Tofu, bean curd; no matter what you want to call it, this soy product has been around for centuries, and is a staple in most vegan and vegetarian diets. It is low in calories, high in protein and iron, and it tastes pretty darn good when prepared well.

When most meat eating individuals see a product labelled vegan or vegetarian, they tend to shy away from it. However, alternatives like tofu make a fantastic addition to all diets! If you're looking to add tofu to your diet, or introduce it to others who are skeptical about it, these recipes are a perfect place to start!

1. Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites With Garlicky Yogurt + Feta Dip

Buffalo sauce has always been one of my favorite flavors, and it probably will be forever. While I typically make buffalo cauliflower as a wing-alternative, this recipe for buffalo tofu is slowly crawling up my list of favorites. Crispy, spicy, and absolutely delicious, these buffalo bites are worth the pressing and marinating time.

2. Vegan Tofu Quinoa Taco Meat

Sure, grilled vegetables make a great meat substitute for tacos, but this tofu quinoa taco meat is even better! It's got flavor, texture, and is so good you'll be wanting to celebrate Taco Tuesday every day.

3. Tofu Popcorn Chick'n

Is there anything better than bite-sized bits of crunchy, fried tofu? Probably not! These bites can also be made into bigger nuggets or sticks, depending on how you want to serve them up, 10/10 will definitely eat too many again.

4. Grilled Tofu Gyros

While I never experienced an actual gyro before I became a vegetarian, I can definitely say this is one good wrap! The tzatziki is creamy and fresh, the tofu is savory, and the addition of the french fries wrapped up into this pita is something I never would have thought of, but I'm glad I gave a chance.

5. General Tso's Tofu

Try this spicy, crispy take on a classic dish found in most North American Chinese Restaurants.It packs a punch, but is well worth the heat. Serve over rice and you've got yourself a meal that a meat eater will appreciate.

6. Tofu Parmesan

This is one of my favorite meals to make! Not only is it absolutely delicious, but my incredibly picky little sister loves it. The difference between tofu and chicken is almost unrecognizable in this dish, and our meatless substitute has fewer calories, more calcium, and zero cholesterol.

7. Crispy Tofu Bites

Sometimes, simplicity is best! While these bites are flavored with honey, sriracha, and soy sauce, they don't have any breading. And, to up the health factor, they're baked in the oven rather than fried. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

8. Tofu Bacon BLT

While BLTs were never a favorite of mine before I became a vegetarian, they're now one of my favorite foods. There are many bacon substitutes that I enjoy, and this tofu is high up on the list! It's flavorful, just a little crunchy, and goes so well with lettuce and tomato.

9. Baked Tofu Fries

While there will never be a true substitute for potatoes, these tofu fries do make a great way to cut down on the carbs and add a little more protein, if you feel so inclined. The best part is, they take very few ingredients to make! Just tofu, olive oil, and spices.

10. Korean Tofu & Shiitake Mushroom Rice Bowl

Rice bowls are (surprisingly) one of my favorite types of dishes! There are so many ingredients and toppings to add; the possibilities are endless! With this bowl you've got fresh mushrooms, crunchy carrots, and creamy avocado to go along with some darn good tofu, all over fluffy rice. Make sure you've got Korean BBQ spice blend on hand before you start cooking, and you'll be good to go.

11. Vegan Tofu Ricotta Lasagna

It's crispy. It's creamy. It's packed full of vegetables, but even if you don't like vegetables, you're still really going to want to eat this lasagna because it is THAT good. Even the author of this page admits to having been a tofu hater in the past, but this tofu ricotta is what changed her mind! It could be what changes your mind too.

12. Tofu Bánh mì with Vegan Sriracha Mayo

I'm a sandwich kind of person. Wen I come across any kind of recipe involving tofu and bread, I'll give it a try. However, I can't stop making this particular recipe! This vegan Bánh mì takes a lot of ingredients and a bit of time, but it is well worth it. Savory tofu, crunchy bread, and other delicious fillings make this dish so good, you won't want to put it down.

13. Tofu Hot Wings + Greek Yogurt Bleu Cheese Dressing

Did I really put two different recipes for chicken wing-like tofu in this list? You bet I did! Not only are the included recipes for dipping sauces different (and both are definitely worth a try) but the preparation of the tofu itself is just different enough that these recipes come out with their own textures and flavors. Definitely one of my favorite takes on tofu!

14. Vegan Shredded Tofu Pesto Sandwich

Before this recipe, I had never heard of shredding tofu. Now, I used shredded tofu all the time! It adds a different texture that not a lot of meat substitutes can manage. Plus, it's absolutely delicious with pesto and tomatoes. Served all together on bread, this dish makes for an awesome lunch, and is a recipe I will definitely be keeping around.

15. Cinnamon French Tofu Sticks with Chocolate Syrup

Tofu is not usually used in sweet snacks, and when it is, it's often blended into a smoothie. These cinnamon french tofu sticks take dessert tofu to a whole new level, and boy are they tasty!

All of these recipes are great ways to add more tofu to your diet, and even introduce the products to those who see it as a meat-alternative for non-meat-eaters only.

While maybe I don't like tofu quite as much as this guy, I can definitely say these recipes are worth taking a look at, for herbivores and meat-eaters alike.