Smoked Tofu (in the Oven or the Smoker)
Posted: 04/24/25
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Simple smoked tofu is a delicious meatless protein option for your summer cookouts! Cooked in the oven or the smoker, this easy recipe gives you bold, smoky tofu to enjoy on its own or use in sandwiches or on salads.
What We Love About This Recipe
- It’s so simple! You don’t need a ton of ingredients or any complicated equipment. If you don’t have a smoker, the oven will work just fine.
- Tofu on its own isn’t much to write home about, but smoked tofu? Oh, man. The tofu absorbs all the incredible flavors from the olive oil and spices, but that’s true of any tofu recipe. Here you also get a rich, deep smoky flavor that just puts otherwise-ordinary tofu over the top.
Ways to Serve This Tofu
- By itself! Smoked tofu makes a great snack, especially since it’s a good source of protein.
- On a snack plate. Just like a component of a sausage and cheese plate – you can even pair some cheese cubes with it!
- In a grain bowl. Toss it into a bowl of quinoa or rice with your favorite vegetables. Check out the viral Jennifer Aniston salad for inspiration!
- In tortillas. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or even just a basic wrap.
- On a salad. Slice the smoked tofu into thin strips and lay them on top of a bed of leafy greens.
- As a sandwich. You can use it in place of the chicken in our chicken pesto sandwich or just sandwich it between two slices of bread with your favorite toppings. Try it with the coleslaw from my BBQ chicken sandwiches!
- In a breakfast bowl. Smoked tofu is a great meatless option to replace bacon or sausage in a breakfast scramble. Just cut it into bite-sized pieces and toss it into scrambled eggs. To really dress it up, add some sautéed onions and bell peppers and some breakfast potatoes or hashbrowns. You can also crumble the tofu and use it in place of the eggs for a vegan option.
- With noodles. My very favorite stir fry noodles would go beautifully with smoked tofu, or you can use it in place of the chicken in my spicy chicken ramen.
Cheryl’s Tips
- To maximize the amount of flavor in your tofu, press it and then slice it or cube it. More surfaces mean more of the tofu covered in spices or marinade. Just be careful if you’re smoking the tofu in a smoker – you don’t want the pieces to fall through the grill grate. You also may need to smoke the tofu pieces for less time than the solid tofu block.
- Tofu can be marinated up to 24 hours, so feel free to prep it the night before! If you’re marinating it for longer than 2 hours, though, make sure to refrigerate it in an airtight container.
Smoked and Grilled Recipes You Can’t Miss
- Smoked Potato
- Grilled Meatloaf
- Smoked Asparagus
- Smoked Baked Beans
- Grilled Pork Belly
- Smoked Chicken Legs
- Mesquite Grilled Chicken
- Smoked Tuna Dip
- Grilled Green Tomatoes
- Smoked Baked Potato
- Grilled Scallops
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Smoked Tofu (Oven and Smoker Options)
Simple smoked tofu, cooked in the oven or the smoker! This delish meat alternative is a perfect vegetarian and vegan option for any summer cookout.
servings
Ingredients
For Smoked Tofu in the Smoker
- 2 16-ounce blocks extra-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoning blend of choice
For Smoked Tofu in the Oven
- 1 16-ounce block extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Cutting board
- cast-iron skillet or other heavy skillet, or heavy cutting boards
- Small mixing bowl for smoker version
- medium mixing bowl for oven version
- whisk
- smoker or oven
- wood chips for smoker version
- neutral-flavored cooking spray for smoker version
- sharp chef's knife
- large sheet pan for oven version
- Parchment paper for oven version
Instructions
To Prepare the Tofu
- Drain 2 16-ounce blocks extra-firm tofuofu well, then pat tofu completely dry on all sides with paper towels.
- Completely wrap each block of tofu in 2 to 3 layers of paper towels. Make sure all sides of tofu blocks are covered completely. Place wrapped tofu on cutting board.
- Place cast-iron skillet on top of wrapped tofu. Leave tofu 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove skillet, then unwrap blocks of tofu and discard paper towels.
For Smoked Tofu in the Smoker
- While pressing tofu, preheat smoker with wood chips to 225° Fahrenheit. Follow specific smoker's instructions for preheating.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon seasoning blend of choice to small mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients together until combined.
- Rub oil mixture onto 2 16-ounce blocks extra-firm tofu, coating tofu completely.
- Once smoker is preheated, spray grill rack with neutral-flavored cooking spray. Place blocks of tofu on grill rack.
- Smoke tofu 60 minutes or until tofu is golden-brown.
- Once tofu is golden, remove tofu from smoker. Slice tofu into thin strips or cube tofu, then serve as desired.
For Smoked Tofu in the Oven
- Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- After pressing 1 16-ounce block extra-firm tofu, place tofu on cutting board. Slice tofu into equally-sized cubes.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon liquid smoke to medium mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients together until combined.
- Add tofu cubes to bowl and toss until fully coated in olive oil mixture.
- Arrange tofu cubes on prepared baking sheet in one even layer.
- Place baking sheet in preheated oven. Bake tofu 15 minutes, then remove baking sheet from oven.
- Flip tofu cubes over, then return baking sheet to oven. Bake tofu cubes 10 to 15 minutes more, or until cubes are nicely browned on all sides.
- Once cubes are browned, carefully remove baking sheet from oven. Serve as desired.
Notes
- Seasoning Blend: You can use your favorite store-bought seasoning blend, or you can make your own with your favorite spices. Garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne would all go well with the smoky flavor.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving (smoker version) | Calories: 196kcal | Protein: 17g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Total Carbs: 7g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Net Carbs: 5g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 396mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 4mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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