Searching for a plant-based alternative to ground beef? Look no further! Made with tofu and simple seasonings, this ground “beef” is the perfect substitute in all your favorite recipes, like tacos, pastas, grain bowls, and more. You can truly feel great about eating this, whether you’re eating vegan for life or just on Meatless Monday. Read on for our top tips to getting the best results from this recipe every time.
Should I drain or press the tofu?
Though we usually recommend pressing tofu with a weighted drainage setup (check our fave tofu presses here) for at least an hour to eliminate extra moisture, for this recipe, we found it wasn’t necessary. In testing this, we discovered that our favorite result came from dabbing the tofu with some paper towels, exerting just enough pressure to get some water out. This method of preparation only takes a couple of minutes as opposed to an hour (or more!) and preserves the creamy, tender texture of the tofu.
Don’t skimp on the seasoning.
We’ve all heard someone say, “Tofu is boring.” Boring? No. But underseasoned? Often, certainly. All the seasonings used here are to keep it more neutral in flavor to ensure that it goes well with a variety of recipes, but you can add more depending on what you’re making. For example, if you’re using it in pasta, add Italian seasonings. If you’re making tacos, add Mexican-inspired spices like chili powder and cumin. Feel free to experiment!
Ways to serve.
This vegan ground beef is so versatile, making it the perfect substitute for meat in almost any of our ground beef recipes. Try it in a taco salad for a boost of protein, marinara sauce to make it meatier (more like Bolognese), or in our stuffed peppers for an easy weeknight dinner. This can be made and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!