27 Tofu Recipes That Will Change The Way You Think About Vegan Food (2024)

FAQs

How do you make tofu more interesting? ›

Use a steak marinade, grill with onions and barbecue sauce, and serve on a toasted bun at your next BBQ. Cube it, coat with cornstarch, pan fry, and serve with honey mustard and sweet potato fries for super-easy "chicken" nuggets.

Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins. These proteins are made from pressed soybean curds in a process similar to cheesemaking. This also means that, because only plant-based products are used in its creation, tofu is vegan.

Tofu is generally considered completely vegan-friendly because it is made entirely from soybeans, which are a plant-based source of protein. It is free from any animal products or byproducts. But it's important to be aware that some manufacturers may add non-vegan ingredients to their tofu.

Tofu is commonly used as a source of protein in vegetarian dishes. While making stir fry one can easily exchange the beef or chicken with tofu. There are many more uses for tofu. Vegetarian and vegan cooks are frequently using tofu to replace eggs and dairy.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Low calorie density: Tofu is a low calorie food, with around 70-90 calories per 100 grams, making it a good option for those who are trying to lose weight. This is because foods with low calorie density help you feel full with fewer calories, which can help you consume fewer total calories throughout the day.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Tofu is low in calories.

3.5 oz of firm tofu has 78 calories, and silken tofu has 55 calories. Soft soy tofu with lecithin is ranked second with 61 Calories, but all of those are less than many animal protein options, which usually clock in at 140-200 calories for 3.5-oz servings.

But no, you don't need to eat tofu at all. Nor do you need to eat any soy products if you don't want to. There are many other sources of protein, notably nuts and other beans. Among many other things.

While tofu is considered healthy and safe to eat regularly, Angelone stops short of saying that it should be consumed every day. This is because the vast majority of soy products in the U.S. are genetically modified, which may negatively impact long-term health.

Does tofu have estrogen? ›

Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.

Tofu contains several anti-inflammatory, antioxidant phyto-chemicals making it a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. Tofu is also a good source of 'complete' plant protein, meaning that it has a well-balanced amino acid profile. It's also one of the most well-known plant-based sources of iron.

When it comes to nutrition, both tofu and tempeh are good protein sources, but tempeh is the winner. There are around 19 grams of protein in 100 grams of tempeh, while tofu contains less than half of this, at around 8 grams per 100 grams.

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Lean beef (defined by government guidelines as having less than 10 grams total fat, 4.5 grams or less saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5 ounces) can be healthier than chicken, fish - or tofu (bean curd) for that matter - depending on how much is eaten and how it's prepared.

Because tofu is quite bland on its own, it's best to season with spices and/or sauces.

Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

seasonings / marinade

The marinade employs staples like soy sauce, nutritional yeast and pantry essentials, If you can, use some Beefless Broth, Gravy Master, and Marmite. However, you can also substitute with things like Steak Sauce, Vegan Worcestershire and Tomato Paste.