Easy Tofu Ground Beef

Name: Tofu Ground Beef Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu; 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce (or tamari); 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil (or sesame oil); 2 teaspoons hot sauce ((optional)); 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 2 teaspoons minced ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger); 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper (or black pepper); 2 teaspoons cornstarch (dissolved in 1 tablespoon water (optional)); 1/2 cup chopped scallions; 4 cups cooked rice; 2 cup shelled edamame (thawed ); 1 large cucumber (chopped); Chili crisp sauce or garlic chili oil (to taste); Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish); Nori seaweed sheets

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

You need only eight pantry and budget-friendly ingredients for Easy Tofu Ground Beef. (Please note that the image below includes optional ingredients for the Sesame Tofu Buddha Bowl.)

Green onion, extra firm tofu block, shelled edamame, cooked brown rice, plus soy sauce, white pepper, grated ginger, maple syrup, rice vinegar, hot sauce, and sesame oil in white bowls on a white marble board.

Ingredients for tofu ground beef and optional Buddha bowl.

Extra-firm tofu or super-firm tofu works best for this recipe. You do not need to press the tofu. A quick squeeze will do.
The cornstarch slurry is for a thicker sauce.
Edamame, brown rice and cucumber are optional add-ons for a satisfying dinner.

See recipe card for quantities.

🌶 Substitutions

Cornstarch - omit the cornstarch for a thinner sauce

Ginger - use freshly grated ginger or ginger powder

Hot sauce - omit for a less spicy version or use garlic chili sauce instead

See my 3-ingredient Chickpea Tofu (Burmese Tofu) recipe made from garbanzo flour! For more tofu recipes, visit my Vegan Tofu Recipes page. Or try these 15-minute high-protein Tempeh Crumbles!

📖 Instructions

Step 1. Wrap the extra-firm tofu in a dish rag or paper towels to dry. Use your hands to gently press the block to remove excess water.

A metal box grater laying flat on its side with a hand holding it in place, whilst a block of tofu is being grated on top.

Step 2. Place the grater on its side with the largest holes facing upwards and grate the tofu.

The shredded tofu should look like this. If some of it breaks into small pieces, crumble it using your hands.

Easy tofu ground beef in a speckled grey skillet with a grey spatula.

Step 3. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Tip the grater over the skillet to transfer the tofu to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Meanwhile, mix the tamari, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, hot sauce, maple syrup, ginger, and white pepper in a small bowl. Add the sauce to the pan. (For a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch dissolved in water.) Cook for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in the green onion.

Easy tofu beef with shelled edamame, brown rice, chopped cucumber and seaweed snack sheets in a white bowl with a hand holding some above.

For serving: Add rice, edamame, cucumbers, nori seaweed sheets, and chili oil as desired. This Mongolian-style tofu ground beef is also delicious with noodles, white rice, tortillas, and Bibimbap bowls.

💡 Expert Tips

Use super-firm or extra-firm tofu to make Easy Tofu Ground Beef. Dry the extra-firm tofu with paper towel and gently squeeze the block to remove excess water. (Super-firm is pre-pressed and requires no prep.)

If you do not have a grater, use your hands to break the tofu into crumbles resembling the size of ground meat.

For a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch dissolved in water (see recipe below) and cook the sauce until it starts bubbling.

Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Easy Tofu Ground Beef in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to one month.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Do I need to press the tofu before grating?

Pressing is not required, but the tofu grates more easily and breaks less if some of the excess moisture is removed. Dry the tofu with paper towel and gently squeeze the block with your hands to remove excess water.

What are the differences between shredded, crumbled, and cubed tofu?

Tofu crumbles and shreds absorb marinades and sauces more readily than cubed tofu, plus they cook quickly and require no pressing. Shredded tofu resembles the texture of pork, where as cubed tofu is more chicken-like.

What should I serve with Easy Tofu Ground Beef?

1. Add marinara sauce and serve as a bolognese. 2. Serve with white rice or noodles. 3. Make a Bimimbap or grain bowl. 4. Make a Buddha bowl with marinated chopped cucumber, edamame, and nori sheets (recipe below). 5. Add it to a chili or soup for additional protein. 6. Sprinkle it over a vegetable stir-fry. 7. Use it in place of taco meat.

📖 Recipe