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Easy & Flavorful Broiled Tofu

slices of broiled tofu on a plate with a green onion
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5 from 2 reviews

This flavorful tofu is one of my go-to tofu recipes for busy weeknights. The tofu is coated in a flavorful sauce and broiled in the oven, an easy hands-off cooking method. 

The texture of broiled tofu is slightly firm and caramelized on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. 

For the best flavor and texture, make sure to press the tofu at the beginning of the recipe. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 12 to 14-ounce package of firm or extra firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Tools needed: 8x8 baking pan, foil 

Instructions

  1. First, press the tofu to remove most of the moisture: Wrap the block of tofu in a lint-free towel. Set it on a plate or sheet-pan. Set another plate or sheet-pan on top. Set something heavy on top, like cans of beans or a cookbook. Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes (see photos in blog post above).
  2. Cut the tofu into slices/cutlets that are about 1/2-inch thick. 
  3. To cook the tofu, use an 8x8 baking pan made of metal.  The pan shouldn't be larger than 8x8, or the tofu won't soak up all of the sauce, and the sauce is more likely to burn under the broiler. Also,  Do NOT use glass (even pyrex) under a broiler. The heat of a broiler can make glass shatter.
  4. Make sure to put a layer of foil in the pan. It will prevent the sauce from burning under the broiler. 
  5. In the foil-lined 8x8 pan, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, coconut aminos, maple syrup. Tilt the pan to spread the sauce around the pan. 
  6. Set the slices of tofu in the baking pan. Then, flip the slices over so both sides are lightly coated in the sauce.
  7. Turn on the oven broiler and let it heat up for a few minutes before putting the pan in the oven. 
  8. Place the baking pan on the top oven rack under the  broiler. Broil 5 minutes.
  9. Rotate the pan under the broiler. Broil 3 to 5 minutes more, peaking in the oven once or twice to keep an eye on the tofu. The tofu and marinade should be bubbling and browning, but not burning. If you start to smell burning, or the color of the tofu starts moving past nicely browned into really dark brown or burnt, take it out.
  10. The tofu is done when it's deeply browned and most of the sauce has been soaked up by the tofu. If you want, you can flip the tofu over and broil it for another minute or two on the backside. 
  11. Remove the tofu from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. If there is any remaining sauce in the pan, the tofu will soak it up while it rests. 

Notes

You can double this recipe and use a 9x13 baking pan. 

This recipe works best with rectangular slabs or "cutlets" of tofu. Smaller triangles or cubes either burn easily or don't brown properly under the broiler. 

This tofu is really good served cold too! It's great for packed lunches. 

 

Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/easy-flavorful-broiled-tofu/