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
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.
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!
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
Heat the oil and soy sauce in a large skillet
Use your hands to crumble the tofu into the skillet. Leave some larger pieces for texture.
Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the tofu
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.
Serve on soft taco shells with veggies and toppings of choice
Try freezing medium or firm tofu then thawing and draining it before cooking it. Freezing the tofu makes the water in it form ice crystals and forces the bean curd into something much more like a sponge. The texture becomes more meatlike. It is still not chicken so do not try passing it off as chicken.
Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.
In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.
Boiling extracts some of water somehow, making it easier to fry, but it does it without compressing the tofu, so you get delightful spongey insides instead of dense tofu bricks. It also extracts the water more evenly than squeezing it out, especially if you squeeze precubulation. Plus, the salted water seasons them.
And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.
For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!
Pan-frying can be unhealthy if you use low-quality oil, overheat it, so it burns, or use a lot of fat. We have three tips to make pan-fried tofu healthier: 1) Use good quality extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil has more antioxidants than most oils.
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.
Before frying, tofu should be pressed to eliminate any excess water. Sometimes, in a hurry to get dinner done, I skip this step. But I always regret it. The still-sort-of-wet tofu never gets as golden brown or as crisp.
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.
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. Soy foods like tofu also contain isoflavones, which act similarly in the body to estrogen.
Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. 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 categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.
And as for the texture? It's strikingly similar to chicken. Give freezing tofu a try and you'll definitely be impressed by how much better your vegan dishes turn out.
Freezing tofu gives it a meaty, chewy texture that beautifully mimics the texture of chicken. In this post, we're sharing all our best tofu tips, tricks, and marinades to create THE most mind-blowing vegan chicken – from lemon pepper tofu cutlets to the BEST EVER vegan chicken parmesan recipe.
For the recipe in Tenderheart, her latest cookbook, McKinnon “really wanted that bouncy texture, which doesn't come that naturally to firm or extra firm tofu,” she says. “Putting it into salted water and boiling it for a minute infuses it and allows the water to penetrate.”
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.