Try caper brine or pickle juice instead of lemon juice for even more flavor.
Optional added seasonings: pinch celery seed, mushroom powder, sage. Use liquid smoke instead of smoked paprika for a stronger smoky flavor.
Use a non-toxic nonstick pan to make vegan deli meat without oil, or add 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor. Find my preferred pans here.
Vegan Deli Meat Recipe
Make your own Vegan Deli Meat at home with this easy tofu recipe. Perfect vegan deli slices for sandwiches, wraps, and healthy meal prep.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 192kcal
Equipment
- 1 Chef's knife or wide cabbage peeler (Y peeler) or mandolin
- 1 large nonstick skillet
Ingredients
- 16 ounces super firm tofu or extra-firm tofu
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube or 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup water skip if using vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon mellow miso or white miso
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice or pickle juice, caper brine, or vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 sprig fresh
- 2 teaspoons olive oil optional (if skipping bouillon or not using nonstick)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the tofu as thinly as possible using a sharp knife, Y peeler, or a mandolin.
- Dissolve the bouillon cube in 1 cup warm water. Then mix in the miso, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, olive oil (if using), salt, and pepper. If using vegetable broth, skip the water and heat 1 cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable broth in a large skillet until just warm. Remove from the heat and whisk in the miso, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, lemon juice or pickle juice, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. (See notes for optional added seasonings.)
- Place the tofu slices in a large skillet and pour the marinade over them. Arrange the slices so they are mostly covered.Or if using broth, place the slices into the warmed broth in an even layer so they are mostly covered.
- Cook gently. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook on medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, or until most of the liquid reduces. Do not boil aggressively—this keeps the slices intact.
- Let the tofu cool in the pan so it continues absorbing flavor.
- Serve: Use as vegan deli slices, vegan sandwich meat, or vegan cold cuts.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg
