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Close up of a tofu roast on a plate with mint leaves and orange slices.
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5 from 5 votes

Brown Sugar Glazed Tofu Roast

This tofu roast is loaded with sweet and smoky flavor! Made with a whole block of tofu that's marinated, baked, and glazed to perfection, it's the perfect main dish for everything from weeknight dinners to holidays and special occasions.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 215kcal
Author: Alissa Saenz

Ingredients

  • 1 (14 ounce/400 gram) package extra-firm tofu

For the Marinde

  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Glaze

  • ¼ cup organic brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

For Garnish

  • Whole cloves, about 12 (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Remove the tofu from the package, drain the water, and press the tofu for at least 20 minutes.
  • While the tofu presses, stir the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Score the top and bottom surfaces of the tofu. Using sharp knife, make about 4 evenly spaced diagonal cuts on one direction, then 4 evenly spaced diagonal cuts in the opposite direction to create diamond shapes. Make the cuts only about ⅛ to ¼ inch deep. (Note 1)
  • Place the block of tofu into a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. (Note 2)
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Place your block of marinated tofu onto a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish, but hang on to any excess marinade. Transfer the tofu to the preheated oven to bake.
  • Bake the tofu for 45 minutes, basting it with the reserved marinade every 15 minutes or so.
  • Make the glaze while the tofu bakes. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and stir everything together.
  • Bring the mixture to a low boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer for about 6 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from heat and let the glaze cool a bit. It will thicken as it does.
  • Once the tofu has baked for 45 minutes, remove it from the oven and pour the glaze over it. Optionally, push whole cloves into the diamond shaped sections in the top of the tofu block.
  • Return the tofu to the oven and bake it for 10 minutes more, until the glaze has formed a shiny coating on the tofu.
  • Remove the tofu roast from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. It will firm up a bit as it does.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

  1. Deeper cuts will allow more marinade to penetrate the tofu, but be careful not to cut too deep or your tofu roast could easily fall apart.
  2. Cover the tofu and place it in the fridge if marinating it for more than 2 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 10.8g | Fat: 9.9g | Saturated Fat: 2.7g | Sodium: 1003mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 2.8g | Sugar: 18.5g | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 3mg