Tofu Ground Beef { Vegan Tofu Crumbles}

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This tofu ground beef, aka tofu crumbles, is sure to convert even the staunchest of tofu haters:) Every time I serve it, it gets gobbled up. It's super easy to make, family friendly and a great meal prep dish. What's not to love?

tofu ground beef in a blue bowl. — *tofu ground beef*

If you're in the camp of people who've sworn off tofu as bland and slimy, you simply haven't been making the right recipes!

Tofu makes an amazing blank canvas for spices and sauces. If you haven't had a look at my top 15 tofu marinades, you'll want to check that out too; it's a bit like going to tofu school.

A lot of people have asked me if all tofu is vegan. So, if you're wondering, the answer yes, most tofu is vegan. There are a few exceptions; if you'd like to read the comprehensive post I wrote to address this question, hop on over to Is Tofu Vegan?

Related Post: Easy Tofu In A Homemade Teriyaki Sauce.

🧡Reasons You'll Love This Recipe

🧡There's literally thousands of ways you can use tofu ground beef. I love to use it in tacos, sloppy Joes, and in spaghetti Bolognese. It also makes a great addition to a big tray of nachos.

🧡Kids love it. I've served tofu crumbles to lots of kids, not just my own, and there's never been a complaint. Winning!

🧡You can make this recipe in the oven or the air fryer. I'll give you directions for both.

Ingredients in tofu ground beef. — *ingredients*

🛒Ingredients & Substitutions

Extra Firm Tofu: Extra firm tofu works best for this recipe. If you can only find firm tofu, that will work too, but I recommend pressing it for an additional 15 minutes to extract as much water as possible from it. Otherwise, you'll end up with soggy tofu crumbles, which isn't ideal.
Olive Oil: You can also use any kind of vegetable oil you have on hand. Don't skip the oil though. It's what makes the tofu crisp up in the oven, giving it the texture of ground beef.
Nutritional Yeast: I love nutritional yeast for lots of reasons, not least of which is that it gives you a nice dose of Vitamin B12, which us vegans need. It also has a rich umami flavor that tastes a bit like cheese. You can skip it, if you can't find it or don't have any on hand, but I really do recommend it.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a nice little twang to your tofu ground beef. Don't worry - I swear it won't taste of vinegar. You can also use white wine vinegar.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce contributes to the umami flavor of this recipe. If you want gluten free tofu ground beef, you'll need to use tamari sauce. By the way, I've written an in depth look at the of suitability of soy sauce for vegans. If you are interested, you can find it here: Is Soy Sauce Vegan?
Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika gives the tofu that rich, deep smoky flavor, sort of like BBQ flavor. If you have liquid smoke, you can also add a few shakes for added smoky tastiness.
Garlic Powder: I almost always use fresh garlic, not garlic powder. But, in this case, it would just burn in the oven. Burnt garlic is super bitter, so I definitely recommend sticking with the dried version.

tofu crumbles in a blue bowl. — *making tofu ground beef*

🥄How To Make Tofu Ground Beef

Preheat your oven to 425° F (220° C). Line a small baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Using your hands, squeeze the block of extra firm tofu to release as much water as possible. *See note 1 if you are using firm, not extra firm tofu.
Transfer your tofu to a large bowl. Using your hands, break the block of tofu into ground beef size pieces.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl, and stir to ensure that the spices and oil are evenly distributed across your tofu ground beef.

Tofu ground beef spread out on a baking tray. — *tofu crumbles*

Spread your tofu crumbles out evenly across the baking sheet. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, flipping the tofu over with a spatula at the half way point.
Enjoy your tofu ground beef!

💨Tofu Crumbles Air Fryer Instructions

Follow steps 1-4 on the recipe card for making tofu crumbles in your oven.
Once the tofu has been crumbled and seasoned, transfer it to your air fryer. Air fry it at 400 C (200 C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket once at the half way point to turn the crumbles over.
Enjoy!

🧂 Optional Add-Ins & Variations

Vegan Worcestershire sauce is a great call in this recipe. If you can find it, definitely add a few shakes.
Spice it up by adding a teaspoon of sambal oelek or Sriracha sauce to the seasoning mix.
Pass on the smoked paprika and add a ready made taco seasoning mix.
Add a pinch of cumin and oregano.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tofu gluten free?

Yes, tofu is generally gluten-free. Tofu is made from soybeans and is a good source of protein for people following a gluten-free diet. However, it's important to check the label to ensure that there's no added ingredients that contain gluten. Some brands of tofu may be processed on equipment that also processes wheat or other gluten-containing grains, so it's always a good idea to double-check the packaging or contact the manufacturer if you have any concerns.

Is tofu low carb?

Generally speaking, one serving of tofu (100 grams) contains around 2-3 grams of carbohydrates, with most of those carbohydrates coming from fiber. This makes tofu a good choice for people who are following a low-carb diet or who are trying to reduce their carbohydrate intake.

How long will cooked tofu last in the fridge?

Cooked tofu can last for up to 4-5 days in the fridge if stored properly in an airtight container. It's important to let the tofu cool down to room temperature before placing it in the fridge to prevent condensation from forming and making it soggy.

Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?

Crispy Szechuan Tofu

Walnut Meat - 7 Ways

Baked Sesame Ginger Tofu

Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi

Tofu Adobo

Crispy Mongolian Tofu

Air Fryer Panko Crusted Tofu Nuggets

Blackened Tofu Steak

Hunan Tofu And Vegetable Stir Fry

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