Sofritas. Spicy, savory, healthy, delicious sofritas. I’m kind of addicted. This recipe has all of the requirements that an athlete in training would demand for dinner. It has protein, good carbs, veggies, flavor, spice (for endorphins), and it’s GOOD! Like really, really good!
These tasty wraps also have all of the requirements that busy people demand. They’re easy to make, fast, and they’re a crowd pleaser.
It’s safe to say that these sofritas tofu lettuce wraps are for everyone and anyone who’s looking for a healthy dinner that’s done in less than thirty minutes, won’t break the bank, and will nourish your body and your taste buds.
As spring weather slooooowwwwllllyyyy pushes its way toward Chicago—yay you if you live in a nice climate—my brain and my body are craving lighter, more colorful, and healthier food. How about you? Are you thinking about foods that will make you rock your shorts this summer?
Who doesn’t want to rock their shorts? We all do. That’s why we all need to start putting away the heavy winter comfort food and start embracing lighter fare. However, that doesn’t mean that we have to deprive ourselves of flavor, or eat less. Not at all! That’s the beauty of a whole food plant-based diet, we GET to eat when we’re hungry!
These spicy and filling (lighter food doesn’t mean that you need to starve) sofritas tofu lettuce wraps are my kind of spring/summer food. They don’t take a lot of time to make, they tick all of the nutritional boxes that I’m going to need as I train for the Chicago Marathon in October, and several half-marathons this summer, and they’re delicious and nutritious.
All you’ll need to make these is super firm tofu, a few carrots, a bell pepper, a red onion, garlic, spices, teriyaki sauce, lime, and lettuce. You’ll also want chili sauce and/or soy sauce to drizzle over them if that’s your thing. It’s my thing.
If you have a large iron skillet or a large non-stick skillet you’re golden. This recipe requires a big pan. Heat some avocado oil, or vegetable broth if you don’t cook with oil, add the carrots, bell pepper, and onion, and cook for approximately ten to fifteen minutes. The carrots and peppers should be soft, not too crunchy.
When the veggies are cooked properly, add the garlic and the tofu. Use a potato masher to smash the tofu until it looks like small crumbles. Add the spices, teriyaki sauce, and lime juice. Stir and cook for about ten minutes or until the tofu loses most of its moisture.
Fill the lettuce leaves with the sofritas mixture, sprinkle some fresh cucumber on top, and drizzle with soy sauce and/or chili sauce.
That’s it. Easy, right?
You can totally pig out on this and not feel one bit guilty. There’s nothing in it that will weigh you down. It's safe to say that this sofritas tofu lettuce wraps recipe is shorts and swim suit friendly. You’re welcome.
Tell me:
Have you ever had sofritas?
Do you love lettuce wraps as much as I do?
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Sofritas Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Equipment
- stove
- skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or broth or water if you don't cook with oil
- 2 large carrots – finely diced
- ½ red bell pepper -finely diced
- ½ large red onion – finely diced
- 14 ounces extra firm tofu – pressed to remove excess water and diced
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes optional for those who love spicy food
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- Juice from one small lime
- Salt to taste
- 10 large lettuce leaves I used romaine lettuce
- ½ cucumber – finely diced
- Chili sauce and soy sauce optional
Instructions
- Put the tofu on a plate lined with paper towels and put a layer of paper towels on top of the tofu. Put a heavy pan or bowl on top and press the extra water out of the tofu. Change the paper towels if necessary.
- Heat the oil or vegetable broth in a large iron skillet or non-stick pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot add the carrots, bell pepper, and red onion. Stir well to combine and cook for ten to fifteen minutes or until they’re soft. Add the garlic and tofu and use a potato masher to break the tofu down into crumbles.
- Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, chili powder, chili flakes (optional), teriyaki sauce, and lime juice and stir well. Salt to taste.
- Cook the sofritas mixture for fifteen minutes or until the water has cooked out of the tofu and it has a dry texture.
- Let cool to slightly warm and spoon into lettuce leave and top with fresh cucumber. Squeeze more lime juice on top if desired.
- You can spoon chili sauce and/or soy sauce on top if desired.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Add more or less spice depending on your taste.
- Use red cabbage leaves or another sturdy lettuce if you can't find Romaine.
- Make sure that you press the excess water from the tofu or it will be too wet.
- NUTRITION DISCLAIMER
Nutrition
Donna says
YUM! Thats so funny, I literally made sofritas for the first time yesterday, and I loved them so much I ate them for breakfast again this morning. I will have to give your version a try next, they sound delicious 🙂
Linda Meyer says
The perfect breakfast! I love savory so much more than sweet. YUM!
SuzLyfe says
I just realized it has been too long since I had tofu. Adding this to the list of all the things I want to make in the new place!
Linda Meyer says
Awesome! Thanks, Susie. 🙂
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
These look so healthy and delicious. Love that you used lettuce instead of taco shells. So much better!
Linda Meyer says
I love lettuce wraps. They're always my top choice over tortillas. Thanks, Vanessa!
