This Garlic Butter Herb Tofu is marinated in smoky flavors, seared on the outside until crispy, and then cooked in a buttery sauce with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage. It’s packed with flavor and inspired by the classic garlic and butter steak dish. This delicious tofu recipe is fancy enough for a special occasion but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies for a complete meal.
I’ve never been a steak lover, even when I did eat meat, but I’m always intrigued when I see it browning in butter and fresh herbs. Then, the other day, it occurred to me that I could make a vegetarian version using tofu, so that’s exactly what I did. This is one of the most flavorful tofu dishes I’ve ever made, and I’ve been cooking it nonstop now that I have fresh herbs in my garden. I love to serve this with a side of potatoes and vegetables, just like you would a piece of meat.
Why You’ll Love This Flavorful Tofu Recipe
- It’s easy to make – This tofu is prepared in a manner very similar to how some steaks are made. The tofu is seared in butter and oil that’s flavored with garlic and herbs. It doesn’t take much time at all, and it’s great for a protein-packed dinner. The tofu needs to be marinated for at least 30 minutes, so it does take some planning ahead.
- It’s great for the holidays – I know we’re currently far from Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this impressive garlic butter tofu would be the perfect vegetarian main dish for the holidays. You can easily make it vegan by using a vegan butter substitute.
- It’s versatile – This delicious tofu can be served with potatoes and veggies, enjoyed in sandwiches and wraps, or sliced up and placed on top of a salad for extra protein.
Why Your Body Will Love This Protein-Packed Dinner
- Fresh Herbs – Fresh herbs can help support the immune system in many ways. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help fight disease by combating harmful free radicals. Herbs like mint, parsley, and dill can also help stimulate the appetite and aid the digestive process.
- Protein – Tofu is a complete protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs to build muscle and repair tissues. Half a cup of tofu contains 10 grams of protein, making it a great plant-based ingredient to incorporate into your diet.
- Bone Health – Tofu contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium, which help ensure the growth and maintenance of healthy bones. Tofu is also rich in isoflavones, which are compounds found in plants that can help decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
Garlic Herb Butter Tofu Steak Recipe Ingredients
- Tofu – I prefer using super-firm, high-protein tofu for this recipe. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s, but I’ve also seen it at Sprouts and Walmart. It has a great texture for a recipe like this, and you don’t have to spend time pressing it before using it. If you can’t find super-firm tofu, extra-firm will also work well.
- Marinade – I wanted to pack as much flavor as possible into this tofu recipe, and I found that marinating the tofu beforehand made a significant difference. My marinade is made with tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic, and a few other ingredients.
- Butter and Oil – I like to start by frying the tofu in extra-virgin olive oil to get it nice and crispy, and then it’s cooked in garlic herb-infused butter. You can use regular butter or a vegan butter substitute for this recipe.
- Fresh Herbs – I prefer using hearty, fresh herbs for this recipe, such as thyme, rosemary, and sage. They will hold up nicely in the hot butter and have a lot of aromatic flavor.
- Salt and Pepper
How To Make Garlic Herb Butter Tofu
- Optional: For an extra chewy texture, place the tofu package in the freezer overnight until it is completely frozen. The tofu will have a yellow color once it is frozen. Move the tofu to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw completely. This will give the tofu a slightly spongy texture, allowing it to really soak up the marinade. You will need to press the tofu well once it has completely thawed out. Just like a sponge, it holds onto the liquid.
- Once the tofu is thoroughly pressed, slice it into 4-6 equal-sized slices. You can make them as thick or as thin as you like. Add the tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, and toasted sesame oil to a ziplock bag or container with a lid. Mix the marinade well, then add the tofu slices. Make sure the tofu is completely coated in the marinade; there won’t be too much, but just enough to coat the tofu. Place tofu in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight (for extra flavor).
- Remove the tofu from the marinade and gently press it with a paper towel to absorb any excess marinade. This helps prevent the tofu from burning. You can also use your hands to gently squeeze the tofu if you notice it has absorbed a lot of the marinade.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated tofu slices in a single layer. Let the tofu cook for about 4-5 minutes until the bottom is nicely browned. Flip the tofu over, let it cook for 1 minute, and then add in the butter, smashed garlic, and fresh herbs. Once the butter has melted, gently tilt the pan and spoon the infused butter over the tofu. Do this for about 3-4 minutes, flipping tofu over halfway through, if desired. Sprinkle the tofu with flaky salt and black pepper, if desired, and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free tamari or soy sauce.
- Make this recipe vegan by using a vegan butter substitute.
- What kind of tofu should be used? I recommend super-firm tofu, which usually comes pre-pressed. If you can’t find that, you can use extra-firm tofu and make sure to press as much liquid out of it as possible.
- Does the tofu have to be frozen and thawed beforehand? No, it is an optional extra step. It gives the tofu a nice, chewy texture that reminds me of a steak.
- How should this tofu recipe be served? I love to enjoy this tofu with a side of vegetables and potatoes, but you can eat it any way you like.
- How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.
- Is this tofu freezer-friendly? Yes, you can freeze this tofu recipe after it has been made. I suggest allowing it to cool completely and then storing it in an air-tight, freezer-friendly container for up to three months. A vacuum-sealed freezer bag would be great, if possible.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!
Looking For More Delicious Tofu Recipes?
Vegetarian Shredded Tofu Nachos
Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu
Garlic Herb Butter Tofu
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Butter Herb Tofu is marinated with smoky flavors, seared on the outside until crispy and then cooked with butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme and sage. It’s packed with flavor and inspired by the classic garlic and butter steak dish. This delicious tofu recipe is fancy enough for a special occasion, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies for a full meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (14-16 ounce) package super firm tofu or extra firm tofu pressed well
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1–2 sprigs each of fresh thyme, rosemary and sage
- 2–3 cloves garlic, smashed
- Salt and black pepper
Tofu marinade
- 1/3 cup tamari, I use low sodium
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic OR 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated garlic
Instructions
- Optional: If you want an extra chewy texture to your tofu, you can place the tofu package in the freezer and freeze overnight, until completely frozen. The tofu will have a yellow color once it is frozen. Move the tofu to the refrigerator and allow to thaw completely. This will give the tofu a slightly spongy texture and it will help it to really soak up the marinade. You will need to press the tofu well, once it has completely thawed out. Just like a sponge, it will hold onto the liquid.
- Once tofu is completely pressed, slice it into 4-6 equal sized slices. You can make them as thick or as thin as you like. To a ziplock bag, or container with lid, add all of the tofu marinade ingredients. Mix together the marinade well and then add in the tofu slices. Make sure that the tofu is completely coated in the marinade, there won’t be too much, but just enough to coat the tofu. Place tofu in the refrigerator and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or as long as overnight (for extra flavor).
- Remove the tofu from the marinade and use a paper towel to press down and soak up any extra marinade on the top of the tofu, this just helps to prevent the tofu from burning. You can also use your hands to squeeze the tofu a little bit, if you notice it seems to have absorbed a lot of the marinade.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in the marinated tofu slices in a single layer. Let tofu cook until for about 4-5 minutes, until the bottom is nicely browned. Flip the tofu over, let cook for 1 minute and then add in the butter, smashed garlic and fresh herbs. Once butter has melted you can slightly tilt the pan and spoon the infused butter over the tofu. Do this for about 3-4 minutes, flipping tofu over halfway through, if desired. Sprinkle the tofu with flaky salt and black pepper, if desired, and serve with your favorite side dishes.
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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