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Vegan Tofu Turkey ( Tofurkey )
By
DK
on Nov 18, 2009
See all Thanksgiving Recipes
This is the closest I am going to get as far as cooking and eating meat goes ;) What? This looks and tastes 'meaty' enough for me (pun intended!). So much so I got two comments which makes this dish a success for me - at least as far as looks department goes. First, I shocked the hell out of my husband when he got home from work the other day. I placed the sliced pieces on the table and he was like "What's wrong with you? - I knew I had to put an end to you watching Food network all the time. How the heck did you manage to do this?". LOL! I laughed so much and it took him about 5 minutes of prodding and smelling the "meat" to finally get convinced that this was TOFU! Another success was a comment from our American neighbor, who for a second, forgot that we are vegetarians and told me that I had sliced the meat in a very different way than how they traditionally did it :-) See my Vegetarian Thanksgiving post for other recipes.
Tastes wise, I seriously have no idea how a Turkey originally tastes like, but it was not as bland as I thought this will be when I first started making it. Indians like and add flavor like southerners add fat to their food. But I need not have worried that much. It would have helped to have more flavor though, but I did not want to deviate too much from the recipes on the net, on the account that they probably could make it tasting more closer to the real thing than my own creative one. But when you are making it, just add flavors as per your tastes. Tofu will absorb more flavor if you let it sit along with seasonings.
Anyways, you can come to my house any time of the day or week, open my fridge and you will not fail to see packets of Tofu. Its a common ingredient which I use often for its protein. With this being the case, it was inevitable that I get curious about Tofu Turkey or Tofurkey. Instead of buying the ready made ones, you can make this. Its not complicated at all - its almost like preparing the real bird.(!!) I have followed this recipe from Vegetarian times ( The turkey from the online source and the filling from the magazine). I changed the technique and few ingredients to suit my palate and comfort zone. I absolutely LOVED the stuffing.
I usually don't like to mix savory and sweet ingredients, but I loved this one so much so that I almost finished 1/4 of the stuffing on its own!!. Now to the recipe which is Vegan, Diary Free, Gluten Free, Egg free but absolutely NOT flavor free ;)
Anyways, you can come to my house any time of the day or week, open my fridge and you will not fail to see packets of Tofu. Its a common ingredient which I use often for its protein. With this being the case, it was inevitable that I get curious about Tofu Turkey or Tofurkey. Instead of buying the ready made ones, you can make this. Its not complicated at all - its almost like preparing the real bird.(!!) I have followed this recipe from Vegetarian times ( The turkey from the online source and the filling from the magazine). I changed the technique and few ingredients to suit my palate and comfort zone. I absolutely LOVED the stuffing.
I usually don't like to mix savory and sweet ingredients, but I loved this one so much so that I almost finished 1/4 of the stuffing on its own!!. Now to the recipe which is Vegan, Diary Free, Gluten Free, Egg free but absolutely NOT flavor free ;)
References
recipe adapted from vegetarian times (website) and the stuffing from the magazine.
Basic Information
Prep Time: 8 hours to 1 day
Cook Time: 1 to 2 hours
Serves: 6 people
Ingredients
- For the Tofu Turkey
- 5 14-oz. tubs extra-firm tofu
- 2 tsp. ground dried thyme
- 2 tsp. rubbed sage
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- about 1 tsp orange zest (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste ( if you want to use vegan bouillon powder, skip the salt)
- For the Marinade
- 1/4 -1/2 cups low sodium tamari or gluten free soy sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- For the stuffing - approximate measurements, use as per taste ( original recipe in VT 35th anniversary issue, Or use your own stuffing of choice)
- about 4 cups of gluten free bread cubes ( or use oatmeal or whole wheat bread cubes)
- 1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped and toasted
- 1 small-medium red onion
- 1 celery stick
- 1 apple, peeled and diced ( i kept the peel)
- 1/2 tbsp fresh sage, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground peppercorns
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cups dried cherries
- 1/2 cup no-salt vegetable broth or water
Method
1
Method ( Tofu Turkey - Previous night
Bring the tofu to room temperature. Squeeze tofu of excess water and take small bits and place them in a processor.
