Satay is a grilled meat dish that is served with satay sauce; typically a peanut based sauce. It is a very popular dish is Southeast Asia; especially Thailand. I make a Vegan Tofu Satay that is delicious and full of flavor. This is my new favorite appetizer to serve a small group of friends. Everyone who eats it, loves it and ends up eating some extra, so plan on that! The peanut sauce is the best part of the dish- its creamy, sweet, tangy and spicy, so lip smackingly delicious.
Just a few things to keep in mind when you make Vegan Tofu Satay
Press down the tofu for at least 2 hours to remove the excess moisture. You can do this by weighing the tofu down with a clean heavy object; like placing a pan on it and then weighing the pan down with some cans of food.
Here is the contraption I use to press the tofu. It may be worth it to get it if you use tofu regularly like me.
Marinate the tofu in the marinade ingredients for at least an hour. You can marinate it for more, but cover it and place it in the refrigerator.
Spicy Peanut Sauce
I absolutely love this spicy peanut satay sauce and use it so many different ways- in buddha bowls, lettuce wraps and to dip spring rolls and of course in this Vegan Tofu Satay dish. I meal prep it a lot of the weekends and use it throughout the week. The flavors are lip smacking delicious and it makes whatever I use it in, so much tastier! It is creamy, salty, spicy, tangy, and so yummy!
It comes together quickly in 5 minutes and no blender is required if your peanut butter is runny enough. If not, just add the ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Once you make the sauce, taste it and adjust the seasonings and thickness as per your desired liking. The satay sauce is generally on the thicker side so you can get a good coating of it on the tofu when you dip it.
Serving and Make ahead directions for Vegan Tofu Satay
Vegan Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut sauce can be served warm or at room temperature so its perfect for a small gathering. You can prepare the satay sauce and marinate the tofu earlier in the day and refrigerate it. The tofu pieces can be cooked just before the guests arrive. Also be sure to remove the satay sauce from the refrigerator an hour prior to serving as it is best at room temperature.
If you are looking for easy appetizers to serve at your next party, check these other recipes:
6
servings20
minutes10
minutesIngredients
- Tofu Satay
12-14 ounce extra firm tofu, pressed to remove water
2 tablespoons light soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon Sriracha or any other Asian style hot sauce
1 teaspoon maple or agave syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil
- Spicy Peanut Satay Sauce
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons light soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon maple or agave syrup
1 tablespoon Sriracha or any other Asian style hot sauce
1 teasppon ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
hot water, as needed
- To serve
Small wooden skewers
Method
- Cut tofu in ½ inch pieces, lengthwise. You should have 12-14 pieces from the whole block of tofu.
- In a shallow bowl, mix soy sauce, sriracha, cornstarch, and maple/agave syrup. Cover the tofu pieces completely in the sauce. Set aside to marinate for at least an hour.
- Mix all the ingredients for the satay sauce. Add hot water as needed to thin out the sauce. The sauce should be of thick pouring consistency.
- Heat oil in a nonstick or cast iron pan. Cook the tofu pieces in the hot pan, cooking it on 4 sides, till it gets a nice color.
- To serve, put the cooked tofu pieces, lengthwise halfway through the wooden skewers. Arrange on a platter and serve with spicy peanut sauce. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
