Tofu fajitas are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional chicken or beef fajitas. This easy one-pan and filling meal is perfect for those looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their diet and is especially great for a busy weekday, as it only takes 30 minutes to make.
This recipe is our vegan take on the traditional fajitas, made with tofu, loads of veggies, and homemade spice seasoning.
Fajitas is one of those recipes we like cooking for meat-eaters, as it's made with ingredients they normally eat and beautifully cooked tofu. We convinced a lot of meat eaters that tofu is a great meat alternative with this tex-mex recipe. Tofu fajitas, vegan lasagna soup, and this peanut curry are our top choice meals when non-vegans come for dinner, so keep this recipe close for your family or to surprise your next guests.
Also, both our kids love this recipe, which makes this a perfect family dinner for a weekday. They like assembling their own fajitas with some mashed avocado and sweet corn, and sometimes, we make a bean dip to add to our fajitas.
What are the best tortillas to make Fajitas?
When it comes to choosing the best tortillas for fajitas, it depends on your personal preference or dietary restrictions. Here are some options:
- Flour tortillas: Soft and pliable, these are ideal for wrapping around your fajita filling. They come in both white tortillas and whole-wheat tortillas, and many people find them to be the most traditional option for fajitas. This is our favorite option as they are easy to find and work great.
- Corn tortillas: Made from ground corn, these have a slightly rougher, denser texture and a deeper corn flavor. They are a great gluten-free alternative to flour tortillas.
- Low-carb tortillas: For those watching their carbohydrate intake, low-carb tortillas are available in various varieties, including almond flour, coconut flour, or a mix of nutrient-dense seeds and fibers.
- Homemade tortillas. This would be your healthiest option as store-bought tortillas tend to have many additives that your homemade tortillas won't have. We especially love these lentil wraps that you can make with red lentils.
No matter which tortilla option you choose, be sure to warm them gently before assembling your fajitas. This will make them more pliable and enhance their flavor.
Ingredients
Tofu. We recommend using extra firm tofu for the best texture and consistency in your fajitas. To prepare the tofu, press it for a few minutes to remove excess moisture, then slice it into strips. Our recipe doesn't involve marinating the tofu before cooking it, which makes the whole cooking process easier. If you're looking for a soy-free alternative, you can follow our red lentil tofu recipe to make this recipe.
Fresh veggies. Many fajitas recipes simply use onion and bell peppers, which traditionally is how fajitas are served. At home, we like including other veggies such as carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Carrots and mushrooms are our kid's favorite veggies, so we make sure to include them so he will more likely happily eat the fajitas. We use white onion and red and green bell peppers. You can use red onion too, and another type of pepper such as long Italian red peppers or yellow bell peppers. You can use any other veggie of your choice, such as broccoli, green beans, zucchini, etc.
Fajita seasoning. We recommend making your own fajita seasoning at home, as the premade fajita seasoning packs contain high amounts of sugar. Our fajita seasoning includes cumin powder, coriander powder, smoked sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and little bit of sugar. You can also add red chili powder for a spicy touch. You can as well, get a store-bought fajita seasoning, or use taco seasoning if you have that already at home.
Fresh Coriander. We like adding some fresh cilantro or coriander right before serving. You can use other fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil.
Tortillas. For this recipe, we use medium size flour tortillas. They come in both white and whole wheat varieties, and many people find them to be the most traditional option for fajitas. This is our favorite option as they are easy to find and work great. We like buying small tortillas as well; they are easy to heat and prepare.
Cooking Method
Slice the red bell pepper, green pepper, onion, carrot, and mushrooms. Finely grate a fresh tomato so you have tomato purée. Remove the excess water from the tofu and cut it into thin strips.
Add some vegetable oil to a large skillet pan to medium heat, and when hot, add the sliced veggies. For this part, you can use a non-stick pan, or frying pan too. Cook until the onion starts to soften and the veggies start to slightly brown.
Add the homemade fajita seasoning. To prepare it, you simply need to combine cumin and coriander powder, sweet smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, and sugar. Combine well, and add a little water if needed to deglaze the pan.
Make some space for the tofu, and add the tofu strips. Cook for a few minutes, then add the fresh tomato pure and keep cooking. Make sure the tofu is touching the skillet pan, so it cooks well.
Heat some tortillas. We use a griddle pan for that, but you can use the oven, microwave, or a regular pan. You don't need to add any oil.
Serve the tofu fajitas. We recommend serving the pan with the rest of the toppings and the warm tortillas on the side so people can customize their fajitas.
Easy Tofu Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- ½ bell Pepper Red
- 1 green Pepper
- 1 carrot
- 3-4 mushrooms
- 1 tomato
- 9 oz tofu
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Fresh coriander
- 4 flour tortillas
Toppings
- Avocado mash
- Jalapeños
- Sweet corn
- Hot Sauce
- Fresh Coriander
Instructions
- Slice the red bell pepper, green pepper, onion, carrot, and mushrooms.1 onion, ½ bell Pepper Red, 1 green Pepper, 1 carrot, 3-4 mushrooms
- Finely grate a fresh tomato.1 tomato
- Remove the excess water from the tofu and cut it into strips.9 oz tofu
- Add some vegetable oil to a skillet pan, and when heated, add the sliced veggies. Cook until the onion starts to soften and the veggies start to slightly brown.
- Combine cumin and coriander powder, sweet smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, and sugar. Add to the veggies and stir well. You can add a little water if needed to deglaze the pan.1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon sugar
- Make some space for the tofu, and add the tofu strips. Cook for a few minutes, the add the grated tomato and keep cooking. Make sure the tofu is touching the skillet pan so it cooks well.
