This cranberry orange tofu is a festive main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, featuring crispy tofu glazed with sweet and savory cranberry-orange sauce.
Around the holidays I'm always on the hunt for vegan main dishes. There are always so many side options that are perfectly veganizable, but it's much harder to make a main dish.
Of course, there's some classics like shepherds pie, a stuffed squash, or a whole roasted cauliflower that can be a beautiful main dish centerpiece. But protein options are somewhat limited.
So here's my classic pan-fried tofu, with a cranberry orange sauce. A truly easy protein option for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Cranberry Orange Tofu
- Dietary needs - this recipe is totally plant-based! You can easily swap soy sauce for tamari or liquid aminos, for a gluten-free version. You can also cook the tofu without oil, for an oil-free dish
- Holiday flavors - an easy vegan protein for Thanksgiving or Christmas
- Sweet & tangy - Cranberry sauce and orange juice create a bright, balanced glaze
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Super Firm Tofu: super firm tofu is a vacuum-packed tofu that does not require any pre-pressing - if you like a solid, firm tofu, look for super firm. Extra firm also works - you can press it if you want, or just make the recipe as-is. Feel free to also use tempeh or seitan (my seitan chicken would be great here!)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: optional for pan-cooking. A bit of oil helps brown the tofu before we add the sauce. But for oil-free, your non-stick pan will work perfectly
- Cranberry Sauce: you can buy a can of sauce, make my refined sugar free cranberry sauce or use anything you have leftover from the holidays
- Orange Juice: fresh orange juice is great, but bottled juice is perfect too
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: I used soy sauce, but tamari or liquid aminos works well for gluten-free
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Slice the tofu into small cubes.
Step 2. In a small bowl whisk together the cranberry sauce, orange juice, and soy sauce.
Step 3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, if using. Add the tofu and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Step 4. Add the cranberry orange sauce in two batches. Pour on half the sauce, stir to coat, then cook 2-3 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add the second half of the sauce and cook again with the same method.
Step 5. Serve with more sauce if desired.
What to serve with Cranberry Orange Tofu
Pair with vegan mashed potatoes or sweet potato mashed potatoes.
Serve alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or beets.
Or offer as a vegan protein alongside classic holiday dishes like vegan stuffing and vegan green bean casserole.
FAQ & Expert Tips
Yes! This recipe works with a store-bought or homemade sauce.
I recommend super-firm (pre-pressed tofu) because it has a great, solid texture for pan-frying. You can also use extra firm.
Yes! Toss in oil (if using) and bake at 400 for 30 minutes or air fry for 15, then toss in all of the cranberry and bake again for 20 minutes or air fry for 10.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week. I like to reheat in the microwave, but for a crisp, feel free to pop in the air fryer for 5 minutes or pan-fry again in a splash of oil.
Feel free to use tempeh or seitan in place of tofu! The cooking method is the same.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you Lord for giving us healthy food to feed ourselves for dinner. Let us fuel our bodies so that we may do Your work. Amen.
More Vegan Holiday Mains
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a review in the comments section below. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Orange Tofu (for Thanksgiving or Christmas)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 16 Ounce Block Super Firm Tofu sliced into cubes (or use extra firm and pre-press as desired)
- 2 Teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil optional
- ¾ Cup Cranberry Sauce from a can, leftover from Thanksgiving, etc. (try my refined sugar free cranberry sauce)
- 2 Tablespoons Orange Juice fresh or bottled
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce, Liquid Aminos, or Tamari
Instructions
- Slice the tofu into small cubes.
- In a small bowl whisk together the cranberry sauce, orange juice, and soy sauce.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, if using. Add the tofu and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Add the cranberry orange sauce in two batches. Pour on half the sauce, stir to coat, then cook 2-3 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add the second half of the sauce and cook again with the same method.
- Serve with more sauce if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Comments
No Comments