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Slices of golden and juicy tofu shaved meat are laid out on a piece of parchment paper. The tofu meat looks textured and spiced.

Easy Tofu Shaved “Meat” Recipe

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  • Author: Kathryn Alexandre
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 350 grams 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Previously frozen tofu makes this easy tofu shaved meat recipe chewier & more “meat-like”. Perfect for vegan gyro, sandwiches or even pizza!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 350 g firm tofu (best if frozen & defrosted, see note if using fresh tofu)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth (homemade for extra savings)
  • 1/2 tsp tamari (or soy sauce)

Marinade

  • 2 tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)
  • 1 tbsp vegan worcestershire sauce (or more tamari)
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tbsp neutral oil (to prevent sticking in oven)
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder

*All the ingredients for this recipe are from our pantry and freezer tips!

Instructions

*Tofu can be frozen in the package it was purchased in. Alternatively, you can remove it from the package and place it in a freezer safe container or bag. The water content in the tofu expands as it freezes and alters the texture of the tofu to be more sponge-like, chewy, and slightly more meat-like.

  1. If using frozen tofu ensure your block has been defrosted overnight in the fridge or on the counter for 4-6 hours. Use your hands to gently squeeze excess moisture from the tofu.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  3. Slice the block of tofu as thinly as you can. (Very thin slices might fall apart but the thinner they are the more “meat-like” they will feel).
  4. Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl and gently coat the tofu slices. Reserve any leftover marinade.
  5. Lay the tofu slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes. At the 20 minute mark, turn the slices and baste the other side with any leftover marinade. Remove from the oven when the slices are crispy and browned around the edges.
  7. Before serving, rehydrate the slices just a bit to get them feeling “juicy”. Bring ½ cup vegetable broth and ½ tsp tamari to a low boil, add the shaved tofu meat and coat until the tofu has just absorbed the liquid.
  8. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and rehydrate as needed. Enjoy in my tofu gyro, in sandwiches, or slice it smaller for a pizza topping!

Notes

Approximate cost: $5.15 Canadian using my homemade vegetable broth. Store-bought broth could bring this recipe to $5.60. A store-bought plant-based deli meat would cost me about $5 for just 156 grams. 

If you are using fresh tofu that has not been previously frozen it will not absorb as much of the marinade. You will likely have enough marinade leftover that you can use the leftover to rehydrate the tofu gyro.

I suggest using “firm tofu” for this recipe. Some brands of “extra firm tofu” have so little moisture in them that I find there isn’t much of a difference in the texture after the tofu has been frozen and defrosted. You want tofu that will hold up well as you manipulate it but that preferably hasn’t been pressed of all its liquid.

Add a touch of a hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the marinade for a spicier shaved meat.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Thrifty How-Tos
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired

Find it online: https://tastythriftytimely.com/easy-tofu-shaved-meat-recipe/