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.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Vegan

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 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 cp vegetable broth (preferably low sodium)
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 vinegar
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 sprig fresh
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, 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, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
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

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.

Find my Y peeler here under My Kitchen Tools.

Tofu: Super firm tofu (or pre-pressed extra-firm) works best since it is dense and does not need pressing, but regular extra-firm tofu can also be used—just press it well first.

Nutrition