2
Process them little by little until smooth.
3
Place them in a large bowl and mix all the seasoning. You can at this point even taste the tofu and add more seasoning or flavor to make sure it does not taste real bland.
4
Wet cheesecloth, wring it out and smoothly line a colander with it—no wrinkles.
5
Drop the tofu inside the colander and press it into the sides and bottom of the colander.
6
Place this colander on a plate. Bring the hanging cheesecloth on the sides into the center to cover the tofu.
7
Now place a plate right on top of the tofu and give it a slight press. Use a heavy object to place on top of the plate. This is to help the tofu drain excess water through the colander. Place this inside the refrigerator overnight (ideal time). This helps the tofu to absorb the seasoning well too.
8
Method (On day of making the tofu turkey) - For the Stuffing
I eyeballed most of the ingredients, so use your discretion when preparing them. Place the cubed bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated 225F oven for 20-30 minutes or until dry and crisp.
9
Meanwhile, heat a skillet. Add about 1 tsp oil and saute the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add celery and saute for 2 minutes more.
10
Stir in the apples along with other seasonings. Cook for 5 minutes. Add maple syrup and the vinegar and remove from heat.
11
Combine the bread cubes along with apple mixture. Stir in almonds and dried cherries. Transfer to a greased baking sheet and pour broth over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes or until the stuffing begins to brown on top. You can make a crisp filling by removing the foil and baking for 10 minutes more.
12
Method - For the Marinade
Mix all the ingredients for the under the marinade until combined.
13
Method - For the Assembly
Preheat oven to 375F. Drain the Tofu water from the plate on which you placed the colander.
14
Remove weight and plate from colander.
15
Now scoop some tofu from the center. Make sure to leave at least 1-2 inches on the sides and bottom.
16
Now fill this hollow with the stuffing.
17
Now top the stuffing with the scooped out tofu.
18
Make sure to smooth the surface and level it out.
19
Place a large oven to table baking sheet (I used a pie plate large enough to cover the colander opening) on top of the colander.
20
Hold tightly, and slowly invert colander onto the plate so that tofu-turkey drops gently onto dish.
21
Now slowly remove the cheesecloth from the tofu.
22
Can you see the white dome now?
23
Baste the tofu turkey with the prepared marinade.
24
Bake for 15 minutes.
25
Baste again. reduce the heat to 350F and bake for another 1 hour, basting as many times it strikes your fancy.
26
Once baked, you see a beautifully crisped tofu surface.
The most amazing after effects of this meal with striking similarities to the real thing -
1) We felt full in matter of minutes. The tofu protein did it.
2) The crust was crispy and meaty inside. The stuffing added amazing combo to the tofu. A few bites of the orange and apple in the middle (which I placed as a garnish) also went v well with this tofurkey.
3) We had LEFTOVERS and lots of them
But one advantage over the real turkey would be low calorie content comparatively me thinks
Carve it as your please and enjoy Tofu Turkey :) While eating this, you probably might feel goosebumps (or turkey bumps!!!)..don't be surprised, the turkeys all over are probably wishing you a LONG LIFE ;) LOL
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32 Responses to “Vegan Tofu Turkey ( Tofurkey )”
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I’m not a big fan of Tofu, but I decided I’d have a Vegan Christmas dinner for myself, a Vegan roommate, and my Vegetarian brother. My brother LOVED it! …And he’s had experience with Tofu, though he’s not keen on trying to make his own Tofurkey. I changed up some of the innards and seasonings on the Tofu, but I must say: Thank you!
A good mushroom gravy is this one: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/recipes/miscellaneous/quick_mushroom_gravy.php by roberto martin.
This would also be good with mushroom gravy.
Can’t wait to make this for thanksgiving this week! It was a toss between this & a mushroom nut roast, but this def. wins this thanksgivings main course place!
Will be back next week to post my results & tell you how wonderful it was!! Thanks for the recipe! <3
Is their any other oil i can substitute for sesame oil?
