The Best Vegan Philly Cheesesteak (Easy Tofu Recipe)

A Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich so beefy and cheesy it’ll satisfy the biggest eaters! Make yours for dinner with this Easy Tofu Recipe.

Slices of tofu get a dark brown beefy marinade and baked on a sheet pan to develop a flavor and texture perfect for a Vegan Philly Cheesesteak. With a gooey Vegan Cheese Sauce, and served on a steak sandwich bun, this Easy Tofu Recipe makes the perfect vegan sandwich. Make it “with” onions, mushrooms, or peppers if you want!

How To Make Philly Cheesesteak for Vegan Sandwiches

Looking for ways to replace the protein in your diet with something healthier than store bought plant-based meat substitutes? Tofu is largely overlooked as a versatile and ready blank canvas for creating a range of flavors and textures. This makes it perfect for making a substitute for sliced beef in uses like a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich.

The best tofu to use for this recipe is an extra firm tofu, the kind in the vacuum sealed packs. The dense texture of this kind of tofu makes it perfect for thin slices that cook up with a texture like thinly sliced beef. If you don’t have this type, you can also use the firm tofu in the water packs. It’s not as dense and a little less firm, but it still works in the recipe if you are a little more careful.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With a marinade full of savory flavors, the tofu slices soak up a juicy beef like essence that transforms a simple brick of soy protien into something greater than the sum of its parts. I use the Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Base as an ingredient in the marinade for its realistic flavor and color. When mixed into a few more ingredients (like Marmite, mushroom powder, and Browning Seasoning) the beefy marinade in this recipe makes this Easy Tofu Recipe a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

The Benefits of Switching Out Meat with Tofu

Choosing tofu over sliced beef offers several of health and environmental advantages. This plant-based powerhouse is packed with high-quality protein and essential amino acids. It’s an excellent source of iron and calcium, all while being low in calories and devoid of cholesterol. Its impressive nutrient profile supports heart health, weight management, and can reduce the risk of certain diseases. 

Environmentally, tofu production demands significantly less water and land and emits fewer greenhouse gasses. Compared to livestock farming, this makes it a sustainable choice for our planet. Additionally, tofu’s remarkable adaptability in soaking up flavors makes it an ideal substitute in dishes. Ensuring that you can still savor the rich meaty flavor of a Philly Cheesesteak without compromising on taste. 

Embracing tofu aligns with a commitment to health and sustainability and also opens up a world of culinary possibilities. This allows for the creation of innovative, plant-based versions of beloved classics.

In addition to the personal health benefits, choosing a plant-based tofu option also contributes to the well-being of the environment. Animal agriculture has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. By opting for a plant-based alternative, such as marinated shaved tofu, you’re making a conscious choice to reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

So, why not give this Vegan Philly Cheesesteak a try? Not only will you be treating your taste buds to a burst of flavors, but you’ll also be making a choice that’s better for your health and the environment. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked on these mouthwatering Vegan Philly Cheesesteaks!

• Vegan Gyros (Easy Tofu Recipe) with Creamy Tzatziki
• Tofu Ricotta 2.0 – Elevated Plant-Based Cheese
• Vegan Chorizo – Vegan Meat Substitute With Siete Seasoning
• Smashed and Dried: The Secret to Delicious Jackfruit Recipes
• Impossible Breakfast Sausage Copycat – Elevated Plant-Based Protein

Ingredients For The Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

• Tofu – I used the regular firm tofu in the water pack, although the extra firm tofu in the vacuum pack would be ideal.
• Corn starch – helps some marinade adhere to the surface and helps the tofu get a bit crisp.
• Clear neutral oil – I used avocado oil in the marinade to keep the tofu from sticking, but it can be omitted.
• Pepper – adds flavor to the tofu slices in the marinade.
• Paprika – adds flavor to the tofu slices in the marinade.
• Powdered smoke flavor – or liquid smoke for a hint of grill flavor.
• Mushroom powder – or other umami flavor ingredient that you have to use.
• Soy sauce – Gives umami and color in the marinade, can be switched for liquid coconut aminos for a gluten free option.
• Onion powder – adds flavor to the tofu slices in the marinade.
• Garlic powder – adds flavor to the tofu slices in the marinade.
• No Beef Bouillon Base – this is what gives the beefy flavor to the tofu slices, Better Than Boullion brand is the best here.
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce – or other umami source like Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce.
• Liquid browning – adds to the dark color and makes the slices look realistically like the color of meat.

