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    August 17, 2019

    Baked Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce

    Jump to Recipe

    What is satay?

    Satay is a dish of marinated pieces of meat skewered, barbecued, and served with a dipping sauce. It’s a popular Southeast Asian food, with roots in Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai cuisine.

    Traditionally made with chicken, this vegan version of Thai satay uses tofu that’s soaked in a marinade, threaded onto skewers and baked to a deep-golden crisp. Serve with a luscious, tangy peanut sauce.

    The key to the texture is freezing the tofu beforehand.

    This is a magical trick I discovered online a few weeks ago. When you freeze tofu, the ice crystals expand and push apart the protein network, creating craggy holes and transforming the tofu into a highly absorbent, spongy texture when thawed, perfect for soaking up the flavors of any sauce its marinated in. After baking or frying, the tofu takes on a chewy, resilient texture that’s firmer and “meatier” than fresh tofu.

    How to Freeze Tofu:

    Slice a 14-oz block of tofu vertically into ¾-inch thick slabs, and freeze on a plate overnight. Thaw tofu at room temperature (or run under hot water) to melt all the ice crystals, then gently squeeze to remove excess liquid.

    To make the marinade, combine coconut milk, ginger, garlic, maple syrup, Thai curry paste, curry powder, and soy sauce in a large bowl. Add the tofu pieces and gently stir until they’re soaked through. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

    You can grill the skewers over an open flame, but the no-fuss method is baking them in the oven at 400F for 30-35 minutes. After they’ve firmed up and browned, turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end to get those crispy charred edges.

    To make the peanut sauce, combine peanut butter, minced garlic, soy sauce, red curry paste, maple syrup, rice vinegar and lime juice, Sriracha, and sesame oil and whisk until smooth. This sauce is lip-smacking good; so delicious I could DRINK it.

    Serve skewers drizzled with the sauce and garnished with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

    Meal suggestion: plate with steamed rice and a veggie dish like steamed bok choy and green beans.

    More Thai Recipes to Try:

    • Coconut Chickpea Curry
    • Thai Curry Noodles
    • Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

    If you made these thai satay skewers or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and a rating below! Also be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for all the deliciousness.

    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Baked Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce

    ★★★★★

    4.7 from 3 reviews

    Flavor-packed vegan satay made with skewered tofu cubes that are frozen and then soaked in a marinade to achieve a meaty, chewy consistency. Baked to crispy perfection and served with a luscious Thai peanut sauce. Vegan and gluten-free.

    • Author: Hannah
    • Prep Time: 20
    • Cook Time: 40
    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 3 servings 1x
    • Category: Main
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: Thai

    Ingredients

    Scale

    Skewers & Marinade

    • 1 14oz block extra-firm or firm tofu, frozen and thawed (see notes)
    • ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk
    • 3 cloves minced garlic
    • 2 tsp grated ginger
    • 1 tbsp Masaman curry paste*
    • 1 tbsp curry powder
    • 2 tbsp maple syrup
    • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (sub tamari for gluten-free)
    • 10 bamboo skewers, pre-soaked in water (to prevent burning)
    • cilantro for garnish
    • lime for garnish
    • chopped peanuts for garnish

    Peanut Sauce

    • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 2 tbsp warm water
    • 1 tbsp Masaman curry paste
    • 1 tbsp maple syrup or light brown sugar
    • ½ tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
    • ½ tbsp rice vinegar
    • 1 tbsp lime juice
    • ½ tsp minced garlic
    • ½ tsp sesame oil
    • ½ tbsp Sriracha

    Instructions

    • To freeze tofu: slice tofu block vertically into 6-8 rectangles, about ¾-inch thick. Freeze on a plate overnight. Thaw at room temperature (or run under hot water) until ice crystals have melted, then gently squeeze to remove all liquid. Cut into smaller pieces.
    • Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl, then add thawed tofu and gently stir until all pieces are coated. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (the longer you let the tofu marinate the more flavorful it will be).
    • Preheat oven to 400F. Tear marinated tofu into bite-sized pieces and thread onto the prepared bamboo skewers. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping once halfway. At the end, turn on the broiler and cook for 4-5 minutes, allowing skewers to crisp and develop charred edges (keep a close eye so they don’t burn!). Remove from oven.
    • Combine peanut sauce ingredients in a small bowl, stirring until smooth. Add additional water until sauce reaches desired consistency, and season with additional salt if needed. Serve satay drizzled with peanut sauce and chopped cilantro and peanuts for garnish.

    Notes

    • Prep time does not include freezing time.
    • *I use Maesri Thai Masaman curry paste for authentic flavor (found in Asian grocery stores or online), but feel free to substitute any brand of red curry paste.
    • You can store frozen tofu in the freezer for several months. It’s great to have on hand for soups and stir-fry dishes as well.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hannah.che on Instagram

    More Recipes

    • Tea-Brined Tofu 茶香干
    • Chinese Vegetarian Roast Goose 素烧鹅
    • Ultimate Guide to Vegan Mooncakes (6 ways!) 純素月餅
    • Blanched purple green beans with fragrant ginger soy dressing 姜蓉豆角

    Reader Interactions

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      ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Megan says

      September 15, 2019 at 7:35 am

      I made the tofu skewers, marinade, and peanut sauce. It was tasty but I must have done something wrong because the tofu was soft and falling apart, so I wasn’t able to make skewers. I grilled on gas grill with tin foil. The flavors were delicious I forgot to add the tasty peanut sauce! I ran the tofu under hot water after removing from freezer but maybe it was not completely thawed in the middle. I am not sure if that is the reason for them falling apart. I also let marinate for 24 hours.

