Grilled Tofu with Garlic
Prep
20 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This grilled tofu with garlic is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in less than an hour and tastes absolutely restaurant quality. The beauty of tofu is that it's incredibly affordable while packing a serious protein punch, and when you grill it with this aromatic garlic marinade, it becomes so flavorful that even meat lovers will be impressed. The garlic does all the heavy lifting here, infusing the tofu with a deep, savory richness while also boosting your immune system. With just some prep work upfront and a quick sear on the grill, you'll have a stunning dish that feels fancy but requires minimal effort.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 2 blocksextra-firm tofu(14 oz each, pressed and cut into ½-inch thick slabs)
- 8garlic cloves(minced)
- 5 tablespoonsolive oil
- 3 tablespoonssoy sauce
- 2 tablespoonsrice vinegar
- 1 tablespoonsesame oil
- 1 tablespoonmaple syrup
- 1 tablespoonginger(minced)
- ½ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- 3fresh scallions(chopped)
- 2 tablespoonssesame seeds(for garnish)
- to tastesalt and black pepper
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Press tofu between paper towels with a heavy weight for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 8 slabs of ½-inch thickness.
Tip: Properly pressed tofu will absorb the garlic marinade much better and achieve a crispier exterior when grilled.
- 2
In a bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
Tip: Prepare the marinade while the tofu is pressing to save time.
- 3
Arrange tofu slabs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, gently turning to coat both sides. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Tip: Don't over-marinate as tofu becomes too soft; 10 minutes is ideal for flavor without texture loss.
- 4
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Tip: A well-oiled grill prevents sticking and creates beautiful caramelized grill marks.
- 5
Place tofu slabs on the hot grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown with distinct grill marks, basting with extra marinade as needed.
Tip: Resist the urge to flip frequently; let each side develop a flavorful crust undisturbed.
- 6
Transfer grilled tofu to a serving platter and drizzle any remaining warm marinade over the top.
- 7
Garnish generously with fresh scallions and sesame seeds, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: The fresh scallions add brightness that balances the savory garlic flavors perfectly.
- 8
Serve immediately while still warm, optionally with steamed rice or roasted vegetables on the side.
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