Vegan Souvlaki is made with marinated and grilled tofu skewers. Turn into a bowl with cooked rice, warm pita, romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, hummus, vegan feta, vegan tzatziki, and fresh dill. Tofu is marinated in a lemony, garlicky, white wine marinade that is fresh and aromatic. Perfect for summer!
One of my favorite foods to toss on the grill is tofu! Especially when it has been soaked in a delicious, juicy marinade, like this Vegan Souvlaki! This Greek-inspired marinade is made with dry white wine, fresh lemon juice, rosemary, garlic, and warm spices.
Serve grilled tofu souvlaki over steamed brown rice, with toasted pita, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives, and Mediterranean Hummus, Vegan Tzatziki, and Tofu Feta. A little fresh dill over top brings this dish alive!
You'll also want to check out my Grilled BBQ Tofu!
What is Souvlaki?
Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish consisting of small pieces of meat or, in this case, marinated and grilled tofu, typically skewered and cooked over an open flame. The marinade infuses the tofu with tantalizing flavors, resulting in a succulent and aromatic dish perfect for summer grilling. Traditionally, souvlaki is served with various accompaniments such as rice, pita, fresh vegetables, hummus, tzatziki, and (vegan) feta, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- Tofu: Extra firm tofu is a must here for optimal texture and successful grilling. 😉
- Olive oil: Since this is going in the marinade, use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Dry white wine: I like using a white Bordeaux or sauvignon blanc.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor!
- Garlic cloves: Peeled and minced. Mincing the garlic helps them stay on the tofu during grilling, as opposed to larger pieces that can fall off easily.
- Fresh rosemary: Adds a lovely woody flavor.
- Spices: Salt, black pepper, dried oregano, ground cumin, and smoked paprika.
Souvlaki Marinade
For optimal flavor, marinate the tofu for 2-3 hours or overnight. If you're pressed for time, try to at least marinate for 1 hour.
The Greek-inspired marinade is aromatic, garlicky, tangy, and earthy. The spices blend together effortlessly for a smoky, herby, warm taste.
You can brush extra marinade over top after you flip the tofu on the grill—or just before serving, but keep in mind that there is wine in the marinade so it could be a touch boozy if not cooked! 😉
How to Make Vegan Souvlaki
1. Drain and press tofu. Drain the tofu and press for 30 minutes to 1 hour, using paper towels and a couple sturdy cookbooks.
2. Slice tofu. Cut into 6 rectangles. Slice in half through the middle, lengthwise, then chop each slab into 3 equal pieces. Place in a large, shallow dish.
3. Marinate. Whisk together marinade ingredients. Pour over tofu and place in fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour. For optimal flavor, let marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.
4. Prep the grill. Grease the grill grates with a high heat oil like avocado oil. Preheat to medium.
5. Grill tofu. Use tongs to place tofu on grill and cook for 5 minutes before gently flipping tofu to cook for 5 additional minutes.
Vegan Souvlaki Bowls
If making a Vegan Souvlaki Bowl, I recommend preparing the bowl ingredients while the tofu presses and marinates. Start by cooking the rice, if using, then chop the veggies and herbs. Whip together the tzatziki and blend the hummus.
Here are the ingredients you can serve with Vegan Souvlaki:
- Whole grains: Cooked rice, farro, quinoa, or other whole grain.
- Greens: Chopped romaine, arugula, or other greens.
- Pita bread: You can also serve this with pita chips.
- Diced tomatoes
- Diced cucumbers
- Kalamata olives
- Fresh dill
- Vegan feta: Try my Tofu Feta!
- Hummus: Store-bought or use my Mediterranean Hummus, or use this White Bean Artichoke Dip.
- Vegan tzatziki
How to Serve Tofu Souvlaki
In addition to serving it as a bowl as mentioned above, here are some other ways you can enjoy Vegan Souvlaki!
- Make it a wrap: Stuff into a pita wrap! Try it with my Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Mediterranean Wrap or swap the falafel for souvlaki in my Falafel Pita Wrap.
- Serve with grilled veggies & potatoes!
- Serve with a salad: This recipe tastes exquisite on top of the Roasted Harissa Cauliflower Salad or with the Grilled Romaine Salad with Vegan Caesar Dressing!
- Make it a sandwich: Tuck it into this Tofu Caprese Baguette.
Chef Tips
- Use high quality ingredients: The flavors of each ingredient will really shine in the marinade, so it is best to use high quality olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a nice dry white wine.
- Press for longer: The longer you press the tofu, 1-2 hours, the better the texture will be for grilling.
- Cut tofu correctly: Be careful not to cut the tofu too thin. You want to make sure a skewer will go through it without it breaking.
- Marinate for longer: If you have the time, marinate 2-3 hours or overnight for optimal flavor.
- Save extra marinade: Keep in mind there is wine in the marinade, but when flipping the tofu, you can brush extra marinade on top—just let it cook off on the grill a bit!
- Be gentle when flipping: Avoid wiggling or messing with the tofu. Use a grilling spatula to carefully flip the tofu in one firm move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place paper towels on a cutting board, then lay the tofu on top. Layer with more paper towels and carefully top with a couple sturdy cookbooks. If the paper towels get super wet, you can always switch them out halfway through.
Yes! This dish is rich in plant-based proteins from tofu, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. Additionally, the Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like olives, cucumbers, and hummus provide heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to a well-rounded and nutritious meal that supports overall well-being. The use of fresh herbs and spices not only enhances the flavor but also adds phytonutrients and anti-inflammatory properties to the dish.
The marinated and grilled tofu delivers a succulent and aromatic experience with hints of lemon, garlic, and earthy spices. The accompaniments, such as rice, warm pita, romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, hummus, vegan feta, vegan tzatziki, and fresh dill, contribute to a delightful Mediterranean-inspired medley. The combination of fresh, vibrant ingredients creates a harmonious balance of tangy, savory, and herbaceous notes, culminating in a satisfying and refreshing dish perfect for summer enjoyment!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Happy grilling season! 🙂 Don't forget to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
More Recipes from the Grill!
- Grilled BBQ Tofu
- Grilled Romaine with Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Grilled Peach Panzanella Salad
- Grilled Zucchini Pesto Pasta
- Grilled Bok Choy and Tofu Stir Fried Rice
📖 Recipe
Vegan Souvlaki
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Skewers
Ingredients
- 16 ounces extra firm tofu
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 4-6 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Optional Ingredients (for Souvlaki Bowl)
- Cooked rice or other whole grains
- Chopped romaine or other greens
- Pita bread
- Diced tomato
- Diced cucumber
- Kalamata olives
- Fresh dill
- Vegan feta
- Hummus
- Vegan tzatziki
Instructions
- Drain and press tofu for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cut into 6 equal pieces. I like to slice the block in half through the middle, lengthwise, then chop each slab into 3 rectangles. Place into a large, shallow dish.
- Whisk together all marinade ingredients. Pour over tofu. Place in refrigerator and marinate for at least 1 hour. For the most flavor, marinate for 2-3 hours, or even overnight.
- Grease the grill grates with high heat oil, like avocado oil. Preheat the grill to medium.
- Use tongs to place tofu onto the grill and cook for about 5 minutes before carefully flipping and cooking 5 additional minutes.
- If making a bowl, assemble tofu on top of desired ingredients!
