Summer Smoky Tofu TLT Sandwich (Printable Version)
Smoky marinated tofu with crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes on toasted bread—a satisfying summer meal.
# What You Need:
→ Tofu & Marinade
01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp liquid smoke
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Sandwich Assembly
10 - 8 slices whole grain or sourdough bread, toasted
11 - 8 large lettuce leaves
12 - 2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
13 - Vegan mayonnaise (optional), for spreading
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
# Method:
01 - Cut the drained and pressed tofu into 8 thin, even slices for uniform cooking.
02 - In a shallow dish, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until fully combined.
03 - Add tofu slices to the marinade, turning to coat completely. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, turning once halfway through.
04 - Heat a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add marinated tofu slices and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove from heat.
05 - Toast bread slices until lightly golden. Spread vegan mayo on one side of each slice if desired.
06 - Layer ingredients on each sandwich in this order: lettuce leaves, tomato slices, smoky tofu, and red onion if using. Top with remaining bread slices.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately while bread is still crispy.
# Expert Tricks:
01 -
- The liquid smoke and paprika create this incredible bacon-like savoriness without any meat
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort on it
02 -
- Pressing the tofu for at least 15 minutes before marinating makes a huge difference in texture and flavor absorption
- Don't crowd the pan when cooking the tofu—work in batches if needed so each slice gets proper contact with the heat
03 -
- If you don't have liquid smoke, add a drop of Worcestershire sauce or extra smoked paprika
- Double the marinade and tofu batch—cooked smoky tofu keeps beautifully in the fridge for quick lunches