This Lemon Pepper Tofu recipe features only 4 ingredients, and takes just about 15 minutes from start to finish! Tofu doesn’t have a strong flavor on its own, so it’s pretty much a blank canvas for whatever flavors you like! This recipe is a simple way to dress it up that pairs great with virtually any side dishes you want. You'll come back to this one time and time again!
In my house, everyone loves tofu, so it makes its way to the dinner table a lot. This particular recipe borrows flavors from tilapia and other mild white fish that often get the lemon pepper treatment.
I love serving lemon pepper tofu with a simple side salad, red cabbage vinegar slaw, or delicious simple vegetable barley soup. This is also a great meal prep option because it's delicious hot or cold! Toss it on top of a tossed salad, and add some low sodium Italian dressing, and you've got a ready-to-go lunch.
Ingredients
Who doesn't love a simple 4 ingredient meal? I bet you even have all these ingredients already kicking around your pantry!
- Super Firm Tofu
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Garlic Powder
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Along with simple ingredients come simple instructions. Lemon pepper tofu is a perfect recipe for a tofu novice!
Open the package of tofu and drain any liquid. Slice into 8 equal slices.
Lay the slices flat on the cutting board, and sprinkle with half the seasoning.
Flip the slices, and sprinkle with the other half of the seasoning.
Heat the oil in a large skillet.
Continue flipping and cooking until the tempeh is crispy on each side - about 2-5 minutes per side.
Remove the tempeh from the skillet, and drain on a paper towel.
Hint: picking a tofu labeled as "super firm," "extra firm," or "high protein" allows us to skip the pressing step and get right to cooking. If you can't find that, pick the firmest tofu you can find and press it for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Variations
One thing I love about this lemon tofu recipe is how adaptable it is. Try some of these delicious variations.
- Spicy - use garlic powder and red pepper flakes for a kick!
- Italian - instead of lemon pepper seasoning, use Italian seasoning
- Everything bagel - use everything bagel seasoning instead of lemon pepper. But beware that everything bagel seasoning typically is high in sodium!
Try this plant based tacos recipe for a unique way to use tofu!
Storage
If you have leftovers, or you want to cook ahead to just reheat later, store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat in the microwave until just warm to avoid popping.
Top tip
Don't cook the tofu much longer than the recommended 5 minutes on each side, or the seasonings will start to burn and become bitter.
FAQ
If you can't find extra firm, of course use what you can find. Extra firm has a texture that's holds up really well to cutting and cooking. Less firm tofu can easily fall apart, so be gentle.
Related
Looking for other tofu recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with lemon pepper tofu:
Or try it with this Raw Beet Salad from Skinny Taste.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Pepper Tofu
Easy, quick, and tasty way to prepare tofu for tofu beginners or experts alike!
Ingredients
- 1 Block Extra Firm Tofu
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
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Slice block of tofu into 8 slices.
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Sprinkle half the lemon pepper and half the garlic on each side of the tofu slices.
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Heat oil in a large pan.
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Reduce heat to medium, and add the tofu. Lightly fry for about 5 minutes on each side, until crispy.
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