Tofu burgers are so easy to make and simply fabulous. Marinated in my favorite burger marinade, tofu burgers are so tasty; they may be your favorite veggie burger—top with my secret sauce or BBQ coleslaw, or top with your favorite toppings.
My family loves burgers on the grill, so I decided to make a savory, delicious tofu burger recipe they would love. Although I often grill tofu, which is my preferred cooking method, I've never made a tofu burger before. So since I mastered how to press and cook tofu, I challenged myself to a tofu burger challenge.
Jump to:
Summertime is my favorite time of year for barbequing and entertaining. Luckily, our kids come over often to chill and grill.
I used one of my favorite "burger" marinades for this particular recipe from back in the day. If I remember correctly, it is one of my dad's go-to marinades he soaked the meat in when we were kids. So obviously, I removed all the oil and other non-vegan ingredients.
Because I'm the one in charge of food prep and recipe execution, my husband is the grill master. Even though I enjoy grilling, I hand the grill tools to Paul because he is, after all, the best person for the job.
However, it's my job to pick the side dishes. Vegan potato salad or vegan macaroni salad is my favorite salads when grilling out. And I always love to grill fresh corn on the cob as well. Add some watermelon, and this BBQ is complete.
Choosing the Right Tofu
First and foremost, the type of tofu you buy is essential. For instance, soft tofu is used for dressing, dips, and sauces.
On the other hand, extra-firm tofu is made for entrees and can be baked, air-fried, grilled, or sauteed. Generally, I always buy the firmest tofu I can find.
Sprouted tofu is the firmest tofu, and it does not require pressing. This one is my favorite because I don't have to press it. Instead, I use a paper towel to dry it off, and it's ready to go.
So, I chose sprouted tofu. I bought it at Trader Joe's for my tofu burger recipe because I didn't want to press it. But extra-firm tofu also works, but it must be pressed before marinating.
How to Press Tofu
For years I avoided eating tofu. Every time I cooked tofu, I moved it to the side of the plate because it was either fried or mushy. Most restaurants fry tofu, which doesn't interest me, and those who bake and grill it seemed to have the same issues I did; soft tasteless tofu.
Then, I figured it out with the help of my EZ Tofu Press. This magic kitchen tool, however, is a game-changer, and now I'm a tofu lover.
First, carefully remove the tofu from the package, discarding the fluid from the container.
Then, place the tofu in the middle of the press and turn both knobs equally for about four turns. Finally, I usually put the tofu press in the sink on its side.
- Turn the knobs every two minutes, equally, until you have the result (the last picture).
- Most people stop here…NOT YET. Keep turning until the knobs are screwed as far as they can, almost to touch the end. Be patient; it's all about going slow and being patient.
- Now, remove the tofu from the press.
Once pressed, I cut the tofu in half horizontally, producing two large pieces of tofu. Then, I used my burger press to form two identical tofu burgers. If you don't have a burger press, cut tofu in circles with a cookie cutter or by hand.
Marinade Ingredients
I'm a saucy girl, so I love marinates and sauces. As I stated previously, I chose a burger marinade my family made when I was a kid, minus the oil.
- Soy Sauce: Choose regular or low sodium, whichever you prefer.
- Liquid Smoke: I like the hickory flavor, but the mesquite is tasty. Liquid smoke is a natural product that condenses the smoke from burning wood. It is used as a flavoring in place of real wood smoke.
- Garlic: I prefer fresh minced garlic instead of jarred garlic.
- Sriracha: I love Sriracha or anything hot. If you are sensitive to spice, add slowly and taste to adjust to your preference.
- Whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard is simply mustard that has been ground just enough to form a paste, but not so much that it entirely breaks down all the mustard seeds, creating a thick, coarse texture.
Marinade Substitutes
- There are many ways to substitute liquid smoke in recipes. Smoked paprika, a spice made by drying peppers over oak burning fires for several weeks, is a great alternative.
- Smoke tea (or lapsang souchong) can be used as a dry rub on meats or to flavor soups or stews in need of a smoky kick.
- Chipotle powder is famous for its smoky flavor.
- Sweet chili sauce or ketchup is a sweeter way to replace Sriracha in a recipe. So if you don't like it hot, replace it with one of those choices.
- Stone ground mustard or Dijon mustard are suitable substitutes for whole grain mustard.
