Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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Sheet Pan Tofu is baked in a sweet-and-savory sauce and served over a hearty mix of grains and lentils in this easy dinner recipe that also happens to be completely plant-based.

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (1)

Now that it’s officially December, I’d be willing to bet you could use a new weeknight-friendly meal to get you through the holiday season.

Did I read your mind? I had a hunch.

These sheet pan tofu bowls are equal parts convenient and comforting—exactly what I’m craving for dinner right about now.

There are three basic layers to these sheet pan tofu bowls:

  1. a hearty mix of lentils (members of the protein-rich and environmentally-sustainable pulse family) and farro (a type of ancient whole grain)
  2. crispy, golden-brown tofu and vegetables baked in the most delicious, sweet-and-savory sauce and
  3. an extra drizzle of said sauce with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and toasted seeds.

Do I have your attention yet? Because this is good.

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (2)

If you prep most of your meals ahead of time (or want to), this recipe is for you.

For partial prep, cook the lentils and farro a day or two in advance. They only take about 15 minutes to cook yourself, and it’s nice to not have to worry about them later on. Serve at room temperature or reheat in the microwave (or over the stovetop) while the tofu and vegetables are in the oven.

Now let’s talk about that deliciously crispy, baked tofu.

Make sure to press your tofu before you mix with the sauce (check the recipe notes for my how-to), and spread it out on the baking pan so it’s not touching any other pieces for ultimate crispiness.

Baked at 450 degrees, it’ll get nice and toasty after 40 minute in the oven. Set a timer so you don’t forget to flip and stir throughout the cooking process. (You can also reheat cooked tofu and vegetables on a sheet pan if you’re a meal prepper.)

All bowled up, you’ll get a satisfying mix of whole grains, veggies, and plant-based protein to fuel yourself through the full week ahead.

Consider it an early gift for your tastebuds.

📖 Recipe

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (3)

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls

Tofu and vegetables are baked in a savory sauce and served over a hearty mix of whole grains and lentils in this easy, plant-based dinner recipe.

3.94 from 15 votes

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Stephanie McKercher, RDN

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup grapeseed oil or cooking oil of choice
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1- inch piece ginger, grated
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spicy flavor)

Sheet pan tofu:

  • 1 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained, pressed and cut into 16 pieces (see note)
  • 6 carrots, chopped into 2-inch pieces (such as rainbow carrots, see note)
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets

Bowls:

  • 2 cups cooked farro
  • 2 cups cooked red lentils
  • Fresh basil
  • Cilantro
  • Chopped green onions
  • Pumpkin seeds, toasted if desired (see note)
  • Sesame seeds, black and white, toasted if desired (see note)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking pan.

Prepare sauce:

  • Whisk grapeseed oil, cider vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, grated ginger, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).

Prepare tofu:

  • Put tofu pieces in large mixing bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons sauce into bowl and carefully mix with hands until evenly coated. (You may need to whisk the sauce each time before using to prevent separation.)

  • Spread tofu pieces on baking pan and place on center rack of oven. Cook 10 minutes, or until bottom of tofu is golden and easily separates from baking pan with a spatula. Remove baking pan from oven, flip tofu pieces, and return to oven. Cook 10 additional minutes, or until both sides are golden in places.

  • While tofu is cooking, put carrots and cauliflower in the same mixing bowl, and use hands to coat vegetables with remaining sauce from tofu.

  • After tofu has been cooking for a total of 20 minutes, remove baking pan from the oven, stir in carrots and cauliflower, and return pan to oven. Cook 10 additional minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften.

  • Remove baking pan from the oven, stir tofu and vegetables, and pour about half of the remaining sauce on top. Stir again and return baking pan to oven. Cook 10 additional minutes, or until carrots are fork-tender and tofu is browned and crispy on edges.

Prepare bowls:

  • Mix cooked farro and lentils and divide between bowls. Place cooked vegetables and tofu in bowls and drizzle with remaining sauce. Garnish with basil, cilantro, green onions, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds, if desired.

Video

Notes

Preparing tofu: Drain liquid from tofu container and wrap whole tofu block in paper towel. Put on a plate and place something heavy (such as a cast iron skillet) on top of the wrapped tofu top press out any remaining liquid. Wait at least an hour (refrigerate if you plan to press overnight), and then remove the paper towel and slice tofu into pieces.

