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Easy Grilled Tofu & Asparagus (+ Ginger Cauliflower Rice)

Full of flavor and minimal ingredients, this easy pan Grilled Tofu & Asparagus with Ginger Cauliflower Rice is a quick and healthy Asian-inspired vegan lunch or dinner!

top down view of plated easy grilled tofu and asparagus with ginger cauliflower rice.

This easy recipe was something I threw together the other night, and happened to be delicious enough to share with you all!

It’s a wonderful combination of simple ingredients with lots of flavor and texture. I could eat it every day, and I think you’ll love it too!

Why We Love This Recipe!

We especially love this grilled tofu and asparagus recipe because of its minimal ingredient list and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Nothing better than quick and delicious!

Plus, it won’t break the bank! I estimate this meal to cost around $10 and will serve 2 generously or 3 smaller meals.

It’s a healthy, well-balanced meal that will fit into many dietary groups such as gluten-free, tree nut-free, nightshade-free, grain-free, and more. 

top down view of ingredients used to make grilled tofu and asparagus with ginger cauliflower rice.

Ingredient Notes

  • Tofu – Use firm or extra firm for best results. Drain and press the tofu for a few minutes (or gently pat the slices dry with a clean dish cloth) before grilling. The firmer the tofu, the less water it has, making it easier to remove excess liquids.
  • Asparagus – Nothing beats using fresh asparagus. This recipe is best when it’s in season and at the height of it’s flavor.
  • Tamari – If you’re not following a gluten-free diet, regular soy sauce can be used. Also, coconut aminos is a healthy alternative!
  • Rice Vinegar – Use seasoned or plain rice wine vinegar. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have it on hand, apple cider vinegar can also be used.
  • Sesame oil – Both regular and dark sesame oil can be used. Sesame oil lends a wonderfully distinct nutty and toasted flavor for a more robust flavor.
  • Cauliflower – I used packaged cauliflower rice but you can make your own. All you’ll need is a large head of cauliflower and a box/cheese grater (use the medium-large holes). Alternatively, you can chop the cauliflower into large pieces, place them in a food processor, and pulse until you get rice-sized pieces.
  • Ginger – The ginger adds a nice flavor profile and pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. I prefer to finely grate the ginger using a Microplane but you can mince it with a knife as well. And my favorite way to peel fresh ginger is with a vegetable peeler, easy peasy!
side by side photos of trimmed asparagus and tofu cut into slices.

How To Make Easy Grilled Tofu + Asparagus

  • Start by slicing the tofu on its side into three slabs. Then, turn the tofu on its flat side and cut it into four squares, creating a total of 12 slices.
  • Trim the ends of the asparagus by cutting off the bottoms (shown above) or snapping each piece individually.
  • To create the marinade sauce, whisk together the tamari, rice vinegar, and maple syrup in a small bowl.
top down view of pan grilled tofu and asparagus on a nonstick grill.
  • Heat a stovetop grill over medium heat. Dip the tofu in the marinade on each side, add the tofu to the pan along with the asparagus, and cook for 4 – 5 minutes on each side.

When ready, serve over cauliflower rice with a little extra sauce, and enjoy it to the fullest!

Top Tips

  • If you have extra time, marinate the tofu. Place up to half of the sauce into a shallow bowl and marinate the tofu for 20 – 30 minutes on the counter (or overnight in the refrigerator), flipping once or twice to coat. You can also use ziplock baggies for the job.
  • Add ginger to the marinade. If using something other than the ginger cauliflower rice, such as rice or quinoa, try adding 1 – 2 teaspoons of grated or minced ginger to the marinade.

top down view of plated easy grilled tofu and asparagus with ginger cauliflower rice.

FAQs

Do I need to marinate the tofu before grilling?
No, the recipe doesn’t require marinating the tofu before grilling. Just dip each slice before adding to the grill and brush with the marinade during cooking.

