Thai Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce

Name: Thai Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 400 g firm tofu; 10 skewers; 100 g mushroom (I used cremini mushroom, but you can use other types of mushroom); ½ cup coconut milk; 2 tbsp peanut butter; 1 tsp Thai red curry paste; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp soy sauce; ⅔ cup coconut milk; 2 tbsp peanut butter; 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste; 1 tsp minced garlic; 1 tsp minced ginger; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; ½ cup water; cucumber slices (or other greens of choice); green onions or coriander; sesame seeds

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Thai Tofu Satay is a plant-based version of the popular Thai chicken satay recipe using tofu and mushrooms. It's full of flavors and accompanied by a flavor bomb peanut sauce.

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What is Thai Tofu Satay?
What's special about this Thai Tofu Satay recipe?
Ingredients and Substitutes
Instructions
Substitutions
Serving suggestions
Storage
FAQs
📖 Recipe
Other Thai recipes
💬 Reviews

Thai Tofu Satay is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weekday meal, summer BBQ/grilling or a fun appetizer for a party. In this recipe, I'll show you how to make tender and flavorful tofu and mushroom skewers with a spicy marinade and a creamy peanut sauce.

If you loved peanut sauce, also check out my other recipes 5-minute Peanut Sauce Cold Tofu, Peanut Butter Soba Noodles (Vegan), and Vegan Summer Rolls!

What is Thai Tofu Satay?

Satay is a South East Asian dish of seasoned, grilled and skewered meat, accompanied by a flavorful sauce. It has origins in Indonesia but it is also a popular dish in various countries like Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. As I love Thai food, I get the inspiration for this recipe from the Thai satay dish. As it is very difficult to find a vegan version of this recipe in Thai restaurants in my city, I made it my mission to make a vegan Thai Satay Tofu recipe.

Thai Tofu Satay is a vegan version of the Thai Chicken Satay recipe. I absolutely love this dish because of the savory, umami flavors and a peanut sauce that is to die for!

What's special about this Thai Tofu Satay recipe?

This recipe for Thai Tofu Satay is special because it is:

Vegan
Gluten-free: just need to replace soy sauce with tamari
Can be made in batches and thus, it is perfect for meal prep
Perfect for social gatherings or BBQ outings
Can be shared with friends
Easy to make and mess-free

Did I mention the incredibly delicious peanut sauce in this recipe? This peanut sauce is packed with South East Asian flavors: sweet, tangy, savory and a hint of spiciness. Furthermore, this peanut sauce tastes good with anything: as a dipping sauce, flavorful sauce or salad dressing!

You can easily prepare and bake the Tofu Satay in the oven. Alternatively, you can grill in on the pan or griller.

Ingredients and Substitutes

To make the Satay marinade, you will need:

Firm or extra firm tofu: If you use extra firm tofu, no pressing is necessary. You can also use soy chunks, tempeh, mock meat in place of tofu.
Mushroom: I use white cremini mushroom because it is accessible but you can also try other types of mushroom, like oyster mushroom or shiitake mushroom
Coconut milk: preferably use full-fat coconut milk for the creamy, rich taste of the satay
Peanut butter: I used natural peanut butter for this, but you can also use crunchy peanut butter instead. If you are allergic to peanut, feel free to use other nut butter like cashew or almond butter.
Red Thai curry paste: the key ingredient for achieving that savory, aromatic Thai flavor
Maple syrup: can be swapped with sugar or agave syrup
Soy sauce: swap with tamari for a gluten-free option
Skewers and water to help make the skewers

To create the umami flavor bomb of the dish, aka the Peanut sauce, you will need:

Full fat coconut milk: creamy and rich taste
Peanut butter: creamy, nutty taste
Red Thai curry paste: savory taste
Minced garlic & ginger: aromatics
Soy sauce: savory taste
Vinegar: adds the tanginess to the dish
Maple syrup: adds the sweetness to the dish
Water: to thin out the sauce

Instructions

Make the Tofu Satay Skewers:

Press the tofu to squeeze out excess water. Cut the tofu into small square cubes, roughly the same size. Wash the mushroom and cut into similar sizes with the tofu.

Cut tofu into small cubes

Cut cremini mushrooms into quarters

Soak your skewers in cold water for about 10 minutes. This will prevent the skewers from burning while baking.

In a bowl, combine the ingredients to make the satay marinade and mix well. Coat the tofu cubes and mushrooms with the marinade sauce and let them sit about 10 minutes.

Skew the tofu cubes and mushrooms, use 4-5 pieces for each skewer. Place the skewers on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tofu is golden brown and crispy.

Make the Peanut sauce

While the skewers are baking, prepare the peanut sauce. In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, peanut butter, Thai red curry paste, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, and water. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Once the skewers are ready, remove them from the oven and serve them on a plate with rice, peanut sauce, and garnish with green onions or coriander and sesame seeds.

Serve the tofu skewers with rice, cucumber slices, and the peanut sauce

A plate of Thai Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce

Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds

Substitutions

Tofu: You can substitute tofu with seitan or tempeh for a different texture and flavor.
Mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms can be substituted with other types of mushrooms such as shiitake, oyster, or portobello mushrooms.
Soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
Peanut sauce: If you are allergic to peanut, you can substitute it with almond butter or cashew butter.

Serving suggestions

Thai Tofu Satay can be served as a main dish with rice or noodles, or as an appetizer for a party. Here are some serving suggestions:

Rice: Serve the skewers with steamed rice and a side of salad or stir-fried vegetables (as instructed in this recipe)

Serve the Tofu Skewers with rice and cucumber

Noodles: Toss the skewers with cooked noodles and mix with the peanut sauce for a noodle salad.
Salad: Serve the skewers over a bed of greens with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a lime dressing.
Party platter: Arrange the skewers on a platter for your dinner or BBQ party, this will surely impress your guests.

Storage

If you have leftovers of Thai Tofu Satay with Peanut Sauce, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. Here are some storage tips to ensure that the dish stays fresh and tasty:

Separate the skewers from the peanut sauce and store them separately. The skewers can become soggy if they sit in the sauce for too long.
Let the skewers cool down to room temperature before putting them in the fridge. This will prevent condensation from forming and making them soggy.
Store the peanut sauce in a separate container and keep it in the fridge. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove before serving.
When reheating the skewers, you can use a microwave or a toaster oven. Make sure to heat them up until they are hot all the way through.
If you want to freeze the skewers, you can do so before cooking them. Place the skewers in a freezer-safe container and store them for up to 3 months. When you're ready to cook them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake or air fry them as per the recipe.

FAQs

Q: Can I grill the tofu skewers instead of baking them?

A: Yes, you can grill the tofu skewers on a grill pan or an outdoor grill for a smoky flavor.

Q: Can I airfry the tofu skewers instead of baking them?

Yes, you can definitely air fry the tofu skewers instead of baking them in the oven. Here's how you can do it:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
Assemble the tofu skewers as per the instructions in the recipe.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a little bit of oil to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
Air fry the tofu skewers for 10-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can marinate the tofu and mushrooms in advance and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also make the peanut sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Q: Is this recipe spicy?

A: The level of spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less Thai red curry paste. You can also omit it altogether if you prefer a milder flavor.

If you have tried my recipe, please let me know what you think by leaving me a review on this page or tagging me on Instagram @veggieanh. I would love to see your creations!