From ethics to environmental concerns, there are plenty of reasons to reduce our consumption of meat and move toward a plant-based diet. While for some, this transition may feel like an easy one, for others, meat is a dietary staple, and the idea of eating less of it feels a bit more overwhelming. If you can relate, know that cutting back on meat doesn’t have to be boring. Gone are the days when “tofu” is synonymous with “tasteless,” and some creators have even figured out ways to make this plant-based staple taste suspiciously similar to meat. Here are some of our favorite recipes.
Tofu Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food, and going meat-free doesn’t have to mean giving it up. This recipe by The Hidden Veggies is inspired by Kentucky Fried Chicken, reinvented with plant-based ingredients yet retains all of the iconic flavor of the original. Be sure to freeze your tofu first to give it a more meat-like texture.
Chewy Blackened Tofu Steak
Tofu is often criticized for its lack of taste, but its flavorlessness actually makes a great blank canvas for all kinds of spices and sauces. This recipe by My Darling Vegan uses a marinade made from herbs and vegan Worcestershire sauce to give thickly cut tofu a steak-like flavor that’s only improved with a few minutes on the grill.
Vegan Salmon
A quick walk through the freezer section and you’re bound to discover plenty of plant-based beef and chicken substitutes, but vegan seafood can be more difficult to come by. For quick and easy fishless fish at home, we love this recipe by Loving it Vegan. Sliced beets give the tofu a salmon-like color while seaweed adds a familiar fresh seafood taste. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some red pepper flakes for a kick.
