If you’re craving the rich, savory flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine but prefer a plant-based option, these Tofu Kebabs are the perfect dish! Made with firm tofu and seasoned with warm spices like cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika, these kebabs are packed with flavor and texture. Whether you’re serving them as a main course or a flavorful appetizer, they’re a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional meat kebabs. Pair them with a fresh salad, pita bread, or a dip like tahini sauce or hummus for a satisfying meal. Best of all, this dish is easy to prepare, using less than 10 ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Key Ingredients
The ingredients for these Tofu Kebabs are simple and wholesome, yet they combine to create a deeply flavorful dish:
- Firm Tofu: The base of this dish, firm tofu provides a hearty texture and absorbs the flavors of the spices beautifully after it’s crumbled and pressed.
- Cumin and Coriander: These classic Middle Eastern spices give the kebabs their signature warmth and depth of flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky element that enhances the grilled flavor of the kebabs.
- Chickpea Flour: A gluten-free binding agent that helps the kebabs hold together while adding a slight nutty flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens up the dish with a fresh, herbal note and pairs well with the spices.
How to Make
Making these Tofu Kebabs is quick and straightforward:
- Prepare the Tofu: Start by pressing the block of firm tofu to remove excess water. This step is essential to ensure the tofu has the right texture and can hold together when molded into kebabs. After pressing, crumble the tofu into a large bowl until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Mix the Ingredients: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, fresh parsley, chickpea flour, and season with salt and pepper. Mix everything well until the mixture starts to come together. If it’s too crumbly, add a bit more chickpea flour for binding.
- Shape the Kebabs: Take a small handful of the tofu mixture and mold it into a traditional kebab shape, either oval or cylindrical. Repeat this process until you’ve used all the mixture.
- Pan Cook the Kebabs: Heat a little olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook the kebabs for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. The kebabs should have a nice crust on the outside but remain tender on the inside.
- Serve: Serve the kebabs hot with your favorite accompaniments like pita bread, fresh salad, or dips like hummus or tahini sauce.
Pro Tips
Here are two helpful tips to ensure your Tofu Kebabs come out perfectly every time:
Tip 1: Press the Tofu
While it’s important to press your tofu well to remove as much water as possible. The drier the tofu, the better it will hold its shape when forming the kebabs. You can use a tofu press or simply place the tofu between two plates with something heavy on top to extract the moisture.
Tip 2: Use Chickpea Flour Sparingly
While chickpea flour is excellent for binding the kebabs, be cautious not to add too much. Start with the suggested amount and gradually add more if needed. Too much flour can make the kebabs dense and dry. The goal is to create a mixture that holds together but still has a light texture.
Tofu Kebabs (Middle Eastern Style)
Ingredients
- 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu (drained and pressed)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoon chickpea flour (or any flour for binding)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess water. Crumble it into a large bowl until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, fresh parsley, and chickpea flour to the crumbled tofu.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix everything well until the mixture starts to hold together. If it's too crumbly, add a little more flour for binding.
- Shape the kebabs. Take a small portion of the mixture and mold it into a kebab shape (oval or cylindrical). Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
- Pan Cook the kebabs. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the kebabs in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the tofu kebabs hot with a side of salad, pita bread, or your favorite dip like tahini sauce or hummus.
