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    Home » Tofu » Teriyaki Tofu Crumbles for Tacos or Wraps

    Teriyaki Tofu Crumbles for Tacos or Wraps

    Modified: Nov 9, 2025 · Published: Feb 8, 2023 by Jacqueline Meldrum 12 Comments

    Quick and easy tofu crumbles for tacos or wraps, flavoured with teriyaki sauce. A simple must-try vegan tofu recipe.

    Teriyaki tofu crumbles in a frying pan

    I've seen people crumbling and frying or oven-baking tofu and I had to give it a go.

    But it had to be packed with flavour and something I could add to tacos or wraps as a type of meat-free mince or plant-based crumble.

    We were not disappointed.

    Some of it was soft and chewy and some of the crumbles were crisp, but it was all super tasty.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 What is tofu crumble?
    • 💭 What type of tofu do you need for tofu crumble?
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to press tofu
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 How do you crumble tofu?
    • 💭 Is tofu a healthy alternative to meat?
    • ♨️ Fried, oven-baked or air-fried tofu?
    • ⭐ Why are tofu crumbles so good?
    • 🥘 Make tofu crumbles more crispy
    • ⭐ Hit the heart (NEW)
    • 🌯 How to serve tofu crumbles
    • 🥣 Storing tofu crumbles
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 🥢 Teriyaki Sauce FAQ
    • 📖 Variations
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this teriyaki tofu crumble recipe
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Related recipes
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Pairing tofu crumbles
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    🥘 What is tofu crumble?

    Tofu crumble is tofu that has been crumbled, coated in spices and cooked until starting to crisp.

    It can be used as a plant-based mince or tofu meat.

    Full of protein and the flavours can be changed each time you make it.

    💭 What type of tofu do you need for tofu crumble?

    You want to use firm tofu for this type of crumble, not silken tofu which is too soft and used for desserts and sauces.

    Aldi Firm Tofu

    If you use pre-pressed tofu, often called extra firm, there is no need to press it.

    Just pat pre-pressed tofu with kitchen paper to remove any excess liquid.

    Otherwise, you will need to press the tofu first to remove as much liquid as possible.

    Love tofu? Try this crispy Gochujang tofu

    👩🏻‍🍳 How to press tofu

    It's super easy to press tofu.

    tofu press.

    You can either use a tofu press, which adds pressure allowing the liquid to drip out of the tofu or you can dry it off, wrap it in kitchen paper, then a clean tea towel and top with heavy books or a book topped with cans of food.

    It's all about adding pressure to squeeze that water out

    Leave it for about half an hour, then remove the kitchen paper and slice or crumble the tofu depending on the recipe.

    👩🏻‍🍳 How do you crumble tofu?

    Once tofu is pressed to remove the liquid (or not if you are using ready-pressed tofu), you can crumble it into a bowl with clean hands.

    Easy Teriyaki tofu crumble

    It's really quite satisfying.

    You can crumble it as fine as you like or have a variety of crumble textures.

    A larger crumble gives you the texture of tofu ground beef.

    Smaller pieces will be more crunchy and larger pieces will be soft or chewy, depending on how big they are and which method of cooking you choose.

    Also, try shredded tofu? This BBQ shredded tofu wrap is a good recipe to try first.

    💭 Is tofu a healthy alternative to meat?

    Tofu is a really healthy alternative to meat.

    It's packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

    What it doesn't have is all the calories, cholesterol and saturated fat that meat has.

    Of course, if you deep fry it, it will contain fat.

    ♨️ Fried, oven-baked or air-fried tofu?

    Fried tofu, and I'm just talking a little olive oil, not deep-fried tofu, is a good option if you want a softer crumble with smaller chewy pieces.

    close up of tofu crumble

    If you want a drier or crunchy crumble, crumble the tofu finer and either oven bake or air fry with just a light spray of oil.

    Love crispy tofu? Try these balti tofu nuggets.

    ⭐ Why are tofu crumbles so good?

    Tofu crumbles are a great option and alternative to meat or meat-free mince.

    • Protein - it's full of protein
    • Fibre - It's also full of fibre
    • Vitamins and minerals - full of all the good stuff
    • Calories - low calorie
    • Easy - easy to make
    • Flavour - it soaks up flavour
    • Meat-free - a healthy and tasty alternative to ground beef or mince

    🥘 Make tofu crumbles more crispy

    If you want a crisper tofu mince, crumble it into smaller pieces.

