These Hawaiian Grilled Tofu Skewers have a super tangy flavor with just a hint of smokiness from the grill and a sweet kick from the marinade. I know you are going to love this amazing recipe! Oh, and by the way, it’s pretty healthy for you too!

Actually, I really like tofu, and I think that over the years, it has gotten kind of a bad rap. Tofu is really versatile. You can get as creative as you like. It’s a flexible vegetarian option that you don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy! 

Should you marinate tofu before cooking?

Yes! Yes, you absolutely should marinate tofu! One of the most amazing properties of tofu, aside from the health benefits, is that it is really great at absorbing flavors. When you marinate tofu, the flavors of that marinade will shine in the final dish you are serving.

Tofu is made from dried soybeans. Similar to making cheese, they separate the curds from the whey when they make tofu. This results in a soft but firm protein, which is what we call tofu.

Tofu is high in protein and many other nutrients. It is full of amino acids, iron, calcium, and a variety of essential minerals. Tofu also contains vitamin B1. It is a heart-healthy food that is often underappreciated.

Ingredients

• Tofu, firm
• Red onion
• Green bell pepper
• Pineapple
• Green onion
• Ketchup
• Maple syrup
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Ginger powder
• Chili paste, Gochujang or Sriracha

How to prepare Hawaiian Tofu Skewers

To make the Hawaiian grilled tofu skewers, first mix up the marinade. Combine the ketchup, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and chili paste, or any spicy sauce in a medium bowl. Whisk well to blend all the ingredients and set aside.

Cube the tofu and pineapple, or you can just buy pineapple chunks. Slice the red onion and green pepper into large pieces. If you are using wooden skewers, you will need to soak them in water for at least 15 minutes; 30 minutes is better. This will help to prevent them from burning when you put them on the grill.

I find that reusable metal skewers work best. You don’t need to soak them, and they wash up easily afterward. Just a word of warning, you need to use tongs to handle them as the metal becomes very hot, and there can be a risk of burning yourself.

Start by threading a piece of tofu, then onion, pineapple cube, and finally green pepper. Repeat 3 times to complete the skewer. Place the skewers in a large dish and pour the marinade overtop. Allow to marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

COoking Hawaiian Grilled Tofu skewers

Preheat your grill to medium-high. Place the marinated skewers onto the heated grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure that you have nice grill marks on all sides of the tofu and the pineapple. The onions and green pepper should be slightly charred and softened.

Remove from the grill to a large platter. You can use the reserved remaining marinade to pour over the grilled skewers for extra flavor. Garnish with chopped green onions.

There is a definite Asian or Polynesian flavor to these tofu pineapple skewers. This means that it pairs perfectly with fried rice or even plain rice.

But it doesn’t mean is that you have to serve these wonderful skewers with rice. They would pair perfectly with all sorts of other sides. You could grill some veggies, serve them over mashed potatoes or with roasted vegetables.

These tasty little grilled tofu kebabs would go well with a peanut sauce for dipping. Yummo!

When you are buying tofu for your skewers, make sure you look for the firm tofu. If you purchase the softer tofu, it will not stay on the skewers during the marinating and grilling process. The tofu you are looking for will have slightly less water content and will be firmer to the touch.

With the rise in vegetable-based eating, tofu has become a popular substitution for other proteins we eat. My only caution would be that tofu is still tofu, as great and versatile as it is. I personally steer clear of meat substitutes that are made from tofu. I mean, if you want to eat bacon, you should eat bacon and not eat “bacon” made from tofu!

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Yield: 6 Servings

Hawaiian Grilled Tofu Skewers

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These Hawaiian Grilled Tofu Skewers have a super tangy flavor with just a hint of smokiness from the grill and a sweet kick from the marinade.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Additional Time 12 hours

Total Time 12 hours 32 minutes

Ingredients

Skewers

• 14 ounces (1 block) tofu in cubes about 1 inch
• 1 onion diced about 1 inch
• 1 green bell diced pepper about 1 inch
• 2 cups pineapple in cubes about 1 inch
• Green onion, chopped for garnish
• 6 skewers sticks

Marinade

• ¼ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha, chili paste, or Gochujang

Instructions

MARINADE:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade. Whisk until blended and set aside.
   

SKEWERS:

1. On a skewer, thread a cube of tofu, a piece of onion, a pineapple cube, and finally, a piece of pepper. Repeat 3 times to complete the skewer. Continue using the same pattern until all the skewers are done.
2. Place the skewers in a large dish and pour the marinade over. Let it marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-hot. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 min. Turn them regularly. You want to have grill marks on the tofu and pineapple, and the green peppers and onions should be slightly charred.
4. You can serve the skewers with fried or plain rice, potatoes, or grilled or roasted vegetables if desired.

Notes

If you are using wooden skewers sticks, place them in water to soak before using. This will help to prevent them from burning.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 999mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 20gProtein: 2g