This Middle Eastern Tofu Kebabs recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, all on the grill or in the oven for a easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the veggies and spices according to your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of those odds and ends lying around! Trust me, these kebabs are not just easy but really, really satisfying.
Ingredients Breakdown
- 14 ounces Firm Tofu
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- 1 Lemon Juice, from 1 medium lemon
- Fresh Parsley or Cilantro, chopped for garnish
- Vegetables for skewering
- Wooden or Metal Skewers
How to Make Middle Eastern Tofu Kebabs
Alright, let’s dive into how to prepare these amazing kebabs!
Prep the Tofu (5 minutes): Start by pressing your tofu block gently between paper towels to remove as much moisture as you can. Cut it into 1-inch cubes. Seriously, give it a little squeeze at this stage, it’s such an important step for flavor!
Create the Marinade (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Once it’s all incorporated, squeeze in that lemon juice, the citrus makes everything sing!
Marinate the Tofu (10 minutes): Add the tofu cubes to the bowl with the marinade, making sure they’re all well coated. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes. If you can let it sit a little longer, wow, do you get more flavor!
Prepare Your Veggies (5 minutes): While your tofu is soaking up all that deliciousness, chop your veggies into similar-sized pieces, about 1-inch chunks works great. The prettier the colors, the better your kebabs will look!
Skewer Everything (5 minutes): Now, it’s time to assemble. Thread the marinated tofu and your selected veggies onto skewers, alternating between tofu and veggies to keep things colorful and interesting. Don’t overcrowd, give them a little space for even cooking!
Cook the Kebabs (10-15 minutes): Grill the skewers over medium heat or bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally until the tofu is golden and the veggies are tender. You want everything to get a bit charred for that extra flavor, so keep an eye on them!
Serve Hot: Once they’re done, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top, and maybe a squeeze of extra lemon juice if you want, because frankly, why not? You’ll want to inhale these incredible kebabs!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need a quick meal that’s loaded with flavor. Honestly, I’m a sucker for all things skewered, there’s just something so fun about eating food off a stick! These kebabs are comforting and incredibly versatile; you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. The best part? Watching my family devour them and ask for seconds!
If you loved this easy Middle Eastern Tofu Kebabs, be sure to check out my Cilantro Lime Steak Bowls, my Chicken Shawarma, or my Savory Lentil Soup! Each is packed with flavor and designed for busy weeknights, just like this recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together in under 30 minutes that’s practically a miracle on a busy weeknight! Perfect for those evenings when you need something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Customizable
You can swap in different veggies or tofu marinades depending on what you have in your fridge. This gives you tons of room to play around with flavors!
Healthy and Nourishing
These kebabs are loaded with veggies and plant-based protein from the tofu. It’s a guilt-free meal that keeps you nourished without sacrificing taste, because let’s be real, flavor is everything!
Crowd-Pleaser
Whether you’re serving up your family or entertaining friends, these kebabs are an absolute hit! People love the fun of skewers and the mix of spices makes them so appealing to all palates.
Serving & Storage
What to Serve With This
These kebabs pair beautifully with a side of tabbouleh, herbed rice, or a fresh cucumber yogurt sauce for dipping! You can even toss some pita bread on the side for a complete meal.
Storage
These kebabs are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating Instructions
When reheating, I recommend using the oven to keep them crispy! Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 10 minutes or until heated through. You could also quickly pan-fry them to get that nice crispness back.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze the unskewered marinated tofu and veggies separately in airtight containers. Just thaw them overnight before cooking!
Final Thoughts
These Middle Eastern Tofu Kebabs are not just any recipe; they are the celebration of flavors and textures on a stick! Easy to whip up and even better when shared with loved ones, they’re sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. With a little prep and a whole lot of excitement, dinner is about to become your favorite time of day! Follow LunaChef on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration and air fryer cooking tips.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking! You won’t regret it.
Middle Eastern Tofu Kebabs
Ingredients
Method
- Press tofu between paper towels to remove moisture and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
- Squeeze in lemon juice into the marinade.
- Add tofu cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let marinade for at least 10 minutes.
- Chop veggies into 1-inch chunks while tofu is marinating.
- Thread marinated tofu and vegetables onto skewers, alternating each.
- Grill over medium heat or bake in preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Cook until tofu is golden and veggies are tender.
- Serve hot with fresh herbs on top and a squeeze of lemon juice.