Vegan Souvlaki (Tofu Skewers)

These tofu skewers make for the best vegan souvlaki sandwich wraps! Packed with aromatic spices and zesty lemon juice, the marinated tofu cubes are grilled until charred, juicy and flavorful. It is easy to make and completely plant-based!

One of our most loved recipes from the blog is this vegan tzatziki sauce that we typically serve over chickpea gyros or falafel gyros.

And if you enjoy these classic Greek or Mediterranean recipes as much as we do, then I know you will love this Greek-style vegan tofu souvlaki recipe!

This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and also great for meal prep, since you can marinate the tofu in your fridge for a few days. The marinated tofu is packed with zesty and spiced flavor and it becomes super juicy once cooked. So good!

Serve the grilled tofu skewers in wrap sandwiches with hummus, over bowls with crunchy veggies and rice or simply toss in Greek salads with vegan feta for a yummy and filling plant-based lunch!

Let me know if you give it a try! ❤️

➡️ Greek-style tofu souvlaki

Souvlaki comes from Greece and is usually made out of chicken or pork and some vegetables grilled together on a skewer. It is typically a fast food served while still hot right from the skewer or thrown in pita with fresh veggies and a sauce.

In these vegan souvlakis, we swapped the meat for marinated tofu, which gives it a similar protein content and tons of chewiness.

❤️ Why you will love this recipe

• Quick and easy recipe that's suitable for meal prep
• Carries TONS of amazing Greek flavors from a blend of zesty, spiced and savory ingredients
• High-protein plant-based recipe that even meat eaters will love
• Versatile ways to serve them
• Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free

🗒 Ingredient notes (+ substitutions)

• Tofu: choose extra firm tofu for the best result. I used our local Maine organic tofu (firm tofu from Heiwa), but any super firm tofu will work well.
• Lemon: the base of the marinade is freshly squeezed lemon juice. Do not swap for bottled lemon juice for a super fresh flavor.
• Olive oil: helps the marinade ingredients come together. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil if possible.
• Spices: I used a mix of onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Regular sweet paprika works too, although you won't have a smoky flavor in the marinade. You can also use cayenne pepper for a spicy tofu.
• Dried herbs: a blend of dried oregano, basil and dill is perfect for the marinade, but swap them around as you wish, such as adding parsley or thyme.

⭐️ Full list of ingredients (+ quantities) down below in the recipe card!

📝 Variations to the recipe

• No skewers: you don't need to use skewers at all if you don't have any. Skewers help grill the tofu souvlaki over an outdoor BBQ and they make for a beautiful presentation, but they are not essential.
• Include some veggies: you can marinate vegetables and include them on the skewers as well. Make sure to slice them large enough to fit the size of the tofu so they can touch the pan or BBQ when grilling the skewers. Onions, bell peppers and mushrooms would be great.
• Using frozen tofu: a great way for tofu to soak up the flavor of a marinade is by freezing it first, then thawing the block of tofu completely before removing the water.
• Oil-free: If you are following an oil-free diet, then feel free to skip the olive oil and use vegetable broth instead or add a little extra lemon juice. Or, just like in this Greek tofu buddha bowl, use tahini instead of oil!

🍽 How to make vegan tofu souvlaki

Step 1: Add the lemon juice, olive oil, dried herbs, spices and salt to a large container or plastic bag.

Step 2: Whisk to combine until uniform.

Step 3: Remove as much water as possible from the tofu (ideally do a tofu press), then slice the block of tofu into large cubes (I ended up with 12 pieces).

Step 4: Transfer the tofu to the container with the marinade and flip the pieces to ensure they are all well covered. Cover the dish and let them marinade for at least an hour, ideally overnight (flip or toss the pieces once in a while).

Step 5: Transfer the marinated tofu over on few skewers (optional).

Step 6: Grill the tofu in a pan, on an outdoor BBQ or in a skillet grill pan until charred marks form or the tofu turns golden brown to your liking. Brush more of the marinade over the cubes as it cooks.

⭐️ Detailed recipe (+ video) down below in the recipe card!

💡 Helpful tips

• Remove as much water from the tofu as you can. If you have a tofu press, then this is a great recipe to use it. The more you remove the water, the more the marinade will be soaked up by the tofu.
• Allow enough time to marinate the tofu! If you can make it the day before you need it, then that's best so the tofu can marinate overnight. If in a pinch, then try to marinate for at least one hour and brush extra marinade over the cubes as they cook.
• Use a very hot BBQ or pan! The goal is to create some charred areas or lines on the tofu, which gives it so much flavor and texture.
• If using wooden or bamboo skewers and grilling the tofu skewers on a hot flame or a BBQ, then I highly recommend soaking the skewers in water first to prevent them from burning.

🍴 Serving suggestions

• Vegan souvlaki wraps: I think the best way to serve these vegan souvlakis is to include them in a Greek souvlaki sandwich as seen in the pictures. Transfer the tofu skewers over pita bread or flatbread and top it off with vegan yogurt tzatziki, crunchy cucumber, fresh romaine lettuce and tomatoes. If you don't want to make a sauce, then simply spread some hummus over the bread.
• Buddha bowls: vegan souvlaki is the perfect plant-based protein for Buddha bowls. Add them over warm rice and veggies and garnish with tzatziki or a simple garlic yogurt sauce.
• Salads: these souvlaki also make for an amazing salad topper! Add them to Greek salads or simply a green salad for a filling lunch.
• Veggie souvlaki platters: if serving many people, then you can serve the tofu skewers on a bed of warm rice over a large plate with a side of flatbread, sauces of choice and pickling ingredients like olives, onion or marinated veggies. Each person can make a small plate or create their own sandwich wrap.

✅ More ingredients to include in your souvlaki sandwich or bowl:

• Kalamata olives
• Pickles
• Balsamic marinated red onions
• Finely sliced raw onion
• Basil balsamic dressing
• French fries (or harissa potatoes!)
• Roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini or mushrooms
• Spinach
• Spiced chickpeas
• Creamy harissa dressing

❗️ Storage tips

You can combine the tofu and marinade up to 3 days ahead of time. If planning on marinating for a while before cooking, then use a sealed container and toss or flip the tofu once in a while so all sides marinate equally.

Once grilled, keep the souvlaki in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to cover them with extra sauce if you have some remaining so the tofu does not dry and stays super juicy.

Reheat the souvlaki on a grill or in a pan to recreate a crispy crust, but you can also use the microwave if in a pinch.

❓ FAQs

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I hope you like this vegan tofu souvlaki as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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