Irresistible Grilled Tofu Skewers (Vegan Kebabs)

These vegan grilled tofu skewers are an absolute delight, if I do say so myself. Featuring a flavour-packed marinade and with colourful veg in between each cube, they're ideal as a meat-free and gluten-free addition to your next barbecue or summer meal.

You'll get good results by marinating the tofu pieces for as little as 20-30 minutes, but I'd highly recommend doing it for several hours or overnight if possible. Either way, you'll be brushing the remaining marinade over the kebabs to add extra flavour as they sizzle away on the grill.

Looking for more delicious plant-based barbecue recipes? Check out these grilled king oyster mushrooms and this teriyaki grilled aubergine.

Why you'll love these skewers

• They have an amazing flavour
• They're high in plant-based protein
• You'll get a meaty texture with no animals in sight
• They'll be a hit with everyone – vegans and non-vegans alike
• Since all the ingredients could be eaten raw, there's no risk of undercooking these skewers

Recipe testing notes

• Garlic granules: Note that these are coarser than garlic powder. If using powder instead of granules, go with slightly less as it has a stronger flavour.
• Marinating time: As I've mentioned above, you'll get even better results if you have time to marinate the tofu for several hours or overnight.
• Grilling: The barbecue/grill you use will have an impact on the cooking time and how evenly done the skewers are. Don't be afraid to adjust the heat and move things around if necessary to find the best heat spots.

Which tofu is best?

It's important to use extra-firm tofu for these skewers (I used a large block by The Tofoo Co., which is widely available here in the UK). Extra-firm tofu will hold its shape well and doesn't usually require pressing to remove excess water.

Keen to try out more recipes with extra-firm tofu? Check out some of these: 👇

What you'll need

To make these moreish tofu kebabs, you'll need:

• Extra-firm tofu – the kind that's so firm you don't need to press it
• Red onion and pepper to add in between the cubes
• Liquid marinade ingredients in the form of sesame oil, agave syrup, and tamari (or soy sauce)
• Seasoning in the form of garlic granules and chilli powder
• Lime juice to add zing and bring the skewers to life

How to make grilled tofu skewers

To a wide bowl, add the garlic granules, chilli powder, tamari (or soy sauce), sesame oil, agave syrup, and lime juice.

Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

Slice the tofu block into 1-inch cubes.

The tofu I used was very firm, held its shape easily, and didn't require any pressing. For a block of this size, I ended up with 24 even cubes.

Add the tofu cubes to the bowl and coat in the marinade by gently tipping the bowl from side to side, turning the cubes over, and using a small spoon.

Marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, but ideally several hours or overnight. Continue to coat the cubes in the marinade from time to time.

When you're ready to make the skewers, chop the red onion and yellow pepper into similar-sized pieces (approx. 24 of each).

Take 6 skewers and add the tofu cubes (4 per skewer) and veg evenly to these, alternating between each ingredient.

Note: If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak these in water ahead of time to prevent burning.

Preheat the barbecue/grill to a medium heat.

Brush the bars with a little oil, then add the skewers and cook for around 3 minutes on each of the four sides (10-15 mins total) until the tofu has crisped up and the veg has softened.

Brush with extra marinade during cooking and be careful when turning them over (use tongs or oven gloves if necessary).

Once cooked, remove the skewers from the heat, brush once again with the remaining marinade, and serve.

Serving suggestions

Serve the skewers with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, sliced spring onions, and chopped coriander. For a little something extra, drizzle over homemade cashew lime crema or vegan raita.

Ideas for side dishes include:

• Rice noodle salad
• Vegan slaw
• Courgette salad with peanut dressing
• Three-bean salad
• Chickpea salad
• Couscous salad
• Mushroom couscous
• Baked potato wedges

See my full list of vegan side dishes for more ideas.

Recipe FAQ

Variations and tips for tofu skewers

• Griddle pan: You could also cook these in a griddle pan on the stovetop. Try and make sure as many tofu cubes as possible are making contact with the pan and use a little extra oil if needed.
• Other additions: Try other skewer ingredients such as courgette, tomatoes, mushrooms, or different peppers.

More vegan recipe ideas

If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy:

You can also check out my full list of vegan barbecue recipes.