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Crumbled tofu ground beef in a bowl with a spoon.
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5 from 1 vote

Tofu Ground Beef

This easy tofu ground beef recipe is a game changer for anyone looking for a delicious, plant-based protein alternative. Quick to make with simple ingredients, it’s perfect for tacos, pasta, or any dish that calls for ground beef!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Kitchen Basic, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 193kcal
Author: Iosune Robles

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm or extra-firm tofu 14-16 ounces (400-450 g)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
  • 1 teaspoon vegan beef stock powder or vegetable stock powder, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you prefer, you can cook the tofu in a skillet instead, in which case you can skip this step.
    Lined baking sheet.
  • Prepare the tofu: Remove the tofu from the packaging and pat it dry. You can press the tofu if you’d like, but it's not necessary. Crumble the tofu with your hands and set it aside.
    Crumbled tofu in a bowl.
  • Mix the marinade: In a bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.
    Marinade in a bowl.
  • Coat the tofu: Add the crumbled tofu to the bowl and mix it well with the marinade until everything is evenly coated. For a more intense flavor, you can let it marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight.
    Tofu crumbles with marinade in a bowl.
  • Transfer to the baking sheet: Transfer the tofu mixture to the lined baking sheet and spread it out in an even layer. If you're cooking it in a skillet, skip this step.
    Tofu ground beef in a baking sheet before baking.
  • Cook the tofu: Bake the tofu for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it after 20 minutes, as it may cook faster. For a crispier texture, cook it a bit longer. Alternatively, cook it in a skillet with a little oil over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy.
    Baked tofu ground beef on a baking sheet.

Notes

  • While you can cook the tofu in both the oven and a skillet, it tends to come out better in the oven. Baking gives it a more even cook and a crispier texture, while a skillet can sometimes result in uneven cooking and less crispiness.
  • Store the cooked tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
  • Keep it in a sealed container or bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
  • Reheat by warming in a skillet over medium heat or baking at 350ºF (180ºC) for 10-15 minutes.
  • Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat, or cook from frozen in a skillet for 10-15 minutes.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1002mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 307IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 2mg