucy noodle bowl.

Stir-Fried Tofu and Broccoli Lo Mein

Stir-Fried Tofu and Broccoli Lo Mein Recipe

Cauliflower Masala with Tofu

Cauliflower Masala with Tofu Recipe

Try an Indian-inspired meatlessdish for dinner tonight.We suggest servingwith lime wedges and warm naan.

Baked Egg Rolls

Baked Egg Rolls Recipe

Broccoli Steaks with Tofu Fries

Broccoli Steaks with Tofu Fries Recipe

Here's a fun meat-free twist on steak frites: lightly charred broccoli steaks with crunchy tofu sticks and Sriracha aioli for dunking.

Cashew Rice

Tofu Steaks with Shiitakes and Veggies Recipe

Try a quick vegetarian entrée full of flavor and rich vegetables for dinner tonight.

Tofu Burgers

Tofu Burgers Recipe

Make a meatless main dish recipe this week for your family. Cook the marinated extra-firm tofu on a grill or your stovetop for a quick dinner tonight.

Tofu Ceviche

Tofu Ceviche Recipe