there is truly nothing that I love more than a sandwich and this balsamic marinated tofu sandwich hits the spot! no cooking involved, just a simple 5 ingredient marinade and you will want to keep in your fridge all the time.
A few months ago I shared a recipe for homemade vegan lunch meat that people really loved. That recipe does involve cooking so I figured let’s make a more summer-friendly version that involves no cooking. I love that this balsamic marinated tofu is so easy to make and great for keeping in the fridge.
the ingredients
- Super Firm Tofu: this is the base of our recipe. I like super firm the best for this recipe because it holds its shape and it is the easiest to peel. If you decide to use extra firm tofu make sure it is a very firm brand and press it beforehand.
- Balsamic Vinegar: our main ingredient and flavor for the tofu.
- Olive Oil: I like to add this in to help create a thicker marinade. If you want to leave it out you can.
- Balsamic Glaze: balsamic glaze is a very thick sweet balsamic syrup. This will add in sweetness and thicken the consistency.
- Salt & Garlic Powder: for extra flavor.
the sandwich elements
I think everyones sandwich should be truly customized to what you like. However, for me there are a few things that really make or break a sandwich. First and foremost will always be the bread choice. I opted for sourdough here because I love it. Feel free to use whatever bread you like. Next up think about your veggies. I like to go pretty typical with some tomatoes (salted obviously) and lettuce. I threw a little bit of a loop in there with some cucumber ribbons. Finally, what are you going to use as a spread? I do like a little vegan mayo on here but you can use hummus, vegan spicy mayo, vegan cream cheese, vegan ranch dressing – so many options!
how to make balsamic marinated tofu
I really love how easy this balsamic marinated tofu is to make. All you need to do is take the tofu out of the package. Then use a vegetable peeler to make very thin peels of tofu. You can also thinly slice if you prefer to do that but the vegetable peeler just gets it so thin I love it. Then, you will make the simple marinade with balsamic vinegar, balsamic glaze, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk that up in a container that has a lid. Pop in your tofu and place the top on. Shake it up and then let it marinate! The longer it marinates of course the more flavorful it will be, so let it at least marinate for 1 to 2 hours before using.
more sandwich recipes
why you’ll love this recipe
I think this recipe is really great for anyone! It is so easy to make and really great for meal prep. This balsamic marinated tofu sandwich is also great for meal prep because you can make the tofu ahead of time and use it all week. I also liked making lettuce wraps with it. The flavor develops even more the longer it sits and it is sweet with a bit of acidity. I also love that it continues to show the versatility of tofu.
balsamic marinated tofu sandwich faq
- Is this recipe gluten free? Yes. Just be sure to use gluten free bread for your sandwich.
- Is this recipe soy free? No, the main ingredient is tofu. However, you can substitute a non soy tofu like chickpea tofu, fava bean tofu, or pumpkin seed tofu in.
- Is this recipe nut free? Yes.
- How long will this last in the fridge? Up to 4 days.
- Can I freeze this recipe? No.
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes! The tofu will develop even more flavor the next day. However, wait to assemble your sandwich for the day of.
- I don’t like balsamic vinegar, can I use something else? You can of course play around with other dressings and flavors. However, this is a balsamic vinegar based recipe.
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Balsamic Marinated Tofu Sandwich
Equipment
Ingredients
Balsamic Marinated Tofu
- 1 block (16 ounces) super firm tofu
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 2 teaspoons light olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sandwich Elements
- Sourdough bread
- Tomatoes thinly sliced
- Cucumber peeled with vegetable peeler
- Lettuce
- Vegan Mayo
Instructions
- Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice and peel the tofu. If you find some pieces are becoming uneven as you peel it you can use a sharp knife to thinly slice some of the tofu. If you are looking for a visual you can check out the youtube video.
- In a large container whisk the balsamic vinegar, balsamic glaze, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder together. Then add the tofu in. Place the top on and shake the container to cover the tofu.
- Place in the fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour or until you are ready to make your sandwiches.
- To make assemble your sandwich take your bread of choice I used sourdough and slice it. Then spread some vegan mayo on the bread. Pat the sliced tomatoes and cucumber ribbons so they aren’t too wet on the sandwich. Add the lettuce, then the tomatoes, make sure to salt them to enhance flavor, add the balsamic marinate tofu, and the cucumber ribbons. Add the top slice of bread and enjoy. *MAKE YOUR SANDWICH HOWEVER YOU LIKE THIS IS JUST TO GIVE YOU INSPIRATION.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea. The nutrition facts are ONLY FOR THE BALSAMIC MARINATED TOFU. Since everyones sandwiches will be different I didn’t include the bread, vegetables, and vegan mayo.
- There are no measurements for the sandwich elements because feel free to use as much or as little of ingredient as you like.
Nutrition
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I made this recipe today. The picture looks so intriguing kind of like turkey thinly sliced. I actually thought it was going to be cooked. And it was hot today, so I was surprised and relieved that it wasn’t gonna to be. Routine
I used a lemon balsamic vinegar that’s a little on the sweeter side. It was surprisingly good. The texture was very similar to deli meat and the flavoring of the marinade really made it good. I will definitely use this recipe again and again adjusting flavors as the mood hits. Thank you. What a creative idea.
Hi Linda! i am so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe. thank you for trying it and a lemon balsamic vinegar sounds so delicious!!
You are a real gift to The Plant Based community.
How do I make balsamic glaze or do I purchase it?
hi Rochelle, you can buy it in the food store next to the other balsamic vinegar. However, you can also easily make it if you just search on google for a balsamic glaze recipe it will come right up. You just need balsamic vinegar and sugar!