For the best results, I suggest marinating tofu burgers overnight for the best flavor.
One of the biggest complaints vegans have is not being able to grill a vegan burger outside on the grill. Well, these tofu burgers grill like champions!
Grilling Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-low(400 degrees)
- Place a grill mat on the grill (you can also use a grill pan, or if you are careful, you can place the tofu directly on the grill). I cook directly on the grill because I love the grill marks.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes (4 times)
- Remove from the grill and serve with your favorite toppings.
Once grilled, they are ready for a bun and your favorite combination of toppings. If you don't want a bun, consider using a collard green or a large Romaine lettuce leaf.
Suggested Toppings
- BBQ Coleslaw Recipe
- Cashew Mayo
- Tomato
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Pickled Red Onions
- Blackberry Dijon Sauce
- Lettuce
- Raw Onions
- Pickles
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Coconut Bacon
- Secret Sauce
- Healthy BBQ Sauce
Recipe FAQs
A tofu burger made from wheat, gluten, or soy tastes similar to beef hamburgers. They taste sweet, smokey, and savory.
Yes. Tofu burgers are made with soybeans that contain essential amino acids. Therefore, they are considered ideal replacements for beef burgers.
Use extra-firm or extra-extra from tofu. Sprouted tofu works as well. And marinate overnight if possible for the tofu to absorb moisture from the marinade to cook off on the grill.
Tips
- Regardless of the marinade you use, the longer you marinate (recommended overnight), the more flavor the tofu absorbs.
- Choose an extra-frim, extra-extra form, or sprouted tofu for the best results.
- Change up the flavor of your tofu by using different tofu marinades. The possibilities are endless.
- To avoid bread, wrap your burger in a collard green or Romaine lettuce leaf.
- Try some steak fries in the air fryer as a side dish.
- Preheat the grill before adding the tofu burgers.
- Remember to flip every 5 minutes, 4 times for the best results.
Try a tasty tofu burger for a change this summer. You will love the texture and flavor of these delicious vegan burgers on the grill.
More Great Summer BBQ Recipes
If you love our tofu burger, give us a comment and a 5-star review below. Thanks!
📖 Recipe
Tofu Burger
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sprouted or extra-firm tofu extra-firm tofu must be pressed, cut in half horizontally
Marinade
- 4 Tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 Tablespoon stone-ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke 1 Used hickory flavor
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha optional
Instructions
- If using sprouted tofu, remove from the package and dry with a paper towel (pressing is not necessary)
- If using extra-firm tofu, press according to directions.
- Then, cut the tofu in half horizontally, creating two large equal pieces.
- Using a burger press or a cookie cutter, cut tofu into two identical circles, discarding any tofu scraps.
- Set aside while making the marinade.
- Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a refrigerator, a safe container.
- Place the two tofu burgers in the marinade and refrigerate overnight. When possible, move the container gently so the tofu absorbs all the marinade.
Grilling Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-low(400 degrees)
- Place a grill mat on the grill (you can also use a grill pan, or if you are careful, you can place the tofu directly on the grill). I cook directly on the grill because I Love the grill marks.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes (4 times)
- Remove from the grill and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Marinate tofu as long as possible (preferred overnight) for the best flavor.
- If you are looking for additional marinades, check out these different marinade options for tofu.
- I suggest using a burger press to cut the burgers, but cookie-cutter works as well, or the mouth of a small round bowl. Try to find a similar size ad shape of the bun you plan to use for your burger.
- Be creative with your toppings. I love vegan secret sauce, and grilled slices of pineapple and jalapenos.
- Or saute some mushrooms and onions for a savory topping.
- I make a lot of tofu burgers in advance marinate them and freeze them. Then, as they thaw, they absorb even more flavor from the marinade.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Pamela J Ranallo
These look great! One question - in the picture the burger looks very thick - like tofu wasn't cut in half horizontally. Does the tofu expand?
Kathy Carmichael
Pamela is cut in half and then marinated. When it marinated, it expands.
Yum!
I'm excited to try this recipe! Can these burgers be made on the stove instead of the grill?
Kathy Carmichael
Yes; you can make the tofu burgers on the stove. I would, however, suggest cooking it low and slow and putting the top on the pan or a burger press on the burger while it cooks, so it cooks all the way through. As you cook it, add the extra marinade. I hope this is helpful, and I hope you enjoy the recipe.
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