09/10/2026
đĨđŋ PERUVIAN-STYLE TOFU WITH CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE đŋđĨ
A colorful, flavorful vegetarian recipe inspired by the bold seasonings of Peruvian-style chicken and creamy ajà verde sauce.
âąī¸ Total Time: About 40 minutes
đŊī¸ Serves: 6
đą Vegetarian
đĨ Nut-Free
This recipe combines smoky, cumin-and-paprika-marinated tofu with a creamy, tangy cilantro-avocado sauce. Serve it with rice, quinoa, salad, flatbread, or your favorite vegetables.
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đ INGREDIENTS
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đŋ FOR THE TOFU MARINADE:
âĸ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
âĸ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
âĸ 2 teaspoons ground cumin
âĸ 2 teaspoons sugar
âĸ 2 teaspoons paprika
âĸ Salt, to taste
âĸ Freshly ground black pepper
âĸ 2 blocks firm tofu, about 14 oz each
đŋ FOR THE CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE:
âĸ 1 bunch fresh cilantro
âĸ 6 scallions/green onions
âĸ ÂŊ avocado
âĸ 1 serrano chile, stem removed
âĸ 1 small garlic clove
âĸ Âŧ cup fresh lime juice
âĸ Âŧ cup mayonnaise
âĸ ÂŊ teaspoon ground cumin
âĸ Âŧ cup water
đĨ Optional: Remove the seeds from the serrano pepper or use less pepper if you prefer a milder sauce.
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đŠâđŗ STEP 1: PREPARE THE TOFU
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Drain the tofu well.
For even better browning, gently press the tofu first to remove excess moisture.
Cut each block into approximately 4â6 thick planks.
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đĨŖ STEP 2: MAKE THE MARINADE
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In a large baking dish or bowl, combine:
âĸ Olive oil
âĸ Soy sauce
âĸ Cumin
âĸ Sugar
âĸ Paprika
âĸ Salt
âĸ Black pepper
Whisk everything together until combined.
Place the tofu pieces into the marinade and turn them carefully so both sides are well coated.
Arrange the tofu in a single layer.
Cover and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
For stronger flavor, you can marinate it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.
đĄ TIP: The longer the tofu marinates, the more flavor it can absorb.
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đŋ STEP 3: MAKE THE CREAMY CILANTRO SAUCE
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Add the following ingredients to a blender:
âĸ Cilantro
âĸ Scallions
âĸ Avocado
âĸ Serrano chile
âĸ Garlic
âĸ Lime juice
âĸ Mayonnaise
âĸ Cumin
âĸ Water
Blend until mostly smooth and creamy.
A few tiny pieces of cilantro are perfectly fine and give the sauce a fresh homemade appearance.
Transfer the sauce to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
đ The sauce should taste creamy, tangy, fresh, herby, and slightly spicy.
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đĨ STEP 4: GRILL THE TOFU
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Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grates to help prevent sticking.
Remove the tofu from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off.
Place the tofu carefully onto the grill.
Grill for approximately 5 minutes on the first side, or until you see deep golden-brown grill marks.
Carefully flip each piece with a firm or metal spatula.
Grill the other side for another approximately 5 minutes.
The tofu should be beautifully browned and slightly charred on the outside.
đĨ NO GRILL?
You can also use a grill pan or broiler.
Cook with high heat and flip the tofu once so both sides become browned.
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đŊī¸ STEP 5: PLATE & SERVE
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Arrange the grilled tofu on a serving platter.
Drizzle some of the creamy cilantro sauce over the tofu and serve additional sauce on the side.
Finish with:
đŋ Fresh cilantro
đâđŠ Lime wedges
đļī¸ Extra chile, if desired
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đĨ WHAT TO SERVE WITH IT
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This tofu is delicious with:
đ Steamed rice
đž Quinoa
đĨ Fresh green salad
đĢ Warm flatbread
đ§
Pickled onions
đĨĻ Roasted vegetables
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đ¯ LEFTOVER IDEA
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Donât throw away the leftovers!
Use leftover tofu in:
âĸ Wraps
âĸ Grain bowls
âĸ Sandwiches
âĸ Salads
âĸ Tacos
You can also drizzle leftover cilantro sauce over roasted vegetables, rice bowls, sandwiches, or grilled foods.
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đ HEALTH SNAPSHOT
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Tofu provides plant-based protein, while cilantro, avocado, scallions, garlic, and lime add freshness and flavor.
Pair the tofu with whole grains and vegetables for a more balanced meal.
If you are watching your sodium intake, consider using reduced-sodium soy sauce and adjusting the added salt.
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đ PLANET NOTE
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Plant-based meals such as tofu generally have a lower environmental footprint than many red-meat-based meals.
Choosing plant-based meals occasionally can be a delicious way to add variety while reducing the environmental impact of your diet.
⨠Bold flavor.
đŋ Fresh ingredients.
đĨ Beautiful char.
đ Creamy green sauce.
Would you try this Peruvian-inspired tofu recipe?
Save this recipe and share it with someone who loves discovering new international foods! â¤ī¸