Spring Vegetable and Lemon Herb Grilled Tofu Skewers
A vibrant and fresh recipe featuring seasonal spring vegetables marinated with lemon and herbs, paired with grilled tofu skewers. Perfect for a light, vegan-friendly meal that highlights the flavors of the season through grilling, adding a smoky depth without overpowering the natural freshness of the produce.
Overview
These Spring Vegetable and Lemon Herb Grilled Tofu Skewers offer a delightful combination of fresh, seasonal vegetables and protein-packed tofu. Marinated in a zesty lemon and herb mixture, the skewers are grilled to perfection, giving a smoky char while preserving the vibrant flavors and textures of spring produce. This recipe is ideal for a light, healthy, and vegan-friendly meal.
Why you’ll love it
- Fresh and vibrant flavors from spring vegetables and zesty lemon-herb marinade.
- Grilling adds a smoky taste without overpowering natural produce flavors.
- Simple and quick to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight meals or weekend barbecues.
- Completely vegan and packed with plant-based protein.
Ingredient notes
Tofu: Firm or extra-firm tofu holds its shape well on the grill and absorbs marinades beautifully. Press the tofu before marinating to remove excess moisture.
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Spring Vegetables: Asparagus, bell peppers, and zucchini provide varied textures and colors that complement the tofu. Feel free to substitute or add other seasonal vegetables like cherry tomatoes or mushrooms.
Lemon Herb Marinade: Fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs such as parsley and thyme create a bright, aromatic marinade that enhances the vegetables and tofu.
Step-by-step
- Press and drain the tofu, then cut into uniform cubes.
- Prepare the vegetables by trimming and chopping into skewer-friendly pieces.
- Make the lemon herb marinade by whisking lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the tofu and vegetables together for at least 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread tofu and vegetables alternately onto soaked wooden or metal skewers.
- Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender and tofu shows grill marks.
- Serve immediately while hot and garnish with extra fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
Serving & storage
Serve these skewers as a light main course alongside a fresh green salad or grain such as quinoa or couscous. They also pair well with a vegan tzatziki or tahini sauce.
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Leftover skewers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on a grill or grill pan to retain texture and flavor. For best taste and food safety, consume leftovers promptly.
Chef tips
- Press tofu well to ensure it absorbs the marinade and grills evenly without falling apart.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Turn skewers regularly to avoid charring and to cook evenly.
- Marinate for longer if time allows for deeper flavor penetration.
Ingredients
- 400 gfirm or extra-firm tofu (14 oz)
- 1 bunchasparagus, trimmed and halved
- 1 largered bell pepper, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) squares
- 1 mediumzucchini, sliced into 1 cm (0.4 inch) thick rounds
- 3 tbspfresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 3 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
- 2 clovesgarlic, minced
- 2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbspfresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tspsea salt
- 1/4 tspblack pepper
Equipment
- grill or grill pan
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- knife
- cutting board
- skewers (wooden or metal)
Nutrition per serving
- Calories210
- Protein14 g
- Carbs10 g
- Fat12 g
Step-by-step
Step 1
Press and drain the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water. Then cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) cubes.Step 2
Prepare the vegetables: trim asparagus, halve if thick; cut bell pepper into 2.5 cm (1 inch) squares; slice zucchini into 1 cm (0.4 inch) thick rounds.Step 3
In a mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, sea salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.Step 4
Add tofu cubes and vegetables to the marinade. Toss gently to coat all pieces thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.Step 5
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 200°C / 390°F). If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.Step 6
Thread tofu and vegetables alternately onto the skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.Step 7
Place skewers on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until vegetables are tender and tofu has nice grill marks.Step 8
Remove skewers from grill and serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
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