    Oven-baking or air-frying these small pieces of tofu will result in crisper crumbles.

    All you need is a light spray of oil.

    However, do make sure it is well-pressed and dry before crumbling.

    ⭐ Hit the heart (NEW)

    Have you seen the little heart?

    Hit it to like the recipe and to save your favourite recipes or share them.

    🌯 How to serve tofu crumbles

    Tofu crumble is very versatile. Here are a few serving suggestions for easy tofu crumble recipes.

    teriyaki tofu crumbles wrap
    1. Wraps - use as a filling for wraps with salad
    2. Tacos - vegan tofu crumble makes the perfect vegan taco meat filling
    3. Pizza - top pizza with tofu crumbles
    4. Salad - it's also good added to salads
    5. Stir fry - add to a vegetable stir fry
    6. Quesadillas - add as a quesadilla filling with vegan cheese
    7. Stuffed pepper - add to stuffed peppers with rice and red onion, then topped with vegan cheese and baked
    8. Burritos - add as a burrito filling, check out this spicy bean burrito
    9. Nachos - top nachos with tofu crumble, vegan cheese, salsa, guacamole and vegan sour cream

    Also, try easy tofu fried rice!

    🥣 Storing tofu crumbles

    Tofu crumbles can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days and used cold in wraps or reheated to add to hot dishes.

    Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

    To prevent or catch moisture, add kitchen paper to the container, before adding the cooled crumbles.

    📋 Ingredients

    These are the simple ingredients you need to make teriyaki tofu crumble.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble mixture in a bowl
    • Firm tofu - or extra-firm tofu
    • Paprika
    • Garlic powder
    • Turmeric - optional but gives a good colour and a savoury flavour
    • Chilli powder - you can add extra or use hot chilli powder for heat
    • Teriyaki sauce
    • Maple syrup
    • Olive oil
    • Salt & pepper

    See the printable recipe card below for full quantities, method and tips.

    🥢 Teriyaki Sauce FAQ

    teriyaki sauce
    What is Teriyaki sauce?


    Teriyaki sauce is a Japanese sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar.

    It translates to glossy broil or boil.
    It is used as a marinade, or dip

    Is Teriyaki Sauce suitable for vegans?


    Most Teriyaki sauce is suitable for vegans, but some versions contain honey.

    So do check the label before buying.

    📖 Variations

    Here are a few other flavours that could be added when making crumbled tofu instead of using teriyaki sauce.

    • BBQ sauce
    • Harissa paste
    • Hoisin sauce
    • Miso
    • Sriracha sauce
    • Hot harissa sauce

    👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this teriyaki tofu crumble recipe

    Step-by-step photos. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe (with full ingredient list, calories and nutritional info).

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 1

    Step 1 - Crumble

    Once pressed and dried off with kitchen paper, crumble the tofu into a mixing bowl.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 2

    Step 2 - Spices

    Add paprika and chilli powder to the crumbled tofu.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 3

    Step 3 - More spices

    Add any other spices you are adding to the mixture.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 5

    Step 5 - Teriyaki

    Add the olive oil and teriyaki sauce to add to the flavour and colour.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 7

    Step 7 - Cook

    Now decided how you are going to cook the crumble. Add it to a frying pan to fry, or a tray to air fry or bake.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 4

    Step 4 - Sweetener

    Add maple syrup to sweeten the marinade.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 6

    Step 6 - Combine

    Season with salt and pepper and mix well until well combined.

    Teriyaki tofu crumble - step 8

    Step 8 - Serve

    Serve the tofu crumble hot or cold. It's very versatile and can be added to many dishes to add protein.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Related recipes

    Looking for more vegan tofu recipes? Try these:

    • Tofu Grinder Salad Sandwich on baguette
      Tofu Grinder Salad Sandwich
    • Jerk Tofu BBQ Skewers
      Jerk Tofu BBQ Skewers
    • Vegan Egg Mayo Sandwich
      Easy Vegan Egg Mayo Sandwiches
    • easy vegan raspberry mousse with silken tofu
      Quick Vegan Raspberry Mousse with Silken Tofu

    👩🏻‍🍳 Pairing tofu crumbles

    These are my favorite dishes to add tofu crumbles to.

