Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (2024)

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By

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.

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Updated on 08/17/22

Tested by

Kayla Hoang

Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (1)

Tested byKayla Hoang

Kayla Hoang is a freelance recipe developer, writer, and baker whose Bangladeshi and Vietnamese roots influence all she does. Her life revolves around food and she can almost always be found waiting by the oven for a fresh batch of cookies.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (2)

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Marinate: 30 mins

Total: 50 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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Blackened seasoning is a potently fragrant and flavorful seasoning blend used on all sorts of proteins to give the outside a dark and charred crust when cooking in a cast-iron skillet. This type of seasoning is a popular spice for grilling fish, chicken, and steaks, and it works beautifully on plant-based proteins like grilled tofu and tempeh as well. A combination of dry herbs, paprika, black pepper, garlic, and onion powder; this seasoning is also a great addition for roasted vegetables or potatoes, so having extra in the cupboard is always a good idea. Simply follow our measurements, double or triple them, and reserve what you're not using for the recipe for later dishes.

Packed with protein and mild in flavor, tofu is a protein derived from soy. Also called bean curd, it has the appearance of a block of fresh cheese and is usually sold in water. Because of its porous texture, tofu is a great ingredient to marinate or add sauces to as it soaks in anything you put on top or cook it with. It's found in various textures, but always choose extra firm tofu when you're grilling, so it keeps its shape.

For best results, take the time to press the tofu. As in most vegetarian tofu recipes, pressing the tofu also allows it to absorb more of the flavorings and seasonings. If you don't want to use the grill, a greased cast-iron skillet or a nonstick pan works well, but you won't have the very charred appearance, or smoky flavor from the grill.

"Blackened tofu is a great meat-free alternative for the summertime that comes together quickly once the tofu is pressed and marinated. Pressing is really important here as it makes flipping the tofu on the grill easier. Be sure to oil the grates of the grill too!" —Kayla Hoang

Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (3)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Tofu:

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce

For the Blackening Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • Canola oil, for the grill

Steps to Make It

Marinate the Tofu

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (4)

  2. Slice the pressed tofu block into 4 pieces of about 1-inch thickness each.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (5)

  3. Place soy sauce in a shallow dish and add the tofu. Marinate, covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes, turning once or twice to marinate evenly.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (6)

Make the Blackening Seasoning

  1. Gather the blackening seasoning ingredients.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (7)

  2. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. Mix well.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (8)

Prepare the Tofu

  1. Prepare a medium (350 F to 375 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Oil the grill grates to create a nonstick surface. Remove the tofu from the soy marinade and dip each piece into the blackened seasoning spice mixture, making sure the tofu is generously coated on both sides.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (9)

  2. Grill the tofu until it has blackened on both sides, about 8 to 10 minutes total.

    Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (10)

How to Serve Blackened Tofu

This flavorful tofu steak can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few of our favorite preparations:

  • Blackened Tofu Salad: In a big bowl, mix 2 cups of spinach, 1 cup of baby arugula, 1 large chopped avocado, and 1 small apple with 4 tablespoons of olive oil a squeeze of lime. Divide the salad among 4 bowls, and top each with a piece of blackened tofu. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with crusty bread on the side.
  • Blackened Tofu Sandwich: Slice a large fresh baguette lengthwise and spread a generous amount of your favorite homemade or store-bought hummus. Place the slices of blackened tofu on the prepared bread. Add a handful of baby kale and a drizzle of olive oil on top. Cut into 4 individual sandwiches and serve with cassava chips.
  • Blackened Buddha Bowl: Prepare 4 bowls with a cup each of cooked brown rice or quinoa. Place a piece of blacked tofu on top. Dollop a tablespoon of hummus, a handful of sunflower seeds, 4 slices of avocado, a handful of baby spinach, and 3 tablespoons of canned, drained black beans around the tofu. Drizzle each bowl with a generous serving of vegan goddess dressing.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
213Calories
17g Fat
5g Carbs
14g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories213
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g22%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1163mg51%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 3g9%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 1mg3%
Calcium 345mg27%
Iron 3mg19%
Potassium 320mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • Tofu
  • vegan grilled tofu
  • entree
  • american

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Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

How do you get the most flavor out of tofu? ›

12 Ways To Add More Flavor To Tofu
  1. Press tofu to help it absorb flavor. Nungning20/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Coat tofu in starch before cooking. ...
  3. Season tofu more than you think. ...
  4. Use a marinade. ...
  5. Toss it in a sauce. ...
  6. Find inspiration from other foods. ...
  7. Roast tofu for tasty caramelization. ...
  8. Try deep frying your tofu.
Jan 7, 2024

Should I soak tofu before cooking? ›

Firm and extra-firm tofu have the best results with marinating, since they can be relied on to keep their shape. Press and drain the tofu, then soak in any marinade for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Why can't you eat spinach and tofu together? ›

As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

Why can't you eat tofu everyday? ›

Potential Risks of Tofu

Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.

What should I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

What do you season tofu with? ›

Coat the tofu.

Then add your tofu to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle it with olive oil, and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle evenly with cornstarch and seasonings (I use garlic powder, salt and pepper). Toss gently again until the tofu is evenly coated.

Why is my tofu so tasteless? ›

Not Using Enough Seasoning

"Coat tofu generously in herbs, spices, and sauces. You can marinate it before or after cooking, just make sure you use plenty of seasonings like ginger and garlic, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, green onions, vinegar, cajun seasoning, and other strong flavors," she says.

Why does my tofu have no flavor? ›

Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

What happens if you don't rinse tofu? ›

Any food that is contaminated is going to make you ill. Remove the tofu from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly. If you are handling raw meat at the same time as the tofu, use separate utensils. Other than that, there are no risks to eating raw tofu.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Why is my tofu so mushy after cooking? ›

Pressing is a particularly important step for crispy tofu if you are looking to cook without oil. If you do not press you will end up with a mushy texture. Pressing works best if you are going to slice your tofu block.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together. Both eggs and soya chunks are good sources of protein, and consuming them together can help meet your daily protein requirements. You can add boiled or scrambled eggs to your soya chunk curry or stir-fry for a balanced meal.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

What happens if you blend tofu? ›

Add a few simple ingredients to a blender, blend, and serve. It's simple yet satisfying and delicious! Silken Tofu: The base of this creamy vegan pasta sauce is silken tofu. When silken tofu is blended, it becomes silky and smooth and makes the perfect protein-packed pasta sauce.

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