Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

Published: Last updated: by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A delicious vegan patty that makes a great little slider! Perfect for a light lunch or an addition to your main meal.

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (1)

First Published: Jan 28,2008...

Last Updated: August 3, 2020

These Tofu Burgers are an easy to make vegan recipe that is full of flavor! You can enjoy it between a bun to make a sandwich, or eat it on your plate alongside a bright green salad.

Tofu Burgers make a great summer vegan sandwich alternative to meat. As a matter of fact, these are so good, you will likely decide to make these year round! I like to serve these up as sliders and offer some crispy Keto Zucchini Chips with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning on the side.

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (2)

Why I make Tofu Burgers

As many readers are aware, I grew up with a vegetarian Mom and carnivore Dad. Because of this, I had the best of both worlds. However, Mom was also the cook in the home. As a result, this meant that her vegetarian food tasted better to me than her non-vegetarian food. Don't get me wrong. Mom was a great cook and baker. However, she was not a meat-eater and therefore, cooking meat wasn't her forte.

Because of my experience with vegetarian and vegan foods in my youth, I always had a craving for it. I even had a stint in my adult life where I tried to eat vegan. While it was great, it didn't work for me for several reasons. So, now I am a happy diverse food eater and happily will eat all types of foods!

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What is tofu

For those of you who are not aware of what tofu is, it is a bean curd made from the soybean plant. This plant-based product has 10 grams of protein per ½ cup serving. It is one form of protein that vegans and vegetarians like to use to supplement their diet in place of meat.

Tofu can come in many forms. Soft, firm, and extra firm are some of the most popular choices. For the most part, I like to go with extra firm tofu. However, when making these tofu burgers, I always like to use the softer tofu as it blends well into the burgers.

Pressing tofu to remove liquid

When working with firm tofu, you always want to be sure to press it before using it to be sure the liquid has released. I have used several paper towels folded together on both the top and bottom of the tofu. Then, set a heavy pan on top to press. However, that method can be a bit of a waste of a good paper towel.

The other method is to buy a tofu press. This will be very cost-effective if you consume a lot of tofu. I use soft tofu in this recipe, which does not require pressing. However, I have used firm tofu and it works wonderfully also. Just be sure if you use firmer tofu, that you press it first.

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (4)

Adding flavor to your Tofu

Tofu is naturally flavorless. As a matter of fact, the flavor and texture of tofu is what will turn most people off. I have heard people say "ït tastes like nothing!" However, that nothing is part of what is so great about tofu! Because it is bland and flavorless to begin with, what you put into tofu is what makes it delicious! This is why it is such a great, versatile ingredient to substitute for animal protein.

Some great examples of recipes that add irresistible flavor to tofu would be Crispy General Tso's Tofu, Marinated Tofu Salad, Coconut Curry Tofu Bowl, and my Mom's Scrambled Tofu recipe! All of these are so delicious! As a matter of fact, the General Tso's Tofu recipe is the recipe that changed Grumpy's mind about eating tofu!

How to cook and serve tofu burgers

The best way to cook this recipe is right in your skillet with some hot oil. These tofu burgers are freshly made patties that will not stand up to a grill. Rather, they would fall apart if you tried to grill them. Frying them in a skillet will give them a crispy exterior that helps to keep the burger's shape when it is hot. The inside will be hot and soft, and full of all the flavors you have added to the tofu.

When I make these Tofu Burgers, I like to make them into sliders, which is a ¼ cup scoop. Making them into sliders also helps the patty to keep its shape. You can double the size for a full sized burger, however, it is more fragile this way due to the weight. As a result, you need to handle it carefully when making a sandwich.

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (6)

What to serve with Tofu Burgers

Tofu Burgers can be served so many ways! They don't necessarily need to be served in a bun. The patties are great without the bun, on your plate, with a nice fresh salad on the side. Or, you could serve them on top of a loaded salad as a main dish.

If you are making this tofu patty as a sandwich, you could serve it with some Sweet Potato Shoestring Fries, or Baked Chipotle Avocado Fries! We served this batch with Zucchini Chips with Everything Bagel Seasoning, delicious!

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Many thanks to my awesome Mom (photo below) who brought me up to have such a delicious and versatile palate!

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (8)

*If you made this recipe, please give it a star rating*

📖 Recipe

Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (9)

Tofu Burgers

Shelby Law Ruttan

A delicious vegan patty that makes a great little slider! Perfect for a light lunch or an addition to your main meal.

