Description
My Sweet and Smoky Tofu Lunch Meat is packed with flavor and perfect for all your sandwich needs. Tofu is a great high protein substitute for ham or turkey, and it really soaks up the marinade well. Cook up in a pan until nicely browned, let cool and then use it to create the meat-free sandwich of your dreams!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz) block super firm tofu, patted dry and pressed if needed
- Oil of choice, for cooking
Sweet and Smoky Marinade
- 1/2 cup tamari, or soy sauce (I like to use low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Liquid smoke, to taste (I usually use about 4-5 drops)
Instructions
- Press as much liquid out of the tofu as you can, if needed. Use a sharp knife, or a potato peeler, to thinly slice the block of tofu into strips. I like to make mine pretty thin to where they are kind of falling apart, but you can make yours a little thicker if you prefer.
- Add all marinade ingredients to a ziplock bag or container with a lid. Mix the ingredients together well and then add in the tofu strips. Make sure that the marinade is able to get in-between all of the tofu pieces and then secure the top of the bag, or container, well. Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or overnight if you want maximum flavor. I like to rotate my bag a few times while it is chilling, to make sure all the tofu gets an equal amount of the marinade.
- Remove the marinated tofu from the refrigerator. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat the bottom with a light layer of oil. Place the tofu strips into the hot pan and let tofu cook for about 3 minutes before flipping to the other side. Add a few spoonfuls of the leftover marinade over the tofu while it is cooking, for extra flavor and color. Cook until all sides are nicely browned, a total of 7-10 minutes.
- I like my tofu to be thin and falling apart a little bit so I usually just add the whole bag in and stir fry it together. If you want your tofu meat thicker, you can cook the tofu in batches so that each slice has its own room in the pan.
- Tofu lunch meat can be used immediately, or you can allow it to cool until ready to use. Store in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container, for up to 5 days. This tofu lunch meat can be served cold, room temperature or heated up.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Lunch
- Method: marinating
- Cuisine: American
