Learn how to smoke tofu in a stovetop smoker! Slowly smoked over hickory wood chips, this tofu has warming and woodsy notes and packs a ton of umami. Use it in curries, sandwiches, salads, stir-fries, and more!
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.
Marinate the tofu
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.
Add the marinade. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil to the dish or freezer bag.
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.
Smoke the tofu
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.
Add the tofu. Place the tofu on the rack and close the smoker with the lid.
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.
This smoked tofu will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
Press the tofu. If you own a tofu press, use it to remove as much moisture as possible. It will help the tofu absorb more marinade, resulting in a superior taste.
Marinade for at least 8 hours. To allow the tofu to absorb the marinade, I highly recommend letting it marinade for a minimum of 8 hours. I personally prepare the tofu in the afternoon and smoke it the next day.
Let the tofu rest after smoking. This step is essential to allow the smoky flavor to mellow down and flavors to merge.