Say Hello to this flavorful, Spicy Tofu Steak! The spicy, savory marinade, satisfying bite with crisp outside, creamy inside, and perfect grill marks make it an excellent dish. It's easy to make and a great side dish for weeknight dinners. Plus, it's dairy-free!
It's early November, and I’m still in the grilling mode. I can get that smoky, charred goodness anytime thanks to this spicy tofu steak.
The Asian-style marinade and the perfect balance of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes soak deep into the tofu, making every bite bold and flavorful(try this tofu stuffed peppers or tofu curry for the variations).
This Spicy Tofu Steak cooks in just 10 minutes on an indoor grill pan—quick, easy, and with barely any smoke! It gets a perfect crispy crust while staying creamy inside. If you prefer, you can use an outdoor grill too!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️ Easy and quick recipe, ready in under 20 minutes.
⭐️ Customizable for spice lovers.
⭐️ Delicious and versatile – perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- Firm Tofu: Firm tofu is the best way to achieve the best spicy steak for this recipe. However, extra firm tofu also works.
- Soy Sauce: I used light soy sauce. However, you can substitute dark soy sauce for intense flavors.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: I used store-bought chili garlic sauce. If you often make Asian-style recipes in the kitchen, it's one of the first few ingredients you can invest in (and it also stays longer in the refrigerator). However, if you do not have it handy, you can substitute it with Sriracha sauce or this spicy teriyaki sauce.
- Corn Starch acts as a binding agent that brings all the marinade ingredients together. It adds a satisfying, crispy layer to the spicy tofu steak. If you want a substitution, you can swap it for tapioca or potato starch.
- Vegetable Oil: I've used vegetable oil for today's recipe. However, any neutral-flavored cooking oil, such as sunflower seed or canola oil, works best.
How To Make Spicy Tofu Steak
- Remove the tofu from the package, drain, and place it on a kitchen towel to absorb moisture. Press gently with your palms or place a heavy pan on top to remove excess water. Once dry, cut into bite-sized cubes.
- Combine soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
- Add the sauce over the tofu cubes and allow the tofu to marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat the grill pan to medium heat. Brush the grill with vegetable oil and place the marinated tofu on it—Grill for about 5 minutes or until it is cooked on each side. Serve hot.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
The noticeable heat mainly comes from chili garlic sauce and mild spice from chili flakes.
To control the heat, you can adjust the quantity of the garlic sauce.
If you prefer more heat, add crushed red pepper, chili flakes, or sriracha for a more resounding, spicier kick.
The Leftovers
- Leftover spicy tofu steak can be repurposed into salads, tacos, fried rice, or making a wrap.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for about three months.
- Place them in the refrigerator overnight or for about eight hours to thaw.
- You can reheat the tofu in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, toss it in a skillet with a dash of oil and heat until warmed.
- Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the tofu slightly rubbery. I always prefer reheating over the skillet for the best texture.
Pro Tips For Best Results
For the best grilled texture, gently press the tofu with a kitchen towel to remove the excess water.
FAQ
Your local stores may carry it; you can find it in the fresh produce and cheese aisle. If you cannot find it, look into the aisle where fresh mushrooms and carrots are stored.
Firm or extra-firm tofu works best for this recipe, as it holds its shape well during grilling and absorbs flavors effectively.
Grease the grill grates before placing the tofu. This helps prevent sticking and ensures the tofu cooks evenly.
To drain the tofu, remove it from the package and place it over a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. You can also put a heavy pan on top to help press out the excess moisture. Another method is gently pressing the tofu between your palms with firm but careful pressure to squeeze out the water without breaking it.
Absolutely! You can use the same marinade to toss vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or eggplant and grill them with the tofu for a flavorful, well-rounded dish.
More Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Tofu Steak(Vegan Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 cup firm tofu cubed
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for brushing
Instructions
- Open the tofu pack.
- Place it in a wire rack for 10 minutes to drain the excess water completely.
- Cut them into bite-sized cubes.
- Add tofu cubes, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
- Combine until the sauces coat the tofu cubes evenly.
- Set aside for 10-15 minutes to marinate.
- Heat the grill to medium heat.
- Brush vegetable oil to the base of the grill.
- Place the marinated tofu and brush gently with vegetable oil on the top.
- Grill it for about 5 minutes on both sides or until your desired texture is reached.
- Serve hot, along with rice and steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Firm or extra-firm tofu is best for grilling; gently press out moisture for the crispiest results.
- If you like your food spicier, you can adjust the spice level by adding more chili garlic sauce or extra crushed red pepper.
- Swap chili garlic sauce with Sriracha or spicy teriyaki sauce, and replace cornstarch with tapioca or potato starch if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months; reheat in a skillet for the best texture (avoid microwaving).
Cathleen says
I had some tofu in the fridge and decided to make this. Oh my goodness. New favourite recipe right here! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
pepperbowl says
Cathleen, I’m so excited to hear it!
nancy says
what a great Spicy tofu steak recipe. It was hearty for a meal and i felt so healthy!
pepperbowl says
Hi nancy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Sara Welch says
This was such a unique and unexpected recipe that does not disappoint! Light yet hearty and hands down delicious!
pepperbowl says
Hi Sara! Love it! Thanks for sharing!