Carrots: Cut carrots in half lengthwise and then cut into quarters to create 2-inch pieces. Use orange carrots if rainbow carrots aren’t available.

To cook lentils and farro: Rinse lentils and farro and place in separate pots. Fill pots with water to cover the lentils and farro. Bring each to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Cook 15 minutes, or until tender, drain excess water (if any) and remove from heat.

To toast seeds: Add to a hot, dry skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.

Gluten-free variation: Substitute gluten-free tamari or liquid aminos for soy sauce. Substitute quinoa for farro.

_

Recipe inspired by and adapted from JoyFoodSunshine.

Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @GratefulGrazer or tag #gratefulgrazer.

Like what you see? Save these Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls on Pinterest or share the recipe with a friend.

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (4)

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  • Creamy Vegan Mushroom Gravy with Rosemary and Thyme
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  • Easy Oven Roasted Pumpkin with Tahini Sauce

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Leslie says

    Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (9)
    Oh, you definitely have my attention! This recipe looks fantastic! Love those vegetarian options that a still very filling!

    Reply

  2. Angela says

    These sound and look so delicious! I love making sheet pan meals, can't wait to try this one!

    Reply

  3. Natalie says

    Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (10)
    Really don’t think the lentils and the farro should be cooked together. My lentils have disintegrated into a paste and the farro is still raw. So there’s four cups of food in the garbage...

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Hi Natalie, so sorry you didn't get the same result after cooking the lentils and farro together. I updated the recipe to note that each should be cooked separately because of your feedback. Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply

  4. Tara Antongiorgi says

    Loved this recipe. The sauce is easy and has a great taste. I did use broccoli instead of cauliflower. I also served it over miso soup with soba noodles but will try the lentil/farro as well, that will be even better. Great cooking technique for the tofu!

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Thanks, Tara! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

  5. Rachel Emerton says

    I made this over the weekend and it was so good! I do not have much experience cooking with tofu or farro/red lentils. The tofu came out perfectly - I could eat it just by itself. However, I think I overcooked the farro and red lentil. I cooked them in the same pot on the stove, but they ended up with almost an oatmeal-like consistency. Any suggestions? Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Hi Rachel! So glad you liked the recipe. You may have had the heat turned up a little too high while you were cooking the farro and lentils. Try cooking over the lowest possible temperature on your stove top - there should be gentle, rolling bubbles. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

Sheet Pan Tofu Bowls Plant Based Vegan Recipe | Grateful Grazer (2024)

FAQs

How do you press tofu? ›

Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel then put it on a large plate with a lip. Put something heavy such as a frying pan on top, weight it down further with cans and jars, and leave for 30 mins. The tofu will be about two-thirds its original thickness, and up to 100ml water will have been removed.

How long does it take to cook tofu? ›

Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add the tofu to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (otherwise it'll steam). Cook the tofu until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Is pressing tofu worth it? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

How to press tofu without a tofu press? ›

Instructions:
  1. Place one of the containers upside down on a plate.
  2. Place tofu on top of the container.
  3. Place the second container on top of the tofu, facing down.
  4. Use your hands to apply even pressure on top of the second container. ...
  5. Leave your heavy object on top of the container and let the tofu press for 20 minutes.
Jun 28, 2023

What does it mean to press your tofu? ›

If you cook firm tofu a lot, maybe you already know this: Pressing the tofu compresses it and squeezes out extra moisture, making it firmer and drier, which means you can get a more densely closegrained interior and wonderfully crisp exterior when you cook it.

How do you know if tofu is pressed enough? ›

Depending on how the product is packaged and marketed, it may have some of the moisture already squeezed out of it. Firm and extra-firm tofu is still moist but has been pressed enough that the tofu holds its shape fairly well.

Should you cut tofu before or after pressing? ›

While many recipes direct the reader to press tofu and then cut it afterward, food writer and cookbook author Andrea Nguyen advises cutting it first and then pressing it, via Food & Wine. Nguyen suggests cutting the tofu into the shape and size of a playing card with half an inch of thickness.

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