Welcome to the tofu sandwich of your dreams! This incredible vegan sandwich stars crispy breaded tofu, tangy Russian dressing, and crunchy pickles that create a flavor explosion everyone will love.

This really is the tofu sandwich of your dreams! Crispy breaded tofu, tangy Russian dressing, and crunchy pickles all create a flavor explosion that will have you wanting seconds. We modeled this recipe after a crispy fish sandwich, right down to that savory creamy sauce, and it’s got all the most satisfying flavor and texture contrasts. We tested this on a friend who doesn’t like tofu, and she gobbled it right up! It’s a fun plant-based recipe and vegan dinner to impress your friends and family.

The keys to this tofu sandwich

Here’s the thing about a tofu sandwich: tofu has a very soft texture. It’s so soft, in fact, that it can be hard to detect texture-wise when served on bread if you’re not careful. That’s why we created this crispy breaded tofu. To make a satisfying sandwich, you’ve got to have that contrasting texture of the protein.

Add to that veggies, crunchy pickles, and Russian dressing, which is that irresistibly tangy condiment that makes a Big Mac so satiating. (I’m starting to salivate just thinking about it!) Here’s what you’ll need for this tofu sandwich recipe:

• Extra firm tofu
• soy sauce
• Panko (plain unseasoned)
• Cornstarch
• Onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper
• olive oil
• buns
• Shredded lettuce or greens
• Pickles
• Russian Dressing

Tips for making breaded tofu

The star of the show in this sandwich is the panko breaded tofu, which gives it a lovely crisp exterior similar to the vibe of a crispy fish sandwich. Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb mixture that is airier and lighter than traditional breadcrumbs. Here you’ll press a mixture of panko and seasoned cornstarch onto the outside of the tofu, then pan fry until it’s crispy. Here are a few tips for the process:

• There’s no need to press the tofu! Many tofu recipes press out the liquid, which takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. But there’s no need for a wait time with this recipe! Simply pat it dry with a towel.
• Slice the tofu into rectangles. We like to slice the tofu into 8 thin slabs lengthwise, then in half for 16 rectangles total. You can do other shapes, but these are easy to work with. The most important part is having the tofu relatively thin so it gets fully seasoned.
• Dip the tofu in soy sauce. Place the tofu slabs in a shallow bowl with 4 tablespoons soy sauce, dipping each side in, then remove them to a plate. You won’t use all this soy sauce, it just needs to be a good amount so you can dip in the pieces. Discard the remainder.
• Dip the tofu slabs into the panko breading mixpressing it in with your fingers to help it adhere to each side.
• Pan fry the tofu in batches. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet (or enough to cover the bottom) and add half the tofu slabs. Cook on medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned and crispy. Repeat with the second batch of tofu.

A note on the buns

It’s helpful to have a sturdy bun with a texture like an artisan bread for this tofu sandwich, like a ciabatta roll. Many hamburger buns are soft and fluffy, which make for a less satisfying sandwich since the tofu has a soft texture. These work for proteins like hamburger and fish that have a lot of texture, but it’s not as delicious with tofu.

For vegan, make sure the bun has vegan ingredients. Most ciabatta rolls are vegan, as are artisan breads like sourdough or no knead bread.

Making the Russian Dressing

You know that creamy, savory sauce that makes you unable to stop inhaling a Reuben sandwich or a Big Mac? Yes, that’s Russian dressing. It’s very easy to make at home, and a slather of it makes any sandwich undeniably delicious. It’s made of mayonnaise, ketchup, and a few other key tangy and savory ingredients that work together to make it altogether addicting.

Russian dressing takes this breaded tofu sandwich over the top, so make sure to include it when you make the sandwich! If you eat fully vegan, make sure to make the sauce with vegan mayonnaise.

Sides to serve with this tofu sandwich

How to turn this tofu sandwich into a meal? Add a side of coleslaw, fries, or salad and you’ve got a hearty dinner! Here are a few ways we’d accessorize it:

Is tofu healthy?

There’s lots of misinformation about tofu and soy products swirling around. Often we get the question: is tofu healthy? Here’s what to know about eating tofu and other soy products like tempeh and edamame:

• Tofu in moderation is part of a healthy diet (several times per week). Per the Harvard School of Nutritionsoy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week.
• Tofu is likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red meat and processed meat. see Straight Talk About Soy and Is Tofu Good for You? for more.

More tofu recipes

There are so many tasty ways to enjoy this vegan protein! Here are some of our favorite tofu recipes: