Tofu Feta Cheese

This easy tofu feta cheese is tangy, salty, made with just a handful of pantry ingredients, & can be flavored multiple ways for a tasty, dense yet crumbly vegan feta substitute for salads, pasta, wraps, and more!

Salty, Tangy, Crumbly Tofu Feta Cheese

It’s time to learn how to make a simple, delicious vegan feta cheese recipe to bring briny, salty flavor to help round off any meal. What’s the secret? Tofu! The texture of firm tofu works perfectly to mimic the firm, dense, yet crumbly texture of dairy feta cheese. Meanwhile, a simple marinade made with just a few inexpensive pantry ingredients is all you need for flavor – though there are several optional add-ins and flavor variations.

Best of all, this recipe is so easy to prepare in just a few simple steps (and minimal effort), the tofu helps add extra protein to your diet, and – unlike many store-bought options – this tofu cheese recipe is 100% nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free. It’s versatile, too!

Looking for more simple vegan cheese recipes? Check out our tofu ricotta, nacho cheese sauce, or sunflower seed chive cream cheese.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

The Base Vegan Feta Cheese

• Extra-firm tofu: It’s best to use extra-firm tofu, which contains less liquid, and best to mimic the texture as a substitute for dairy-based feta cheese. However, firm tofu works in a pinch.
• White wine vinegar: Or red wine vinegar/ apple cider vinegar. For more depth, use a combination of vinegar and lemon juice.
• Sea salt/ kosher salt
• Hot water

Flavor Variations

• Alternative brine: Try the olive brine lemon juice marinade from our Greek Salad.
• Lemon zest: For a bright, zingy flavor. Add ½ tsp to begin and increase to taste.
• Olive oil: Just a little makes a richer mouthfeel – to replace some ‘fattiness’ in dairy feta.
• Nutritional yeast: Just a little (1-2 tbsp) will add an umami-rich, ‘cheesy’ flavor.
• White miso paste: Add 1-2 tbsps of miso to enhance the salty, umami, ‘cheesy’ flavor and for more flavor depth overall in the tofu feta recipe.
• Seasonings: There are several seasonings you can use for this vegan feta recipe, alone or combined, including (start with ½ tsp of any you use and adjust to taste).
  • Garlic powderOnion powderDried oregano (or Italian seasoning)Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • Black pepper (start with just a pinch)

How to Make Vegan Tofu Feta Cheese

• First, drain and press the tofu (15 minutes is good, but 30 minutes is even better).
• In a 16-ounce jar or a bowl, combine the salt and vinegar until the salt dissolves.

• Meanwhile, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes (slice it into 1-inch slabs, cut those in half lengthwise, then into cubes) and add them to the bowl/jar.

• Pour in the water, then stir/shake it and allow the tofu to marinate for an hour.

• Transfer the jar/bowl to the refrigerator overnight (covered with a lid/plastic wrap), then enjoy the following day.

We recommend leaving it to marinate for a minimum of 12 hours, but it will taste even better after 24 or even 48 hours.

Pro Recipe Tips

• Use the correct tofu: This recipe relies on extra-firm tofu for the best texture. If you try to use medium or soft tofu, it contains too much liquid and/or may fall apart entirely. Check out this Guide to Tofu here.
• For the most flavor: Press the tofu well so it’s able to absorb the marinade better for the best tasting tofu feta cheese.
• Allow the flavors to meld: Marinate the vegan feta cheese for a minimum of 12 hours, but note that it tastes even better when left for longer.
• Adjust with flavoring: There are several ways to flavor this dairy-free feta, so have fun adjusting it based on how you plan to serve the non-dairy feta cheese.

Storage Instructions

Keep the tofu feta stored within its marinade in an airtight jar/container for up to 1-2 weeks. If you add any extra flavorings, it’s best to consume within 5-7 days.

We don’t recommend trying to freeze it, as the texture of the tofu will change upon thawing.

How to Use Vegan Feta Cheese?

Aside from uses where it needs to melt (which this doesn’t), use this dairy-free feta cheese alternative in the same ways that you’d use regular feta. These include:

• Sprinkled over a salad – like Greek salad, Mediterranean couscous salad, watermelon salad, apple pecan salad, roasted beet salad, cucumber salad, etc.
• Over grain/pasta salads & lunch bowls– like sun-dried tomato pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta or couscous salad, Greek millet salad, etc.
• In and over tortilla and pita wraps
• Sprinkled over flatbread and vegan pizza
• Over avocado toast
• In stuffed veggies – like tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, etc.
• Sprinkled over a vegan omelette or frittata

 More Vegan Tofu Recipes

• Creamy tomato tofu sauce
• Pineapple glazed tofu ham
• Tofu Bolognese
• Tofu vegan fish sticks
• Grilled tofu steaks
• Silken tofu Caprese salad
• Tofu scrambled egg

Photos by Alfonso Revilla