This recipe for Thai Tofu Burgers is the ultimate vegan burger recipe. It's rich in protein and packed with flavor. Plus, these tofu burgers are very versatile. Serve them in a bun, as a sandwich, or bun-less with a side salad and some delicious oven-baked home fries.
Drizzle with optional homemade Thai Red Curry Dressing to add more depth of flavor to these delectable burgers. The dressing is also delicious with roasted veggies and for dressing salads.
This recipe was inspired by my Caramelized Tofu & Onion Sandwich on this site, as well as my Chipotle Tofu Burgers.
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🍔 Why These Burgers Are Fabulous
- Tofu is a healthy plant-based meat alternative. It's rich in protein, iron, and calcium, and easily takes on the flavors of seasonings, sauces, and marinades, especially when crumbled.
- For this recipe, all you need is a bowl or two, and a baking sheet. The patties are baked until they are golden and crispy. No skillet is required. Clean-up is a breeze!
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Fresh basil leaves
- Shallots
- Thai red curry paste (vegan)
- Fresh cilantro
- Tomato paste
- Sriracha
- Coconut aminos
Tofu
Tofu is a healthy plant-based source of protein. It's made from soybeans which are naturally gluten-free and low in calories. Plus, it's a good source of iron and contains no cholesterol. It's also rich in heart-healthy isoflavones and good fats.
Coconut Aminos
If you haven't used coconut aminos before, now is the time to start. This versatile ingredient is great for adding to roasted veggies, marinades, sauces, tofu, tempeh, and Asian-inspired dishes. It's even delicious in salad dressings. It's often used in recipes as a low-sodium substitute for soy sauce. Like soy sauce, it has a rich umami quality but is less salty and slightly sweeter in flavor.
🧅 Substitutions
- Coconut aminos - use tamari or soy sauce instead
- Flour - For even more protein, use chickpea flour in this recipe. You can also use whole wheat pastry flour or a gluten-free option.
- Shallots - substitute with red onion as desired
- Thai red curry dressing - substitute the dressing with one of these easy tahini sauces on my site
📖 How to Make Thai Tofu Burgers
Step 1. Press the tofu. Crumble into ground-meat-like pieces.
Step 2. Season the crumbled tofu with vegan Thai red curry paste, sriracha, tomato paste, fresh basil, and cilantro. The blend of fresh herbs and seasonings is what makes these burgers so unique.
Step 3. Form the patties. Bake them on a lined or non-stick baking sheet until they are golden brown. Place the baked patties on a cooling rack for a few minutes to firm up.
Step 4. While the patties are baking, make the Thai Red Curry Dressing (if using).
Step 5. Drizzle with dressing and serve as desired.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Refrigerate any leftover Thai Tofu Burgers and dressing in tightly sealed containers for up to 5 days.
Yes. Wrap each burger individually and place them in layers in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
The starch in the flour helps to bind the patties and give them their extra crispy outsides once baked.
Not all brands are vegan. Traditionally, it is made with shrimp paste so you have to read the ingredients list. Thai Kitchen and Mekhala brands are vegan. It is one of my favorite pantry staple ingredients. I use it in curries, sauces, dressings, stir fries; you name it.
🍽 Related Recipes
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I would love it if you would rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.
📖 Recipe
Thai Tofu Burgers
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Ingredients
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu pressed
- 5 tablespoons flour (see notes)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- ½ cup diced shallots (about 1 large)
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste vegan (Thai Kitchen)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- Salt to taste
Optional for the dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise vegan
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Thai red curry paste vegan (Thai Kitchen)
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce vegan (optional)
- 1 lime juice
- Maple syrup to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Crumble tofu: In a large bowl, crumble the tofu into chunks resembling ground meat.
- Prepare tofu 'meat': Add the flour, basil, shallots, Thai red curry paste, cilantro, tomato paste, sriracha, and coconut aminos. Add salt. Use your hands to incorporate the ingredients and massage into a dough-like texture. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
- Make the patties: Form about 4 patties, each ½ cup in size. Bake on a non-stick or lined baking sheet for about 7 minutes, or until golden on top. Flip the patties over and bake for about another 7 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown.
- Make the dressing: Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, Thai red curry paste, fish sauce, and lime juice. Add maple syrup to taste. Drizzle the dressing over the patties when serving.
Notes
- Flour: All-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, gluten-free flour, and chickpea flour will all work in this recipe.
- Fish sauce - substitute with tamari or soy sauce
- Thai red curry dressing - substitute the dressing with one of these easy tahini sauces on my site
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Chelsey
These are fantastic and so easy! Perfect for my vegetarian daughter on burger night Thank you =)
Nisha Melvani, RDN
I'm so glad you tried these! They are a fave:) Thank you.
Hinke
Just made the burgers without the dressing and served it with some thai peanut and quinoa salad, and can say that they’re a winner! Even my nonvegan family loved it! 🙂
Nisha Melvani
It makes me so happy to hear that. Thanks for commenting. Have a great weekend.
Jennifer Kurani
So tasty & easy to make!
Nisha Melvani
Glad you enjoyed it.