Every time I’ve ordered a Greek salad since going vegan, it’s felt a little lackluster. It’s always nice and light, but it without any feta, it lacks the same salty, briny, tangy bite that a classic Greek salad has.
But, this vegan feta has the same savory tanginess of traditional feta (and lots of herby Greek flavor) but without any of the dairy!
It’s surprisingly simple to make, packed with protein thanks to tofu, can be served in small cubes or crumbled, and will stay good in the fridge for a week.
Hungry for more vegan cheese?
Check out my complete guide to vegan cheese! It covers the best vegan cheese recipes to use for every situation (like Fermented Cashew Cheese and Vegan Queso) and reviews the best vegan cheeses you can buy at the supermarket.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Easy. This recipe could hardly be simpler – just press a block of extra firm tofu, dice it into cubes, then let it hang out it in a special marinade in the fridge, and you’re set!
Wholesome. This vegan feta is a nourishing, protein-packed alternative to dairy-based feta, with none of the lactose but all of the salty and savory flavor.
Versatile. This vegan feta is great in salads (especially a watermelon or cucumber salad), grain bowls, and couscous dishes. It’s also delightful on top of flatbreads or pizzas. Or you could stuff it into pasta, eggplant, zucchini, or tomatoes, or even add it to a side of roasted or grilled vegetables.
And it would be a fabulous way to jazz up my Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad as well as the Greek Gigantes Plaki in my cookbook, The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook!
How to make this tofu feta
Remove tofu from packaging and drain any excess liquid.
Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel or several layers of paper towels, then weigh it down with a heavy cookbook, or a large plate weighed down by a few cans of beans. Press the tofu for 1 hour, changing the towels in between. If you have a tofu press, you can use that for 20 to 30 minutes, releasing and then re-setting the clamps halfway through.
Slice the tofu into 4 vertical slabs, then slice vertically again so you have 8 slabs. Then, dice each slab into small bite-sized cubes.
Add the ingredients for the marinade to a medium bowl: miso paste, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, spices, and salt/pepper. Whisk well until the miso is well incorporated.
Transfer the diced tofu to a container large enough to hold it, or to a large mason jar. Pour the marinade on top, close the lid, and shake back and forth to distribute the marinade.
Allow the tofu feta to marinate in the fridge for 12 to 48 hours (I recommend 48 hours).
Tips for making this vegan feta
Don’t skimp on pressing the tofu.
Pressing the tofu well is important to successfully making this recipe. Pressing the tofu removes water from the tofu, making the texture firmer and allowing the flavors in the marinade to fully absorb.
Marinate the feta for 48 hours if you can.
You can marinate for as little as 12 hours, but the longer it rests, the more the flavors develop and the more it has the briny, salty taste like feta. I prefer to marinate for 48 hours.
More Vegan Cheese Recipes
- Fermented Cashew Cheese: one of the most unique and delicious vegan cheese recipes you’ll try! It’s sliceable and spreadable and has so much savory, cheesy flavor!
- Vegan Queso: 10ish ingredients and 5 minutes of work is all you need for the BEST vegan queso. Great in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or just as a dip with tortilla chips.
- Butternut cheese sauce: used in my crispy baked mac cheese, but also great as an all-purpose cheese sauce!
- Smoky, spreadable cheese: find this easy spreadable recipe in my “pantry quesadillas” recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
In all kinds of salads, grain bowls, and wraps! It’s particularly good in my Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad (feta and orzo are a natural match!), Grilled Corn Salad, and Instant Pot Couscous and Lentil Salad.
In summer, we love making a classic watermelon feta salad. Simply mix watermelon cubes or wedges with torn cucumbers, add fresh mint and basil, along with the vegan feta. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, season to taste with salt and pepper, and enjoy a delicious bite of summer!
If you have my cookbook The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook, you’ll see the vegan feta gets served along the Gigantes Plaki (giant Greek beans stewed in tomatoes…so so good!).
For a simple lunch idea, stuff pita pockets or wraps with hummus, chickpeas or lentils, crunchy raw or pickled veggies, and vegan feta!
You can also toss vegan feta into pasta and pasta salads. If you’re having guests over, use it to round out a Mediterranean mezze platter or use it to make a Greek spin on bruschetta.
