Out of this world vegan food on a stick! Need I say more? Why is it that food on a stick is extra scrumptious. And grill marks too. Grill marks make everything look more scrumptious. And then peanut butter sauce!! One of the most scrumptious flavors of all. So naturally, you can assume that these Grilled Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce are scrumptious times 3.
Not only are these grilled tofu skewers out of the world delicious, but they can also be mostly prepared ahead of time. The pressed tofu can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the spicy peanut sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge as well. So all you have to do is grill the tofu up when you're ready to serve. Easy peasy.
I love serving these grilled tofu skewers along with rice or a baked potato, a salad or some grilled veggies. But if you are looking for a party appetizer, you can cut the tofu in half, and serve them on mini skewers. So cute.
Now time to fire up your BBQ! (Or grill pan in my case)...
To make Grilled Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce: first drain and press the tofu. Once the tofu is pressed, cut the block into 8 long tofu slices. Or for an appetizer, you can cut the sticks in half to make 16 small sticks.
Add the soy sauce, water, agave, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a sealable bag or dish and mix. Add the tofu slices to the mixture and let marinate covered in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
To make the spicy peanut sauce mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl. This can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using so they don't burn. Thread the tofu onto the skewers lengthwise.
Note: I didn't do this because I only had these really long awkward metal skewers that don't fit into my grill pan, so I ended up skewering them after they grilled, which was tricky and burnt my fingers, so don't do what I did!!
Heat your BBQ or grill pan over medium-high heat. When hot, grill the skewers for 10 - 15 minutes, turning as needed until grill marks form on each side, brushing with the leftover marinade as they cook.
Remove from the heat and serve hot with the spicy peanut sauce on the side for dipping. Decorate with any garnishes you like.
Grilled Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
For the grilled tofu skewers:
- 1 block (350g) extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed for 30 minutes or longer*
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the spicy peanut sauce:
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha or similar hot sauce, (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Optional garnishes:
- lime wedges
- 1 handful cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- For the tofu: once the tofu is pressed, cut the block into 8 long sticks. Or for an appetizer, you can cut the sticks in half to make 16 small sticks. Add the soy sauce, water, agave, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a sealable bag or dish and mix. Add the tofu to the mixture and let marinate covered in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
- For the spicy peanut sauce: mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl. This can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
- To grill the tofu: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using so they don't burn. Thread the tofu onto the skewers lengthwise. Heat your BBQ or grill pan over medium-high heat. When hot, grill the skewers for 10 - 15 minutes, turning as needed until grill marks form on each side, brushing with the leftover marinade as they cook. Remove from the heat and serve hot with the spicy peanut sauce on the side for dipping. Decorate with any garnishes you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Red says
Great post!
Thanks
Susan Wilson says
HI Sam, no oil in the marinade?? I'm really afraid the tofu skewers will stick to the grill!
Hannah says
These were so tasty! I am definitely saving the recipe. I loved how much the peanut sauce was like the one used in your 15 minute peanut noodle recipe from your cookbook, because it’s absolutely delicious! Why didn’t I think of putting it on more than just noodles? The tofu itself was flavorful and grilled really well. Yum. Thanks for the recipe!
Eileen says
Hello Thank you for the recipe for the peanut sauce
I do not use any coconut so what would be a good substitute for the recipe
Thank you
Julia says
Looks amazing, and I really want to make it. I only have firm tofu and don't want to take an unnecessary trip to the store. Will firm tofu work the same?
Janetta Henry says
Made this for family dinner. Grilled chicken for the hubby and tofu for the daughter. They both loved the peanut sauce.
Ann M says
This will be a summertime staple! I had half a block of tofu still in the press (sliced in half lengthwise), so I grilled it as a slab instead of on skewers; and it was sooo good! I didn’t have coconut milk, so I skipped the sauce; but the flavor was there! Woohoo!
Sheldon says
This peanut sauce.... what the heck did I just create? Followed the recipe to a T and it tastes like a peanut butter cup dipped in hot sauce
Sally says
Using grill RIPPED my tofu skewers apart! I suggest using a grill pan.
Akiva Local says
Did you use unsweetened, natural peanut butter? If you used something with any sugar in it then yes, it will be too sweet. We used some unsweetened peanut butter and thought it was delicious.
