This delicious and flavorful vegan sausage recipe uses minced frozen tofu and a powerful blend of seasonings to create “meaty” sausages that your taste buds will not forget. The best part? No pre-cooking is required, and this tofu sausage is super versatile, intense, and chewy.
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Believe it or not this recipe was a happy accident. It all started with a block of frozen tofu I found in our freezer. It turned out to be the one of the best minced meat texture I have ever tried.
Having some vegan recipes on hand is so important. Check out this vegan breakfast sausage, vegan breakfast burrito, and vegan shredded beef for other recipes you will enjoy.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
I really like how this recipe transforms simple, everyday ingredients into a delicious, meaty-flavored tofu sausage. Using frozen tofu gives it a unique, chewy, and crumbly texture that mimics real sausage.
The best part is that there is no need for pre-cooking the ingredients, which not only saves time but also makes the recipe super simple and beginner-friendly. The intense flavors and quick, 15-minute prep make it a go-to for me whenever I need a tasty and satisfying meal.
Plus, the ingredients are simple and easy to find. The combination of tofu, garlic, and onions adds a savory flavor that works great together.
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🧾 Key ingredients
This tofu sausage recipe calls for simple, plant-based ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store.
Tofu is the star of this recipe. It provides the base for our vegan sausage, and when combined with the right seasonings and herbs, it transforms into a delicious, meat-like flavor and texture.
Breadcrumbs and cornstarch work together to bind the sausage mixture and give it a hearty, sausage-like texture. Without these ingredients, the sausage might be too crumbly or soft.
Onion and garlic are essential for flavor in any sausage recipe, vegan or not. In this recipe, they add a depth of flavor that is hard to achieve with any other ingredients.
Vegan Worcestershire sauce and sweet smoked paprika are the secret ingredients that give this tofu sausage its meaty flavor. They add a smoky, savory depth that is truly satisfying.
Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami flavor to the sausage that takes it to the next level.
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
To make this vegan tofu sausage recipe, the most important piece of equipment you will need is a good quality food processor. This will help you achieve the perfect texture for your sausage mixture. The food processor is crucial for chopping the tofu into small, crumble-like pieces.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
STEP 1
Start by pre-cooking the onion and garlic. Heat a frying pan or skillet to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then, add the finely chopped onion and garlic. Cook them on medium-low heat until they become tender, but make sure they do not caramelize.
STEP 2
Once the onion and garlic are ready, transfer them, along with the remaining oil, to a bowl. Use a hand blender to blend them into a paste.
STEP 3
Next, prepare the tofu. For the best results, use frozen tofu. Thaw it overnight, then squeeze it hard to remove excess water to get a sponge-like texture. Use a food processor to chop the tofu into smaller, crumble-like pieces.
Making the vegan sausage
STEP 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the tofu crumbles, breadcrumbs, dairy-free milk, cornstarch, onion and garlic paste, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sweet smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt, tomato paste, and nutritional yeast.
STEP 2
Mix all the ingredients well, either with a spatula or with your hands. Then, form small sausages, about 3 inches long and ½ inch thick, with your hands.
STEP 3
Heat a frying pan on medium heat. If you do not have a non-stick pan, add a bit of coconut or olive oil to the pan. Fry the sausages for a couple of minutes on each side, until they have a nice brown color.
💡 Expert tip
The key to achieving the perfect texture for your vegan sausages is the tofu preparation. Always use frozen tofu and ensure it is completely dry before mincing it. This will give the sausages a firm, meaty texture, and prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
🔄 Variations
You can swap out the tofu for textured vegetable protein to give the sausages a different texture and a higher protein content. If you are looking for a chewier texture, textured vegetable protein is a great alternative to tofu.
Add a touch of freshness with fresh herbs. Consider adding chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage to the sausage mixture. These herbs will not only add a pop of color but also a refreshing flavor that compliments the other spices in the sausages.
If you like your food with a bit of spice, then consider making these sausages spicier. Increase the amount of hot chili powder or flakes in the recipe. You can also experiment with different types of chili powder to achieve the level of spiciness you desire.
🥣 Serving ideas
These vegan tofu sausages are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
I love to use them in a vegan breakfast casserole. They also work wonderfully in a vegan frittata. The spices in the sausages add a depth of flavor to the frittata.
If you are a fan of pasta, consider using these sausages in your favorite vegan pasta recipes. Serve over your choice of pasta with homemade marinara sauce, caramelized carrot pasta sauce, or vegan cashew alfredo sauce.
Consider serving them on hot dog or Italian bread rolls and top them with vegan coleslaw or veggies and a dressing of your choice. Or, make them into wraps! They also taste great alongside some vegan BBQ sauce or vegan nacho cheese sauce for an easy dipping appetizer.
❄️ Storing tips
Storing and reheating these vegan sausages is a simple process that does not compromise the flavor or texture of the dish.
To store the leftovers, allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. The sausages will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze them, make sure that they are completely cooled first. Once cooled, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. They can be frozen for up to 6 months. When you are ready to eat them, allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To rehеat, you can warm these tofu sausages under the broiler, in the oven, or in a frying pan to make the crust crispy again.
🤔 FAQs
It is best to pan-fry them instead of baking them as it gives the sausages their brown color and crispy texture that they otherwise would not get in the oven.
To keep vegan sausage from falling apart, make sure that the tofu is prepared with the right texture and add breadcrumbs to it. If you don’t have them, try adding cooked rice or quinoa with corn starch.
More frozen minced tofu recipes
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Quick Vegan Sausage (Tofu)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz Firm tofu measured as drained and squeezed
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs use GF if needed
- ¼ cup Dairy-free milk
- 4 Tbsp Corn starch
- ½ Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Sweet smoked paprika powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp Tomato paste
- ¼ tsp Hot chili powder or flakes optional
Instructions
Pre-cooking onion and garlic
- Take a frying pan or skillet and pre-heat to medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and the finely chopped onion and garlic. Cook on medium-low heat the onion and garlic until tender but opaque, yellow, and not caramelized.
- Add onion and garlic with the remaining oil to a bowl and blend it with a hand blender.
Preparing tofu
- For the best result, use frozen tofu. Thaw it overnight, then squeeze it hard. Use your hand or a milk bag. You will have a sponge-like texture at the end.
- Use a food processor to chop the tofu into smaller crumble-like pieces.
Mixing and forming sausages
- Take a large mixing bowl and add tofu crumbles, breadcrumbs, dairy-free milk, cornstarch, onion and garlic paste, 1 Tbsp olive oil, smoked sweet paprika, cumin, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt, tomato paste and nutritional yeast. Mix everything well with a spatula or with your hands.
- Form small (cca 3-inch long, ½-inch thick) sausages with your hands rolling and pressing.
Frying
- Take a frying pan and heat it on medium heat. Add a bit of coconut or olive oil if you don’t have a non-stick pan. Fry them for a couple of minutes on each side to give them a nice brown color.
- Serving suggestions above the recipe card!
Julie Penner
Can these be baked? Also can these be frozen to eat later?
Nandor Barta
Hi Julie, They can be baked but baking will make them drier and may crack the top. They can be frozen after frying though. Reheat them in a frying pan or in the oven.
Aly
I made these before and loved them!
This time I was wanting to make them with silken tofu since that’s what I have on hand. Think it would work? Anyone tried silken instead of water-packed tofu?
Thank you for your hard work. It’s a fantastic recipe!
Erin
Hi, this looks like a great recipe! I want to make sausage patties instead of links, and try baking instead of frying. Do you think that would work?
Nandor
Yes, they should work, although the outer crust is crispier after pan-frying. I would spray them with a bit of oil before baking to get the best result.