Make this easy Lemon Pepper Tofu for a quick, flavorful, protein-packed vegan dinner. Bake up some asparagus alongside the tofu and serve with white rice for a complete meal.
This lemon pepper tofu is like a vegan version of lemon pepper chicken!
Often, lemon pepper chicken is pan-cooked, but I find that tofu dishes like this have the best flavor and texture when baked. So this lemon pepper tofu is baked.
Plus, when you bake the tofu, you can add some asparagus alongside and cook your veggies at the same time.
Serve with rice or your favorite healthy carbohydrate. Or just serve the tofu and veggies for a delicious, easy, nutrient-dense vegan dinner.
Why I love this Lemon Pepper Tofu
- Dietary needs - this dish is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar free
- High protein - tofu is packed with plant-based protein!
- Easy baked vegan dinner - you can bake asparagus right on the pan with the tofu! Make rice on the side or choose your favorite healthy carbohydrate source for a complete meal.
- Minimal prep time - it literally takes 5 minutes to prep the tofu and marinade. Then just throw it in the oven!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Super Firm Tofu: I used Hodo tofu which does not require any pressing. You can also make this pesto tofu with a regular 14-ounce block of extra firm tofu - you can press it while you heat up the oven, or simply follow the recipe as written - your tofu may not be as crisp with this option.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: for the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice and zest if you can. If you haven't yet, I definitely recommend investing in a lemon zester.
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: any of the three will work. If you need a gluten-free option, be sure to use liquid aminos or tamari.
- Black Pepper
- Extra Lemons: sliced and roasted lemons make a lovely garnish. And while they are still tart, they are significantly more mild after having been roasted
Asparagus & Rice Ingredients
If you want, you can make a full dinner with asparagus and rice!
- Asparagus
- Lemon Juice & Zest: same as above - use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Black Pepper
- Salt: since asparagus has more natural liquid, we'll use salt instead of adding more liquid in the form of soy sauce
- White Rice: or choose your favorite grain/carbohydrate
How to make Lemon Pepper Tofu
Step 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. In a small bowl mix the lemon juice, soy sauce, black pepper, and lemon zest.
Step 3. Slice tofu into in half height wise, and then again length wise to create four slabs.
Step 4. Arrange the tofu on the prepared pan and brush both sides with the lemon pepper mixture.
Step 5. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the remaining lemon juice, black pepper, lemon zest, and salt.
Step 7. When the tofu has baked 20 minutes, add the asparagus to pan and brush with lemon pepper mixture. If desired, top the asparagus with a few slices of lemon. Return the pan to the oven and bake 20 minutes more.
Step 8. Meanwhile cook the rice according to the package directions.
Step 9. Serve the tofu and asparagus with the rice and a garnish of lemon slices.
FAQ & Expert Tips
I used Hodo tofu which does not require any pressing. You can also make this lemon pepper tofu with a regular 14-ounce block of extra firm tofu - you can press it while you heat up the oven, or simply follow the recipe as written - your tofu may not be as crisp with this option.
I definitely recommend investing in a lemon zester. Lemon and lime zest add so much flavor to citrus recipes. But, if you're in a pinch, you can omit the zest.
Store this tofu in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. It will last for 5-7 days.
For the crispiest results when reheating, place back in the oven at 350°F or an air fryer at 300°F and heat for a few minutes until warm. Otherwise, just microwave!
You can use any gluten-free breadcrumbs you like. Or even gf panko. I like these gluten-free panko flakes.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this nourishing meal. Thank you for the food on this table, allow it to fuel and fill our bodies to do Your work. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Pepper Tofu (Baked Vegan Dinner)
Ingredients
Tofu
- 1 Block Super Firm Tofu *See notes
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos
- 2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 2 Small Lemons sliced (optional)
Asparagus & Rice
- 1 1 Pound Bunch Asparagus
- 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Dry White Rice or grain of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl mix the lemon juice, soy sauce, black pepper, and lemon zest.
- Slice tofu into in half height wise, and then again length wise to create four slabs.
- Arrange the tofu on the prepared pan and brush both sides with the lemon pepper mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the remaining lemon juice, black pepper, lemon zest, and salt.
- When the tofu has baked 20 minutes, add the asparagus to pan and brush with lemon pepper mixture. If desired, top the asparagus with a few slices of lemon. Return the pan to the oven and bake 20 minutes more.
- Meanwhile cook the rice according to the package directions.
- Serve the tofu and asparagus with the rice and a garnish of lemon slices.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
moriah
any suggestions to use frozen vegetables with this recipe?
Elizabeth
My friend Taesha has great instructions for roasting frozen broccoli. I would bake the tofu for the first 20 minutes as I suggest in my recipe, then add the broccoli and bake the remaining 20 minutes according to her instructions.