Tofu comes in different levels of firmness including silken, firm, extra firm, and super firm.
The firmness is related to the amount of water that has been pressed out of the tofu.
Silken tofu has the most water and is the softest type of tofu.
This type is great for blending into salad dressings, dips, sauces, smoothies, and more. It also works as a vegan egg replacement in baking.
If you’re looking for recipes using the silken variety, check out this roundup of the best silken tofu recipes.
For this collection, we’re going to be focusing on recipes using firm, extra firm, and super firm tofu.
Oftentimes, these varieties (with the exception of super firm) require pressing to remove as much moisture before using.
Why cook with tofu?
There are many wonderful reasons to cook with tofu and here are some of them:
Tofu is a relatively inexpensive ingredient
It's a great source of protein with 8g of protein in 100g of tofu
Tofu contains 9 essential amino acids that your body needs
It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in every kind of recipe...breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!
Has some anti-inflammatory properties
Doesn't contain the cholesterol or saturated fat that you'd find in animal protein sources
Best vegan tofu recipes
Vegan Eggs Benedict
An American classic recipe for breakfast or brunch made with simple ingredients like an English muffin, fresh spinach, juicy tomato, and of course, tofu "eggs" with a homemade vegan hollandaise sauce. Incredibly delicious and so easy!
Sticky Maple Ginger Tofu Noodle Bowl by Moon and Spoon and Yum
A comforting and filling tofu noodle bowl with steamed broccoli that's not only vegan, but gluten free, dairy free and nut free too! Who doesn't love drizzled maple syrup to make sticky tofu?!
Enjoy vegan oven baked tofu wings with a panko breading crispy coating all lathered in spicy and hot buffalo sauce. Make these for a snack, dinner, game days, or an easy appetizer.
No need to drag out the tofu press to press tofu when making this extra-firm tofu recipe. Make some sweet and spicy baked crispy tofu that's bursting with flavor with this easy recipe!
Tofu with Peanut Sauce by Two Kooks in the Kitchen
Calling all peanut butter lovers, this easy pan-fried tofu with peanut sauce is for you! Toss these spicy little tofu pieces into any of your favorite easy weeknight meals or make a meal out of them over a bed of rice and vegetables.
Yummy salty, chewy bacon to enjoy with breakfast, wrapped around asparagus and other veggies, chopped up in a side of green beans, or stacked on top of a plant-based burger for dinner. This is the best way to enjoy vegan firm tofu bacon!
Skip the Chinese restaurants and make your own simple tofu stir-fry Kung Pao Tofu at home! This takes a typically dry Kung Pao recipe and adds a delicious stir fry sauce to it which makes it incredibly flavorful.
Sticky Sesame Tofu with Broccoli by My Quiet Kitchen
A one-pot meal using extra firm tofu with fresh broccoli and a homemade sauce that uses sticky maple syrup, gluten-free soy sauce and a few other ingredients, all ready in about 30 minutes!
Tofu Sesame Toasts by It's Not Complicated Recipes
This is a vegan version of the classic Chinese takeout dish, Prawn Toast. It's an easy and delicious tofu recipe that really brings out some yummy flavor and has a nice crunch, especially from the sesame seeds.
Definitely one of my favorite vegan recipes and a super easy way to use up any extra firm tofu you have sitting around. Make delicious bites of crispy and hot buffalo bites.
Tasty tofu bites with a crispy outside texture like battered meat, this is a good way to enjoy tofu. You can top it with a variety of sauces, whatever you're craving.
Just like the title says, you can make this easy meal of the day in only a half-hour. It's the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and rich flavors in this vegan tofu dish.
This incredibly simple tofu fried rice recipe is made using 5 ingredients and packs a protein punch, coming in at 21 grams of protein per serving! Pair this with any of the other Asian dishes we've shared and you have yourself some tasty easy tofu recipes.
Nothing like a bowl of pasta with tofu bolognese to fill your belly and satisfy your taste buds. This easy pasta recipe is one the whole family will LOVE.
Marinated and grilled tofu that pairs well with anything you usually have when you grill outside. Skip the animal-based steaks and burgers and enjoy grilled tofu steaks for dinner.
Spicy Stir Fried Tofu with Bok Choy by The Forked Spoon
Using tofu in stir fries is common and delicious, but this recipe really steps above the rest since it's ready in under a half hour and uses tasty bok choy.
This Tofu Ground Beef Recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in less than 30 minutes! It's rich, smoky, crispy, and makes for the best ground beef substitute. Vegan and gluten-free!
You only need 15 minutes to make this homemade Mongolian Tofu. Instead of animal protein, we're using tofu, shredded carrots, green onions, and a savory yet sweet sauce.
Bring some Middle Eastern flavors to your dinner table with this dish. Marinated and grilled blocks of tofu will come to life with these delicious orange and ginger flavors.
Crisp and Colorful Sesame Tofu Salad by Beautiful Ingredient
You can't have a list of the best tofu recipes without having a salad topped with tofu! This is a visually appealing salad being so colorful and crisp.
Doenjang Jjigae (aka Korean Bean Paste Soup) by Christina's Cucina
This comfort meal soup is so filling and is made with soybean paste, tofu, and a bunch of vegetables. It has a nice kick from the pepper paste and jalapenos but can easily be tamed if needed.
Thanks so much for including me! Such a fabulous collection! 🙂
Thanks Kristen! And thank you for your delicious submission. 🙂