09/10/2026
🥑🌿 PERUVIAN-STYLE TOFU WITH CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE 🌿🥑
A colorful, flavorful vegetarian recipe inspired by the bold seasonings of Peruvian-style chicken and creamy ají verde sauce.
⏱️ Total Time: About 40 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 6
🌱 Vegetarian
🥜 Nut-Free
This recipe combines smoky, cumin-and-paprika-marinated tofu with a creamy, tangy cilantro-avocado sauce. Serve it with rice, quinoa, salad, flatbread, or your favorite vegetables.
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🛒 INGREDIENTS
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🌿 FOR THE TOFU MARINADE:
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 blocks firm tofu, about 14 oz each
🌿 FOR THE CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE:
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 6 scallions/green onions
• ½ avocado
• 1 serrano chile, stem removed
• 1 small garlic clove
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ cup water
🔥 Optional: Remove the seeds from the serrano pepper or use less pepper if you prefer a milder sauce.
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👩🍳 STEP 1: PREPARE THE TOFU
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Drain the tofu well.
For even better browning, gently press the tofu first to remove excess moisture.
Cut each block into approximately 4–6 thick planks.
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🥣 STEP 2: MAKE THE MARINADE
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In a large baking dish or bowl, combine:
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Cumin
• Sugar
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
Whisk everything together until combined.
Place the tofu pieces into the marinade and turn them carefully so both sides are well coated.
Arrange the tofu in a single layer.
Cover and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
For stronger flavor, you can marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.
💡 TIP: The longer the tofu marinates, the more flavor it can absorb.
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🌿 STEP 3: MAKE THE CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE
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Add the following ingredients to a blender:
• Cilantro
• Scallions
• Avocado
• Serrano chile
• Garlic
• Lime juice
• Mayonnaise
• Cumin
• Water
Blend until mostly smooth and creamy.
A few tiny pieces of cilantro are perfectly fine and give the sauce a fresh homemade appearance.
Transfer the sauce to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
💚 The sauce should taste creamy, tangy, fresh, herby, and slightly spicy.
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🔥 STEP 4: GRILL THE TOFU
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Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grates to help prevent sticking.
Remove the tofu from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off.
Place the tofu carefully onto the grill.
Grill for approximately 5 minutes on the first side, or until you see deep golden-brown grill marks.
Carefully flip each piece with a firm or metal spatula.
Grill the other side for another approximately 5 minutes.
The tofu should be beautifully browned and slightly charred on the outside.
🔥 NO GRILL?
You can also use a grill pan or broiler.
Cook with high heat and flip the tofu once so both sides become browned.
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🍽️ STEP 5: PLATE & SERVE
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Arrange the grilled tofu on a serving platter.
Drizzle some of the creamy cilantro sauce over the tofu and serve additional sauce on the side.
Finish with:
🌿 Fresh cilantro
🍋🟩 Lime wedges
🌶️ Extra chile, if desired
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🥗 WHAT TO SERVE WITH IT
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This tofu is delicious with:
🍚 Steamed rice
🌾 Quinoa
🥗 Fresh green salad
🫓 Warm flatbread
🧅 Pickled onions
🥦 Roasted vegetables
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🌯 LEFTOVER IDEA
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Don’t throw away the leftovers!
Use leftover tofu in:
• Wraps
• Grain bowls
• Sandwiches
• Salads
• Tacos
You can also drizzle leftover cilantro sauce over roasted vegetables, rice bowls, sandwiches, or grilled foods.
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💚 HEALTH SNAPSHOT
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Tofu provides plant-based protein, while cilantro, avocado, scallions, garlic, and lime add freshness and flavor.
Pair the tofu with whole grains and vegetables for a more balanced meal.
If you are watching your sodium intake, consider using reduced-sodium soy sauce and adjusting the added salt.
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🌎 PLANET NOTE
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Plant-based meals such as tofu generally have a lower environmental footprint than many red-meat-based meals.
Choosing plant-based meals occasionally can be a delicious way to add variety while reducing the environmental impact of your diet.
✨ Bold flavor.
🌿 Fresh ingredients.
🔥 Beautiful char.
💚 Creamy green sauce.
Would you try this Peruvian-inspired tofu recipe?
Save this recipe and share it with someone who loves discovering new international foods! ❤️