Simple Savory Herbed Tofu 🌱 An easy and delicious vegan recipe for preparing beautifully seasoned pan-seared tofu as an entree or hearty addition to any meal.
Tofu is one of the most common and versatile foods you'll find in vegan kitchens. High in protein, subtle in flavor, and available in different textures, it's ideal for adapting traditional non-vegan recipes. It's no wonder cooks enjoy using it as a plant-based ingredient in so many dishes, from sweets to savories.
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 best savory tofu slices to accompany most any side dish, like vegan mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, or mac & cheese. Imagine the fantastic sandwiches you can build!
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If you haven't cooked with tofu before, you're in for a treat. This recipe is a great way to get started and can be a launch pad for you to explore lots of other ways to be creative using this fabulous plant-based ingredient.
Why we love this recipe
- It's our #1 favorite way to prepare tofu
- Simple, easy & delicious!
- Use any spices, herbs or seasonings you prefer
- The variations are limitless!
- Perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays and everyday entrees.
Ingredients
🥕See the printable recipe card below for quantities & details.
- Tofu – firm or extra firm (drained)
- Olive oil
- Sage – dried (preferred) or fresh
- Oregano – dried (preferred) or fresh
- Rosemary – dried (preferred) or fresh
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
🥕Seasoning Substitution Tip
If you don't stock many spices in your cupboard, I suggest keeping a bottle of Italian seasoning on hand. Most Italian seasonings include oregano, sage and rosemary, as well as other common herbs like basil and thyme. It's a very versatile and convenient way to season many foods, like pasta sauces and dressings and it's the perfect substitute for this recipe. Use one tablespoon Italian seasoning to replace the oregano, sage. and rosemary in this recipe.
🥕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 - great 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!
Instructions
Remove the water. Tofu is usually 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.
One method to press tofu is by sandwiching the tofu between two cutting boards. I suggest first slicing the block of tofu into 1″- 2″ thick slabs. 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).
The simplest and fastest way is by using a tofu press, like this one below.
- Drain tofu and slice into approximately ¼"thick slices
- Place tofu on cutting board.
- Combine dry herbs and seasonings.
- Rub seasonings onto both sides of tofu slices.
- Pour 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet. Place over med-high heat.
- Arrange tofu slices in skillet. Sear both sides in the hot pan until lightly browned.
- Remove from heat.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes.
🥕Serving Suggestions
These simple savory herbed tofu slices are delicious served with a variety of side dishes like our delicious garden zucchini squash casserole, vegan scalloped potatoes with cabbage, orange balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts, or classic green bean casserole. It's also a wonderful addition (cut into strips or cubes) to a tossed green salad.
🥕Note: Some brands of tofu are drier in texture than others. If you find your tofu to be a bit dry, adding a spoon or two of gravy or sauce on top of the cooked tofu is a great solution.
I love adding savory herbed tofu slices to sandwiches, like this one made with my favorite Thanksgiving leftovers. Look! I made a vegan turkey sandwich!
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 basic seasoned rub of paprika and salt.
Equipment
Just a few basic kitchen tools are all you'll need to prepare this recipe:
- 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
What is tofu?
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.
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 “tofu”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.
🥕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 “cheese from China”
🥕 Tofu FAQ's
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.
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 too cook with tofu?
Actually, it's a lot easier than you might think. 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. For this recipe, you will want to use firm or extra firm tofu.
Can this recipe be prepared in an air fryer?
Yes it can! Lightly spray, brush or coat the tofu slices with olive oil before rubbing with seasonings. Place seasoned slices in your air fryer basket and cook at 400℉ for 9-11 minutes.
very vegan 🌱 very good
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below.
Thanks a bunch!🥕
Recipe
Simple Savory Herbed Tofu
Equipment
- Chef's knife
Ingredients
- 14 oz Tofu firm or extra firm - drained
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Sage dried
- 1 teaspoon Oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary dried
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder dried
- ½ teaspoon Salt add more if needed
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Drain tofu and slice into ⅙" - ¼"thick slices
- Place tofu on cutting board.
- Combine dry herbs and seasonings.
- Rub seasonings onto both sides of tofu slices.
- Pour 2 tablespoon 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
- 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!
🥕Serving Suggestions
These simple savory herbed tofu slices are delicious served with a variety of side dishes like our delicious garden zucchini squash casserole, vegan scalloped potatoes with cabbage, orange balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts, or classic green bean casserole. 🥕For sandwiches, I love adding savory herbed tofu slices to sandwiches. Use just as would any sandwich meat and add the condiments you prefer. 🥕For salads, I like to cube the tofu into dice-sized pieces. Prepare and cook just like slices 🥕Some brands of tofu are drier in texture than others. If you find your tofu to be a bit dry, adding a spoon or two of gravy or sauce on top of the cooked tofu is a great solution.Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Kathy
There are just 2 of us and this makes a lot. Have you ever used an air fryer instead of the overn? It is tasty, but I have doubts as to how well it might freeze and reheat. I need to make a half a recipe!
Connie Edwards McGaughy
Hi Kathy, you can use an air fryer, personally I prefer cooking it on the stove because the tofu stays more moist, whereas an air fryer can sometimes dry it out. Freezing tofu can change the texture. I refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days, but it rarely lasts that long because my husband loves to snack on it or make sandwiches with the slices. Thanks so much for the 5-star rating!😊
Bonnie
What do you think about broiling this on a cookie sheet? I often make a double recipe so that would save time over frying.
Connie Edwards McGaughy
Hi Bonnie! I think it is worth a try, just keep a super close watch on it because the seasonings could burn quickly under a broiler & make sure to flip them over to brown both sides. Love to hear how it turns out!😊
Angie
Love this tofu. I use it on pumpernickel bread add arugula and vegan creamy Italian dressing. It’s so good
Connie Edwards McGaughy
Hi Angie! That sounds like a fantastic sandwich! I'm so happy you enjoy the tofu recipe. Thank you for sharing!💚🥕
Connie Edwards McGaughy
This easy & delicious recipe for preparing savory herbed tofu is the perfect foundation for any meal. Serve it with potatoes, pasta, casseroles, salads or in sandwiches . . . the sky's the limit!