Looking for a new way to enjoy tofu? This easy, delicious recipe for Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu, which is vegan and gluten-free, is one of my all-time favorite ways to prepare tofu. I always have a package of tofu in my refrigerator, and I enjoy tofu several times during the week, in dishes such as lasagna, curry, or stir-fry, and just simply baked or grilled. When I grill tofu, I make a big batch, because it’s excellent over the next few days, cubed into salads or sliced into sandwiches.

Plus, tofu is a very nutritious plant-powered food—it’s a good source of protein and it contains phytochemicals that are linked with disease protection. In fact, Asian tofu recipes are part of traditional diet patterns in Asia that are associated with lower rates of obesity and chronic disease. Learn more about tofu in this tofu guide here and my tofu field trip here.

This easy recipe for Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu pays homage to traditional Asian flavors, including sesame, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, red chili, and seaweed. All you have to do is mix up this flavorful tofu marinade—which takes just a few minutes and 8 ingredients—and then marinate your extra firm, pressed tofu to allow it to seep up those wonderful flavors.

Then you can grill it, allowing the surface to caramelize and gain a little crispness. You can learn how to grill tofu in my step-by-step guide here.

This spicy tofu recipe is great for BBQs as the main entrée. Just pair it with a wonderful green salad and a rice dish, and you’ll be in plant-powered heaven! You can also grill this recipe on skewers, or roast the marinated tofu in the oven for a change of pace (and weather) too.

Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu

(9 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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5 from 9 reviews

• Author: The Plant-Powered Dietitian
• Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes (including marinating)
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Vegan

Description

This easy, healthy recipe for Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu pays homage to traditional flavors, including sesame, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, red chili, and seaweed.

Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) package of extra firm tofu (for best results, press your tofu; learn how to do this here)

Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu Marinade:

• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons red chili paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon dulse granules*

Instructions

1. Press the extra liquid off tofu (learn how to press tofu here).

   Slice it in half horizontally and then vertically to make thick slabs about 3/4-inch thick.

2. To make marinade: stir together soy sauce, vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, chili paste, sesame seeds, and dulse granules in a small dish.
3. Place the tofu in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the tofu. Chill and marinate for at least 1 hour.
4. Heat the grill over medium-high heat and remove the tofu from marinade, reserving marinade for later.
5. Place the tofu on the hot grill and cook for about 10 minutes on each side (depending on your grill) on medium-high heat until golden brown. Brush on extra marinade remaining in dish while cooking.
6. Voila! You’re done.

   Serve as an entrée, or slice into sandwiches or salads.

Notes

*Dulse granules (also called dulse flakes) are ground from a type of dried red seaweed that grows in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Ocean waters, and can provide a touch of umami and sea flavor to cooking.

• Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Entree
• Cuisine: Asian, American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 193
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: grilled tofu, easy grilled tofu recipe, healthy vegan dinner recipe

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Try some of my other favorite tofu recipes:

Tofu Mushroom Tacos
Scrambled Turmeric Tofu with Mushrooms and Greens
Savory Oatmeal with Spinach, Mushrooms and Tofu
Tofu Kale Power Bowl with Tahini Dressing
Buffalo Cauliflower Tofu Skewers
Crunchy Mandarin Tofu Salad
Asparagus Dill Tofu Quiche
Nicoise Salad with Tofu

Learn about the health benefits of soy at The Plant-Powered Dietitian.

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