An easy Tofu Turkey (or Tofurkey) recipe thats healthy, vegan, and tastes incredible. This fake turkey even has a crispy skin! The tofu-potato filling tastes just like Thanksgiving because it’s made with a mix of spices. Plus, this recipe can be made gluten-free and oil-free.
Prepare to impress your guests with this incredible plant-based turkey. This tofurkey is a creative and compassionate twist on the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Take my healthy Vegan Stuffing, Roasted Vegetable Salad, and Quick Pickled Onions with your gluten-free Tofu Turkey for a full and tasty vegan Thanksgiving meal. These four recipes can be made ahead of time.
This recipe was based on my Easy Vegan Turkey recipe. It goes well with this 6-Ingredient Gluten-Free Vegan Gravy that I have on my site. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in many ways to mimic the taste and texture of turkey. With the right combination of seasonings and cooking techniques, you can easily transform plain tofu into a delicious plant-based entrée that will fool even diehard meat-eaters.
Why Make Tofu Taste Like Turkey?
There are several reasons why you may want to recreate the flavor of turkey using tofu:
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You follow a vegetarian or vegan diet but miss the taste of turkey during the holidays or other occasions. Tofu “turkey” allows you to enjoy the flavors you crave without compromising your diet.
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You want to reduce your meat consumption for health or environmental reasons but don’t want to give up the taste and textures you enjoy.
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You need a protein-packed entrée for a dinner party that caters to both meat-eaters and vegetarians Tofu turkey can please all your guests
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You have an allergy or sensitivity to turkey but still want to participate in holiday meals and traditions involving turkey
Choosing the Right Tofu
For the best results, you’ll want to use extra-firm or super firm tofu. This dense, compact tofu holds its shape well when cooked, allowing you to replicate turkey’s chewy, meaty texture. Avoid silken or soft tofu, which will turn mushy when cooked.
Press the tofu before marinating and cooking to remove excess moisture. This helps the tofu absorb more flavor Cut the pressed tofu into slices or cubes before further preparations
Flavor-Building Ingredients
To make tofu taste like turkey, you’ll need to build layers of savory flavor. Here are some key ingredients to use:
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Broth or oil: Sautéing the tofu in vegetable broth or oil gives it a rich, meaty flavor.
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Onions and garlic: These aromatic vegetables add savory depth.
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Herbs and spices: Sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, black pepper, and poultry seasoning season the tofu with traditional “turkey” flavors.
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Umami flavor-boosters: Soy sauce, miso paste, nutritional yeast, tomatoes, and mushrooms amp up the savory, meaty notes.
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Vegetable stock or broth: Simmering sliced or cubed tofu in seasoned broth infuses it with flavor.
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Smoked paprika: Adds subtle smoky undertones reminiscent of cooked turkey.
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Liquid smoke: Use just a few drops to impart a smoky flavor if desired.
Cooking Methods
How you cook the tofu also impacts its flavor and texture. Try these techniques:
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Pan-fry: Fry tofu slices or cubes in oil or broth to brown them.
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Roast: Roast seasoned tofu pieces at 400°F until browned to intensify flavors.
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Braise or stew: Gently simmering tofu in broth creates a tender, turkey-like texture.
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Grill: Grilled tofu takes on delicious charred bits that mimic barbecued turkey.
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Marinate: Soaking tofu overnight in a flavorful marinade boosts its taste.
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Glaze or baste: Coat tofu with a savory glaze as it cooks to form a delicious crust.
Putting It All Together
Follow this basic process to make flavor-packed tofu “turkey”:
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Press extra-firm tofu to remove moisture. Cut into bite-size pieces.
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Marinate tofu for 1-12 hours in broth, soy sauce, herbs, spices, etc.
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Remove tofu from marinade and pat dry.
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Sauté onions and garlic in oil/broth. Add tofu and sauté until lightly browned.
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Add marinade ingredients, vegetable stock, and seasonings. Simmer 10-15 minutes until tofu is very flavorful.
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For more flavor, coat tofu with a glaze and broil 3-5 minutes to caramelize it.
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Roast, grill, or pan-fry prepared tofu as desired.
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Serve tofu turkey slices on a sandwich, diced in a salad or casserole, or as the centerpiece of a holiday table!
With the right ingredients and techniques, you can easily transform tofu into a satisfying and delicious plant-based turkey alternative. Get creative with your seasonings and cooking methods for customized flavors.
