If you're craving something comforting yet a little different, you’re going to adore this Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe. It transforms simple tofu into a rich, silky dish with luscious sherry cream sauce—perfect for cozy dinners or impressing friends without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I was surprised the first time I whipped up this creamy sherry tofu—it’s like tofu got its glow-up moment. The sauce is dreamy and so satisfying, and the mushrooms add an earthy depth that just sings. You’ll find yourself making it again and again.
- Decadently creamy: The dairy-free cream combined with sherry makes a silky, flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to the tofu.
- Simple ingredients: You can find everything at your local grocery store and whip this up in under an hour.
- Super versatile: It's fantastic served over mashed potatoes, but you can easily switch up the sides according to your mood.
- Comfort food that’s plant-based: If you’re easing into vegetarian meals or love tofu, this recipe is a winner for texture and taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe balances earthy mushrooms with the aromatic punch of garlic and onion powders, all wrapped up in a tangy, velvety sauce from dry sherry and dairy-free cream. Each ingredient plays a role in building depth and comfort.
- Super firm tofu: Essential for holding shape during cooking; press if needed for extra firmness.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: These add subtle layers of flavor without overpowering the delicate tofu.
- Poultry seasoning: This unexpected spice blend gives the dish a warm, herby note often found in classic comfort foods.
- All-purpose flour: Used for dredging tofu, it creates a light crust that helps the sauce stick.
- Dairy-free butter: Adds richness and helps sauté vegetables beautifully.
- Cremini mushrooms: Bring umami depth and a meaty texture that pairs wonderfully with tofu.
- Onion and garlic: Fresh aromatics to elevate the sauce base.
- Italian seasoning: Adds an herbaceous hint that brightens the creamy sauce.
- Dry sherry: This is the star ingredient, lending a nuanced sweetness and complex flavor.
- Dairy-free heavy cream: Creates that luscious, silky texture without dairy.
- Mashed potatoes: The perfect cozy base for serving, soaking up all that love in the sauce.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe is how easy it is to put your own twist on it. I encourage you to experiment with the seasoning or swap sides depending on what you have on hand—you can make this recipe as simple or as fancy as you want.
- Variation: I’ve tried adding fresh thyme instead of Italian seasoning and it gave the sauce a bright, herbal lift that I really liked.
- Dietary swaps: For gluten-free, I substitute the all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free flour blend, and it works beautifully.
- Textural tweak: Try pressing tofu a bit longer if you notice it's releasing water while cooking—that way, it crisps better in the pan.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Dredge the Tofu
Start by slicing your super firm tofu into half-inch slabs. If you want, you can round the corners for a more cutlet-like look, but I often skip that—no need to fuss. Mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a wide bowl. Then, one by one, dredge each tofu slice until well coated. This step helps the tofu develop a lovely crust that holds the sauce perfectly.
Step 2: Pan-Fry the Tofu Cutlets
Heat 2 tablespoons of dairy-free butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Carefully add the tofu and cook until golden brown on both sides—around 5 to 7 minutes total. Don't rush this; letting the tofu brown properly is key for texture. Once done, set them aside but keep the skillet ready for the next step.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms
Add the last tablespoon of butter to the pan. Toss in the diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn—garlic can go from fragrant to bitter fast! Next, throw in the cremini mushrooms, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mushrooms have released their moisture and become tender.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sherry Sauce
Pour in the dry sherry and let it simmer for a minute or so to cook off the alcohol, then add the dairy-free heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic happens—the sauce thickens slightly and picks up all the savory flavors from the pan.
Step 5: Simmer the Tofu in Sauce
Gently nestle the tofu cutlets back into the sauce and let everything simmer together for another 5 to 7 minutes. This allows the cutlets to soak up the creamy sherry goodness. Watch for the sauce thickening nicely and coating each piece—perfection!
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your creamy sherry tofu hot right over a bed of mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of that sauce. Trust me, it’s the ultimate cozy comfort meal.
Top Tip
From my first trial, I learned these little tips that made a huge difference in perfecting this Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe—especially if you're new to cooking tofu or working with sherry.
