Publised on 01/07/2024. Last Updated on 24/08/2024 by Richard
Deliciously meaty tofu ground beef that's vegan and high protein. Easy and quick to make with store cupboard ingredients!
Tofu ground beef is a total game-changer for anyone looking to add a hearty, beefy vibe to their vegan dishes. Think all the goodness of ground meat without any of the animal products. Perfect, right? This tofu ground beef recipe is a fantastic way to introduce tofu into your meals, especially if you're looking to cut down on ultra-processed meat alternatives. Plus, it’s super easy and packed with flavour.
I love to do all sorts of things with tofu, as you probably know, from Spring Veggie Frittatas to Vegan Boiled Eggs and even a delicious tofu curry. But this recipe is unique in that it's super versatile, which makes it ideal for school night dinners and easy meals. You can throw it into your favourite pasta sauces, use it in a vegan chili, or even whip up some delicious vegan sloppy joes. With simple ingredients and a quick cooking process, it’s a no-brainer. I keep a ziplock bag of this stuff in my freezer at all times, in case of tofu-mergencies!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
First up, let’s talk ingredients. Nothing too fancy here, just some basics that pack a punch. As always, the full recipe is listed at the bottom of the page in the recipe card, so if you’re in a rush, scroll down to check it out!
- Extra firm tofu (more on this below!)
- Dark soy sauce
- Nutritional yeast
- Olive oil
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Maple syrup
- Tomato paste
- White miso paste
- Vegan beef stock powder or vegan bouillon powder
The Best Type of Tofu for Tofu Ground Beef
For this easy tofu ground beef recipe, you’ll want to use extra firm tofu. This type of tofu has the best texture for mimicking ground meat. It’s sturdy enough to hold up during the cooking process and soak up all those gorgeous flavours we’re about to add. If you can only access firm tofu, this is ok! Just be sure to press it in a tofu press or wrap in kitchen roll and press with a heavy skillet until all the water has been drained.
In the US extra-firm tofu is sometimes called "super firm tofu", so these can be used interchangeably. Avoid medium or silken tofu – they're too soft and won’t give you that satisfying meaty texture. In the UK I like to use Tofoo brand extra firm!
How To Make Tofu Ground Beef
Making tofu ground beef is a doddle, which is the main reason why this is my absolute fave tofu recipe! Here’s a quick breakdown of the process. Remember, the full recipe is at the bottom of the page.
Prepare the Tofu: Drain your block of tofu and pat it dry with a paper towel. Shred it using the large holes on a box grater into a large bowl. We’re aiming for shredded tofu here, similar to the shape of ground beef, but you'll also naturally get smaller pieces of crumbled tofu in there too.
Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together dark soy sauce, nutritional yeast, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, maple syrup, tomato paste, white miso paste, and vegan beef stock powder with a splash of boiling water. Stir until well combined.
Marinate the Tofu: Pour the marinade over your shredded tofu and mix well, making sure every piece is coated. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, let it marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Cook the Tofu: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your marinated tofu and cook until it’s browned and crispy, stirring occasionally. This should take about 10 minutes. And there you have it – tofu ground beef ready to use!
Using Tofu Ground Beef in Recipes
Tofu ground beef is a kitchen chameleon – it fits in everywhere! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Vegan sloppy joes - not so much a thing here in the UK, but a big classic dinner in the US!
- Any vegetable stir fry - I'd recommend prepping the tofu beef first, then using it to top your stir fry.
- Vegan bolognese sauce - you'll be surprised at how close this tastes to the real thing!
- Vegan chili - topped with vegan sour cream and chives, this is honestly one of my favourite recipes for an easy, comforting dinner!
Seriously, this stuff is meal prep gold. So useful for so many meals! Speaking of which, here's how to store your homemade ground tofu.
How to Store Tofu Ground Beef
Storing your tofu ground beef is as easy as pie. Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to two days. If you’ve gone full-on meal prep mode, freeze it in a ziplock bag for up to a month. Just make sure to squeeze out as much excess water as possible before freezing to keep that top-notch texture.
Some Recipe Variations
Fancy mixing things up a bit? Try these variations:
- Spicy Tofu Ground Beef: Add some chilli flakes or sriracha to the marinade for a fiery kick. Alternatively, a half teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper will do the trick!
