Smoked Tofu

⭐️ Why You Should Try It

• A rich and natural smoke flavor. Smoking tofu in a smoker gives it an aroma and flavor far superior to anything that can be achieved with liquid smoke. It’s woodsy, comforting, and has a distinct scent that will remind you of bacon!
• Easy to make with 4 ingredients. You won’t need any hard-to-find ingredients to prepare this recipe. Just tofu and a few pantry staples!
• Versatile. Smoked tofu is just as versatile as regular tofu and can be used in various dishes. Whether you’re making curries, stir-fries, soups, sandwiches, or wraps, smoked tofu is a great option to impart a comforting and smoky flavor.

📘 What is Smoked Tofu

Smoked tofu consists of firm tofu smoked through either a hot or cold smoking process. The process involves exposing the tofu to wood smoke for a few minutes, which infuses the tofu with a savory and smoky flavor.

📗 Equipment Needed

Before starting, ensure you own a stovetop smoker or at least a regular outdoor smoker. I have owned a Gourmet Mini Stovetop Smoker from Camerons for 9 years, and I love it! It’s sturdy, easy to clean (you can put it in the dishwasher), and super simple to use.

The main advantage of this smoker is that it can be used indoors, on the stove. The downside is that it cannot cold-smoke foods. In the case of this recipe, it doesn’t really matter anyway.

🍁 Ingredient Notes

Here are the ingredients that you will need:

• Tofu – Use firm or extra-firm tofu.
• Soy sauce – It adds saltiness and umami and gives the tofu a golden brown color. Use coconut aminos if you want to keep this recipe gluten-free.
• Maple syrup – To balance the saltiness. Agave or brown rice syrup will also work if you don’t have maple syrup.
• Sesame oil – Toasted sesame oil gives the tofu a hint of nuttiness.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Pat the tofu dry

1. Press the tofu. Line a plate with a few sheets of kitchen paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Top with more kitchen paper towels and press the tofu to remove as much moisture as possible. Repeat this step 2-3 times. This will allow the tofu to absorb the marinade better.

2. Marinate it

1. Transfer the tofu to a dish. At this point, you can keep the block of tofu whole or cut it in half. Transfer the tofu to a deep dish or a freezer-safe bag.
2. Add the marinade. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil to the dish or freezer bag.
3. Let it marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and let the tofu marinade in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, preferably 24 hours. Flip the tofu once halfway through marinating.

3. Smoke it

1. Add the wood chips. Remove the lid, rack, and drip tray of the stovetop smoker. Spread 3 tablespoons of wood chips in the bottom of the smoker. Place the rack and drip tray back on top.
2. Add the tofu. Place the tofu on the rack and close the smoker with the lid.
3. Smoke. Finally, heat the smoker on the stove over medium heat. It will take 10-15 seconds before some smoke starts to appear. Let the tofu smoke for about 25 minutes, flipping it once halfway through smoking. After that, turn off the heat and keep the smoker closed for another 15 minutes. This will allow the remaining smoke to infuse the tofu even more.

4. Let it rest. To allow the flavors to merge and mellow down, let the tofu rest for at least 8 hours before using.

🪵 Variations

• Use different wood chips: Don’t hesitate to play with different types of wood chips. Each one will impart a slightly different aroma to the tofu. If you prefer a stronger, bacon-like flavor, use Hickory wood. On the other hand, if you prefer a more delicate smokiness, Oak or Maple wood might be a better choice.
• Add other seasonings: Feel free to add chopped garlic, shallots, ginger, or other aromatics to the marinade.

🍚 Where to Use It

There are countless ways to incorporate this smoked tofu into your dishes! Here are some ideas:

• Make bolognese: Crumble it and add it to tomato sauce to make a smoky bolognese sauce.
• Add to curries: Dice it into cubes and add it to your favorite curry recipes! It is particularly delicious in Thai green curry or Vietnamese curry.
• Add to stir-fries: Sauté the tofu in oil until slightly crispy and mix it with vegetable stir-fries.
• Incorporate into soups: Deep-fry the tofu for a few minutes or until golden brown before adding it to noodle soups or ramen.
• Use in sandwiches: Thinly sliced, this smoked tofu is delicious in sandwiches, wraps, or banh mi!
• Add on top of pizza: Crumble or dice it and use it as a topping for homemade pizza.

💬 FAQ

If you have never tried using a stovetop smoker, I highly suggest trying this recipe! It’s a fantastic introduction to the process of smoking foods. Plus, you end up with an irresistibly smoky tofu that will bring a ton of flavor to your dishes!

🍛 More Tofu Recipes

Air Fryer Teriyaki Tofu

Easy Lemongrass Tofu

The Creamiest Tofu Scramble

Vietnamese Braised Tofu & Mushrooms

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!