I personally wouldn’t, as feta naturally has some fat, and we want to mimic that rich mouthfeel (tofu is pretty low in fat, especially compared to animal-based feta). That said, at least one reader substituted aquafaba with oil and enjoyed the results (peep the comments!). So, if you’re oil-free, that’s an option!
Store the feta in the fridge in its marinade, and it will stay fresh for about 7 days.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram – I love hearing your feedback.
Introducing
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Vegan Feta
Ingredients
- 1 14-ounce block of extra-firm tofu
- 2 1/2 tablespoons white miso paste brought to room temperature
- 1/3 cup 76 mL apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup 60 mL lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Drain the tofu and slice vertically into 4 slabs. Line a cutting board with a few layers of paper towels or a clean dish towel. Place the tofu slabs on top, wrap the tofu in more paper towels or a clean dish towel, then weigh the tofu down with a heavy cookbook, or a large plate weighed down by a few cans of beans (or use a tofu press). Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes (I usually leave it for an hour), changing the towels in between.
- Once pressed, cut the tofu into small cubes (you don’t want large cubes).
- In a medium bowl for which you have a lid, whisk together the miso, vinegar, lemon juice, oil, garlic, nutritional yeast, oregano, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the miso paste is dissolved. Add the tofu pieces to the marinade (you can also add the tofu to a large glass jar and pour the marinade on top). Mix well, shaking the bowl or jar, but don’t break up the tofu.
- Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, but preferably for 48 hours. The longer, the brinier it’ll taste, like classic feta. It will stay good in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this? Leave a rating below!
I don’t have miso paste. Can I make this without it?
Hi Nicole, unfortunately the miso paste is an essential ingredient in this recipe. It helps bring creaminess and umami, we hope you can get your hands on some and try the recipe as-written very soon!
OMG! I have two young adult children who are vegan, which stresses me out for get-togethers and what I should make that we can all eat and enjoy. For Father’s Day we had appetizers including this “faux” feta, absolutely delish! I love finding substitutions that is healthier, and this was it! Family ate them separate with toothpicks, on top of pita and homemade hummus. I’m sure I’ll be making this a few times a month. Thank you for a great recipe!
Thanks for sharing, Thea! So wonderful the vegan feta was a hit 🙂
I was super skeptical, but curious. Omg. This marinade all by itself is delicious. This will pair wonderfully with me Greek salad with chick peas. 🥰🥰🥰
Kathleen, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
Hi! Tried this and it was great, but on a very personal and subjective note, I’m not really a fan of apple cider vinegar. It gives it a sweet tang I don’t like. Any suggestions for a replacement that is purely savory/tart without that underlying sweet taste? Thank you!
Hi Kira, totally understand. We suggest trying distilled white vinegar instead. All sharp tang, no sweetness.
Absolutely incredible. Will become a staple in my weekly life!
Tegan, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
So easy to make, and so delicious! I’m not vegan, but I am trying to eat a more plant forward diet and this is perfect. My husband and I both prefer this to feta. I can’t wait to try your other vegan cheeses!
Jennifer, So glad to hear you two loved this recipe!
Insane! In a good way : ) Opened after 48 hours and knew this was gonna be good, because the tofu smelled exactly like my favorite Greek market stand at my local farmer’s market, that sells all kinds of marinated olives and other antipasti. That’s how I would describe the taste, like high quality olives in garlic marinade minus the olives. : ) Tossed it into the 15 Minute chili garlic noodles,because yay garlic, sooooo good! I’m convinced garlic triggers endorphins, same way chocolate does!
Awesome, Eva. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Absolutely delicious!
Bri, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
This vegan feta is so yummy! It has a nice tang as well as lots of flavor, and the firmness of the tofu really does make it taste like feta!
Awesome, David. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!r
This recipe is life changing! I wanted to make an amazing vegan Greek salad for my husband who is not a vegan. I made this glorious feta from the magical tofu and used it in a Mediterranean style chickpea salad. To say it was delicious would be an understatement. I’ve never tasted anything so good. This tofu feta is, by miles, the cheesiest vegan cheese I’ve tasted. It’s tangy, creamy, chewy, and just decadent. My 5 year old could have eaten the entire recipe by himself and has requested it for his birthday dinner. Thank you for being amazing and producing recipes like this!
Awesome, Jessica. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!