Sample Tofu Turkey Recipes
Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started:
Maple Dijon Tofu Turkey
Marinate pressed tofu slices in maple syrup, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt and pepper. Roast at 400°F, basting with marinade, until browned and caramelized.
BBQ Tofu Turkey
Marinate cubed tofu in barbecue sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Grill or broil until charred.
Herb-Roasted Tofu Turkey
Coat pressed tofu cubes with oil, poultry seasoning, rosemary, thyme and sage. Roast at 400°F until browned. Simmer in vegetable broth to absorb flavors.
Cranberry Sauce Tofu Turkey Cutlets
Pan-fry sliced pressed tofu until browned. Top with cranberry sauce and bake until cranberry sauce caramelizes.
So go ahead and give tofu turkey a try this holiday season or anytime you crave the taste of turkey. With a little creativity in the kitchen, you can enjoy all of the flavors and textures you love in a satisfying, plant-based entrée.
How to Make Tofu Turkey
Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Step 1. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by about 2 inches. Add 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Once the water starts to boil, lower the heat and let the potatoes cook for about 7 minutes, or until they are soft enough to pierce with a fork. Do not overcook them. Before putting them back in the pot for 30 seconds, drain them to get rid of extra water and dry them out. Transfer them to a large bowl.
Step 2. Use your hands to break the tofu into small crumbles.
Step 3. Heat the olive oil or broth in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Place the tofu, onion, and a lot of salt in the pan. Cook for five minutes, or until the onion turns clear. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, poultry seasoning, and ground mustard and cook another 30 seconds.
Step 4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until mostly smooth.
Step 5. Add the tofu mixture to the mashed potatoes. Mix in the nutritional yeast, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, kala namak (if using), and salt to taste. Use your hands to incorporate the ingredients until the batter is dough-like in texture.
Step 6. Form a large ball with the dough and divide it evenly into two equal parts. Then shape both parts into a roughly oval or oblong shape, like a cooked turkey.
For the Tofu Turkey Skin:
Step 7. Wet one spring roll wrapper and place it over one tofu turkey. Use your hands to smooth it over the top half. Then turn the tofu turkey over and cover the bottom with a second wet spring roll wrapper. Both pieces of rice paper should overlap so that they stick to each other and cover the dough completely. Repeat for the remaining dough.
Step 8. Place the tofu turkeys onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the glaze, if using. Mix the tamari, maple syrup, and sriracha in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to generously brush the glaze over the top and sides of the tofu turkeys. Bake them for 10 minutes more, and brush again. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes more, or until the rice paper is crispy and browned all over.
Place the tofu turkeys onto a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Reheat the slices in the oven as needed. Place them on a baking sheet, cook for about 15 minutes, and flip them over halfway.
- Kala namak – omit as needed
- Mustard powder – omit as needed
- Olive oil – use vegetable broth instead for oil-free
- Breadcrumbs – use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free
- For a gluten-free glaze, don’t use soy sauce; instead, use tamari.
See this high-protein vegan turkey on my website!
- Use turkey that you have left to make sandwiches. Let it cool down completely before cutting it into half-inch slices. Then, cook the slices for two to three minutes on each side in a little olive oil over medium-low heat. Season them with salt as you go.
- Storage: Slice the tofu turkey into ½-inch-thick slices. The slices can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. (If you want, you can brush olive oil on both sides of the turkey slices.) ) Put the tofu turkey in the oven and flip it over halfway through the 15-minute cooking time.
- To make one big tofu turkey instead, shape the dough into a big oval shape that looks like a cooked turkey. Wrap one spring roll in a wet paper and put it on top. Use your hands to smooth it over the top half. Then turn the turkey over and cover the bottom with a second wet spring roll wrapper. Cutting a third wrapper in half will help the sides of the first two stick together if they don’t already. Wet one half of the piece and put it over the hole to cover the whole tofu turkey. Repeat with the other half-piece of the wrapper as needed.
Vegan cranberry sauce, vegan gravy, roasted vegetable salad, and vegan pies for dessert go well with tofu turkey.
Tofurkey brand sells a variety of vegan tofu turkey roasts made from tofu and vital wheat gluten. These are not gluten-free.
Yes, you can make this Tofu Turkey recipe up to three days ahead of time and store it in the fridge in a container that won’t let air in. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
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FAQ
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