Craving a meal that’s both crunchy and bursting with flavor? These crispy vegan tofu tacos are like a fiesta in your mouth—each bite a celebration of texture and zest. And, hey, with the recent surge in plant-based eating, why not ride the wave and give these a try?
Steps
- Prepare the Tofu: Begin by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. Place the drained tofu on a plate and cover it with another plate or bowl, letting it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Tofu: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté diced onions for 2 minutes. Incorporate a chipotle pepper and adobo sauce, stirring well. Crumble the tofu into the skillet using a wooden spoon and mix in taco seasoning. Spread the tofu evenly and allow it to cook undisturbed for 2 minutes before flipping. Continue flipping every 2 minutes until the tofu reaches your preferred crispiness, approximately 10 minutes in total.
- Prepare the Toppings: While the tofu cooks, prepare the toppings. Mix diced onions and minced cilantro in a bowl. Combine vegan mayo, adobo sauce, and lime juice to create the chipotle mayo, adjusting seasonings to taste. Shred cabbage, slice avocados, and cut limes.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the tortillas over an open flame or in a skillet. Stack two tortillas together and top them with avocado, crispy tofu, cabbage, onion-cilantro mix, and chipotle mayo. Garnish with additional cilantro.
- Serve and Enjoy: Repeat the assembly process with the remaining tortillas. These tacos are flavorful and perfect for a quick and tasty meal.
Ingredients
- 1 block of tofu, pressed and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 chipotle pepper from a can, plus adobo sauce
- Taco seasoning, to taste
- Street-style corn tortillas
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
- Shredded cabbage
- Vegan mayonnaise
- Lime juice, to taste
- Additional adobo sauce, to taste
- Lime slices for serving
FAQ
- How do I ensure the tofu gets crispy?
- To achieve crispy tofu, it’s important to let it sit untouched in the skillet for a few minutes at a time. This allows the tofu to brown and crisp up effectively. Avoid stirring too frequently to get the best texture.
- Can I use a different type of tortilla for these tacos?
- Yes, while the recipe uses street-style corn tortillas, you can opt for regular-sized corn tortillas if you prefer larger tacos. Both options will work well with this recipe.
- What are some alternative toppings I can use?
- You can switch up the toppings based on what you have available. Some great alternatives include shredded lettuce, salsa, or your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
- How do I prepare the chipotle mayo?
- To make the chipotle mayo, simply mix vegan mayonnaise with adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers, and add lime juice to taste. Adjust the seasonings as needed for your preferred flavor.
- Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?
- To add more heat to the tacos, you can include extra chipotle peppers or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.
Tips
- Pressing the Tofu: Ensure that you press the tofu before cooking. This helps remove excess moisture, allowing the tofu to crisp up better in the skillet. Place the drained tofu block on a plate, cover it with another plate or bowl, and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Crisping the Tofu: Be patient while cooking the tofu. Allow it to sit undisturbed in the skillet for a couple of minutes before flipping. This helps in achieving a crispy texture. Repeat this process until you reach the desired level of crispiness, which generally takes around 10 minutes.
- Taco Tortilla Options: For a traditional touch, use small street-style corn tortillas. However, if you prefer larger tacos, regular corn tortillas can be used to make about 8 standard-sized tacos.
- Customizing Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your toppings based on what’s available. Aside from the suggested toppings like avocado, cilantro, and chipotle mayo, you can try adding shredded lettuce, salsa, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Equipment
- Tofu Press – To efficiently press the tofu and remove excess moisture.
- Skillet – If you need a good non-stick or cast iron skillet for cooking the tofu and heating the tortillas.
- Potato Masher – Useful for crumbling the tofu in the skillet.
- Chef’s Knife – For dicing onions, mincing cilantro, and slicing avocados.
- Cutting Board – To safely prepare your vegetables and toppings.
- Mixing Bowls – For combining ingredients like the chipotle mayo and onion/cilantro mixture.
