Lemon Pepper Tofu Cutlets
These Lemon Pepper Tofu Cutlets are the perfect meal prep staple! Frozen + thawed tofu is sliced and soaked in a bath of zesty lemon pepper flavor. Then, they’re slow-baked to achieve that perfect meaty texture. Slice ‘em up for salads, use them for sandwiches, or serve ‘em over a mountain of rice for a filling and easy vegan dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 16-oz block extra-firm tofu (do not use silken tofu)
- 1/3 cup olive oil see notes for oil-free
- 2 Tbsp vegan chicken-style bouillon powder
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- PREP THE TOFU: First, you’ll want to freeze your tofu. Place the whole container (do not open it) in the freezer overnight. In the morning, remove it from the freezer and set it in a shallow dish on your counter to thaw. This will take several hours. When the tofu is thawed, squeeze it gently over the sink and press it with a tofu press or on paper towels to remove any excess liquid.
- MARINATE: Place your tofu on a cutting board and slice it into 8 equal “cutlets.” Use a fork to mix all the marinade ingredients in a large measuring cup. Place the cutlets in a shallow container and pour the marinade over them, making sure each cutlet is coated. Cover and place them in your fridge for at least an hour or overnight.*
- BAKE: When you’re ready to bake your cutlets, preheat your oven to 350F and grab a large baking sheet. Place the cutlets on this baking sheet and bake them at 350F for 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Depending on the thickness / brand of tofu you’re using, you may want to flip and cook them another 10 - 20 minutes until they are browned and meaty. We end up cooking ours an extra 10 most times.
- SERVE: Finally, let your cutlets cool slightly before slicing them up for all your salads or pasta or bowls throughout the week. They will firm a bit as they cool. You can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge or freeze them for up to 8 weeks!
Notes
*Since these cutlets are such a staple in our kitchen, I will usually marinate a large batch of them at a time, separate them into several containers and freeze them in the marinade BEFORE baking. This makes it easy for me to defrost and pop a batch in the oven for salads each week, AND I’ve found it gives them an even better texture. Highly recommend this method!
FOR OIL-FREE: You can replace some or all of the oil with water, but remember this adds more moisture to the tofu which will affect the texture. Your baking time might need to be adjusted as well.
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