Grilled Tofu Tacos with Avocado Cashew Cream

The stars of these tofu tacos are the sauces: a smoky chipotle marinade coats the grilled tofu, and a tangy avocado cashew cream tops them off.

Jeanine
Donofrio

Phoebe
Moore

Updated: Nov 28, 2022

Who doesn’t love a fish taco? Now that I’m a vegetarian, I love veggie-filled vegetarian tacos, but I miss ones filled with flaky fish. My solution? These delicious tofu tacos! To spice up my tofu, I made a chipotle/paprika/lime marinade, which lends a nice smoky balance to the other elements of these tofu tacos: tangy avocado sauce and crisp cabbage slaw.

Yes, I know, I’m really into the nut sauces… cashew cream, pestos, romesco. I can tolerate very little dairy, and people give me such sad looks when I tell them that. But really folks… I’m not missing out. You’ll love this creamy, spicy sauce, made with avocado, jalapeño, cashews, and lime. What more does one need than nuts and avocados? (You cheese lovers, don’t answer that).

If you make these fresh, summery tofu tacos, please let me know what you think of them in the comments. I love hearing from you. And if you really want to go nuts (oh, bad pun, sorry) with this recipe, you can make your own tortillas.

4.3 from 3 reviews

Grilled Tofu Tacos with Avocado Cashew Cream

 

Print

Prep time

45 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

My vegetarian take on a fish taco, these tofu tacos are smoky, spicy, tangy, and delicious! Vegan and gluten-free with gluten-free corn tortillas.

Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: Main dish

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

For the marinated tofu:

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, sliced about ¼-inch thick
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon agave
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder (or a few tablespoons of fresh minced onion)
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chipotle
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• Sea salt and fresh black pepper

For the red cabbage slaw:

• ½ cup very thinly sliced red cabbage
• 1-2 teaspoons rice or white wine vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons lime juice
• Sea salt
• Splash agave or pinch sugar (optional)

For the avocado cashew cream:

• ½ cup raw, unsalted cashews
• ½ cup water
• Juice of 1 lime (a few tablespoons)
• 1 small avocado
• ½ roasted jalapeño (chop up the other half as part of your taco filling)*
• Sea salt
• ½ teaspoon agave (optional)
• Splash white wine vinegar, to temper spice (optional)

To assemble:

• Tortillas
• Grilled or roasted corn (I roasted corn at the same time I was roasting my jalapeño – it may need less time, but just watch it, it’s forgiving).
• Chopped jalapeños reserved from the sauce above

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the tofu slices with a generous amount of salt, place them between 2 towels, and put something heavy on top (a few heavy books or a large pot with some cans in it will do). Let sit for 20-30 minutes or so to drain out some of the moisture.
2. Mix the marinade together: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice and zest, garlic, agave, onion powder, paprika, chipotle, cumin, and salt and pepper. After pressing the tofu, cut it into rectangles and place it in a rimmed dish large enough for the tofu to fit in one layer. Pour on the marinade and flip the tofu to coat both sides. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Make the red cabbage slaw: In a small bowl, mix the sliced cabbage with the vinegar, lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a splash of agave, if desired. Let sit, chilling in the fridge for 15-20 minutes or until you’re ready to serve. Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Make the avocado cashew cream: In a high-speed blender, combine the cashews, water, lime juice, avocado, roasted jalapeño*, salt, and agave, if using. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a splash of white wine vinegar if it's too spicy. Chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes, or until you’re ready to serve.
5. Remove the tofu from the marinade and grill 1-2 minutes per side – a grill pan is just fine if you don’t have an outdoor grill.
6. Remove the tofu from heat and pour on the remaining marinade for extra flavor. (You can do this here because this is tofu and not fish or meat – don’t reuse the marinade if you’re grilling fish or meat).
7. Fill the tortillas with the tofu, cabbage slaw, avocado cashew cream, corn, reserved jalapeño, or toppings of your choice.

Notes

*To roast the jalapeño, place it under the broiler or on your gas stove (which is harder because they’re so small), and roast it until black blistering forms. Remove and place in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap without letting the plastic touch the actual pepper. Let it sit until it’s cool enough to handle. Using your fingers, peel off the skin. Remove the seeds to reduce the spice. Wash your hands well afterward, and be careful not to touch your eyes for a while.

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