Oven-Baked Lemon Garlic Tofu and Veggie Skewers

Jul 4, 2023 (Last updated Dec 1, 2025) by Hannah Sunderani

These grilled tofu skewers are the ultimate meat alternative for a summer BBQ recipe – made with juicy lemon garlic tofu, charred summer vegetables, and a flavourful citrus marinade that’s versatile enough to pair these kebabs with any summer side dish, like my 30-Minute Roasted Cauliflower Steaks.

I’ve recipe tested these skewers in the oven and on the grill, and both methods work great! Details on how to cook them both ways are below.

Rest assured that everyone can make these skewers at home, you don’t need to be an expert chef. It’s truly a must-make meat-alternative main for those missing chicken skewers or beef skewers on a meat-free diet.

Now, let me tell you exactly how to make these tofu skewers so you can enjoy them pronto!

These Tofu Skewers are….

• Vegan and Gluten-Free
• Perfect for grilling season
• Made with simple whole food ingredients
• Meal-prep friendly
• Colourful, veg-forward and summery

Ingredient Notes

To make these vegan kebabs, you’ll need simple pantry ingredients for the marinade, some extra firm tofu, and your favourite grilling veggies.

• Marinade: You’ll need a simple combination of garlic, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice. I recipe tested this marinade numerous times until perfect. This marinade is made with pantry staples, and it’s so citrusy and flavourful.
• Tofu: The best tofu to use for these kebabs is extra firm tofu. I used a 14 ounce block. I tried recipe testing this with medium firm tofu but it was too wet and didn’t stick to the skewers very well.
• Vegetables: I kept it simple and used red bell pepper, chopped zucchini, and red onion. See below for some other variation ideas.

Additions and Variations 

• Add pineapple: Some people love adding pineapple chunks on their tofu skewers for a balance of sweet and savoury! Feel free to thread on fresh or canned pineapple chunks to taste. 
• Add mushroom: Meaty mushrooms will hold up well and adds another meaty texture to these veggie kebabs without real meat! 
• Add squash: Yellow summer squash would compliment the zucchini really well and add additional texture and sweetness. 

How to Make Tofu Skewers 

Make the Marinade

Start by making the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, dried oregano and salt and pepper. 

While continuing to whisk, drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. You can also do this by combining all of the ingredients in a jar with a lid and shaking vigorously until well combined. Or, place all of the ingredients into a small blender and blitz until combined!

The Oven Method:

Transfer the marinated tofu cubes onto a parchment lined baking sheet, spreading them out so they are well spaced. (Reserve the remaining marinade for the veggies). Bake the tofu cubes for 25 minutes until the tofu is slightly crisp on the edges. 

This process of baking the tofu before threading it onto skewers is different to many tofu kebab recipes I’ve tried. But I personally find that it gets nice and crispy this way. In fact, I recipe tested both ways (with and without this initial bake), and this initial bake resulted in a much crispier and nicely charred tofu as the final outcome.

The BBQ Method: 

After lightly baking the tofu and threading it onto skewers – Heat your outdoor grill over medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with oil to prevent the tofu from sticking. Place the tofu kebabs directly on the grates of the hot grill and cook until the skewers are lightly charred and the veggies are al-dente, about 15 minutes. Turn the skewers occasionally so each side is cooked evenly. 

During the last couple of minutes of grilling, brush the tofu with additional marinade, coating on all sides. Then, transfer the skewer to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve while warm as desired! 

Dipping Sauces to Try 

​These tofu vegetable skewers are absolutely delicious as is, but if you’re interested in a dipping sauce that will make them even more flavourful, I’ve got a few on the blog that I think would pair really well! 

• BBQ sauce – go the more classic route and serve these skewers with BBQ sauce on the side. Ideal for summer BBQs, swim parties, and hot summer nights. 
• Chimichurri sauce – drizzle over top for a bright, zingy, refreshing flavour boost! (This is my personal fave).
• Thai Peanut Sauce – dip your vegan tofu skewers in a side of mild or spicy peanut sauce and serve with your favourite grain or cauliflower rice. 

Recipe FAQs

Should I marinate the tofu before or after cooking?

It is best to marinate the tofu before cooking. This gives it a chance to fully absorb the flavours. For an additional flavour boost, continue to brush the tofu skewers with leftover marinade as you cook. The more flavour, the better! 

How do you keep tofu from sticking to the grill?

Great question! If you’ve grilled tofu before, you might know that it can stick to the grill grates without proper preparation. To prevent sticking, grease the grill grates with your favourite high-heat, neutral cooking oil. It’s also important to use the correct tofu firmness. If the tofu block is too soft, it will contain too much excess moisture and stick to the grates. Lastly, don’t flip the tofu skewers too early! Allow the tofu to cook for a few minutes on each side before turning. This will help it become crispy on the edges and less likely to stick. 

Can I use bamboo skewers or wooden skewers?

You can use bamboo or wooden skewers in place of metal skewers (I did!), but if using, soak them in cold, fresh water for about 30 minutes before threading and grilling. This will prevent the skewers from burning or catching on fire on the grill. 

Storage Instructions 

These delicious tofu kebabs will keep best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, place the skewers in the microwave, oven or back on the grill until warmed through and lightly crispy again. 

I hope you love these Veggie Skewers as much as I do! If you do make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think and check out The Two Spoons App for more vegan recipes and meal plans featuring recipes just like this! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have. 

And of course, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations. 

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• Summer
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