4.40 from 28 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 190 kcal

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup soft tofu mashed
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • ½ cup italian breadcrumbs
  • cup onions chopped
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon bouillon concentrate vegetable flavor
  • 2 tablespoon avocado oil divided

Instructions

  • [mv_schema_meta name="saute veggies"]In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and carrots in 1 tablespoon avocado oil until tender. Stir in the garlic powder and bouillon concentrate. [mv_img id="26341"]

    Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (10)

  • [mv_schema_meta name="mix and form patties"]In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed tofu, quick oats, breadcrumbs, and onion mixture. Form into patties. [mv_img id="26342"]

    Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (11)

  • [mv_schema_meta name="fry in oil"]Add the remaining avocado oil to the skillet and fry the patties until browned and warmed thru. Use more avocado oil to fry as needed. [mv_img id="26343"]

    Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (12)

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 405mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g

Keyword Tofu Burgers

Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

More Main Dish

  • Coconut Milk Tofu Curry
  • Oven Roasted Pork Chops with Garlic and Thyme
  • Sriracha Turkey Meatballs
  • Lemon Pepper Shrimp Linguine

About Shelby Law Ruttan

Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gina

    Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (17)
    I loved this recipe. I make a batch for meal prep and throw them in the freezer. Great to just grab from the freezer when I forget to plan out my meals.

    Reply

    • Shelby Law Ruttan

      Hi Gina, Thank you for your tip! Shelby

      Reply

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Tofu Burgers - Easy Vegan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is tofu burger made of? ›

In a large bowl, place tofu and panko, then mash and mix with fork. Add egg, green onion, salt, pepper, sesame oil to the bowl and mix well with a clean hand. Divide mixture into four 3/4-inch thick oval patties. Lightly dust with flour and set aside.

What makes vegan burgers stick together? ›

Use Silken Tofu, a Flax Egg, or Aquafaba as a Vegan Binder.

In non-vegan veggie burgers, you'll often find eggs as the binders, so the “eggier” you can get with your vegan binder, the better your vegan burger will hold together! Silken tofu: This is the 'eggiest' binder of them all.

How do you bind vegan burgers together? ›

Ground flax – for binding, like a vegan egg! Flour – also for binding, but use GF flour if you wish. Breadcrumbs – another binder! Or use oats for gluten free! Start with about 1 cups worth and add more until the mixture comes together.

Is tofu really healthier than meat? ›

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Are tofu burgers healthy? ›

Interestingly, the plant based burgers may not be the best choice for people following a heart-healthy diet, as they are higher in saturated fat than turkey burgers and contain substantially more sodium than lean beef burgers.

What's a good binder for vegan burgers? ›

Common binding agents include flax eggs (a mixture of ground flaxseed and water), chia seeds, mashed potatoes, tapioca flour, or even your favorite nut butter. These ingredients help hold everything together and prevent your burger from crumbling.

How do you make vegan burgers taste better? ›

Spices and tomato paste: Smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper combine to make these burgers a little smoky and incredibly delicious. Tomato paste adds color, sweetness, and an umami flavor to the burgers (highly recommended!). Cooked rice: Adds more texture to the veggie burgers.

How do you substitute eggs in veggie burgers? ›

Ground flax – Once it's mixed with water, ground flaxseed takes on the same consistency as real eggs. They bind the meaty mixture together and help prevent the patties from falling apart.

What is a good binder for patties? ›

The most commonly used binding agent for hamburger patties is eggs. They work well with ground meat and are easy to incorporate into the rest of your ingredients.

What makes a vegan burger taste like meat? ›

Researchers at Impossible Foods discovered that by adding heme to their plant-based burgers, they could capture a lot of the aromas we associate with meat. They call it their "magic ingredient," and, combined with yeast extract, it does seem to do a pretty good job.

How do I keep my veggie burgers from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate the whole burger mix in a bowl for 30 minutes or so, bring them out and come close to room temperature and then make the patties when you're ready to cook them. They will be firmer and hold together better while cooking.

What is a vegan binder? ›

Flaxseed (aka linseed)

Combine a tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, stir to combine, and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Ground flaxseed emulates eggs' binding qualities in breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, burgers, and vegan meatballs.

What is the best vegan binding agent? ›

Chia seeds

Similar to flax seeds, chia seeds can be mixed with water and left to thicken, creating what is commonly called a chia egg. The gel-like texture of a chia egg makes this a brilliant binder.

What is tofu made out of? ›

Tofu is made from dried soybeans that are soaked in water, crushed, and boiled. The mixture is separated into solid pulp (okara) and soy “milk.” Salt coagulants, such as calcium and magnesium chlorides and sulfates, are added to the soy milk to separate the curds from the whey.

What meat is tofu? ›

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a versatile soy-based food made by curdling soy milk and pressing it into solid white blocks. It serves as a key ingredient in various cuisines worldwide. This plant-based protein offers a neutral taste and a spongy texture, making it great for absorbing flavors in cooking.

What the heck is tofu? ›

Tofu (Japanese: 豆腐, Hepburn: Tōfu, Korean: 두부; RR: dubu, Chinese: 豆腐; pinyin: dòufu) is a food prepared by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks of varying softness: silken, soft, firm, extra (or super) firm. Tofu is also known as bean curd in English.

What is tofu and what does it taste like? ›

What Does Tofu Taste Like? Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

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