Victor says
Hey Sam, I made these last night and my wife and I were super impressed at how tasty they were.
Just an FYI, I made my own $10 tofu press after seeing what amazon had on sale for $33 CAD. I’d be willing to share instructions on how make one of you provide an email address.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed!! I have a cupboard full of tofu presses so I'm all good, but thank you 🙂
Dani says
I'd love to see your instructions if you're willing to share!
Ronil says
Loved the recipe and thanks for the tips on pressing tofu! I have been doing it wrong for a while 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed, Ronil 🙂
Sara says
Darn, I may be too late as I’m making this right now! Canned coconut milk or coconut milk that you use as a dairy milk replacement?
Sam Turnbull says
Either will work, but the canned kind will be richer. Enjoy!
Lynne M says
OMG! As an eternal Peanut Sauce lover, I never really knew how to prepare such a recipe.
YahooOOoo! My searching days are over... I have found THE recipe that is soooOOOooo delicious!!!
Thank YOU Sam for this amazing recipe 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Aww yay! You're most welcome, Lynne! Thrilled you enjoyed it so much 🙂
Srivani says
These are soooooo tasty and, of course, super easy. I grilled on the grill pan and they were perfect. Both the 18 month old and the picky almost-5 year old loved the tofu. Thanks for another great recipe, Sam.
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!! That's wonderful, thrilled your kiddos enjoyed another recipe, Srivani 🙂
Karen says
Another winner, Sam! Like one of the other reviewers, I prepared these without skewers on my George Foreman Grill, which was easy-peasy, but next time, I'll be sure they're all the same width for even grill marks. Served them over a bed of baby greens, and they were delicious. Not sure if you have Trader Joe's in Canada, but I used their extra firm/high protein tofu, which means no pressing required (yippee!) So chewy and slightly crispy around the edges. Eating them cold now for lunch. 🙂
(And yes, spicy peanut sauce on everything!)
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Thrilled you enjoyed another recipe, Karen! We don't have Trader Joe's in Canada ~cry~ that tofu sounds awesome.
KELS says
Made these this week. So EASY! I don't have a grill pan so I cut them in cubes and put it in my air fryer! Totally awesome. My husband was holding his breath because my tofu usually doesn't turn out very well. OMG! Best tofu I have ever made! The marinade is great and the pressed tofu soaked it up and was not too soft or wet for the fryer. Peanut sauce was easy and delicious. Yay!
Sam Turnbull says
That's amazing, KELS! So very happy you loved it so much 😀
Anne says
Tasty! I made these per the recipe, but veered off slightly on the prep. I don't own a grill pan, so I grilled them on my George Foreman grill, sans skewers. Also, I cooked jasmine rice and stir fried some veggies, so I made the peanut sauce with a bit of extra coconut milk, and heated it until bubbly, then poured it over the whole plate. Only thing I will change is some extra hot sauce in the peanut sauce. It got lost with the rice.
Sam Turnbull says
Sounds delsih!
Nicole Olivares says
Hi Sam,
Can you tell me what soy sauce pepper is? And I have severe food allergies. There are not any hot sauces I can use because of corn. Could you recommend some dried powdered peppers that would work as a substitute? I know vinegar is a main ingredient of hot sauce but I can't have white vinegar. I could substitute in apple cider. My mind goes to Ancho chilies but I don't know the original taste of your amazing looking skewers.
Thank you for another great recipe!!
Sam Turnbull says
Oops, that was a silly typo from when I was writing the recipe! hahaha. All fixed! Cayenne is always great for a little kick, I would add a little at a time to taste as it can be very spicy. Enjoy!
Nicole says
LOL!! I thought I was seriously missing out on some new tasty soy sauce
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha!!! That does sound good tho... hmmmmm...
Courtney M Ransom says
Sam, these look AMAZING! These look like they'd be a great appetizer that even meat-lovers would enjoy. Grill marks make everything look so appetizing. Plus, peanut sauce makes EVERYTHING better. Thanks for sharing another great recipe 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Peanut sauce is life!! Haha. I hope you love the recipe, Courtney! 🙂
Ness says
Grill marks really do make everything look better. Can't wait to try these out! 🙂 Everything looks beautiful, Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you, Ness 🙂