5 Vegetarian Steaks to Sink Your Teeth Into

You don’t need to be a meat eater to enjoy a gorgeous steak — just replace the beef. From breaded tofu to thick, juicy cauliflower, there are plenty of plants that can be prepared like steak with a similar texture. Here are our best recipes for satisfying veggie steak.

King Oyster Mushroom Steaks with Pesto and Almond Aillade

Chef Julia Sullivan employs buttery roasted almonds to balance the sharper notes of garlic and lemon in this rustic French sauce that tops seared mushroom steaks at Henrietta Red in Nashville. Follow her technique for tenderness with crispy edges.

 Crispy Tofu Steaks with Ginger Vinaigrette

Kay Chun coats firm tofu in panko, then pan-fries until it's crispy on the outside and creamy within.

 Roasted Butternut Squash with Chorizo-Spiced Kale

With its earthy sweetness and dense texture, butternut squash makes a hearty vegetable steak. Chef Damian Sansonetti highlights its complexity with his chorizo spice mix. He blooms the blend of cumin, Pimentón, and coriander in oil to release the aromas, which provides a smoky foundation for this shoulder-season dish.

Sausage-Spiced Cauliflower Steaks

A quick spice blend of roasted fennel seeds, black pepper, and orange zest lends a sausage-like flavor to these roasted cauliflower steaks. Browning the cauliflower before adding the toppings and melting the cheese ensures a tender, sweet, and nutty bite. Be sure to flip the cauliflower during roasting to ensure there are plenty of caramelized florets under the marinara and melty cheese.

Bistec de Sandia a la Parilla con Pistachios y Micro Greens (Grilled Watermelon Steaks with Pistachios and Micro Greens)

Sweet watermelon gets deliciously caramelized on the grill in this recipe from chef José Andrés.