What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (2024)

By: Allie Petersen · · ·This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. ·

Not sure what to serve with your tofu? There's lot of different sides that go well with tofu. Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein source that can be eaten with grains (rice, quinoa, barley, and more), pasta, veggies (stir fry, air fried, roasted, and more), on top of salads, and in buddha bowls.

You can combine different sides to create a balanced meal of a protein, grain, and vegetable.

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (1)
Jump to:
  • Tofu Recipes
  • ❓Quick FAQs
  • Grains
  • Pasta
  • Veggies
  • Salad
  • Buddha Bowls
  • Top Tofu Recipes:
  • Comments
Our Favorite

Tofu Recipes

Want some tasty ways to cook tofu? Try out these recipes

  • The Best Sticky Tofu
  • Crispy Asian Air Fried Tofu
  • Teriyaki Tofu
  • Buffalo Tofu Bites
  • Lemon Pepper Tofu

❓Quick FAQs

What is the best way to eat tofu?

Tofu can be eaten in many ways such as raw, pan-fried, baked, air-fried, or boiled. Cooking your tofu is a popular method to obtain a crispy exterior. A common practice is to press your tofu to remove excess moisture and improve the texture. Coat your tofu in a small amount of cornstarch, air fry or pan-fry until crispy, then coat in a delicious sauce.

Is tofu good for you?

Tofu is a popular plant-based protein source made from soybeans that has a lot of nutritional and health benefits. Tofu is an excellent source of protein and contains all 9 essential amino acids. It is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and B-vitamins (some are fortified with Vitamin B12). Tofu is low in saturated fat and may help lower your cholesterol.
However, it's important to note that like any food, moderation and variety are key. While tofu has many benefits, relying solely on tofu for all your nutritional needs may not provide the necessary variety of nutrients your body requires.

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. If you have a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones, you should avoid soy products like tofu or spinach.

Grains

There are lots of options for grains to serve with tofu. For faster cooking, try using an Instant Pot.

  • Rice
  • Quinoa
  • Barley
  • Bulgar
  • Farro
  • Millet

Try out some of these tasty recipes:

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (2)

Mango Fried Rice

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (3)

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (4)

Cauliflower Rice

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (5)

Quinoa Risotto with Butternut Squash and Greens

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (6)

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (8)

Garlic Fried Rice

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (9)

Forbidden Rice

Total time: 35 minutes

Servings: 6

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (10)

Lebanese Rice with Vermicelli

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8

Pasta

Tofu is a delicious addition to pasta. It adds more protein to your dish and the tofu absorbs the sauce well.

  • Asian noodle dishes
  • Cold pasta salads
  • Thai noodles dishes
  • And more!

Try out some of these amazing pasta recipes:

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (11)

Miso Peanut Noodles

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (12)

Noodle Bowl

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (13)

Udon Stir Fry

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 2

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (14)

Vegan Drunk Noodles

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (15)

Vegan Peanut Noodles

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (16)

Pad Woon Sen (Glass Noodles)

Total time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4

Veggies

One of the best sides with tofu is a delicious, crisp veggie. You can use stir fried, roasted, or air-fried veggies.

Some of the best veggies with tofu include:

  • Broccoli
  • Red Pepper
  • Onion
  • Green Beans
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Asparagus
  • Zucchini
  • Carrots
  • Bok Choy
  • and many more!

Try out one of these delicious vegetable sides:

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (17)

Total time: 27 minutes

Servings: 2-3

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (19)

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (20)

Vegan Steamer Recipes (lots of veggie recipes)

Total time: Various times

Servings: Various servings

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (21)

Crispy Thai Brussel Sprouts

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (22)

Zesty Zucchini Stir Fry

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (23)

Easy Green Beans & Broccoli Stir Fry

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (24)

Bok Choy Stir Fry

Total time: 18 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (25)

Lemon Herb Roasted Asparagus

Total time: 22 minutes

Servings: 4

Salad

Tofu is a great addition on top of a salad or mixed into a refreshing pasta or quinoa salad. It adds a lot of protein with 22g per serving!

