This Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf is THE Perfect Plant-Based Festive Centrepiece: easy to make and with only a few ingredients!
If you’re looking for a show-stopping main dish for a plant-based holiday feast, look no further than a Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf. This savoury loaf is packed with holiday-inspired flavours, offers a comforting, hearty texture, and features a colourful stuffing of steamed green beans and carrot batons for added freshness and crunch.
This vegan tofu holiday loaf with green beans and carrot batons is more than a meal—it’s a seasonal celebration in every slice. With its savoury flavours, wholesome ingredients, and stunning presentation, it’s bound to be a favourite among both plant-based and omnivorous guests at your holiday table.
Whether you’re hosting Christmas, Thanksgiving, or simply looking for a special weekend meal, this tofu loaf offers the perfect blend of flavour, nutrition, and festive appeal.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the benefits of this vegan dish, a simple recipe guide, and tips for making this tofu loaf the centrepiece of your holiday table.
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🌟Why Make a Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf
A tofu holiday loaf is the ultimate plant-based alternative to traditional holiday mains like turkey or roast beef. Here’s why this dish is worth adding to your festive spread:
Easy to Make and Customizable: The tofu loaf is highly adaptable. You can adjust the spices, add nuts, or serve it with a variety of sauces to make it suit any holiday menu.
Rich in Protein: Tofu is a high-protein base that keeps you feeling full, making it a great alternative to meat.
Seasonal and Festive: Packed with herbs and spices like sage, thyme, and rosemary, this loaf brings all the flavours of a classic holiday roast.
Nutritious and Colourful Filling: Steamed green beans and carrot batons bring not only a festive look but also a range of nutrients and fibre, complementing the tofu’s creaminess.
🗒️Ingredients and Tools
🔪 How to Make this Tofu Based Holiday Loaf
Step 1 - Prepare the Tofu Base
Place all the ingredients for the loaf in a power blender bowl and process until smooth. Alternatively, you can pulse a few times if you’d like a coarse texture (like mince), making sure to scrape down the mixture from the side every 2-3 blender pulses.
Step 2 - Prepare the Oven and Baking Tin
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Line a pond cake mould with baking paper, brush the bottom and sides with oil.
Step 3 - Season the Bread Crumbs
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with sage, paprika, salt, pepper and onion and garlic (if using).
Step 4 - Layer the Loaf
Spread around ½ of the seasoned bread crumbs on the bottom of the loaf tin.
Pour ⅓ of the tofu mixture in the tin, then distribute half of the steamed green beans and half carrots on top of it. Cover with another ⅓ of the tofu mixture and make another layer of vegetables.
Pour the remaining ⅓ of the loaf mixture on top of the steamed veggies and beat the tin against a flat surface to get rid of any air bubbles/voids in the loaf.
Sprinkle the top with the remaining breadcrumbs and drizzle some oil on the top.
Step 5 - Bake the Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf
Bake the Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf in a 180°C (350°F) preheated oven for 45-60 minutes.
✍🏻Customizing Your Vegan Tofu Holiday Loaf
Feel free to make this loaf your own with a few easy modifications:
Top with a Glaze: A simple glaze made of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and a pinch of garlic powder brushed on top during the last 15 minutes of baking adds a gorgeous caramelized look.
Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch, mix chopped walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds into the tofu mixture.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or thyme for extra depth.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari in place of regular soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
🥡Storage Tips and Make-Ahead Options
This vegan tofu holiday loaf is a great make-ahead option, as the flavours deepen over time. Here’s how to store it:
Freezer: You can freeze the fully baked loaf by wrapping it tightly in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. It will last up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warm.
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to maintain the loaf’s texture.
🍽️Serving Suggestions and Holiday Pairings
This tofu holiday loaf pairs beautifully with classic holiday side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complete your festive meal:
Stuffing or Dressing: If you love stuffing, consider serving a side of vegan stuffing with herbs and apples, or mix dried cranberries and pecans for holiday flair. If you are in a rush, try this Quick Onion and Sage Stuffing.
Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted potatoes, sautéed cabbage, vegan cauliflower cheese or roasted red cabbage slices with pistachio pesto for a colourful and nutritious spread.
Fresh Salad: A sweet and tangy Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Beetroot and Zhoug Dressing sauce complements the savoury flavours of the tofu loaf perfectly.
Vegan Gravy: Drizzle with a mushroom and onion gravy for an extra layer of richness and moisture.
📖Recipe
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