30 Minute Crispy Tofu Tacos You Need to Make ASAP

Now that grilling season and summer BBQ’s are in full swing, I wanted to bring you all my new favorite spin on TACOS. While BBQ’s and grilling might make you think of burgers, shish-kabobs, the whole 9 yards, sometimes it’s fun to switch it up and throw something different into the mix.

Now, what are we making you might ask? My very favorite Crispy Tofu TACOS. This recipe is a bit different than your traditional Mexican taco recipe since it features a delicious Asian-inspired twist, but I swear, you won’t miss the salsa! We’re taking crispy strips of tofu marinated in a zesty hoisin sauce, and adding them with some fresh flavors like cilantro slaw (once you try this, you’ll never go back), ripe avocados, and green onions. Next time you think Taco Night, think this recipe.

Another great thing about these Crispy Tofu Tacos if that they’re easily doubled or tripled depending on how many people you are serving. You can also add your own spin on this recipe by adding extra toppings! Some of my other favorites are pickled onions, roasted peanuts, and sriracha mayo.

One of the reasons these Tofu Tacos have so much flavor comes from the marinated tofu. While I know a lot of people tend to write off tofu as they think it’s bland and boring, the truth is, it’s so incredibly VERSATILE. If you aren’t familiar, tofu basically takes on any flavor that you pair it with, so it’s perfect for marinating and creating different sauces and rubs for. Trust me, once you try it a few times, you’ll be tempted to switch it out as your protein of choice all the time in the future.

The marinade we are using here is homemade and full of delicious flavor. I know that the grocery store is stocked with a million marinades that are tempting to buy, but if you want to save a little $$ and try a healthier route, make your own! Most are made with things you already have in your pantry, and only take a few minutes to whip up.

This tofu taco marinade is made out of a few simple ingredients: Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce (a must-have in my pantry), sweetener (can use anything here: agave, honey, brown sugar, etc), some vinegar for tang, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic! If you don’t already have these ingredients stocked in your pantry, I can promise that they are all very easy to find, and available in most grocery stores. While they come together to make this tasty marinade, they also all shine on their own so you will find yourself using them non-stop!

Since you guys know I’m a bit picky about the products I buy, I’m using this Lee Kum Kee Hoisin sauce since it’s premium quality and non-GMO. I use it in so many of my summer dishes and is so delicious! Aside from marinating, it’s great for stir-frys, or as a dipping sauce. Sometimes I even have it on pizza! Lee Kum Kee Hoisin is a must-have pantry staple and a great go-to solution for nights that I’m busy and am looking for some quick and easy flavor. I always order mine on Amazon here, but it’s also sold in Walmart stores!

Yields: 2-3 servings

Tofu ingredients:

• 1 package of extra firm tofu
• 1/4 cup Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp ginger
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp agave or honey

Taco toppings:

• Tortillas
• Cilantro slaw (Made of 2 cups of cabbage, 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup of cilantro, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp agave or honey, and 1 Tbsp olive oil)
• Ripe avocados chopped
• Green onions chopped

1. First, prepare the tofu. To prepare, I am using the method explained here. I like to press my tofu first so that it has a more firm texture, but this step can be skipped to save time.
2. Once the tofu has been pressed (or not if you skipped that step), add it to a bag. Mix all of the ingredients for the marinade in a small cup or bowl (all of the ingredients under the tofu) and pour all but about 1/4th cup into the bag. Allow the tofu to marinade for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. When that time is up, remove the tofu from the bag and slice it up. I like to do this by cutting it half width wise, then into strips. Add the strips to a baking sheet and set the oven at 425 degrees. Pour the leftover marinade onto the pan with the tofu and cook for around 20 minutes.
4. Once your tofu is looking nice and crispy, it’s time to assemble your tacos! Get out your tortillas, and pile each taco high with cilantro slaw, chopped avocados, and green onions. You can also add on the extra sauce to the tacos from the 1/4th cup you left out from the marinating process!