  • Cold pasta salad
  • Cold grain salad
  • Green salad

Try one of these healthy, delicious salads:

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (26)

Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (27)

Bright Spring Mix Salad

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (28)

Chik-Fil-A Kale Krunch Salad

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (29)

Pesto Orzo Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (30)

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 6

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (31)

Superfood Crunch Salad

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (32)

Asian Pasta Salad

Total time: 18 minutes

Servings: 6-8

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (33)

Chopped Vegetable Salad with Peanut Dressing

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Buddha Bowls

A buddha bowl is a balanced nutritious bowl often composed of a grain, vegetable, protein, and often a yummy sauce. Tofu is a great addition to a buddha bowl and can be transformed into many different flavors.

Try out one of these mouthwatering buddha bowl recipes:

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (34)

Korean Tofu Noodle Bowl

Total time: 35 minutes

Servings: 3

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (35)

Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (36)

Vegan Poke Bowl

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (37)

Vegan Mediterranean Bowl

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 2

What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (38)

Buffalo Chickpea Buddha Bowl

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Top Tofu Recipes:

  • Mouthwatering Sticky Tofu
  • Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites
  • Crispy Asian Tofu (Easy Air Fryer Recipe)
  • Buffalo Tofu Wrap with Easy Vegan Ranch
  • Tofu Black Bean Tacos
  • Teriyaki Tofu
  • Crispy Lemon Pepper Tofu (Air Fryer)
  • Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap

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What to Serve With Tofu: 30+ Recipe Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What side dishes go well with tofu? ›

Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein source that can be eaten with grains (rice, quinoa, barley, and more), pasta, veggies (stir fry, air fried, roasted, and more), on top of salads, and in buddha bowls. What is this? You can combine different sides to create a balanced meal of a protein, grain, and vegetable.

How is tofu best served? ›

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.

What is the tofu rule? ›

No one cares about unblocking a task as much as the person doing it. That's why it's important for that person to follow the Take Ownership and Follow Up (TOFU) principle. That means taking ownership of the task and chasing the people you are waiting on until it gets done.

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.

What sauce goes well with tofu? ›

Stir fry sauce is a versatile and savory option that can add depth and richness to your tofu. Give your tofu a tangy twist with a classic sweet and sour sauce. Mix pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar for a lip-smacking marinade.

What do Japanese eat tofu with? ›

Popular tofu dishes

Pour a little bit of soy sauce over the tofu if it did not come already seasoned. Yudofu are tofu pieces boiled in a clear, mild soup and dipped into soy sauce or ponzu (lemon-flavored soy sauce) before being eaten. Yudofu is a Kyoto specialty and commonly served during the colder seasons.

How to add flavor to tofu? ›

In a medium-size bowl place the pressed and cubed tofu. Add the soy sauce and toss to coat. Add in all of the other marinade ingredients (rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, agave, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika and water) and toss to thoroughly combine.

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.

What not to eat with tofu? ›

BAD COMBO #3: Nuts and Tofu

Phytates — found in nuts, seeds and whole grains — can block the absorption of iron, something plant-based folks need to give extra consideration to when planning their meals. For instance, tofu and other soy products are an easy and protein-packed way for veg-heads to get their iron.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Is tofu healthier than meat? ›

The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat. Federal dietary guidelines include tofu as part of a healthy vegetarian dietary pattern, and a 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes choosing plant-based proteins for heart health.

Why is my tofu always soggy? ›

Draining excess water from your tofu helps to create that crispy texture during the frying or baking process. If you don't properly drain it (or don't drain it at all) you're left with a lot of moisture while cooking and this is what often causes the tofu to stick.

Can I 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.

What flavors go well with tofu? ›

Tofu can take on the flavors of Japanese cooking, which include miso, sake, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin or sweet rice wine, ginger, sesame seed oil, sesame seeds and wasabi.

Is tofu good for your tummy? ›

Soy has actually been found to increase the good bacteria in the gut, leading to overall better gut health when consumed. This might help explain why soy foods have been associated with healthier outcomes as we are learning more and more about how connected a healthy gut is to an overall healthy body.

Is tofu good for dinner for weight loss? ›

Besides eating tofu to lose weight, this soy food also brings many great benefits to the body such as: helping to build muscle, reduce blood sugar, promote heart health, prevent thinning To get these benefits, tofu contains many beneficial ingredients such as vitamin B6, choline, manganese and selenium, essential amino ...

What goes well with raw tofu? ›

My favorite starch to serve with tofu is rice, and I usually like to use jasmine rice when I make Asian-inspired dishes, or dishes like this one that aren't really Asian, but do use flavors and ingredients commonly found in Asian dishes, like soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.

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