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 transform into a variety of delicious dishes. With the right preparation and seasoning, plain tofu can replicate the taste and texture of turkey remarkably well. This allows vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to cut back on meat to still enjoy a flavorful plant-based entree for their holiday feast.
Follow these simple tips and tricks to make your tofu turkey fool even meat-lovers at the dinner table this year.
Select the Right Tofu
Choosing the correct tofu consistency is the first key step to mimicking shredded or sliced turkey texture. Firm or extra firm tofu provides the dense, chewy texture you need to replicate meat. The softer or silken varieties are too delicate and won’t hold up to seasonings and cooking. Look for extra firm tofu packed in water for best results.
Press Out Excess Moisture
Before marinating and cooking, excess water must be pressed out of the tofu. This helps it better absorb flavors from the marinade and prevents crumbling when cooking. Simply wrap the block of tofu in a clean towel and stack a heavy object like a pot or books on top. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, up to a couple hours. The tofu will become firmer as moisture is extracted.
Marinate for Maximum Flavor
A flavorful marinade is essential for infusing the tofu with seasoning that makes it taste like turkey. Whisk together soy sauce, broth, garlic, onion, herbs, spices and oil to create a savory blend reminiscent of classic turkey flavors. Poultry seasoning is ideal for replicating those traditional notes.
Make sure to marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes but leaving it longer overnight in the fridge is best to really let the flavors seep in fully. Be sure to flip the tofu in the marinade a few times as it sits.
Roast for Crispy, Golden Texture
Roasting is a key technique when aiming for shredded or sliced turkey texture. Baked at 400°F for 30-60 minutes, the tofu will become lightly crispy and golden brown on the outside while remaining moist on the inside.
You can roast a whole block of tofu, or slice it before marinating and roasting for ready-to-serve slices. Baste the tofu with marinade halfway through roasting to keep it moist and flavorful.
Create Juicy Layers by Stuffing
For an extra turkey-like appearance, you can stuff the tofu before roasting. Simply slice the block of pressed tofu horizontally, leaving one side still attached like a hinge. Scoop out some of the inner tofu, then stuff the pocket with a mix of bread cubes, roasted veggies, broth and seasonings. Press the open side closed to seal the stuffing inside before roasting.
Finish with a Crispy Coating
To mimic the crispy skin on real turkey, a browned breadcrumb coating can be applied to the tofu before roasting. After marinating, dip the tofu in flour, then plant-based milk, then breadcrumbs to help them adhere. Mist with oil and roast until the coating is crispy and browned. This adds crunch and visual appeal.
Make It Festive with Sides
No holiday meal is complete without classic side dishes and fixings. Serve sliced tofu turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce and gravy for a full festive plant-based feast. Leftovers are great for sandwiches too.
Tofu Turkey Tips
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Choose firm or extra firm tofu packed in water
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Press out moisture before marinating
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Marinate in broth, herbs and spices for 1+ hours
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Roast at 400°F until lightly crisp on the outside
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Stuff with bread and veggie filling for juicy layers
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Coat in crispy breadcrumbs before roasting
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Pair with traditional holiday sides and sauces
With the right preparation, tofu can absolutely replicate the taste, texture and appearance of turkey. Follow these tips for a mouthwatering holiday centerpiece even meat-eaters will enjoy. Let your tofu turkey shine this year!
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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