Mix, or whisk, these ingredients into a marinade for the tofu slices. Make sure the surfaces of the tofu slices are evenly coated with the marinade and cover to refrigerate. The longer that you can let the tofu soak up the marinade the more color and savory flavor gets absorbed.

Instructions For Making The Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Recipe

1. Drain and press the tofu, cut into thin slices after pressing.

2. Blend all of the ingredients and seasoning for the marinade and add to a bowl with the tofu slices. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and ensure the tofu slices are wet with the marinade.

4. Arrange the marinated tofu slices on the parchment paper and avoid touching or overlap as much as possible.

5. Bake the tofu slices for 15 minutes and flip, then return to bake the remaining 15 minutes.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven when done and allow to cool. The tofu slices can be pan fried in a bit of oil to further develop the texture for a firmer bite.

7. Sauté some mushrooms, onions, or peppers if you want yours with.

Assembling The Vegan Cheesesteaks

Now that your marinated tofu slices are cooked to perfection, it’s time to assemble your delicious Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. Get some traditional sub rolls, a pack of ciabatta, or even a crusty French bread if you like a chewier bread option. Most wet sandwiches start with a layer of mayo to provide a moisture barrier, but it can be substituted with a thin smear of mustard or omitted.

Now that the bread is prepared, fill the sandwich with a generous serving of the savory tofu slices. Even piled high like a famous cheesesteak shop’s sandwich, the baked tofu slices have a firm bite and chew just like sliced beef. If you like yours “with” you can add mushrooms, onions, or peppers here with the tofu slices in the sandwich.

To make the best Vegan Philly Cheesesteak possible, getting the plant-based cheese to melt is the coup de grâce. If your vegan cheese isn’t melty on its own, you can add a little liquid in a small saucepan with your cheese and hope that it melts nice. The best option is a Vegan Cheese Sauce that I wrote about in a previous post.

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sodium citrate is a natural plant based chemical additive that does a couple of things in a cheese emulsion to make it stable and silky. It lowers the acidity of the cheese sauce and strengthens the emulsion enough to prevent it from breaking. This has the effect of making the sauce silky and smooth as well. It’s what gives processed cheeses like Velvet and Kraft Singles their soft and meltable texture. However, I’ve also found it to work on plant based vegan cheeses too.

The Taste Test: How Does It Compare To Philly Cheesesteak?

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: the taste test! You may be wondering, how does this marinated shaved tofu compare to a traditional Philly Cheesesteak? Well, get ready to be pleasantly surprised!

While it may not be an exact replica of traditional Philly Cheesesteak, this vegan version is a surprisingly close match. The marinated shaved tofu has a savory, umami-rich taste that perfectly mimics the meaty flavors you would expect from a Philly Cheesesteak. The umami marinade ingredients and meaty seasoning blend together beautifully, creating a crave-worthy combination of flavors.

The texture of the marinated tofu is also surprisingly similar to thin sliced steak meat. It has a slightly chewy and satisfying bite, making each mouthful a delightful experience. Combined with the Vegan Cheese Sauce, the flavors harmonize to create a Philly Cheesesteak that is bursting with deliciousness.

One of the great things about this Vegan Philly Cheesesteak is that it doesn’t leave you feeling heavy or weighed down like a traditional sandwich can. The tofu is lighter and easier to digest, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without any of the guilt.

So, if you’re skeptical about trying this Vegan Philly Cheesesteak recipe, I encourage you to give it a chance. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how delicious and satisfying marinated shaved tofu is. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you won’t miss the traditional Cheesesteak at all.

More Vegan Tofu Recipes

I realized that I was eating way too many processed plant based meat substitutes. In an effort to work on my health, I got creative with these Easy Tofu Recipes to make some dishes that we all love. Finding satisfying ways to use tofu in recipes that are also easy to make is my strategy for eating better and saving money. Here are more recipes in the series that you’re sure to enjoy.

• The Best Vegan Gyros (Easy Tofu Recipe) with Creamy Tzatziki

More Meat Substitute Recipes 

Here’s a few more vegan and plant-based meat substitute recipes that you’ll love making.