Grilled Tofu Steak Recipe

Need a vegan alternative for the grill? You’re going to love this easy 30-minute grilled tofu steak recipe! A simple tofu steak marinade infuses it with flavor and then it’s cooked on the grill. Serve it up your favorite sides as a vegan steak or chop it up to add to salads and wraps!

Cooking on the grill makes a nice alternative to heating up the house on hot days or a method of cooking throughout the year.

When the weather isn’t so cooperative, swap it out for an indoor grill pan to cook up your tofu steaks and other grilling favorites.

The best thing about grilled tofu steaks is that they can be used in so many different ways to create a variety of meals. They go great served up as a vegan steak with mashed potatoes or dice the vegan steaks up after cooking and add over the top of your favorite salad.

If you love grilling as much as we do, try grilled pineapples or grilled potatoes with chickpeas.

Why This Recipe Works

• Tofu steaks are the perfect meatless solution for all your grilling needs!
• Makes a great stand-in for meat for meals!
• So many ways to use it.
• Simple ingredients and easy preparation.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Tofu, bbq sauce, and a simple marinade are all it takes to make the best tofu steak recipe. Here’s what you need:

• Extra-firm tofu: When grilling tofu, you definitely need to use extra-firm tofu so it will stay intact for cooking on the grill. Check out this guide to tofu if you want to learn more!
• Brown sugar: Adds some sweetness to the tofu marinade or rub but you can also swap with a vegan liquid sweetener as well.
• Spices: We’ll be using a blend of chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to flavor the tofu. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your own spice preference.
• Bbq Sauce: Use a store-bought vegan barbecue sauce or make your own to add to the tofu after grilling. It’s completely optional but it adds more great flavor.

How To Grill Tofu 

Here’s a simple method for grilling tofu easily for meals. See the recipe card for detailed instructions.

• 1) Slice the tofu horizontally (on its side) and slice it into thirds to get thick, large slabs of tofu. Press the tofu with a tofu press or a heavy object to squeeze the water out.

• 2) Mix the seasonings in a small bowl and rub the mixture onto the tofu pieces.

• 3) Place the tofu on a grill (or indoor grill pan) and cook each side for 7 to 10 minutes. 

• 4) When almost ready, brush the bbq sauce on each side of the tofu and grill for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Expert Tips 

• Take the time to press the tofu. If you aren’t sure how to do it, you can learn more in this guide to pressing tofu. But really, it makes such a difference in the final texture and flavor of the tofu.
• Use extra firm tofu. It will cook up the best on the grill resulting in a firm piece of tofu. Other types of tofu are likely to be too fragile for the grill.
• For perfect grill marks on your steak, place the tofu on the grill and cook without moving on each side.

FAQs

Variations

• No grill or grill pan? That’s ok, you can make oven tofu steaks instead. Cook them in the oven on a baking sheet for 10 minutes on each side at 400° F. Then add the BBQ sauce and cook a bit longer.
• Try a different sauce. Mango cucumber salsa, pico de gallo or parsley pesto work great!
• Turn them into kebabs. After rubbing them with the seasoning marinade, slice the tofu into cubes and thread them on a skewer.
• Serve the tofu on a sandwich or add it to a salad.

More Tofu Recipes

• Spicy and Sweet Tofu
• Tofu with Peanut Sauce
• Buttery Lemon Tofu
• Sweet and Salty Tofu Bites

You can also check out these 16 Savory Tofu Recipes as well!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla