Vegan Peanut Tofu Skewers

Total time1 hr 5 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time15 min

5.0

(20)

These skewers deliver everything you want from a satisfying plant-based meal — smoky, caramelized tofu with a rich, tangy peanut sauce that you'll want to drizzle on absolutely everything. Pressing the tofu before marinating is the secret move here; it pulls out excess moisture so the cubes soak up that ginger-garlic-lime marinade all the way through and get beautifully golden on the grill or under the broiler. The sauce itself comes together in one bowl with creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar — bold, layered flavor with zero animal products in sight. Every single ingredient in this recipe is naturally free of meat, dairy, and eggs, so there's no swapping or substituting required. Serve them straight off the grill with a scatter of chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a finish that looks as good as it tastes. This recipe makes four servings, which means it's just as at home on a weeknight dinner table as it is at a backyard cookout.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the skewers

1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu
1 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or avocado oil)

For the peanut sauce

½ cup creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, finely grated
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
3–4 tbsp warm water

For serving

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
2 tbsp roasted peanuts, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes so they don't scorch. Drain and set aside.
2
Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels, place it on a plate, and set a heavy skillet or cutting board on top. Press for at least 20 minutes, then unwrap and cut into 1-inch cubes.

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