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    Home » Entrees

    Tofu Steak

    Published: Apr 9, 2021 Updated: Apr 9, 2021 by Alison Andrews This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe
    Tofu Steak

    This is the best recipe for tofu steak ever! Marinated in a fabulous sesame soy marinade sauce and seared in a grill pan for beautiful grill lines and locked in flavor.

    Tofu steak on a white plate with baby potatoes and broccoli.

    If you already love tofu then this tofu steak recipe will be a slam dunk. But if you know someone who is a bit sceptical and you’d like to introduce them to tofu then this is the recipe for it.

    It will turn any sceptic into a raving tofu fan. There is just SO much flavor in these tofu steaks. And you know, tofu is not usually known for its flavor. It’s quite bland on its own. So it’s all about what you do with it.

    The marinade sauce and the sizzling hot grill pan combine to lock in so much flavor that they are simply the best ever.

    And if you want to pack in even more flavor, serve them topped with a vegan peppercorn sauce. Oh wow, now that is next level.

    For more vegan steak recipes check out our portobello steaks and our vegan seitan steak. And if you love tofu recipes then check out our grilled tofu, marinated tofu and tofu ricotta.

    Ingredients Needed For Tofu Steaks:

    Photo of the ingredients needed for tofu steaks.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Extra firm tofu – or firm tofu. It’s ideal if you use extra firm tofu but regular firm tofu will also work. And then in addition we also press the tofu to get it as firm as it can possibly be.
    • Soy sauce – if you’re gluten-free you can switch this for tamari or use a gluten-free soy sauce.
    • Liquid smoke – creates that wonderful smoky flavor. If you can’t get hold of it you can use smoked paprika instead.
    Tofu steaks in a cast iron grill pan.

    How To Make Tofu Steak

    You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.

    • Press the tofu. Put the tofu on to press for 30 minutes. Ideally use a tofu press but if you don’t have one then place the tofu onto a plate with another plate on top of it and then stack something heavy on top like heavy books or a heavy pot.
    Two blocks of tofu in a tofu press.
    • Prepare the marinade sauce. While the tofu is pressing add sesame oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, crushed garlic, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and ground black pepper to a measuring jug and whisk together until well mixed.
    Two photo collage showing marinade ingredients in a measuring jug and then mixed together.
    • Marinate the tofu steaks. When the tofu is finished pressing, slice it into four rectangular steaks. Place the steaks into a shallow tray and brush all sides with the marinade sauce and leave to marinate for 15 minutes.
    Two photo collage showing tofu cut into steak shapes and then brushed with marinade sauce.
    • Heat a grill pan on medium heat. When hot, brush it with sesame oil.
    Photo of brushing oil onto a cast iron grill pan
    • Grill the tofu steaks. Add two tofu steaks to the hot grill pan and let them cook for 3 minutes. They should stick to the pan when they first go in, this is fine. After 3 minutes they should release easily from the pan. Flip them over and cook on the other side for 3 minutes. They should now have nice straight grill lines on them.
    • Brush with marinade sauce. When the tofu steaks are cooked, use some leftover marinade sauce to brush the steaks on both sides and then remove them from the pan.
    • Repeat with the next two tofu steaks and then serve with veggies, salad or chips.
    Two photo collage showing tofu steaks cooking in grilled pan and then flipped over.

    Recipe Tips

    The grill pan must be hot. When the pan is sizzling hot then when you add the tofu steaks to the pan they will sear to the pan and stick. A few minutes later they release on their own with those lovely grill lines and then you can flip them and do the same on the other side. If the pan isn’t hot enough when you add the tofu, they won’t sear properly to the pan.

    Use a high heat oil to brush onto the grill pan. We used sesame oil in the marinade so decided to stick to sesame oil to bush onto the grill pan. Sesame oil is a high heat oil with a high smoke point so works great for this. Grapeseed oil also works well for this.

    If you don’t have a grill pan you can use a regular frying pan or skillet. You won’t get the grill lines of course but it will still taste just as amazing.

    Tofu steak on a white plate with baby potatoes and broccoli.

    Recipe FAQ

    How to serve tofu steak?

    It’s wonderful served alongside baby potatoes and vegetables. It would also be wonderful alongside vegan mashed potatoes or vegan scalloped potatoes or baked potato fries. It’s also divine topped with a sauce like our vegan peppercorn sauce or vegan mushroom sauce and a salad on the side like our vegan Greek salad or vegan chickpea salad would be great too.

    How to store it?

    If you have any leftover steaks, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or in the frying pan.

    Can you freeze it?

    Tofu freezes really well! So if you do want to freeze this recipe you can definitely do so. Thaw in the fridge and then reheat as usual.

    Tofu steak on a white plate with baby potatoes and broccoli and a steak knife.

    More Tofu Recipes

    1. Crispy Baked Tofu
    2. Crispy Fried Tofu
    3. Teriyaki Tofu
    4. General Tso’s Tofu
    5. Kung Pao Tofu
    6. Tofu Satay
    7. Tofu Scramble
    8. Tofu Burger
    Forkful of tofu steak.

    Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!

    Tofu steak on a white plate with baby potatoes and broccoli.

    Tofu Steak

    This is the best recipe for tofu steak ever! Marinated in a fabulous sesame soy marinade sauce and seared in a grill pan for beautiful grill lines and locked in flavor. 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 266kcal
    Author: Alison Andrews

    Ingredients

    Tofu Steaks:

    • 24 ounces Extra Firm Tofu (680g) (2 blocks of 12 ounces (340g) each)
    • ½ Tbsp Sesame Oil For Frying

    Marinade Sauce:

    • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
    • 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
    • 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
    • 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
    • 1 Clove Garlic Crushed
    • ½ tsp Liquid Smoke
    • ½ tsp Garlic Powder
    • ½ tsp Onion Powder
    • ¼ tsp Salt
    • ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Press the tofu. Put the tofu on to press for 30 minutes. Ideally use a tofu press but if you don't have one then place the tofu onto a plate with another plate on top of it and then stack something heavy on top like heavy books or a heavy pot. 
    • Prepare the marinade sauce. While the tofu is pressing add sesame oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, crushed garlic, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and ground black pepper to a measuring jug and whisk together until well mixed. 
    • Marinate the tofu steaks. When the tofu is finished pressing, slice it into four rectangular steaks. Place the steaks into a shallow tray and brush all sides with the marinade sauce and leave to marinate for 15 minutes. 
    • Heat a grill pan on medium heat. When hot, brush it with sesame oil. 
    • Grill the tofu steaks. Add two tofu steaks to the hot grill pan and let them cook for 3 minutes. They should stick to the pan when they first go in, this is fine. After 3 minutes they should release easily from the pan. Flip them over and cook on the other side for 3 minutes. They should now have nice straight grill lines on them. 
    • Brush with marinade sauce. When the tofu steaks are cooked, use some leftover marinade sauce to brush the steaks on both sides and then remove them from the pan. 
    • Repeat with the next two tofu steaks.
    • Serve with veggies, salad or chips or topped with vegan peppercorn sauce.

    Notes

    1. Gluten-Free. For gluten-free switch the soy sauce for tamari or use a gluten-free soy sauce. 
    2. The grill pan must be hot. When the pan is sizzling hot then when you add the tofu steaks to the pan they will sear to the pan and stick. A few minutes later they release on their own with those lovely grill lines and then you can flip them and do the same on the other side. If the pan isn’t hot enough when you add the tofu, they won’t sear properly to the pan. 
    3. Use a high heat oil to brush onto the grill pan. We used sesame oil in the marinade so decided to stick with sesame oil for the grill pan. Sesame oil is a high heat oil with a high smoke point so works great for this. Grapeseed oil also works well. 
    4. If you don’t have a grill pan you can use a regular frying pan or skillet. You won’t get the grill lines of course but it will still taste just as amazing. 
    5. Leftovers. If you have any leftover steaks, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or in the frying pan. Tofu also freezes really well. So if you want to freeze this recipe you can definitely do so. Thaw in the fridge and then reheat as usual.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Tofu Steak | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.9g | Protein: 21.7g | Fat: 15.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.6g | Sodium: 759mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 7.8g
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @lovingitvegan on Instagram and hashtag #lovingitvegan
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    About the Author

    Hi I'm Alison Andrews, I'm the voice and cook behind Loving It Vegan. I love making delicious vegan food and creating vegan versions of all your old favorites, so that you’ll never feel like you’re missing out. Find out more about me here.

    Loving It Vegan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Loving It Vegan will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. RJ says

      January 09, 2023 at 1:41 am

      This was delicious and will make for the family now! I didn’t have as much marinade so would make more next time.

      Reply
    2. Brenda says

      August 23, 2022 at 9:16 pm

      Excellent!5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        August 24, 2022 at 11:19 am

        Thanks Brenda!

        Reply
    3. Ashley says

      August 17, 2021 at 11:35 pm

      Wonderful! This was a total hit with my husband. I didn’t have tomato paste available so I substituted low sugar ketchup, and topped with carrot top chimichurri. I loved how the marinade crisped the outside of the tofu, but the steaks were still tender on the outside. I’ll definitely use this recipe again. Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        August 18, 2021 at 9:51 am

        You’re welcome Ashley! So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for the wonderful review.

        Reply
    4. Marie says

      July 24, 2021 at 10:35 pm

      I love this recipe. It has quickly become one of my favorites.
      I freeze and then thaw my tofu for a more meaty texture. I also double the marinade and marinate it for a couple of days. Super delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipes. ❤5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        July 26, 2021 at 1:33 pm

        Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing Marie!

        Reply
    5. Curvyshadows says

      May 30, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      Love this recipe and especially the marinade/BBQ sauce.5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        May 30, 2021 at 7:46 pm

        Thanks so much! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Anna says

      April 10, 2021 at 5:51 am

      Ooh looks yummy! High protein as well so an excellent and different substitute for meat. Definitely trying this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Andrews says

        April 12, 2021 at 11:49 am

        Thanks Anna!

        Reply

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