Hedi Hearts says
Yes I do, love them so so much! Have them almost every single day. I love baby gem lettuce the most as it is crunchy and slightly sweet
Linda Meyer says
Baby gem lettuce is perfect for wraps. Good for you for eating a lettuce wrap every day. 🙂
alisamarie says
What a wonderful savory filling - so full-flavored. Love that you use romaine "boats" too, as we call them in our house 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Cute! They really do look like canoes. 🙂 Thanks, Alissa.
manju says
This looks so delicious, I am putting this down in my dinner menu plan to make this soon!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Manju! Let me know how you like them. 🙂
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
I've never had sofritas, but love lettuce wraps. It's a gluten free girl's best friend. Love your recipe!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Kelly! Sofritas are so good. I hope you try them. 🙂
Uma Srinivas( simple sumptuous cooking) says
Wonderful ingredients! Totally in to this. 🙂 lovely Linda!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Uma! I'm so happy you like the ingredients. 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i have yet to try sofritas at home...sending you sunshine from Texas!
Linda Meyer says
Sunshine received! Thank you, Dixya! 🙂
Rach's Recipes says
Ah I love lettuce wraps! My kids and I had so much fun making this recipe too, and the hubby loved it. Added crushed peanuts, mint, and green onions. Will definitely be making it again.
Linda Meyer says
Hi, Rach! Thank you so much! Peanuts, mint, and green onions would be awesome in this recipe. As soon as my mint is in bloom I'm going to give that a try. I'm so happy that you and your family enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
Aimee / Wallflower Kitchen says
The weather is starting to get nice here in England, the sun shines one day and the rain pours the next. But hey, it's an improvement from 24/7 rain! Anyway, I love how healthy yet how delicious these sound. YUM!
Linda Meyer says
When Alex studied abroad in London she loved the weather. She said it was never too cold or too warm. I don't think there was one thing that she didn't love about England. 🙂 Thanks, Aimee!
Linda Meyer says
Alex studied abroad in London and she loved the weather. Actually, she loved everything about England. Thanks, Aimee.
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
So sorry about the weather, so strange lately! Shorts weather is coming soon! This looks perfect for a bright and refreshing warm weather meal, thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Christine. It's supposed to be in the 60s by the end of the week, so I'm hanging tough and doing some heavy spring cleaning indoors until then.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I do love easy and swim suit friendly! Don't break the bank is always a bonus too! These lettuce wraps look fantastic! I've never had sofritas, but it's clearly time to try! Good luck with the marathon! Good for you! I'm still working on a 5k.....
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Rachelle! I just got the "congratulations, you're in" email from the Chicago Marathon, and now I'm terrified! Holy crap, things are about to get real.
veggiesdontbite says
LOVE!!! I actually like the sofritas, I go light and mix them with so many other things so it cuts the saltiness out. But I love the spice! I make a similar concoction but never write down what I put in it. LOL I will have to try your version! Looks amazing!
Linda Meyer says
My version isn't as salty or as spicy as Chipotle's, I didn't want to knock my readers out-haha! I add a lot more fire to mine. Thanks, Sophia!
Cadry says
I had something similar this morning in a tortilla, but what a great idea to use lettuce cups instead to keep things light and add more fresh vegetables to the mix. That's awesome that you're going to run the Chicago marathon!
Linda Meyer says
I'd eat this in a tortilla too. I'm just trying to lighten things up around here so I opted for lettuce leaves. 🙂 Thanks, Cadry. I'm getting nervous about it.
Jenn S. says
I LOVE sofritas!! So so good! Your recipe looks super easy and I have everything on hand! And YAY for sunshine and warmer weather this week!
Linda Meyer says
Amen to the sunshine and warmer temps! I can't take the cold for one more minute. Thanks, Jenn!
Becky says
Oh wow! I love sofritas and love the idea of lettuce wraps instead of tacos!
Linda Meyer says
They're so much lighter, but still have the crunch of tacos. Unless you use soft tortillas, then you don't get to crunch. 😉
Natalie says
I do love lettuce wraps as much as you do <3 They are romaine at it's very best! I've never had them with a spicy mexican filling, but I'm impinging that to be amazing. Crunchy watery lettuce next to spicy sofritas filling, yep sounds perfect!
Linda Meyer says
The very best! The cool lettuce leaves helps quench the fire from the spice. A perfect combination. Thanks, Natalie! 🙂
nicoleanndawson says
I'm so sorry to hear about you all still having snow 🙁 but at least it gives you a little longer to get ready for "shorts season". 🙂 The first time that I had sofritas was actually at chipotle about a year ago, and I didn't love it but now, I may just have to take another "go" at it using this recipe.
Linda Meyer says
Hahaha! There's the silver lining. 🙂
Chipotle's sofritas are okay, just a bit too salty for my taste. This recipe is much fresher, and healthier. Thanks, Nicole!
Strength and Sunshine says
Gah, I forgot all about shorts....I'm craving the ability to start wearing dresses again! My favorite thing! I'm starting to lose hope here :/ It snowed again on Saturday!!
And no...I've never had a sofrita vegan or otherwise 🙁 Must fix that!
Linda Meyer says
It snowed here all weekend! 🙁 The forecast looks brighter for the end of the week and next week, 60s!!! I'll take it. Thanks, Rebecca. 🙂