Tofu Taco Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

By: Author Joy Shull

Posted on Last updated:

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These easy tofu tacos with homemade tofu taco meat make the best vegetarian dinner recipe!

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Mexican inspired meals are one of my favorite dinners since I became a vegetarian.

There are endless options like vegetarian stuffed peppers, mexican rice casserole, vegetarian enchiladas, and burrito bowls.

These tofu tacos are another great meatless dinner that comes together in minutes.

If you haven’t made tofu taco crumbles before, don’t be afraid!

This method is so easy that anyone can make it, whether or not you are a tofu newbie.

This smoky browned tofu taco meat is simply delicious and makes the perfect meat substitute.

Serve these tofu crumbles on any kind of taco with your favorite toppings!

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Tofu Tacos Recipe Ingredients

  • extra firm tofu: drained and patted dry. No pressing necessary!
  • olive oil
  • soy sauce
  • taco seasoning
  • soft or hard tacos
  • toppings of choice: sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, etc
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How to make tofu taco meat

Step 1: Drain the extra firm tofu and pat it dry.

There is no need to press it.

Step 2: Heat the oil and soy sauce in a skillet.

Use your hands to crumble the tofu into the skillet, leaving some larger pieces for texture.

Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the crumbled tofu.

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Step 3: Saute the tofu taco crumbles on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until browned and crispy on the edges.

Let the tofu sit in 2-3 minute increments throughout the cook time without stirring in order for it to brown and get those yummy crispy bits.

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That’s it! It’s really such a cinch to throw together and so flavorful.

We serve these family style so that everyone can build their toppings of choice.

Topping Ideas for Tofu Tacos

  • fresh diced tomatoes or avocado
  • homemade salsa
  • guacamole
  • queso blanco
  • fresh chopped cilantro
  • chopped lettuce
  • tamed jalapeños
  • fresh squeezed lime juice
  • sour cream
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This was such an easy recipe to throw together for taco night and everyone loved it!

While I sometimes buy the meatless crumbles from the grocery store, this tofu taco meat was quite a nice change.

I prefer to use the taco seasoning packets vs making my own taco seasoning as I find it makes it taste more similar to ground beef taco meat.

If you have a great taco seasoning recipe you could also use that!

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Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

More Tofu Recipes we love

  • Tofu Mexican Rice Casserole
  • Enchilada Tofu Burrito Bowls
  • Teriyaki Tofu
  • Tofu Wraps
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Be sure to pin this recipe for later and followBuild Your Bite on Pinterestfor all the latest delicious recipes!

Other ways to serve Tofu Taco Crumbles

  • Enchiladas: Roll this tofu meat up inside flour tortillas, top with enchilada sauce and shredded mexican cheese and bake at 350 until bubbly and melted.
  • Tofu Nachos: Serve this up with tortilla chips covered in tofu crumbles, melted gooey cheese, and all the fixins on top
  • Burrito Bowls: make a burrito bowl with rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice, fajita veggies, guac, and any other toppings of choice!

How to store leftover Tofu Taco Meat

Store leftover tofu taco meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Does Tofu Taco Meat freeze well?

Tofu taco crumbles can be cooked and frozen for up to 3 months. You can thaw the tofu meat in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before heating.

Reheating Tofu Tacos

Reheat leftover tofu taco meat in a skillet with a splash of oil until warmed through and crispy.

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Tofu Taco Recipe FAQs

What makes Tofu taste like meat?

The cooking method and seasonings used can make tofu taste more like meat, especially frying crumbled tofu pieces in a skillet until browned and crispy.
Keep in mind that tofu does not taste exactly like meat. Tofu does not really have a flavor of its own, and instead absorbs any seasonings or marinades that you add to it.

Try this recipe the next time you need a quick dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Gluten free, vegetarian or vegan friendly, and so yummy.

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

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Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

These tofu tacos with homemade tofu taco meat are a delicious meatless meal ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • Soft or hard taco shells

For the tofu taco meat

  • 14 oz extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry (no need to press it)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning

Topping ideas

  • sour cream
  • cilantro
  • tomatoes
  • pice de gallo
  • salsa
  • avocado slices
  • guacamole
  • fresh lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and soy sauce in a large skillet
  2. Use your hands to crumble the tofu into the skillet. Leave some larger pieces for texture.
  3. Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the tofu
  4. Saute on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until browned and crispy on the edges. Let the tofu sit in 2-3 minute increments throughout the cookstime without stirring in order for it to brown.
  5. Serve on soft taco shells with veggies and toppings of choice
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 114Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 318mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 10g

Nutritional information is for the tofu crumbles, and does not include the toppings or taco shell

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Tofu Taco Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

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.

How to make tofu actually taste good? ›

Coat it in a lot of dry seasonings.

You can also use your favourite potent seasoning mix and coat your tofu in it. Pre-season it, then let it soak in a sauce to soak up flavours. My Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken wasn't even pre-seasoned, but it was well pressed, and so it truly soaked up the flavours of that sauce.

Can I use normal tofu instead of silken? ›

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Does tofu need to be cooked? ›

Tofu can be eaten raw, and so cooking it is completely optional and is mostly done for texture or to bind the sauce to the tofu. You can pan-sear the sides and add it to a colorful stir-fry or deep-fry it and coat it in a savory and sweet sauce.

Why can't you eat tofu everyday? ›

Eating tofu and other soy foods every day is generally considered safe. That said, you may want to moderate your intake if you have: Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

What to season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

Why do you soak tofu in water? ›

Your tofu needs to soak for about 15 minutes. Put your timer on and go put your feet up. This salt water soak may seem counterintuitive but it actually helps draw the moisture out of the tofu. After the tofu's done soaking, drain off the salt water and pat the tofu dry with a tea towel.

How long does tofu last in the fridge? ›

If it darkens in color, begins to smell, or feels slimy, it should be thrown away. Bottom line: Open packages of tofu are good in the fridge for up to five days, provided you change the water daily.

Can you eat tofu raw? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Does Aldi sell tofu? ›

Yes! You can get ALDI Tofu & Meat Alternatives products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What is the best way to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Pan-frying is the easiest, least fussy way to cook up a batch of ultra-crispy cubes of tofu. After pressing and draining as much liquid from the block as possible, cut the tofu into cubes, sticks, or wedges, then toss it with cornstarch until all the pieces are well-coated.

Is tofu good for weight loss? ›

Tofu is a cholesterol-free, low-calorie, high-protein food that's also rich in bone-boosting calcium and manganese. Tofu may help you to lose weight by keeping you fuller for longer on fewer calories than meat. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when swapped for saturated fat-heavy animal proteins.

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

What makes tofu curdle? ›

It contains magnesium chloride, which reacts with the protein in the soy milk, causing the soy milk to curdle.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

By stretching an egg with a little tofu, you reduce the cholesterol and saturated fat. Try tucking it into a whole-wheat pita pocket for a simple and satisfying breakfast sandwich-and a healthful alternative to fast-food fare.

Does tofu take on other flavors? ›

Now, serving tofu raw isn't always the best way to experience this plant-based protein because its flavor is very bland. But because of its texture, tofu is excellent at absorbing the flavors of other seasonings, sauces, and marinades.

References

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