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Recipe Blog - Feature - Lebanese Tofu

Vegan Lemon & Turmeric Grilled Tofu Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

This vegan Lemon and Turmeric Grilled Tofu recipe creates a delightful, earthy, citrus flavor that will please even the most picky of palates. The tofu is marinated in a very simple combination of citrus and turmeric, then grilled until crisp. It is then finished in a pan with onions, then served on a bed of fragrant rice. This easy meal is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or to show off your barbecue prowess.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Yield
4+
Difficulty
Easy

Vegan Lemon & Turmeric Grilled Tofu Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients

Tofu Steaks

  • 1 fresh lemon
  • 1 fresh orange or grapefruit
  • 2 tbsp. (30 ml) oil
  • 14 oz. (397 g) extra firm tofu, *preferably not packed in water
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • ¾ cup (177 ml) vegetable stock
  • wild rice for serving

Marinade

  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • ½ orange or grapefruit, juiced
  • 2 tbsp. (30 ml) oil
  • 1 tsp. (5 g) ground turmeric
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Method
  1. If you cannot get extra firm tofu that is not packed in water, it will need to be drained and pressed to remove extra liquid. Unpackage the tofu, discarding the water. Place some kitchen towels onto a flat surface and place the tofu on top of that. Add more kitchen towel and then place something heavy, like a cast-iron frying pan with some extra weight inside, on top. Press the tofu for at least 15 to 30 minutes. 
  2. Zest the citrus fruits into a bowl and place in the fridge until needed. 
  3. Make the marinade for your tofu by combining the lemon and orange/grapefruit juice, oil, turmeric and some salt and pepper. 
  4. Coat the tofu in the marinade and set it aside until you have prepped the rest of the food and are ready to cook. You can also put it into the fridge and let it marinate for up to 24 hours. 
  5. Slice the lemon and orange/grapefruit, removing any seeds. Thinly slice the onion, peel and grate or crush the garlic. 
  6. Preheat the barbecue to 400°F, lighting all burners and placing a cast iron frying pan onto the cooking grids. 
  7. When the barbecue is ready, pour the oil into the skillet and add the onions, stirring to coat. Sear the tofu and sliced citrus on one side of the barbecue until grill marks form. 
  8. Add the tofu and garlic to the cast iron frying pan, nestling them amongst the onion. Pour in the vegetable stock, and move the cooked onions to the top, adding a sprig or two of fresh rosemary. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes or until the vegetable stock has reduced a little. 
  9. Serve your tofu directly from the cast iron pan, onto a bed of wild rice. Don’t forget to add your favorite grilled vegetables. Garnish everything with a pinch of reserved citrus zest. 

A crispy seared outside and a tender inside with a vibrant pan sauce, this Vegan Lemon & Turmeric Grilled Tofu recipe is an utter delight. The rice and extra grilled veggies make this whole meal easy and filling. What’s your favorite way to barbecue vegetarian/vegan meals? Share your best plant-based BBQ recipes, stories and photos on our social pages like Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #FreestyleGrilling.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - Ingredients

Gather your ingredients together

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - marinate

Combine marinade ingredients and pour over the tofu. Marinate for at least 60 minutes to overnight

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - grill1

Cook the onions, garlic, herbs and stock while grilling the tofu over direct heat

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - grill2

Add the tofu to the cast iron once it has sear marks

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - serve1

Serve the tofu on a bed of wild rice, topped with the onions and pan sauce

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - serve2

Add some grilled citrus and fresh herbs for a very tasty plate

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - Ingredients

Gather your ingredients together

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - marinate

Combine marinade ingredients and pour over the tofu. Marinate for at least 60 minutes to overnight

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - grill1

Cook the onions, garlic, herbs and stock while grilling the tofu over direct heat

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - grill2

Add the tofu to the cast iron once it has sear marks

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - serve1

Serve the tofu on a bed of wild rice, topped with the onions and pan sauce

Recipe Blog - Lebanese Tofu - serve2

Add some grilled citrus and fresh herbs for a very tasty plate