Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (2024)

  • Dinner
  • Vegetarian Mains
  • American Food
  • American Mains
  • Tofu Recipes

By

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett

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

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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

Try This Tasty Blackened Grilled Tofu Recipe (2)

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Marinate: 30 mins

Total: 50 mins

Servings: 4 servings

46 ratings

Write a Review

Add a comment

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.

Tasty Tofu Recipes to Try Now

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

×

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

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!

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.

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

Simply press firm tofu and use your hands to break it up by smashing it between your fingers until it mimics the texture of scrambled eggs. Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies.

Which tofu is best for grilling? ›

Extra-firm only!

Don't try making it with soft or silken tofu (or even regular firm tofu, for that matter). All of them will be too soft and watery to hold up on the grill.

Is grilled tofu healthy? ›

Grilled tofu is a quick and easy protein-packed recipe you can make in 10 minutes on a grill pan or grill and season with your favorite sauces and condiments. With its smokey and slightly charred exterior and tender interior, grilled tofu is a versatile, healthy, and nutritious alternative to traditional grilled meats.

Why can't you eat tofu everyday? ›

Eating tofu and other soy foods every day is generally considered safe. That said, you may want to moderate your intake if you have: Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Baking is my go-to method for how to cook tofu. It yields flavorful, firm cubes that are perfect for adding to a stir fry, salad, or bowl!

What to season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

Why can't I get my tofu crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

What kind of tofu do Chinese restaurants use? ›

White in colour and tender to touch, soft tofu (yun dou fu) contains the highest water content of all tofu types and is widely used in Cantonese and other southern Chinese cuisines. It's similar to Japanese silken tofu, but while very soft it has a bit more “body” to it, making it slightly easier to handle and cut.

Do you marinate or press tofu first? ›

I recommend always pressing tofu before baking it, especially if you're marinating it first — removing excess liquid will make room for all that flavorful marinade.

Is tofu healthier than grilled chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Why is restaurant tofu better? ›

Restaurants understand the power of salt and use it liberally to ensure that tofu is well-seasoned. As masters of flavors, professional chefs know that tofu's porous nature allows it to absorb the flavors it's cooked with, and they use this to their advantage.

Is tofu healthier than eggs? ›

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

Is tofu good for losing belly fat? ›

If you are eating tofu that is processed with sugar, salt, or preservatives, then it may not be healthy for you. But if you are eating it that has been processed in a way that preserves its nutritional value, then tofu can help you healthily lose belly fat.

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. 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.

What does tofu pair well with? ›

What to serve with tofu. These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles.

What makes tofu curdle? ›

It contains magnesium chloride, which reacts with the protein in the soy milk, causing the soy milk to curdle.

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6816

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.