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A roasted baby-shaped tofu loaf on a baking tray, surrounded by green leafy vegetables, carrots, and sprigs of herbs. A small bowl of dipping sauce is placed nearby.
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5 from 3 votes

Tofu Turkey Recipe (Oh Goodie, it’s Shaped Like a Human Baby!)

Tofu Turkey? Nope. Let’s take your holiday meal to the next level with a stuffed human baby carefully crafted out of vegan ingredients and filled with hyper-flavorful stuffing. This is the conversation starter that might make your whole family move closer to a non-violent, plant-based lifestyle!
Prep Time6 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Forming Time (if you make it baby shaped)1 hour
Total Time2 hours 6 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 444kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $20

Ingredients

Tofu Mixture:

Stuffing:

  • 5 cups vegan stuffing or vegan cornbread stuffing

Delicious Baby Skin:

Basting Liquid:

Instructions

  • Place the tofu, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, poultry seasoning, coriander, oregano, ground black pepper, and tamari in a food processor. Puree until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
  • Transfer the tofu mixture to a large bowl. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and bread crumbs, mixing by hand or using a stand mixer until you have a firm, dough-like consistency.
  • Lightly oil a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spread a couple of cups of the tofu mixture onto the center of the sheet, shaping it into a flat base. Pack the prepared stuffing into a compact shape and place it on top of the tofu base to form the core of the baby.
  • Using the remaining tofu mixture, carefully shape it around the stuffing, sculpting it into the form of a human baby. Focus on creating a realistic shape with a defined head, arms, and legs. For beginners, it's helpful to start by forming a rounded head, then add the torso and limbs. Smooth out the surface to eliminate any cracks.
  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Soak the rice paper sheets in warm water one at a time until pliable. Drape each sheet over the tofu baby, tucking the edges underneath. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to gently press the rice paper into the tofu, creating realistic facial features, such as eyes, nose, and mouth. Shape the rice paper around the hands to define the fingers. The rice paper will stretch and mold easily, so take your time to refine the details.
  • In and blender or in a small bowl with the tines of a fork, mix together the maple syrup, dijon mustard, miso paste, vegetable stock, and olive oil to create the basting liquid.
  • Brush the tofu baby generously with the basting liquid. Place it in the oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 minutes. Halfway through baking, baste the baby again with the liquid to enhance the skin's color and crispiness. About five minutes before removing it from the oven, give it one final basting to ensure a rich, golden finish.
  • Allow the tofu baby to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Slice and present it alongside your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. If you are super-weird, you can also serve your gravy warm in a baby bottle.

Video

Notes

🍼 Press for Success
Before blending, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. This makes the tofu mixture easier to shape into a detailed little human.
🧂 Season with Caution
Taste the tofu mixture before shaping and adjust seasonings as needed. Keep in mind that the stuffing, basting, and gravy add plenty of flavor, so don’t overdo the salt.
👶 Smooth Baby Skin
When shaping the tofu baby, use wet hands or a spatula to smooth the surface. A smooth finish helps the skin adhere properly and prevents drying out.
🔄 Spin for Even Crisping
Rotate the baking sheet 180 degrees halfway through baking to ensure even browning. This prevents uneven crisping, especially if your oven has hot spots.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Simple Loaf Life
If sculpting a baby feels too weird, creepy, or you just don’t have the sculpting confidence: it’s ok! Go with a simple loaf shape. It’s almost as tasty, even though you will be missing the chance to finally fulfill your dreams of nonviolent cannibalism or whatever… 
🎨 Exaggerate to Perfection
The tofu baby will flatten as it bakes, so make the shapes and facial features larger and more pronounced, anticipating some loss of detail.
🚚 Baby on Board
Transferring your tofu baby can be tricky. Serve it straight from the baking pan with garnishes, or use large cake transfer tools to move it, or cut it into sections before transferring.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1148mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 5mg