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Simple Savory Herbed Tofu

November 22, 2020 by Connie Edwards McGaughy Leave a Comment

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Simple Savory Herbed Tofu 🌱 An easy and delicious vegan recipe for preparing beautifully seasoned seared tofu as an entree or hearty addition to any meal.

vegan savory herbed tofu

This recipe is as easy as it gets! All you need is a package of firm tofu and a few basic seasonings and you’ll have everything you need to make the most delicious savory herbed tofu to accompany most any side dish or salad.

simple savory herbed tofu

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How to Cook Simple Savory Herbed Tofu

Here is what you’ll need to prepare this recipe:

šŸ„•Equipment
  • Large heavy bottom skillet (I prefer cast iron)
  • Tofu press or two cutting boards and a couple heavy cans for weights
  • Chef’s knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Metal spatula or tongs
šŸ„•Ingredients
  • Tofu – firm or extra firm
  • Olive oil
  • Sage – dried
  • Oregano – dried
  • Rosemary – dried
  • Garlic powder – dried
  • Salt
  • Pepper
šŸ„•Variations

A combination of dried seasonings and fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor to tofu. Here are a few suggestions for different dishes:

  • Cumin, chili lime seasoning – perfect with Mexican or Southwestern-inspired dishes
  • Curry powder – adds an exotic flavor to any Thai or Indian recipe
  • Smoked paprika, cayenne, chili powder – ideal for a barbecue flavor
  • Sage, rosemary, thyme, sweet basil – holiday all the way!
  • tofu with herbs in bowl
    Drain tofu and combine herbs & seasonings
  • sliced tofu with herb rub
    Rub herb seasonings onto tofu
  • herbed tofu in skillet
    Sear in a hot skillet until browned

See complete recipe and details below.

It’s just that easy! I love adding savory herbed tofu slices to sandwiches, like this one made with my favorite Thanksgiving leftovers.

The beauty of this tofu recipe is the endless variety of ways you can enjoy it, simply by using different herbs, seasonings and additional ingredients. For this vibrant Tofu Orange Veggie Skillet (below) we used a simple seasoned rub of paprika and salt. It’s delicious!

tofu orange veggie skillet

A basic savory seared tofu served with Garden Zucchini Squash Casserole.

If you haven’t cooked with tofu before, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What is Tofu?

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a nutrient-rich food created from soy milk that has been heated and coagulated. The soy milk curds are then pressed and formed into blocks, much like traditional cheesemaking. The word ā€œtofuā€comes from the Japanese term for bean + curdled or fermented. Tofu or bean curd is often served as a plant-based meat or egg replacement in many recipes. Mild in flavor, tofu readily absorbs seasonings or flavors of any other ingredients it is cooked with. According to Wikipedia, tofu first originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. Today, tofu is a staple in many Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea.

šŸ„•Did you know? As if he wasn’t already amazing enough – Benjamin Franklin, the brilliant polymath inventor, publisher, writer, postmaster, diplomat, and Founding Father – became an ethical vegetarian at the age of sixteen. He was also the first American known to mention tofu, according to a letter he wrote in 1770, where he referred to it as ā€œcheese from Chinaā€

Is tofu good for you?

Yes! There is good reason why tofu is so popular with vegans and vegetarians. Not only is it perfect for preparing delicious dishes, it is also super nutritious! Low in calories, high in protein and iron, tofu contains all 9 essential amino acids, as well as calcium and magnesium.

The number one question asked by people who are new to veganism is “Where do you get your protein?”. For those of us who have been vegan for awhile, we know how easy it is to consume more than enough protein from a plant-based diet – tofu of course – being a main staple for a lot of us.

šŸ„•Is tofu gluten-free? Plain tofu is usually gluten-free, but some seasoned tofu products may contain gluten or have been processed with shared equipment. If you have gluten allergies, be sure to purchase only certified gluten-free tofu.

Is it hard to cook with tofu?

It’s easy! Sometimes people are a bit intimidated by tofu because they don’t know what to do with it or are worried they’ll prepare it incorrectly. Here’s a little tip: Tofu is very forgiving. Have you wondered how do you make tofu taste good? You can add almost anything you want and it will turn out tasty! It’s hard to undercook or overcook. In fact, you don’t have to cook it all in some recipes. Tofu is very subtle in flavor and is perfectly suited for using with marinades and seasonings. It absorbs and takes on the flavors of whatever you prepare it with. Once you learn the basics about preparing tofu, it will quickly become one of your favorite ingredients to use.

