Tofu Orange Veggie Skillet

Name: Tofu Orange Veggie Skillet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 155 min
Ingredients: 1 package tofu (firm - completely drained); 2 15 oz cans chickpeas (drained & rinsed); 2 cups cauliflower (florets); 1 lb carrots (cut in rounds); 1 large orange (peeled, sections cut in half); 1 tsp paprika (divided in half); 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp sea salt (coarse); 1 cup vegetable broth; 1 - 1/2 cups orange juice; 2 Tbsp orange zest; 2 Tbsp fresh herbs (basil, mint, parsley - your choice)

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Tofu Orange Veggie Skillet 🥕Savory pan-seared tofu with veggies, chickpeas and citrusy slices of bright fresh orange make this a super nutrish & delish all-vegan dish! GF & oil-free.

A plate with vegan tofu orange veggie skillet and a side of wild rice.

I'm one of those cooks who loves the simplicity of a one-pot meal, like my favorite rustic veggie soup or our easy lentil soup recipe. A few years ago, my husband ran across a one-pan recipe that caught his attention. It looked really good, but he had some ideas of his own.

The original recipe for called for orange juice. Since we had an abundance of fresh oranges in our yard, he decided to boost the flavor and texture with the addition fresh orange slices and pan-seared tofu cooked without oil.

The contrast of juicy sweet orange combined with the flavors and textures of carrots, cauliflower, chickpeas and tofu is so tasty! This tofu orange veggie skillet is loaded with protein, vitamin C and contains no added fat.

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Tofu carrots chickpeas oranges cauliflower on a plate with rice. — We love serving this tofu orange veggie skillet with a side of rice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Why this recipe works

Loaded with healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients
100% plant-based
Delicious and super satisfying
Gluten-free and no added oil
Everything cooks in one pan
It's colorful and so appetizing!

Jump to:

Why this recipe works
Ingredients
🥕Tofu Tips
🥕Tofu Fun Fact
Instructions
🥕Serving Suggestions
Equipment
🥕FAQ's
Recipe
Food Safety

Ingredients

Tofu, oranges, carrots, cauliflower and chickpeas in bowls.

🥕 See the printable recipe card below for quantities and details

Tofu - firm
Chickpeas - canned or pre-cooked
Cauliflower - fresh or frozen
Carrots - fresh or frozen
Fresh orange - slices
Paprika
Cumin
Sea salt - coarse
Vegetable broth
Orange juice
Orange zest
Fresh herbs - basil, mint, parsley - your choice

🥕Tofu Tips

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. 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 even have to cook it in some recipes.

Tofu is subtle in flavor and is perfectly suited for marinades and seasonings. It absorbs 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.

Learn more about tofu in our FAQ's below.

🥕Tofu Fun Fact

Did you know . . ? Benjamin Franklin, the 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”.

Instructions

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).

Prepare a seasoned rub for tofu by combining ½ teaspoon paprika and 1 teaspoon salt.
Cut drained tofu into approx ⅓" thick slabs.
Rub surface of tofu slabs with spices.
Cut slabs into small triangles.
Place tofu triangles in baking dish. Cover with orange juice. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.

Seasoned tofu wedges on a cutting board.

After tofu has marinated, place triangles into skillet with about ⅓ of the marinade. Cook over medium - high heat until tofu has lightly browned. Remove from pan. Save the rest of the marinade.

Place drained/rinsed chickpeas into hot skillet. Cook approx. 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.
Add carrots, cauliflower, remaining paprika, cumin, and ⅓ leftover marinade from tofu. Cook for a few minutes until veggies are slightly tender.
Add remaining marinade and broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer, uncovered, until sauce slightly thickens.

cauliflower chickpeas and carrots in skillet

Gently toss in tofu triangles and fresh orange pieces.
Add extra orange juice and/or vegetable broth if needed.
It's ready to serve!

Tofu orange veggie skillet cooked in a cast iron pan.

🥕Serving Suggestions

We love serving this delish tofu orange veggie skillet with side dishes like brown or wild rice, quinoa, lemon roasted potatoes, or a simple salad topped with our favorite avocado basil dressing. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs and a sprinkle of orange zest. Enjoy!

Equipment

A few basic kitchen tools are all you need to prepare this recipe.

Large skillet - I prefer cast iron (see why in the FAQ's below)
Tofu press - or two cutting boards and some heavy cans for weight
Chefs knife - or kitchen knife
Vegetable peeler
Citrus zester - or grater
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Baking dish for marinade

🥕FAQ's

What is Tofu?

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.

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.

How to choose which tofu to use?

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 tofu.

Why cook with cast iron?

I always prepare tofu in a cast iron skillet. In fact, my favorite skillets are cast iron and there are several very good reasons for that. Cooking with cast iron can add iron to your diet, depending on the acidity of the food you are preparing and the length of time it cooks. More important to me, cast iron is chemical-free. Unlike non-stick cookware, I don’t have to worry about accidentally creating a toxic environment in my house if a pan overheats. I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories about pet birds and small animals succumbing to poisonous fumes caused by teflon-coated or non-stick pans left unattended and over-heating on stovetops. I’ve also seen what happens to coated non-stick cookware when the surface gets scratched or abraded. Teflon in my food? No thank you.

Orange ya glad you saw this recipe? 🍊

Here are some more scrumptious citrus-centric ideas for you!

A pinterest pin featuring vegan tofu veggie skillet.

very vegan 🌱 very good

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below. Sharing your experience helps others decide if they should give it a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕

Recipe

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
Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.