Tofu Ground Beef Recipe

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

5 from 11 votes

Transform tofu into ground beef with a box grater in less than 15 minutes! This lightning-fast, Asian-inspired recipe is easy, protein-packed, and very versatile. (Includes option for Buddha bowl.)

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Side Dish or Main Course

Cuisine: Vegan

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: people

Calories: 420kcal

Author: Nisha Melvani

Ingredients

14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu
¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce or tamari
¼ 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 ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground white pepper or black pepper
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water (optional)
½ cup chopped scallions

Optional for serving:

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

Instructions

Shred the tofu: Wrap the extra-firm tofu in a dish rag or paper towels to dry. Gently press the excess water out with your hands. Place the grater on its side with the largest holes facing upwards. Slide the tofu back and forth to grate.
Cook the tofu: 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, stirring frequently.
Make the sauce: Meanwhile, mix the tamari, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, hot sauce, maple syrup, ginger, and white pepper in a small bowl.
Combine: Add the sauce to the skillet. (For a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch dissolved in water.) Cook for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in the green onion.
Optional for serving: Serve with cucumber and edamame tossed in chili crisp sauce or chili oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Wrap in nori sheets to eat.

Video

Notes

Use super-firm or extra-firm tofu to make Easy Tofu 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 up the tofu into crumbles resembling the size of ground meat.
For a thicker sauce, add dissolved cornstarch and cook the sauce until it starts to bubble.
Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Easy Tofu Beef in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to one month.

Nutrition