Vegan Tofu Feta

These tangy tofu dice are delicious added to salads — now you can make a vegan Greek salad using this faux "feta"! It's a simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and oregano, and the tofu does the rest of the work while it sits. With just five ingredients and no cooking involved, it's one of the easiest ways to add a briny, tangy element to a plant-based meal.

Photos by Evan Atlas.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Extra-firm tofu. Blot it well before dicing — the drier the tofu, the more marinade it absorbs.
• Lemon juice. Provides the sharp tang that stands in for feta's characteristic sourness — use fresh for the brightest flavor.
• Extra-virgin olive oil. Carries the flavor of the marinade and gives the tofu a glossy finish.
• Dried oregano. The classic Greek herb note — a little goes a long way.

Variations

• Add garlic. A small minced clove stirred into the marinade adds extra punch.
• Add fresh herbs. A little chopped fresh dill or parsley alongside the oregano brightens the flavor further.
• Make it saltier. If you like a more assertively salty, feta-like flavor, add an extra pinch of salt or a small splash of brine from a jar of olives.
• Dice it smaller. For a more traditional crumbled-feta look, cut the tofu into smaller pieces before marinating.
• Add red pepper flakes. A small pinch adds a subtle warmth that plays well with the lemon and oregano.

Tips for the Best Tofu Feta

• Blot the tofu thoroughly. Removing as much moisture as possible before dicing helps it soak up the marinade instead of diluting it.
• Don't skip the standing time. The full 30 minutes lets the tofu really absorb the lemon and oil rather than just sitting in it.
• Toss gently. This keeps the tofu dice intact rather than breaking them into crumbles before you want them to.
• Make it a little ahead. The flavor actually improves after an hour or two in the fridge, so this is a good component to prep before assembling a salad.
• Use a shallow dish. Marinating the diced tofu in a single layer rather than a deep bowl helps the marinade coat every piece evenly.

Make Ahead & Storage

This keeps well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and the flavor deepens the longer it marinates, making it an easy make-ahead component for salads and appetizers throughout the week. Give it a gentle stir before serving, since the marinade tends to settle at the bottom of the container.

How to Serve

Mix gently with olives and sliced roasted peppers for a delicious appetizer, toss into a Greek salad, or add to other cold dishes like Greek-Flavored Lentil Salad with Tofu Feta. It also makes a nice topping for grain bowls, or a simple addition to a plate of hummus and pita for a light meal.

Recipe

Vegan Tofu Feta

4.75 from 4 votes

Tangy, marinated tofu dice that make a convincing stand-in for feta cheese in salads, appetizers, and cold dishes.

Print Pin Save Saved!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 8 ounces extra-firm tofu
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

• Slice the tofu into 4 slabs, crosswise. Blot between layers of paper towel or clean tea towels until you get out as much moisture as you can.
• Cut the slabs into ½-inch dice. Place in the serving container in which you plan to serve this, in a single layer.
• Toss with the lemon juice and oil; sprinkle with the salt and oregano. Let stand for 30 minutes, then use as you wish.

Notes

Delicious added to salads for a vegan Greek salad, mixed gently with olives and sliced roasted peppers as an appetizer, or tossed into other cold dishes.

Vegan-ize any recipe!Grab our free vegan cheat sheet, packed with my favorite easy substitutions to make any recipe vegan.

• Here are more easy tofu recipes.