- Firm Tofu Matters: Always use super firm tofu and press it well if it seems watery to achieve a crispier crust that holds the sauce better.
- Don't Skip Browning: Taking your time to brown the tofu creates layers of flavor and texture that make this dish stand out.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low when simmering tofu in the sauce to prevent curdling and help the tofu soak in the flavors evenly.
- Mind the Sherry: Use a good quality dry sherry—avoid cooking sherry with additives. This makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
How to Serve Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle fresh parsley or chives on top to add a pop of brightness and color. A little lemon zest can also lift the creaminess and make the dish feel fresher—give it a try if you want a zingy finish.
Side Dishes
Aside from mashed potatoes, this dish pairs beautifully with steamed green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or even a simple arugula salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette. The richness of the sherry cream sauce balances well with crunchy and slightly bitter sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I serve the tofu on a white platter and drizzle extra sauce around the edges, garnishing with sautéed mushrooms and fresh herbs. It looks elegant but still approachable—great for sharing with guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps really well for up to 4 days. The tofu soaks up even more flavor overnight, so sometimes I purposely make extra so I can enjoy it the next day.
Freezing
While I haven’t frozen this dish often, in a pinch, you can freeze the tofu cutlets separately without sauce to maintain texture, then thaw and reheat with freshly made sauce. The cream sauce can sometimes separate after freezing, so reheating gently and stirring helps bring it back together.
Reheating
I usually reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat with a splash of plant milk or broth to loosen the sauce, stirring gently until warm. Microwaving works too, but careful not to overheat or the sauce might break.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I recommend using super firm tofu because it holds its shape best during cooking, which helps create that nice crust and prevents it from falling apart in the sauce. Silken or soft tofu will get mushy and isn’t ideal here.
Dry sherry adds a unique sweetness and depth, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute with a dry white wine or a mix of apple cider vinegar diluted with water, though the flavor will change slightly. Just avoid using sweet or fortified wines as they can overpower the dish.
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup. We’ve had success using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour in similar recipes. Just be sure to check your other ingredients as well, like poultry seasoning, to ensure they’re gluten-free.
From start to finish, this Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe takes about 45 minutes. It’s a perfect balance of prep and cook time for a home-cooked meal that feels special without being complicated.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe is one of those meals that surprised me with how comforting and elegant it feels while still being easy to make. It’s become a go-to for busy weeknights and small gatherings alike. I hope you’ll try it soon and enjoy the rich flavors and cozy vibes as much as I do—your kitchen will thank you!
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Creamy Sherry Tofu Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This creamy sherry tofu recipe features super firm tofu pan-fried to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, dairy-free sherry cream sauce with mushrooms and aromatic seasonings. Served over mashed potatoes, it offers a comforting, flavorful, and satisfying vegan main course that is perfect for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Tofu and Dredge
- 1 block super firm tofu
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons dairy-free butter, divided
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- ½ medium onion, diced
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry sherry
- ¾ cup dairy-free heavy cream
For Serving
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
- Prep the tofu: Slice the super firm tofu width-wise into ½-inch slabs. Optionally, round the corners of each slice to mimic chicken cutlet shapes for a more appealing presentation.
- Make the dredge: In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge the tofu: Coat each tofu slab thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring all sides are covered. Set the coated tofu aside.
- Pan-fry tofu: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of dairy-free butter. Fry the tofu cutlets until golden brown on each side, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of dairy-free butter. Add diced onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Cook mushrooms and simmer sauce: Add sliced cremini mushrooms and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Cook mushrooms for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the dry sherry and dairy-free heavy cream, stirring to combine, then bring to a simmer.
- Simmer tofu in sauce: Return the pan-fried tofu cutlets to the skillet and simmer in the sherry cream sauce for 5 to 7 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve the creamy sherry tofu immediately while warm over a bed of mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend such as Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour for a gluten-free variation.
- For a richer texture, ensure the tofu is well pressed to remove excess water before slicing.
- Dry sherry can be substituted with Madeira or Marsala for a similar flavor if unavailable.
- Use dairy-free heavy cream suitable for cooking to maintain the creamy consistency in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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