this vegan crumbled tofu “sausage” is not only easy to make but has so much flavor. perfect for putting on pasta dishes, enjoying in soups, or wherever else you like.
the inspiration
I know this may sound a little crazy but I actually really love vegan sausages. Before I went vegan I enjoyed sausage a lot so it really is nice to be able to have it in a vegan form. However, something I miss is crumbled sausage in a pasta.
So, I was thinking about how I can crumble tofu, then add in spices/seasonings, and make a delicious vegan crumbled tofu “sausage”. This recipe comes together about in 5 minutes of prep work and then you just bake it.
The best part is, it actually gets even better after it has been life in the fridge and reheated because the texture becomes chewier. Yay for leftovers!
the ingredients
- Super Firm Tofu: for this recipe I felt that super firm tofu would work the best. I knew the texture would be great here because we don’t want this to be too soft. The super firm tofu will give us the best texture here and we of course do not need to press it so even less work!
- Olive Oil: sausage is typically very fatty, of course this way less fatty, but we need a little fat so the olive oil is helpful here.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: the soy sauce will give a little color and umami.
- Seasonings: the seasonings really are the star of the show and most important thing here. This is what gives the crumbled tofu “sausage” all of the flavor. We will need: fennel seed, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and dried parsley.
how to make the vegan crumbled tofu “sausage”
This recipe is so easy to make, maybe even dangerously easy, you will want it all the time!
- Crumble the super firm tofu with your hands into a bowl. Try to keep a mix of bigger pieces and smaller pieces. The bigger pieces will be chewier, smaller pieces will be crispier.
- Add in the soy sauce, oil, and seasonings. Mix with the tofu to coat. You can taste the tofu and add in more seasonings if you like.
- Spread the tofu out onto a baking sheet (I like to use a silicone mat).
- Bake in the oven at 450°F for 20 minutes, then toss the tofu. Place it back into the oven for 5 t0 10 minutes until everything is golden.
fun ways to use the tofu sausage crumbles
There are so many ways to use this recipe after you’ve made it. Here are just a few ideas:
- On top of pizza
- In a pasta dish (I want to do orecchiette with broccoli rabe)
- In a soup, I think it would go well in my Vegan Slow Cooker Sausage & Potato Soup
- You can use it in a vegan lasagna
Again these are just a few ideas go crazy and have fun! I think it also looks really good in soups and sauces, like in the picture down below!
how to customize this recipe
The base of this recipe uses spices and seasonings typically found in sausage. So, the flavor is pretty standard. However, this recipe is of course very easy to customize and you can make it how you want.
You can play around with things like the dried herbs you use such as basil or thyme. It will add in different flavors and can be fun to change it for the time of year you are eating in as well.
You can add in different things to add in flavor. For example, add a little bit of tomato paste or tomato sauce. You can play around with different seasonings like paprika, cayenne, black pepper instead of red pepper. There is a lot of flexibility here.
vegan crumbled tofu “sausage” faq
Is this recipe allergy friendly?
This recipe does contain soy. However, you can swap it out for a soy free tofu like fava bean tofu. It does not contain any gluten or nuts.
How do I store this recipe?
You can store the vegan crumbled tofu “sausage” in a container in the fridge. You can store it for up to 5 days. You can also freeze this.
How do I reheat the vegan sausage?
If you are using it in a pasta or something like that you can reheat it right in the pan or pot. You can also reheat in the oven or an air-fryer.
Can I use extra firm tofu instead?
You can. I would definitely recommend pressing it. You may also need to cook it for a few extra minutes if it is a little too soft.
Can I make this is an air fryer?
Sure. Depending on the type of air fryer you have you may need to do this in batches. Be sure to spread the tofu out so it has room to cook. Following the baking instructions to start, checking on the tofu after 10 minutes of cooking.
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Vegan Crumbled Tofu “Sausage”
Ingredients
- 1 block super firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (212°C).
- Crumble the super firm tofu with your hands into a bowl. Try to keep a mix of bigger pieces and smaller pieces. The bigger pieces will be chewier, smaller pieces will be crispier.
- Add in the soy sauce, oil, and seasonings. Mix with the tofu to coat. You can taste the tofu and add in more seasonings if you like.
- Spread the tofu out onto a baking sheet (I like to use a silicone mat).
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, then toss the tofu. Place it back into the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until everything is golden.
- Then, you can enjoy immediately or cool and store in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- Please do not repost recipes without my permission. Sharing a direct link is always highly encouraged and appreciated.
- For any questions you may have please refer to the FAQ above the recipe card.
- After baking this recipe weighed 185g (approx ¾ cup to 1 cup) so depending on what you are making will depend on how many servings of this you need. 4 servings worth is good for if you are adding it to pasta, soup, or pizza.
Nutrition
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hey there!
Hey, I’m Francesca!
Thank you for checking out my recipe! I am happy to have you here and hope you explore more delicious vegan recipes.
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