Description
This delicious and easy vegan tofu souvlaki recipe offers a flavorful, quick weeknight dinner option. Marinated in a vibrant mix of vegan yogurt, herbs, and spices, the super firm tofu is pan-seared to golden perfection and served on warm pita bread with creamy vegan tzatziki and optional veggies for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu & Marinade
- 1 block Super Firm Tofu (Vacuum-sealed for best results)
- 1/2 cup Vegan Yogurt (Unsweetened) (Can substitute with cashew cream)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (Can use yellow mustard if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon Agave (or Sugar, Syrup) (Honey can be swapped if not strictly vegan)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Lime juice is a great alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or Neutral Flavored Oil) (Avocado oil is a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Tamari is a gluten-free option)
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic (Garlic powder can be used as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast (Vegan parmesan can be used)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To Serve
- 4 pieces Pita Bread (Whole wheat or gluten-free options as needed)
- 1 cup Vegan Tzatziki
- Optional Veggies (Colorful bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and prepare your workspace for marinating and cooking the tofu.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegan yogurt, Dijon mustard, agave syrup, lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare Tofu: Pat the super firm tofu dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then slice it into bite-sized cubes to ensure even marinating and cooking.
- Marinate Tofu: Add the tofu cubes to the marinade bowl and gently toss them to coat each piece thoroughly. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 15 minutes so it absorbs the flavors.
- Skewer the Tofu: Thread the marinated tofu cubes onto skewers evenly, preparing them for cooking.
- Cook the Tofu: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the tofu skewers in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Toss with Marinade Sauce: Once cooked, toss the tofu skewers with any reserved marinade to enhance the flavor and add moisture.
- Serve: Warm the pita bread, then serve the tofu skewers on the pita with a generous dollop of creamy vegan tzatziki and optionally, add colorful chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes for extra freshness and texture.
Notes
- Using vacuum-sealed super firm tofu helps it hold its shape better during cooking.
- Allowing tofu to marinate for longer (up to 1 hour) will deepen the flavor.
- If you don’t have skewers, you can cook the tofu cubes directly in the skillet as well.
- For a gluten-free version, choose tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free pita bread.
- The marinade can double as a dipping sauce if you reserve some before adding the tofu.
- Adding veggies on the skewers before cooking is an option, but consider their cooking times.