- Herbed Tofu Ground Beef: Toss in some dried herbs like oregano or thyme for an extra flavour boost. I like to keep things Mediterranean with some dried rosemary too!
- Gluten Free Tofu Ground Beef: Use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce and this recipe is totally gluten free. Just make sure anything else you're serving it with (like noodles or pasta) are also gluten free.
- Tofu Taco Meat: Mix things up with a few added spices like chipotle powder, ground cumin, ground coriander and smoky paprika. You can even add some liquid smoke and light brown sugar to the marinade.
Tofu Ground Beef FAQs
A: Nope, silken tofu is too soft and won’t give you the right texture. Stick to extra firm or super firm tofu.
A: For best results, marinate for at least 30 minutes. But if you’ve got the time, let it sit overnight.
A: Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a popular and versatile food made from soybeans. It is a staple in many Asian cuisines and is enjoyed worldwide, especially by vegetarians and vegans as a source of plant-based protein.
A: Reheat it in a large skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or zap it in the microwave if you’re in a hurry.
A: Yes, you can skip the olive oil if you prefer an oil-free version, but the texture and flavour might be a bit different.
And there you have it – a simple, delicious tofu ground beef recipe that’ll knock your socks off. Give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out. Don’t forget to take pictures and tag @schoolnightvegan on social media – I love seeing your creations!
If you’re hungry for more vegan goodness, check out my posts on Vegan Cottage Pie, Homemade Vegan Roast Beef recipe, and my delicious Tofu Steak. Obsessed with tofu? You simply HAVE to try my BBQ Shredded Tofu - it's like vegan pulled pork! Happy cooking!
Tofu Ground Beef
Equipment
- Box Grater
- Small bowl (for mixing marinade)
- Large bowl (for shredded tofu)
- Non-stick skillet or large frying pan
Ingredients
- 450 g extra firm tofu
- 2.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce or sub for dark gluten free tamari
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 1 teaspoon vegan beef stock powder or vegan bouillon powder
Instructions
- Drain the extra firm tofu and pat dry. Use the large holes on a box grater to shred the tofu into a bowl.450 g extra firm tofu
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients with 2 tablespoon boiling water. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.2.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon tomato puree, 1 tablespoon white miso paste, 1 teaspoon vegan beef stock powder
- Pour the marinade over the shredded tofu. Use a spoon or your hands to gently mix, ensuring that all the tofu shreds are evenly coated with the marinade. Cover and allow the tofu to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For best results, let it marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or a large frying pan over medium-high heat. If desired, add a small amount of oil to the pan to prevent sticking. Add the marinated tofu to the hot skillet. Spread it out into an even layer and let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes.
- Begin to stir and flip the tofu to ensure it cooks evenly and gets slightly crispy. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is browned and has a texture similar to ground beef.
- Your shredded tofu ground beef is now ready to use! It can be used as a substitute for ground beef in various dishes such as tacos, pasta sauces, casseroles, or as a topping for salads and bowls.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days OR seal in a ziplock freezer bag and freeze for up to a month.
Dash
Followed the recipe to a T and it is turned out perfectly meaty, full of Savory, satisfying flavor and bite ! Absolutely delish in my Korean rice bowl ✨🤘
Sarah
I made this oil free and baked in the oven. It was delicious. Used it to top potato in a jacket with tofu sour cream and roast broccoli.
Fiona
So meaty and delicious
HjH
Woah so so delicious in tacos
Maggie
I made this tonight with huge expectations. It wasn't bad but ... nothing like hamburger to me. Also, gotta point out that your pre-recipe info and photo shows tomato paste, but your recipe says tomato puree. Pretty big difference, as it turns out. For those of us who skip straight through the preamble to the recipe, that's misleading. I may try it again to see if the flavor improves with tomato paste instead of puree.
Lucy
Think the problem is that tomato puree and tomato paste are the same thing here in the UK.
Brenda
It would be helpful to have the quantities for the marinade ingredients.
John A
Wow, not a huge tofu fan so wasn’t expecting much but this slaps!! So so good! Used in a Ragu and nobody could tell it wasn’t beef!
Liz
Hi! Do you just drain the tofu and pat dry or do you press it to get like all the water out?
Hayley Heale
Oh good lord this is DELICIOUS!! Thank you Richard, this has saved my beyond meat budget!