How to choose which tofu to use?

Here’s how. One of the first things you should know is tofu comes in different firmnesses: Silken (for puddings, desserts, and sauces), soft (desserts, dips), medium & firm (tofu scramble, eggless egg salad), and extra firm (braised or seared tofu, strips, sandwiches, barbecue, skewers). The texture and levels of firmness may vary depending on the brands you buy. I suggest trying a few different brands and finding the ones that work best for your particular recipes. šŸ„•For this recipe, you will want to use firm tofu.

How to cook with tofu

Step #1 Remove the water. Tofu is packaged in water. Before you use it, you will need to drain off all of the water and press any excess liquid out of the tofu. This will make the tofu absorb marinades and seasonings much better. The simplest and fastest way is by using a tofu press, but you can also sandwich the tofu between two cutting boards (I suggest first slicing the block of tofu into 1″- 2″ thick slabs) and then press down firmly, or, place heavy cans or books on top and let it sit for 10-15 minutes (on a slight slant so the liquid drains into a bowl or sink).

Step # 2 You’re now ready to create any tofu recipe!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 31DrOVUBqpL._AC_SL230_.jpg

EZ Tofu Press – Removes Water from Tofu for Better Flavor and Texture.

browned tofu in pan

šŸ„•What does tofu go well with? Check out these easy & delish side dishes!

  • Simple Vegan Homemade Stuffing
  • Vegan Classic Green Bean Casserole
  • Simple Cranberry Orange Sauce
  • Orange Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Simple Maple Cranberry Yams
simple savory herbed tofu

very vegan 🌱 very good

vegan savory herbed tofu

Simple Savory Herbed Tofu

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 100kcal
Author: Connie šŸ„•
Simple Savory Herbed Tofu 🌱 An easy and delicious vegan recipe for preparing beautifully seasoned seared tofu as an entree or addition to any meal.
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Large heavy bottom skillet (I prefer cast iron)
  • Tofu press or two cutting boards and a couple heavy cans for weights
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Metal spatula or tongs

Ingredients

  • 14 oz Tofu firm or extra firm – drained
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 tsp Sage dried
  • 1 tsp Oregano dried
  • 1 tsp Rosemary dried
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder dried
  • 1/2 tsp Salt add more if needed
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper

Instructions

  • Drain tofu and slice into 1/6" – 1/4"thick slices
  • Place tofu on cutting board.
  • Combine dry herbs and seasonings.
  • Rub seasonings onto both sides of tofu slices.
  • Pour 2 tbsp olive oil into skillet. Place over med-high heat.
  • Arrange tofu slices in skillet. Sear both sides in hot pan until lightly browned.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

šŸ„•This recipe can be adjusted with any herbs or seasonings you prefer. In a pinch, I like to use my favorite all-purpose seasoning – Spike.Ā 
šŸ„•Variations for seasoned herb rubs
A combination of dried seasonings and fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor to tofu. Here are a few of my favorites for different dishes:
  • Cumin, chile lime seasoning – perfect with Mexican or Southwestern-inspired dishes
  • Curry powder – adds an exotic flavor to any Thai or Indian recipe
  • Smoked paprika, cayenne, chile powder – ideal for a barbecue flavor
  • Sage, rosemary, thyme, sweet basil – holiday all the way!
šŸ„•For salads, I like to cube the tofu into dice-sized pieces. Prepare and cook just like slices
Ā 

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 391mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? I love to see your photos!Mention @thecarrotunderground or tag #thecarrotunderground!

ā­ļøā­ļøā­ļøā­ļøā­ļø If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please consider rating it using stars in the comments below. It helps other readers and allows more people to find it online. I love hearing from you! Let’s keep in touch!

Filed Under: Dinner, Entree, Fall, Holiday, Main Dish, Plant Based, Thanksgiving, Vegan Christmas Recipes, Vegan Dinner Recipes, Vegan Entrees, Vegan Main Dishes, Vegan Recipes Tagged With: best savory tofu recipe, Best vegan thanksgiving tofu recipe, best vegan tofu recipe, easy and delicious tofu recipes, easy tofu recipes, holiday tofu recipes, Seasoned tofu slices, simple savory herbed tofu, simple tofu recipes, Thanksgiving tofu recipe, vegan tofu recipes, What does tofu go well with

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