Name: Garlic Butter Tofu
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15 ounces extra firm or super firm tofu*; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons water; 0.5 tsp garlic powder; 0.5 tsp onion powder; 0.5 tsp paprika; 0.5 tsp salt; pepper; 3 tablespoons butter; 0.5 cup vegetable broth; 5 cloves garlic; 0.5 tsp fine sea salt

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Garlic Butter Tofu

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Start by prepping the tofu by cutting it into 3 even pieces longways (see video for reference). If you’d like to cut it into chicken like pieces then lay each piece flat and cut off the top right and bottom left corners so that they’re rounded and roughly resemble a piece of chicken breast. Again, you can watch my video for reference. I like to trim off tiny bits of the rough edges to round the edges. Slice diagonal cuts going about ¼ of an inch deep on both sides.

Make the marinade by whisking together the 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the balsamic vinegar, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Let marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Once ready to cook, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add in the tofu in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes on each side. Watch it so that it doesn’t burn but gets nicely browned around the edges. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the butter and veggie broth to the pan. As the butter melts, scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Reduce heat to low. Add the garlic and salt and saute for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

Return the tofu to the pan. Flip once or twice to coat in the butter sauce. If needed, heat for 1-2 minutes, until warm. Season to taste with more salt and pepper.

Serve the tofu with the pan juices spooned over it. I like to brush a bit more of the marinade over top as well. ENJOY!

Notes

*if you’re using extra firm tofu, I suggest pressing it first.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Press Your Tofu Thoroughly 🫶
Extra firm tofu still contains significant moisture; wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and press with a heavy cast iron skillet for 15-20 minutes to ensure it absorbs the garlic butter marinade properly.
Bloom Your Spices in Butter 🧈
Toast the garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in melted butter for 1-2 minutes before adding the tofu to unlock their aromatic compounds and create deeper, more complex flavors.
Don't Skip the Balsamic Reduction 🍶
Reserve the balsamic vinegar and drizzle it in during the final minute of cooking to add a sweet-tangy complexity that prevents the dish from tasting one-dimensional.
High Heat Searing Creates Golden Crust ✨
Use medium-high heat initially to create a golden, caramelized exterior on the tofu before reducing heat, which adds textural contrast and locks in the garlic butter coating.
Use Fresh Garlic with Powder Balance ⚖️
Mince fresh garlic and add it separately from garlic powder—fresh garlic added mid-cook provides bright, pungent notes while the powder adds earthy depth for layered garlic flavor.