Which is the best for pan grilling – cast iron or non-stick grill pans?
Both non-stick and cast iron grills work great. It will depend on your preference. Cast iron cooks well but tends to be a bit more maintenance unless it’s coated. I’ve been leaning towards using non-toxic nonstick grill pans as they are easy to clean and maintain. I love my large All-Clad Stovetop Grill (affiliate link) for recipes like this.

How long do leftovers last?
Leftover grilled tofu and asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days. You can reheat them in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F for 10 – 15 minutes or warm them in the microwave.

More Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes!

top down view of plated easy grilled tofu and asparagus with ginger cauliflower rice.

If you try this grilled tofu recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

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Easy Grilled Tofu & Asparagus

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5 from 1 review

With only 10 ingredients (plus salt) and ready in 30 minutes, this easy grilled tofu and asparagus is a super simple and delicious well-balanced vegan meal!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 3
  • Category: Entree
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Asian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (dark or regular)
  • 1 block (14 oz) firm or extra-firm organic tofu, drained
  • 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce (low-sodium pref.)
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, optional
  • 1 package cauliflower rice or 1 large cauliflower, grated
  • 1-inch piece ginger, finely grated or minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • mineral salt, to taste
  • lemon slices, to serve

Instructions

Tofu: Place the tofu on its side and cut into 3 slabs. Turn the tofu on the flat side and cut into four squares, creating a total of 12 slices of tofu. Pat dry with a clean dishtowel.

Heat griddle: Place the grill/griddle over the front and back burner. Heat the grill over medium – medium-high heat. Using a silicone brush, coat the entire surface well with sesame oil.

Mix marinade: In a small bowl, mix the tamari/soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and pure maple syrup, set aside.

Grill tofu & asparagus: Dip the tofu into the sauce and add tofu squares to half of the grill and the asparagus to the other (I put the tofu towards the front and the asparagus to the back). Cook 4 – 5 minutes. Spoon a little bit of the marinade over the top of the tofu. Add a little over the asparagus as well. Carefully flip the tofu and cook another 5 minutes, until golden brown on both sides. Rotate the asparagus as needed to cook evenly. Once complete, turn off the heat. Add a few slices of lemon to the grill to give it a grilled look. It warms the lemon and makes the juices taste delicious!

Cook cauliflower: Heat a large pan or skillet over medium, add cauliflower, minced ginger, garlic powder, and a pinch of mineral salt. Mix and stir frequently until just tender, about 5 minutes.

Assemble: Serve with a little squeezed lemon, an extra drizzle of sauce, and a few extra toasted sesame seeds over the top. Enjoy!

Serves 3

Notes

Grate your own cauliflower: Using the large holes of a cheese/box grater, grate cauliflower. Pat ‘cauliflower rice’ with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Alternately, chop the cauliflower into large pieces, place them in a food processor, and pulse until you get rice-sized pieces.

I never press my tofu, and I only blot it dry. The heat from the grill will remove most of the moisture, making pressing unnecessary.

I did a dry fry with the cauliflower. Feel free to add 1 teaspoon of oil to the pan while heating.

Updated: The recipe was changed to include rice vinegar and maple syrup. You can find the original recipe here.

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7 Comments

  1. I fried in a cast iron pan since I don’t have a grill. It took a little longer to get it as crisp as I wanted, but it was worth it! I also added some white miso paste to the sauce and to the riced cauliflower. All-in-all, it was very delicious and easy!






  2. I don’t have a grill. How do you recommend cooking?

    1. Julie | The Simple Veganista says:

      You can cook them on the stovetop with a skillet or large shallow pan if you don’t have a grill or griddle.

  3. I love the look and sound of this meal! Couldn’t agree more on the cauliflower rice, I started making it a few moths ago and we are loving it. Also love the idea of grilling tofu, my default is always the frying pan…

  4. I love cauliflower rice! The addition of fresh ginger sounds so delicious.. this whole bowl sounds so delicious!! Pinned <3

  5. I’ve actually never seen packaged cauliflower rice before – definitely need to keep my eye out for it. Love this dish and so perfect for me to make for my vegetarian family!

  6. I love this tasty but simple combo! These types of dinners are my fav!

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