    • smoky vegetable quesadillas with dip
      Vegan Smoky Vegetable Quesadillas
    • Spicy vegan bean burritos
      Vegan Spicy Bean Burritos with Cheese
    • Vegan sesame bagel pizza with salad
      Vegan Sesame Bagel Pizza
    • Homemade paprika tortilla chips with dip
      Easy Paprika Tortilla Chips

    📖 Recipe

    Teriyaki tofu crumbles in a frying pan

    Teriyaki Tofu Crumbles for Tacos or Wraps

    Jacqueline Meldrum
    Quick and easy tofu crumbles for tacos or wraps, flavoured with teriyaki sauce. A simple must-try vegan tofu recipe.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course lunch
    Cuisine Japanese, vegan
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 149 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 200 g firm tofu (or extra firm which is pre-pressed)
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon chilli powder (more if you want heat)
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric (to add colour and warmth)
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon Teriyaki sauce
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
    • 1 pinch salt and pepper
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Once pressed and dried off with kitchen paper, crumble the tofu into a mixing bowl. If you are using extra firm tofu, which is pre-pressed, just dab it dry with kitchen paper to dry it off before crumbling it.
    • Add paprika, chilli powder and turmeric to the crumbled tofu.
    • Now the wet ingredients. Add the oil, Teriyaki sauce and maple syrup.
    • Season with salt and pepper and mix well until well combined.
    • Fry in a dry non-stick frying pan until starting to brown, some crumbles will be soft and smaller pieces will be chewy or crunchy.
    • To oven bake, spread in a single layer on a tray and pop in the oven or air fryer until starting to crisp.
    • Serve hot or cold.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    • DO NOT use silken tofu, it is too soft and should just be used for sauces and desserts. Look for a firm or extra firm tofu. The extra firm is pre-pressed.
    • The smaller the crumble the more crisp it will be.
    • Add extra chilli powder for heat.
    • You can swap the Teriyaki sauce with Hoison sauce, Sriracha sauce or BBQ sauce.
    • Serve the tofu crumbles hot or cold.
    • Serve in wraps, burritos, tacos or in salads, on pizza or in quesadillas.
    • Tofu crumbles can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days and used cold in wraps or reheated to add to hot dishes. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. To prevent or catch moisture, add kitchen paper to the container, before adding the cooled crumbles.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 373mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 151IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword tofu, tofu crumbles
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Easy Vegan Tofu Recipes

    • quick hot harissa sauce for tofu and tempeh.
      Easy Hot Harissa Sauce Recipe for Tofu & Tempeh
    • Easy Vegan Tofu Bacon flavoured with Korean Gochujang.
      Easy Vegan Gochujang Tofu Bacon - oven or air fryer
    • BBQ Shredded Tofu Wrap
      Easy BBQ Shredded Tofu Lunch Wrap with Vegan Slaw
    • Vegan chocolate orange mousse made with silken tofu.
      Easy Vegan Chocolate Orange Mousse with Silken Tofu

    Comments

    1. Jill says

      February 08, 2023 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      How exciting..I have to try this. Jill x

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 08, 2023 at 5:16 pm

        Enjoy them Jill. They are really good in tacos or wraps.

        Reply
    2. Pat says

      February 08, 2023 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      You must have looked in my fridge and cupboard.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 08, 2023 at 5:15 pm

        Haha I am often accused of that Pat. I do hope you try them. So good.

        Reply
    3. Sara says

      February 12, 2023 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      Love how simple yet full of flavour this is! Always looking for new ideas with tofu and will definitely be making this one again.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 12, 2023 at 10:52 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it Sara. It does have so much flavour.

        Reply
    4. Krissy says

      February 12, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      I've been looking for a way to incorporate more meat alternatives into our dinners and these turned out great!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 12, 2023 at 2:18 pm

        Oh perfect. I'm glad you found the recipe Krissy.

        Reply
    5. Tara says

      February 12, 2023 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! Such a fantastic use for tofu. I love the use of all those spices. Definitely perfect for pairing with tacos or burritos.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 12, 2023 at 2:18 pm

        Oh yes they are good in burritos as well as tacos Tara.

        Reply
    6. Suja md says

      February 12, 2023 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      Truly amazing in taste and flavors in this recipe. Will definitely make again, very good recipe!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        February 15, 2023 at 3:10 pm

        I'm so please you enjoyed. It's a real favorite with my husband now.

        Reply

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    JACQUELINE MELDRUM

    Welcome to The Vegan Lunchbox.

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