Looking for an easy plant-based main dish to throw on the grill? Try this grilled tofu recipe! It's satisfying, flavorful, and simple to make.
Have you tried grilled tofu yet? If not, you have to bookmark this recipe! I’ll give you two reasons why:
- It’s SUPER simple. Ever made homemade veggie burgers? They’re delicious, but they can be fairly involved to make. This grilled tofu is also very tasty (see #2 below), but the prep is way simpler. Press it, season it, and toss it on the grill. It’s the easiest plant-based main dish for a summer cookout.
- It’s delicious! On the outside, this grilled tofu is lightly crisp and perfectly charred, while on the inside, it stays tender and juicy. Seasonings like chili powder, curry powder, or soy sauce infuse it with bold flavor. Even tofu skeptics will like it!
Come on, let’s cook!
Do I Need A Tofu Press?
The first step in this grilled tofu recipe is pressing the tofu. Whatever you do, don’t skip it! It removes excess water from the tofu, which makes the tofu more cohesive and less likely to fall apart on the grill.
The easiest way to press tofu is with a tofu press. I love the Tofuture Tofu Press because it’s super straightforward to use and it gives the tofu an amazing chewy texture in just 20 minutes. It also captures the liquid that gets pressed out of the tofu, which makes cleanup a breeze. I just dump the water into the sink!
You can get the Tofuture press on Amazon for $25.95. And if you want to check out some other options, you can read this guide to the best tofu presses!
If you don’t have a tofu press, your best option is pressing tofu with a cast-iron skillet.
Pat the tofu dry, and wrap it in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Place it on a cutting board, and then set a heavy cast-iron skillet on top. Let the tofu sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes. This method isn’t as efficient as using a tofu press, but it still gets the job done!
How to Make Grilled Tofu
After you press the tofu, slice the block crosswise into 4 slabs. You’ll notice that it’s much firmer than it was before you pressed it!
Next, season the tofu. This is the fun part! You can season grilled tofu in all sorts of ways, so you get to pick whatever sounds best to you. Try starting with one of these seasonings:
- Fajita seasoning mix
- Chili powder
- Curry powder
- Tamari or soy sauce
If you’re using fajita seasoning mix, chili powder, or curry powder, sprinkle the spice over the tofu and drizzle it with avocado oil. If you’re using tamari or soy sauce, drizzle it over the tofu without adding any oil.
Use your hands to coat all sides of the tofu slices in the seasoning.
Finally, grill! Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. When it’s hot, brush or spray the grill grates with oil. Grill the tofu for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the tofu releases from the grill grates.
That’s it!
Grilled Tofu Recipe Tips
- Extra-firm only! This grilled tofu recipe will only work with extra-firm tofu. 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.
- Don’t skip the press. This easy, hands-off step is the key to making great grilled tofu! Pressed tofu has a firmer, more satisfying texture, and it’s much less likely to fall apart on the grill. Find my favorite tofu presses here!
- Get the grill (or grill pan) nice and hot before you add the tofu. Cooking the tofu on a preheated grill helps it form the dark, flavorful char marks you see pictured here. It also reduces the likelihood of the tofu sticking to the grill. If your tofu does stick to the grill – even if you preheated it – try cooking it a minute or two longer before you flip it. Often, if the tofu sticks, it means that it’s not yet fully charred.
Grilled Tofu Serving Suggestions
To take the grilled tofu over the top, I recommend serving it with a flavorful sauce. If you season the tofu with fajita seasoning mix, chili powder, or curry powder, try serving it with drizzles of cilantro lime dressing (a squeeze of fresh lime juice works too). If you season the tofu with tamari, try spooning my sesame ginger dressing on top.
Round out the meal with cooked rice or cilantro lime rice and your favorite grilled vegetables. When I season the tofu with tamari, I love to serve it with grilled asparagus as a side dish. When I season it with curry powder, I like it with grilled sweet potatoes and onions. If I toss it in chili powder or fajita seasoning, I pair it with grilled veggie skewers or fajita veggies.
If you have leftover grilled tofu, tuck it into a sandwich or tacos or add it to a grain bowl the next day.
How do you like to serve grilled tofu? Let me know in the comments!
More Favorite Grilling Recipes
If you love this grilled tofu recipe, try one of these summer grilling recipes next:
- Best Veggie Burger
- Black Bean Burger
- Portobello Mushroom Burger
- Grilled Watermelon
- Perfect Grilled Zucchini
- Grilled Eggplant
- Or any of these 31 Best Grill Recipes!
Grilled Tofu
Ingredients
- 2 14-ounce blocks extra-firm tofu
- Sea salt
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil* (see note), more for brushing
Seasoning options (choose one)
- 1½ tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 1½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1½ tablespoons curry powder
- ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce*
For serving (choose one)
- Lime wedges and/or cilantro lime dressing
- Sesame ginger dressing
Instructions
- Press the tofu. Wrap each block of tofu in a kitchen towel or paper towels. Place a heavy cast iron skillet on top and let it sit for 30 minutes. This helps squeeze excess water out of the tofu, which keeps it from sticking to the grill.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Cut each tofu block into 4 slabs and place on a tray or plate. Drizzle the tofu with the avocado oil and sprinkle with your desired seasoning*. Use your hands to coat both sides.
- Brush or spray the grill grates with oil. Grill the tofu for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the tofu releases from the grill grates. Remove from the grill and season to taste.
- If you seasoned the tofu with fajita seasoning, chili powder, or curry powder, serve with lime wedges and/or cilantro lime dressing. If you seasoned the tofu with tamari, serve with additional tamari or sesame ginger dressing. See the blog post above for additional serving suggestions.
