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Home » Vegan Lebanese Recipes

Tofu Shish Taouk

Published: Nov 7, 2024 by Janelle Hama *This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure

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Tofu Shish Taouk is all about that bold, dairy-free lemony garlic yogurt marinade. It coats each piece of pressed tofu, infusing it with layers of flavor before it’s skewered and cooked to perfection. This tangy dish will blow your socks off!

three tofy skewers on a bed of lettuce in a pita bread
Tofu shish taouk have so much flavor!

What is Shish Taouk?

The term "shish taouk" translates to "skewered chicken" in English. A dish featuring chicken marinated in a mixture of full-fat yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.

Shish taouk originated from the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey) and has spread throughout the Middle East. It is also referred to as shish tawook or chicken kebab.

This preparation method is very popular in Lebanon, which is my heritage, as well as in neighboring Middle Eastern countries. There are many variations of the marinade used for this dish.

You might not expect that Lebanese tofu exists; it doesn’t.

However, this recipe takes the flavors of Lebanon and combines them with tofu to create a delicious meal of tofu shish kabobs.

Since I switched to a plant-based diet, I've missed authentic shish taouk, which inspired this tasty recipe. Interestingly, ha!, this recipe is vegan and absolutely delicious!

My family loves to eat their shish taouk in a wrap, like this vegan shawarma wrap. I explain in the next section how we assemble them.

pieces of grilled tofu, with lettuce, fries, pickles cucumber and garlic sauce in pita bread

Serving Suggestions

Once the tofu shish taouk skewers are ready (the next sections detail the ingredients and method of preparation), you can enjoy them either on a bed of rice with a salad or in a wrap.

To prepare the wrap, take Lebanese pita bread and lay it flat. Spread a generous spoonful of Lebanese garlic sauce on it, then add some Lebanese pickled cucumbers , shredded lettuce, and french fries.

Next, place the cubes of shish tawook tofu pieces (remove them from the skewers first) on top. If you like, you can also drizzle on some chili sauce before rolling up the pita, tucking in one end.

You can enjoy the wrap as is, or for an extra touch, brush some olive oil (optional) on the outside of the wrap and grill it until the bread is crispy. For a side, consider serving some onion rings.

Enjoy your meal!

Key Ingredients

a block of hard tofu, a green capsicum and an onion on a white bench
dairy free yoghurt, lemon, olive oil, tomato paste, sumac, paprika, white pepper, ginger and salt in bowls on a white bench
The portion cup without the label is ginger, whoops

The complete list of ingredients with measurements, can be found in the full recipe card below.

I used extra-firm tofu, which I press and cube. Try to cut the tofu cubes as evenly as possible to ensure they grill evenly. If some cubes are a little uneven, you can press them down gently with a spatula while grilling.

The easiest way to press tofu is by using a tofu press (this is the one I use). However, if you don’t have one, you can place the tofu between clean tea towels on a plate and put a couple of heavy weights on top.

Onions and bell peppers (capsicum) are optional additions to the tofu skewers. If you choose to add them, like I like to do, peel the onions and cut them into quarters so they can be added to each skewer, cut the bell peppers into similar size too. The vegetables will soak up the marinade, enhancing their flavor.

Shish Taouk Marinade

To make an authentic tasting tofu shish taouk, it's essential to have a marinade with a bold kick! I begin with plenty of garlic cloves, more garlic makes it better, in my opinion. I peel and crush the garlic to release its flavor, resulting in a beautifully intense marinade. Next, I add fresh ginger, also peeled and crushed, which introduces a nice peppery note for balance.

Dairy-free plain yogurt is a must; it’s important to choose a neutral, unsweetened variety so it doesn’t overpower the spices. For the sour element, freshly squeezed lemon juice works perfectly, providing that classic tang. Tomato paste is optional, but it adds a lovely orange color to the tofu skewers. I usually include it, but some traditional recipes omit this, so feel free to adjust according to your preference.

For the oil, I prefer olive oil to help crisp up the tofu while it cooks. I’ve tried an oil-free version in the air fryer, and while the flavors were still amazing, I found that the tofu ended up a bit too dry for my taste.

The magic ingredient is sumac. This is my go-to spice for enhancing the marinade's sourness. It’s a common Middle Eastern spice with a beautiful deep red color and a unique tangy flavor. If you don’t have sumac on hand, you can substitute it with dried thyme or oregano, though I highly recommend giving sumac a try if you can find it.

To complete the spice blend, I add paprika, salt, and white pepper. Don’t hold back, the marinade should taste quite strong (salty and garlicky) since the tofu will absorb a lot of these flavors and will taste milder after cooking.

The Steps

Prepare Skewers and Tofu

Start by soaking timber skewers in warm water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning and splintering (skip this if you’re using metal skewers). While they soak, press the block of extra-firm tofu using a tofu press for at least 60 minutes. After pressing, cut the tofu into cubes no larger than 2.5 cm (1 inch) and set aside.

Make the Marinade and Marinate Tofu

In a large mixing bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and mix thoroughly. Taste test to ensure the marinade is bold in flavor, with strong garlic, sourness, and salt. Add the tofu cubes, bell peppers and onion to the marinade, stirring well to coat. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least one hour.

various spices, lemon juice, olive oil and crushed garlic in a glass bowl
a pinkish sauce with dark specs through it in a glass bowl
cubes of tufu, pieces of onion and pieces of capsicum in a pinkish sauce in a glass bowl
uncooked tofu skewers in a white square plate

Assemble the Skewers

After the skewers have soaked, drain them and begin threading, place 4 cubes of tofu, one piece of onion, and one piece of bell pepper (capsicum) onto each skewer.

Place all prepared skewers on a tray.

Grilling Instructions

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high, brushing it with oil. Reduce to medium-high heat and grill the tofu skewers, turning them every minute or so until they’re slightly charred, and the marinade is bright orange, about 15 minutes. See the below pic.

Air Fryer Method

For the air fryer option, skip threading onto skewers and place the marinated tofu cubes directly in an oiled air fryer tray. Air fry on high for 15 minutes, turning halfway through or until golden brown. Note that cooking times may vary per air fryer model.

Oven Baking Method

To bake in the oven, arrange skewers on a lined, oiled baking tray. Bake in a preheated fan-forced oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes, turning midway until golden brown.

Serve immediately and enjoy! See serving suggestions above.

three skewers with tofu cubes and vegetables on a grill

Janelle's Tips 

To save time, you can prepare the marinade one or two days in advance. You can also mix the tofu shish taouk spices ahead of time and store them in the pantry.

The longer the tofu cubes marinate in the shish tawouk mixture, the better the flavor will be. If possible, let them sit in the fridge overnight for even better results.

If you're interested in trying another tofu recipe, check out chicken fried tofu burgers.

three skewers of grill tofu on lettuce

Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.

Recipe

three skewers of grill tofu on lettuce

Tofu Shish Taouk

Tofu Shish Taouk is all about that bold, dairy-free lemony garlic yogurt marinade. It coats each piece of pressed tofu, infusing it with layers of flavor before it’s skewered and cooked to perfection. This tangy dish will blow your socks off!
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Saved Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 skewers
Author: Janelle Hama

Ingredients

  • 650 grams Extra firm tofu (1 block)
  • ½ large Onion peeled and quartered
  • ½ large Bell pepper (capsicum) cut into 2.5cm (1" pieces)

Shish Tawook Marinade

  • 6 cloves Garlic peeled and crushed
  • 2.5 cm Ginger peeled and crushed
  • 1 cup Dairy free plain yogurt
  • 2 medium Lemons juiced
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil + extra for brushing grill/bbq/pan
  • 1 teaspoon Sumac heaping
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Ground White pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato paste heaping
  • ½ tablespoon Salt to taste
Metric - US Customary
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Soak the skewers in boiling water and set aside. Press the block of extra firm tofu either using a tofu press or by placing it under some heavy books for at least 30-60 minutes. Then cut up into 2.5cm (1 inch) cubes. Set the tofu cubes aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients. Do a taste test, the marinade should be exceptionally strong with garlic, sourness and salt. Add the tofu cubes, capsicum (bell pepper) and onion and stir through the marinade, ensuring every piece is covered well.
    Cover and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Drain the skewers of water, and add 4 cubes of tofu, 1 piece of onion and 1 piece of capsicum (bell pepper) per skewer. In any order you like.
    If Grilling - Place them onto a tray until all skewers are completed. Heat a pan, grill pan or grill on high and brush oil onto it, turn the heat down to medium - high and grill the tofu skewers. Turn every minute or so until the skewers are slightly charred/cooked and the marinade has turn bright orange. approximately 15 minutes.
    If air frying - skip placing the marinated tofu cubes onto the skewers, and place the cubes into the oiled air fryer tray. Air fry on high for 15 minutes, turning the tofu mid way.
    If oven baking - Place the skewers onto a lined and oiled oven tray/pan sheet. Bake in a preheated fan forced oven 200C (400F) for 20-25 minutes or until golden, turning mid way.
    Serve immediately, see serving suggestions in the above article.

Video


Notes

Total time doesn't include pressing tofu or marinating time.
 
 

Equipment

Tofu Press
1 Tofu Press

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewer | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg

N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.


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    5 from 74 votes (70 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Alyssa

    December 02, 2022 at 9:20 am

    5 stars
    A really yummy summer dish! It was a new flavor this vegan shish tawook for us, will definitely make again. easy too

    Reply
  2. Nicole

    November 11, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    these tofu skewers came out so delicious! definitely my kind of lunch!

    Reply
  3. Erin

    October 22, 2022 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    These look amazing, and with only 7 grams of net carbs per serving it is keto friendly!

    Reply
  4. Zenia

    September 26, 2022 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    This tofu dish was so good. Have bookmarked this to make it regularly

    Reply

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