If you think you don’t like tofu, you’ve got to try this recipe, it will change your mind! For more life-changing tofu recipes, go make my Marinated Tofu, Crispy Baked Tofu and Vegan Butter Chicken. Ready to get dinner on the table fast? Then try these vegan Tofu Tacos! Made with a chewy and flavorful shredded tofu meat, this Mexican-inspired taco filling pairs well with all of your favorite toppings, is a perfect fit for nachos, and is delicious inside of burritos. Just like my walnut and cauliflower taco meat and sofritas, the base of these tofu tacos is meaty, smoky, and delicious. Stuff the taco filling into tortillas, layer with avocado, vegan sour cream, and lettuce, then dig in!
How to make tofu tacos
Pat the tofu dry and shred using a large cheese grater. Set aside. Alternatively, you can simple crumble the tofu or even slice into small cubes, if you want. Shredding gives it the best texture. Mix the olive oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika together in a bowl. Mix the shredded tofu into the sauce to coat. Spread the tofu mixture over a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet. You could also just grease a pan really well, but the tofu still might stick a bit. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, stir, then bake for another 15-20 minutes. The tofu should be golden, crispy in places, and chewy when it’s done. Serve the taco tofu meat in tortillas with your favorite taco toppings and rice and beans on the side.
Air fryer instructions
Making tofu taco meat in the air fryer should speed up the process a bit and help it crisp up. To do so, place the tofu mixture in an even layer in the air fryer basket (working in batches if you need to). Cook at 350ºF for 20 to 30 minutes, shaking the basket every so often.
Tofu taco toppings
Layer the tofu crumbles into corn or flour tortillas with all of your favorite toppings! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Salsa (Restaurant Style Salsa is the best!) Squeeze of fresh lime juice Shredded lettuce Chopped onion or pickled red onions Diced tomatoes Guacamole Cilantro Diced avocado Avocado salsa Shredded vegan cheese Vegan sour cream
More ways to use tofu taco meat
On nachos with cheese sauce, mixed into vegan queso, in enchiladas or quesadillas, as a base in all of your favorite vegan taco recipes, in a vegan breakfast hash, stuffed into sweet potatoes, in a grain bowl or burrito bowl, and so much more!
Variations
Gluten free – As long as you use corn tortillas and gluten free tamari instead of soy sauce, these tacos are gluten free. Spicy tacos – Stir a pinch of cayenne or your favorite hot sauce into the paste to add a bit of heat to the tofu “meat”. Oil free – The 1 tablespoon of olive oil in this recipe does help the tofu get a bit crispy and chewier, but you can leave it out if you want. Add-ins – Feel free to stir cooked black beans, pinto beans, corn, or lentils into the tofu after baking.
Frequently asked questions
Want more delicious plant based tacos?
Spicy Potato Tacos Jackfruit Tacos Tempeh Tacos Mushroom Walnut Vegan Tacos
This recipe was originally posted in September 2019 and has been updated with improved photos, recipe and helpful information.