This looks really good but I doubt my mom will make it. Last year she bought me a tofurkey at Walmart and it was actually pretty good. I’m a vegetarian and the only one in my family.
Hi, I was so glad to find this recipe, I was wondering, if I were to replace the bread crumbs for the stuffing with oatmeal would I have to toast the oatmeal as you would the bread crumbs or just mix all the items for the stuffing together with the broth and then toast them in the oven? Thank you Ann!
Hi, I am so glad to have found this recipe. I was wondering though, if I substituded the oatmeal for the bread crumbs for the stuffing would I toast the oatmeal as you do the bread crumbs or just mix the all the items for the stuffing together with the broth. Thank you for your help Ann!
I was curious about how well this freezes. Being veg and gf I was looking for options for thanksgiving and I liked this one but I’m the only veg in my family. It’s too big to eat by myself but it would be lovely to take back to school for leftovers when I don’t feel like cooking. Has anyone frozen their leftovers?
not a vegetarian but i’m going to make this tofurkey this weekend for Canadian thanksgiving! it looks delicious!
I just made this for a post-thanksgiving vegan extravaganza with my boyfriend tonight. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Granted, I made some slight alterations (ie. adding Bragg’s to everything… pressed the tofu for about 24 hours… added carrots and raisins to the stuffing… and a vegan bouillon cube and lots of spices to the marinade) but for the most part followed your recipe. I served it with a homemade vegan gravy and seriously, it was the BEST thing I have ever eaten, let alot made myself. My boyfriend, who still remembers the taste of turkey, said it was quite turkey-tasting, as well. THANK YOU so much – this will now be a staple in all future thanksgivings!
This looks like one of the best recipes for Tofurkey I have seen so far! Thank you so much for all the images & steps. I am going to make this. I am the type of cook who does frequent substitutions, but the only thing I would do here is add REAL onion and REAL garlic. What is with Dito? Onions and garlic ARE vegan. Plus, there are no eggs in this recipe. Thank you so much.
It looks great , have the urge to take a bite off!! hmm..for making the Tofu Turkey can i skip the onion and garlic powder?? Or is there any ingredients which i can replace these 2 powder? Cause my parents are whole Vegetarian : no egg, no onion and no garlic.
The seasoning all your choice. You can skip it easily. Add any other seasoning of your choice. As I mention, you can give it a taste test before you shape it into a turkey. So get wild
–DK
What a lovely way to display a recipe! I am making this for thanksgiving tomorrow it looks delicious! Thank you so much.
How many servings is this? If serving for a big crowd, would you suggest 1.5 the recipe or making two? Looks amazing!!
This easily serves 12! –DK
How wonderful, DK !
Thank You!
You wouldn’t believe it! I am just writing an article for Tofu Turkey, and here I see your post!
great minds think alike:)
I’ll surely link to your recipe from my post! the turkey look-alike is pretty good
Looks fantastic, and I love all the photos of your steps. Bravo!
Wow,I had seen the original but was too lazy to give it a go.PERFECT TOFURKEY,DEARIE,I am getting turkey bumps.I must try this.
Amaziiiing!!! You know, I have been watching food network for the past whole week, and every show cooks turkey, I was actually yearning to makes some though we dont eat it
, I just wanted to cook a turkey, place it on my dining table, and carve it..hehe…your Tofurky might just be the answer to my cravings 
Thanks!!
I like your tofurkey..
This looks just lovely… like the concept
Wow Dk..hats of to u…wat a fantastic dish…real feast for vegan lovers..
You did awesome with the shape,Iam sure it tasted good too.
I Think I am happy with my turkey
Not a big fan of tofu 
But you have really got it looking like meat 
hats off to you!!! What a amazing dish. I have never seen such a creative dish ever.
Very very interesting.. Never thought you can make tofurky at home.. Looks delicious even though it requires some work.. Good job DK.
Awesomme! Wht a creativity dhivi.
Liked the concept of using tofu imstesd of meat.
It absolutely looks like turkey.
Whoah, I’m just about to make something exactly like this! Except my version’s ‘turkey’ part is based on wheat gluten and lentil puree. I can’t wait to try your version!