Filipino-Style BBQ Skewers (Vegan)
Nothing says celebration quite like Filipino-style barbecue! Sweet, savory, smoky, and caramelized to perfection, these skewers are a staple at family gatherings, birthdays, and weekend cookouts. This tofu version captures all the classic flavors of the beloved street food with a plant-based twist. Super firm tofu soaks up the signature marinade beautifully, creating skewers that are tender on the inside with irresistible charred edges!
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup fresh calamansi juice, or lemon juice
- ½ cup lemon-lime soda (such as 7-up)
- ⅓ cup banana ketchup
- ⅓ spiced Filipino vinegar, or white vinegar
- ¼ cup neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola)
- 8 cloves fresh minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, optional, for color
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
For the Skewers:
- 2 (16-ounce blocks) super-firm tofu, torn into 2”- inch pieces
- Thinly sliced green onion for garnish, optional
- White or garlic rice for serving, optional
- Filipino spiced vinegar for serving, optional
Instructions
- Before starting, if using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to avoid burning.
- Place all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Add tofu pieces to the bowl and toss gently to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours, or up to overnight for the best flavor.
- When ready to grill, preheat your grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes.
- Thread the tofu onto the skewers and reserve the excess marinade for basting.
- Grill the skewers until the tofu is dark brown and charred on the edges, 10 to 15 minutes, flipping and basting with the excess marinade every couple of minutes.
- Remove the skewers from the grill. Garnish with fresh green onion and serve with white or garlic rice and a side of Filipino spiced vinegar. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between them so the air can circulate freely.
- Cook for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping the skewers and basting with the reserved marinade every 4 to 5 minutes. If you're using long wooden skewers, trim them to fit your basket beforehand—or cut the tofu off the skewers and cook it in batches as loose pieces instead.
- Look for deep browning and slightly charred edges, similar to what you'd get on the grill. If the tofu isn't browning enough after 12 minutes, add another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Heat a tablespoon or two of neutral oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is shimmering, add the skewers in a single layer. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning every couple of minutes and basting with the reserved marinade as you go. Total cooking time should be around 10 to 14 minutes.
- You're looking for a dark, caramelized crust on the outside with visible char spots. If the marinade starts burning due to the sugar content, lower the heat slightly and continue basting to keep the tofu moist.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!