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)
  • 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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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

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 pairs well with 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.

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 sauce is good with tofu? ›

Blend mayonnaise with Sriracha sauce, lime juice, and a dash of garlic powder for a creamy and fiery sauce. A combination of toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and rice vinegar creates a zesty and aromatic sauce that adds depth of flavor to pan-fried tofu.

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.

What is a complementary protein for tofu? ›

In addition to tofu, tempeh, and edamame, vegan complete protein sources include: buckwheat, hemp seeds, chia seeds, Ezekiel bread, quinoa, amaranth, nutritional yeast, and spirulina. There are also many classic food combinations that contain all nine essential amino acids when combined.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Toss the cubes with olive oil, tamari or soy sauce, and sriracha. If desired, you could also add cornstarch to make the cubes extra crispy. Finally, bake! Transfer the baking sheet to a 425°F oven and cook until the cubes are browned around the edges.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

I love tofu and spinach, but she told me not to mix the two because calcium in tofu will react to oxalate in the spinach and promotes the formation of kidney stones.

What is the best way to eat tofu for the first time? ›

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.

How is tofu traditionally eaten? ›

Tofu is a staple of the Japanese diet. It's a common ingredient in miso soup, where it's found in small cubes, and is consumed almost every day this way. And then there's nabe or "hotpot", a common winter dish in which tofu is either substituted for meat, or eaten in addition to meat and vegetables.

What do Japanese eat tofu with? ›

Miso soup. Miso soup is made by dissolving miso paste in dish stock (dashi) and typically served alongside a bowl of cooked rice. Common additions include wakame seaweed, small pieces of tofu and sliced aburaage, but countless other ingredients can be used, as well.

What can I use instead of soy sauce for tofu? ›

But if you ever find yourself in need of a substitute, here are our recommendations.
  • Tamari. Tamari is also a soy sauce, but with a darker color, slightly less salty flavor, and no gluten. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Coconut Aminos. ...
  • Liquid Aminos. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Maggi Seasoning Sauce.
May 17, 2023

Is tofu eaten with rice? ›

A well-made mapo tofu will tingle your tongue and can be eaten with steamed rice.

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.

Is tofu good or bad for you? ›

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.

What are the pros and cons of 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.

Can you eat eggs and tofu together? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

How to eat tofu as a snack? ›

Baked tofu is magical. When hot from the oven, it's crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. You can also tossed it into a stir-fry or just eat it as a snack with whatever dipping sauce happens to be handy.

Can you eat tofu every day? ›

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

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