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Hannah says

        September 17, 2019 at 6:44 am

        Hi Megan, so glad to hear you loved the flavors! Did you use extra-firm or firm tofu? Some kinds of tofu are more porous than others so that might have been the problem!

        Reply
    2. Sophie says

      January 04, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      The peanut sauce and marinade in this recipe were simply amazing, thanks for the recipe!! Really loved it 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Hannah says

        January 13, 2020 at 3:37 pm

        yay I’m so glad to hear! thanks for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jane says

      May 24, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      Wonderful recipe! The flavor and texture is amazing! I used Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste since I already had it in my pantry. When I tasted the peanut sauce, it brought me back to eating beef satay poolside in Singapore when I was a child. Now I get to enjoy it plant based. Thanks so much!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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    2. What Is Tofu, Exactly? Plus the 7 Best Ways to Use It - Gur Times says:
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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      July 26, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      […] To impart the utmost quantity of taste in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the historical past and preparation of this centuries-old custom: “My dad and mom grew up consuming frozen tofu in northern China—it was a factor centuries earlier than frozen tofu grew to become widespread on the Web! Again then most households didn’t have fridges or freezers at dwelling, so that they purchased it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves within the frigid winter. Freezing tofu adjustments its mobile construction—because the water within the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all of the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. In case you freeze delicate or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is scrumptious in soups. Utilizing agency or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that may face up to stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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    7. What Is Tofu, Exactly? Plus the 7 Best Ways to Use It – Marijuana Xr Research says:
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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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    8. What Is Tofu, Exactly? Plus the 7 Best Ways to Use It - Som2ny Network says:
      July 27, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      […] To impart the utmost quantity of taste in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the historical past and preparation of this centuries-old custom: “My mother and father grew up consuming frozen tofu in northern China—it was a factor centuries earlier than frozen tofu turned well-liked on the Web! Again then most households didn’t have fridges or freezers at house, so that they purchased it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves within the frigid winter. Freezing tofu adjustments its mobile construction—because the water within the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all of the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. Should you freeze tender or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is scrumptious in soups. Utilizing agency or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that may face up to stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      […] To impart the utmost quantity of taste in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Primarily based Wok educated us on the historical past and preparation of this centuries-old custom: “My mother and father grew up consuming frozen tofu in northern China—it was a factor centuries earlier than frozen tofu turned standard on the Web! Again then most households didn’t have fridges or freezers at residence, in order that they purchased it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves within the frigid winter. Freezing tofu adjustments its mobile construction—because the water within the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all of the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. In case you freeze smooth or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is scrumptious in soups. Utilizing agency or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that may stand up to stir-frying or braising.” Do this recipe […]

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      […] Pour donner le maximum de saveur à votre bloc de soja, congelez-le d’abord. Hannah Che de Le wok végétal nous a renseigné sur l’histoire et la préparation de cette tradition séculaire : « Mes parents ont grandi en mangeant du tofu congelé dans le nord de la Chine – c’était une chose des siècles avant que le tofu congelé ne devienne populaire sur Internet ! À l’époque, la plupart des familles n’avaient pas de réfrigérateur ou de congélateur à la maison, alors elles l’achetaient en plaques glacées au vendeur de tofu du village, ou elles le congelaient elles-mêmes pendant l’hiver glacial. La congélation du tofu modifie sa structure cellulaire – lorsque l’eau du tofu gèle en cristaux de glace, toute l’humidité est extraite du caillé, laissant un tofu de couleur plus foncée et merveilleusement poreux qui absorbe les saveurs et la sauce. Si vous congelez du tofu doux ou moyen, vous obtiendrez une éponge plus lâche avec des crevasses ouvertes, délicieuse dans les soupes. L’utilisation de tofu ferme ou extra-ferme produit une éponge plus dense qui peut résister à la friture ou au braisage. Essayez cette recette […]

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      […] To impart the maximum amount of flavor in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Based Wok educated us on the history and preparation of this centuries-old tradition: “My parents grew up eating frozen tofu in northern China—it was a thing centuries before frozen tofu became popular on the Internet! Back then most families did not have refrigerators or freezers at home, so they bought it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves in the frigid winter. Freezing tofu changes its cellular structure—as the water in the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you freeze soft or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is delicious in soups. Using firm or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipe […]

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      […] To impart the utmost quantity of taste in your block of soy, freeze it first. Hannah Che of The Plant-Primarily based Wok educated us on the historical past and preparation of this centuries-old custom: “My dad and mom grew up consuming frozen tofu in northern China—it was a factor centuries earlier than frozen tofu turned common on the Web! Again then most households didn’t have fridges or freezers at house, in order that they purchased it in icy slabs from the village’s tofu vendor, or they froze it themselves within the frigid winter. Freezing tofu adjustments its mobile construction—because the water within the tofu freezes into ice crystals, all of the moisture is pulled out of the curds, leaving a darker-colored and marvelously porous tofu that absorbs flavors and sauce. If you happen to freeze comfortable or medium tofu, you’ll get a looser sponge with open crevices, which is scrumptious in soups. Utilizing agency or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that may face up to stir-frying or braising.” Do that recipe […]

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    15. What Is Tofu, Exactly? Plus the 7 Best Ways to Use It - VegNews - Esweets says:
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      […] or extra-firm tofu produces a denser sponge that can withstand stir-frying or braising.” Try this recipeSerious EatsAccording to Kenji Lopez-Alt—the science-minded author of The Food Lab—the […]

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