Discover the best vegan corned beef recipe made with tofu! Perfect texture and incredible flavor-ideal for sandwiches or St. Patrick's Day meals.
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Craving the rich, hearty taste of traditional corned beef but want to keep things plant-based? Look no further! This vegan corned beef recipe, made with extra firm tofu and packed with authentic pickling spices, delivers incredible flavor and a surprisingly meaty texture. Ideal for your favorite sandwich, a comforting corned beef hash, or a show-stopping vegan Reuben on rye bread, this recipe is guaranteed to be a huge hit-even among meat eaters. Keep reading to find out how easy it is to bring this delicious vegan version of an Irish classic to your kitchen!
Ingredients
The ingredients for this vegan corned beef recipe are simple, wholesome, and easy to find at most major grocery stores or online. You'll need extra firm tofu, a few basic pantry spices, a bay leaf, and a touch of brown sugar to create a rich, savory brine with incredible flavor.
While you can often find pickling spice pre-mixed, making your own spice blend at home is easy and allows you to control the flavors-just combine mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and a few other common spices.
These ingredients not only create that classic corned beef taste, but they also come with added nutritional value: tofu provides a high-quality plant-based protein, and the spices offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It's a great recipe that combines good food with feel-good ingredients, making it a perfect vegan meat substitute for both special occasions and everyday meals.
You will need...
- water
- salt
- pickling spice
- mustard seeds
- coriander seeds
- bay leaves
- brown sugar
- red food colouring
- extra firm tofu
For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
Notes: if you can't buy pickling spice you can make your own using this pickling spice recipe.
Instructions
Press and drain the tofu using a tofu press.
Make a brine by adding all the ingredients (except tofu) to a large pan and bringing to the boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
Slice the tofu into ¼ inch slices. Place into the boiling brine and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover and let sit for 30 minutes, or in the fridge overnight.
Pre-heat your oven to 190 degrees celsius. Oil a baking tray and bake the tofu on the oiled sheet for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for softer or more crisp vegan corned beef.
Serving Suggestions
1. Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich
Layer thin slices of your tofu corned beef with vegan Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and vegan Russian or Thousand Island dressing between two slices of toasted rye bread. Grill it in a pan with a little vegan butter until golden brown-this is the real deal for deli-style comfort food.
2. Vegan Corned Beef Hash
Cube the tofu corned beef and fry it with diced potatoes, red onions, green onion, and a sprinkle of black pepper or smoked paprika. Serve with a dollop of vegan mayo or a runny tofu scramble on the side for a hearty brunch.
3. Grain Bowl or Salad Topper
Serve your sliced vegan beef warm or cold over a bowl of quinoa, roasted vegetables, and leafy greens. Drizzle with olive oil or vegan dressing for a healthy, protein-rich meal.
4. Make-Ahead Deli Meat
Store your cooked vegan corned beef in an airtight container in the fridge and use it throughout the week in sandwiches, wraps, or even chopped into pasta dishes. The flavor deepens the next day, making it even better for meal prep.
🍽 5. St. Patrick's Day Dinner
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day or honour Irish immigrants by pairing it with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots-just like the traditional way, but 100% plant-based.
Variations and substitutions
Tofu Substitutions
- Seitan: For a chewier, more meaty texture, try making a corned beef seitan recipe using vital wheat gluten. Combine it with kidney beans, vegetable broth, and spices in a food processor to form a dough before steaming or baking.
- Tempeh: A nutty, high-protein alternative with a firmer texture. Works well when sliced thin and marinated thoroughly.
- Jackfruit: While less protein-rich, young green jackfruit can mimic the fibrous texture of pulled beef-great for sandwiches.
Spice and Flavor Variations
- Pickling Spice: If you don't have a ready-made blend, make your own spice mix with mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, dill seed, bay leaves, ground allspice, and a pinch of chili flakes.
- Beet Juice or Powder: Add beet juice or beet powder to the brine for a rich reddish hue that mimics traditional beef brisket and adds antioxidants.
- Smoked Paprika or Liquid Smoke: For a smoky twist, enhance the marinade with a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to evoke that deli meat depth.
Flavor Boosters
- Tomato Paste: Adds umami depth-especially when you're aiming for that next level savory kick.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari: For a saltier, umami-rich marinade with a punch of flavor and deeper coloring.
Textural Variations
- Freeze and Thaw Tofu: For a firmer, chewier texture that better mimics meaty texture, freeze your tofu beforehand and then thaw and press it before use.
- Bake vs. Pan Fry: Baking the tofu slices yields a crispier exterior and firmer bite, while pan-frying in olive oil or vegan butter offers a softer, caramelized finish.
For a Spice Rub Finish
Brush the tofu with a little olive oil and press on a dry spice rub before baking-think garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, ground mustard, and chili powder-for extra punch and best texture.
These variations let you customise your own vegan corned beef and experiment with the texture of the tofu and the flavor of your spice blend. It's a flexible, delicious recipe that suits a wide range of preferences.
📖 Recipe
The Best Vegan Corned Beef Recipe (Made With Tofu)
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 ser 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Discover the best vegan corned beef recipe made with tofu! Perfect texture and incredible flavor-ideal for sandwiches or St. Patrick's Day meals.
Ingredients
1200ml water
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp pickling spice
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
1 tsp brown sugar
1 drop red food colouring
2 x 400g packets of tofu
Instructions
Press and drain the tofu using a tofu press.
Make a brine by adding all the ingredients (except tofu) to a large pan and bringing to the boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
Slice the tofu into ¼ inch slices. Place into the boiling brine and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover and let sit for 30 minutes, or in the fridge overnight.
Pre-heat your oven to 190 degrees celsius. Oil a baking tray and bake the tofu on the oiled sheet for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Adjust the cooking time accordingly for softer or more crisp vegan corned beef.
FAQ's
Can I freeze vegan corned beef?
Yes, you can freeze it after cooking. Slice or cube the tofu and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven until warmed through for best results. The texture might change slightly after it has been frozen and defrosted.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes! This recipe uses wholesome ingredients like tofu and natural spices, without any highly processed fake meats. Tofu is high in protein and calcium, while the spices add antioxidants. It is high in salt however. For a lower sodium option, reduce the soy sauce or use low-sodium alternatives.
What is the best way to serve vegan corned beef?
Slice it thin and serve it on rye bread with vegan Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and vegan Russian dressing for a classic vegan Reuben. Or cube it for corned beef hash, toss it in a warm grain bowl, or layer it into your favorite sandwich with mustard and greens.
Can I make vegan corned beef ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, this recipe tastes even better the next day after the tofu has had more time to absorb the marinade. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavor continues to deepen over time, making it ideal for meal prep or special occasions like St. Patrick's Day.
Does vegan corned beef taste like real corned beef?
Yes-when made with the right spice blend and marinated properly, vegan corned beef offers the same savory, slightly tangy, and spiced flavor as the traditional version. The texture of the tofu (or seitan) gives it a satisfying bite, and additions like liquid smoke or smoked paprika enhance the depth for a real deal taste.
What is vegan corned beef made from?
Vegan corned beef is typically made from extra firm tofu, seitan (vital wheat gluten), or jackfruit. In this recipe, we use tofu marinated in a savory brine with pickling spices, beet juice or powder for color, and ingredients like soy sauce, garlic powder, and mustard seeds to mimic the traditional beef spices.
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