Love it or hate it?
If you are in the UK, you could be forgiven for thinking that I am talking about Marmite! Of course writing that has just given me a new food idea! Anyway, tofu is one of those foods that vegans tend to love, vegetarians eat when they need to, and everyone else gives it a wide berth! Of course, having a reputation as bland, boring or having a strange texture really does not help this food – neither does its other name, ‘soya bean curd’! That said, of course all sorts of people love tofu and I know several non-vegans who absolutely love it!
National Tofu Day
Yes! Tofu is so great there is actually a whole day dedicated to it! That is actually the whole reason for this post – so you can start getting ready for it without leaving it to the last minute! This year (2026), next Tuesday will be National Tofu Day (1 September) so you have almost a week to get ready!
My challenge to you is 1) put it in the diary 2) add tofu to your shopping list and 3) pick a recipe and give it a go!
There are a few different types of tofu – silken, firm and extra firm, and each brand has its own unique texture and a wide range of flavours. Tofu can be made crispy, breadcrumbed, scrambled, shredded, baked, turned into a creamy quiche filling or even blended into a chocolate dessert. Yes, chocolate and tofu is a thing!
What is Tofu?
Tofu is made from soya milk and it is actually simpler than you might imagine to make your own at home. I often do this if I am after a quick spread, turning the tofu into a soft cheese-like consistency, or I make a firmer version for cutting into cubes. With the different textures of tofu come different recipes. I will tell you now that silken tofu is particularly good for blending, especially in desserts, while extra-firm tofu works well for smaller pieces and frying.
As unflavoured tofu has a mild flavour, this means it can take on the flavours of whatever you cook it with. Marinate it, spice it, crumb it or blend it and you can end up with something completely different. The recipes I have chosen below all vary considerably – so you can see just how versatile it really is. You acn also check out all of the tofu recipes on here (there are a few)!
Salt ‘n’ chilli tofu
If you think tofu is bland, then trying this Chinese-style salt and chilli tofu recipe is a great place to start! I have found a few local takeaways that do this incredibly well – and have converted more than one person to include tofu in their diet. This tofu is crispy and spicy, packed with flavour and makes a delicious meal.
Sizzled tofu steak
This is one of the easiest ways to make tofu look and feel like a proper meal! These tofu steaks have a deliciously savoury, meaty bite and are surprisingly versatile too. Serve these sizzled tofu steaks with vegetables and your favourite sides, or chop them up and add them to a stir-fry, sandwich or Buddha bowl.
Tofeta
This is a really great way to soak up all the flavours and add something extra special to a meal. Yes, tofu can be turned into a pretty good feta alternative too! Tofeta is delicious crumbled over salads, added to bowls or simply spread on toast, making it another brilliant example of just how versatile tofu can be.
Mini quiche
Tofu makes a fantastic filling for a quiche, taking on the flavour and appearance of its regular counterpart. These little vegan quiches are ideal for packed lunches, picnics or simply keeping in the fridge for when you need something quick.
Vegan frittata
This unexpected dish made with tofu is a great way to enjoy it and makes a lovely breakfast, brunch or light lunch. Slice your vegan frittata up and serve it warm or cold.
Shredded tofu
This is a method I have only recently discovered and I absolutely love it! Grating or shredding tofu gives it more surface area for all the flavour to really sink in, while creating a completely different texture. This method opens up all sorts of new possibilities too, from kebabs and tacos to bolognese and much more.
Tofu scramble
Scrambled tofu can mimic a popular breakfast item incredibly well, especially if you can find black salt, or kala namak. Adding a pinch of turmeric, or saffron if you have some, gives the tofu a lovely yellow colour, making it a great vegan breakfast or brunch option.
Chocolate tofu
Now for something completely different!
Tofu can be blended into a smooth, creamy dessert, and this chocolate tofu is a brilliant example. If you’re still wondering whether tofu can really work in a sweet recipe, this might just convince you.
Which will you try first?
So, do you really know tofu? Have you baked it? Grated it? Scrambled it? Made it into something with chocolate?
Hopefully these recipes have shown you that it can be so much more than a bland block sitting in the fridge. From crispy and spicy to creamy and chocolatey, tofu can be transformed in so many different ways.
If you’ve always thought you don’t like tofu, perhaps it’s time to give it another chance. You might just discover a new favourite recipe!
What do I need?
Hopefully you already have everything you need for these recipes, but in case you’re new to baking and cooking, or just want a refresh, here are a few items you might like.
These links will take you straight to Amazon where you can then search as usual for anything you need. If you follow these links, Amazon might pay us a small commission, which goes towards paying the website hosting fees. We’d be very grateful if you do, thank you! Have a look at these: chopping boards, kitchen knives, saucepans, baking trays and find our favourite items in our NEW Life Diet Health Amazon shop. Much appreciated!
Serving & Storing
Serve and store your tofu according to the individual recipes! Most of all enjoy it!
Sharing
If you make one of these recipes, I’d love to know what you think! Share your creations and tag me @LifeDietHealth on social media so I can see it too. You can also use #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or X.
Happy National Tofu Day!
Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!
I hope to speak with you soon,
Laurena x
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