- When the tofu and veggies are ready to be served, add some fresh chopped cilantro.Fresh coriander
- Heat some tortillas. We use a griddle pan for that, but you can use the oven, microwave, or a regular pan. You don't need to add any oil.4 flour tortillas
- Serve the tofu fajitas with your favorite toppings.Avocado mash, Jalapeños, Sweet corn, Hot Sauce, Fresh Coriander
Newsletter
Nutrition
Variations to our Tofu Fajitas
Bake. To prepare a fajita sheet pan all you have to do is place all the sliced veggies and tofu strips in an oven pan. Combine some olive oil with the fajita seasoning, creating a marinade, and add to the pan. Combine well to make sure everything is evenly coated, and bake for about 25 minutes at 420F (210C). Make sure you stir everything halfway to ensure that everything is cooking evenly.
Make it vegetarian. You can make this recipe vegetarian by adding some shredded cheese and sour cream to your fajita.
Change the plant-based protein. When we are not using tofu, we use heura. A meat alternative made in Spain. Other options would be seitan, tempeh, or including more mushrooms.
Add some spice. We keep this recipe mild so the whole family can enjoy it, but if you want to add some heat, you can simply add chili powder, chili flakes, or smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to enjoying tofu fajitas, having the right side dishes and toppings can elevate your meal to new levels.
Toppings
- Guacamole: A creamy and delicious topping made from ripe avocados, lime juice, and seasonings. You can as well, simply serve some mashed avocado on the side.
- Salsa: Choose from mild, medium, or hot salsa to add an extra kick to your fajitas. We love Valentina hot sauce.
- Vegan Queso: A dollop of vegan queso adds a creamy element to balance the spiciness of the fajitas.
- Vegan cheese: Sprinkle a bit of vegan cheese on your fajitas for added flavor and to make them more filling.
- Chopped cilantro: This herb brings a fresh and flavorful touch to your tofu fajitas.
- Pico de gallo. Another great topping for your fajitas. Check out this Mango Pico de Gallo.
- Jalapeños. You can get jarred jalapeños, which are sweeter, and add some heat. These are a great addition to your fajita recipes.
- Sweet corn. We love adding some sweet corn. Our kids love it so this is a topping we cannot miss at home.
Rice
A traditional side dish for fajitas is Spanish or Mexican rice. It complements the flavors of the tofu fajitas and provides a more filling meal. You can make your own rice by sautéing onions, garlic, and diced tomatoes in a bit of oil, then adding long-grain rice and cooking in a mixture of vegetable broth and tomato sauce. Alternatively, you can also serve tofu fajitas with brown rice or cilantro lime rice for a healthier option.
Beans
Another popular side dish to serve with tofu fajitas is beans. You can choose from a variety of beans, such as black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans. Not only do beans provide protein and fiber, but they also add a delicious and hearty element to the meal.
Store and Reheat
If you have leftovers, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you want to eat them, simply heat them using a microwave or a pan and heat a tortilla.
Other lovely dishes you can make with leftover fajita veggies is a burrito bowl, or serve them with some Mexican rice. As well, you could use the vegetable and tofu fajitas mixture to add on top of your loaded nachos.
You can keep the tortillas in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or more, depending on the type of tortillas.
Meal prep
This recipe is great for meal prep, as you can leave the fajita vegetables and tofu cooked and all you have to do when you are ready to enjoy the meal is to heat a tortilla and assemble the fajita with your favorite toppings.
FAQ and Tips
When it comes to vegetables for tofu fajitas, the most traditional and commonly used options include thinly sliced bell peppers and red onions. That said, we recommend you use as many veggies as you like and have on hand. Carrots and mushrooms are a must when we make fajitas. It really depends on your taste and preferences, but we can tell you any colorful vegetable will work great.
If you are making this meal for many people, you may need to use a microwave to heat the tortillas. Simply stack five tortillas on a plate and heat for about 30 seconds or until they are warmed through. Repeat until all the tortillas are warm.
Ruth Grindeland says
I showed my husband a picture of these fajitas, and he kept asking me to make them, which was a happy surprise because he is a carnivore. The recipe did not disappoint! We loved it and are happy I made extra for leftovers to eat for lunch today.
Laura says
Thank you Ruth, we always enjoy some leftovers the day after too!
Colleen says
These tofu fajitas were very flavorful and easy to make. Great recipe that we will be making again.
Laura says
Thank you Collen!
Marta says
I made these tofu fajitas for our Meatless Monday meal last night and they were a hit! I used smoked paprika instead of sweet and it tasted like I grilled them.
Laura says
Thank you Marta! Glad you liked them!
Mikayla says
Such a great dish, cooking tofu correctly makes it taste so good and adds great texture and flavor to the dish!
Laura says
Thank you! Totally agree 🙂
Susan says
This is so up my alley! They look like they're so full of flavor and I love all the toppings ideas!
Dennis says
I have been cutting back on meat and when I saw your post I knew it was perfect for a meatless dinner! It was delicious and will now be on a regular dinner rotation.
Elena says
These was a nice and filling meal that satisfied everyone in my family, even the non-vegans.
Laura says
Thank you!
Hayley Dhanecha says
Such a delicious and healthy recipe, we really enjoyed making it. A perfect family meal that is now onour regular menu.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Oh such an awesome recipe! I had been looking for a vegan option for some friends that were coming to a backyard cookout. These were PERFECT and so flavorful!!!
Jessica says
I love these homemade easy to make recipes! This was a perfect family dinner with great flavor. Thanks 🙂