Tofu-Based Vegan Spam with Five-Spice Marinade
Equipment
- Tofu press or a heavy pan and paper towels To press out excess moisture from the tofu. If you don’t have a tofu press, wrap your tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and weigh it down with a cast-iron pan or a few canned goods.
- Mixing bowl For combining the marinade.
- Shallow baking dish or zip-top bag For marinating the tofu slices evenly.
- Non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan For frying the tofu to golden perfection.
- Tongs or spatula To flip the tofu slices while cooking.
- Sharp knife and cutting board To slice tofu to your preferred “Spam” thickness.
Ingredients
For the Vegan Spam Marinade
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari or sub with more soy sauce if not gluten-free
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder the heart of the marinade
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of MSG or mushroom powder optional but recommended for umami
For the Tofu
- 1 block 14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu (not silken)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Neutral oil for frying avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil
Instructions
Step 1: Press the Tofu
- Begin by pressing the tofu for at least 15 minutes. This removes excess water and helps it absorb the marinade better. Cut it into slices about 1/2-inch thick—mimicking the rectangular shape of classic Spam. You’ll typically get 8–10 slices from one block.
Step 2: Make the Five-Spice Marinade
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, tamari, maple syrup, sesame oil, liquid smoke, rice vinegar, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, five-spice powder, paprika, and optional MSG or mushroom powder. This blend hits salty, sweet, smoky, and spicy notes.
Step 3: Marinate the Tofu
- Place your tofu slices in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the tofu, making sure every piece is coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 2–4 hours for maximum flavor absorption. You can also leave it overnight.
Step 4: Coat and Fry
- Before frying, lightly dust each tofu slice with cornstarch. This gives it a crisp outer layer when cooked.
- Heat oil in your skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the tofu slices in batches, cooking 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized at the edges. Flip carefully to avoid tearing the tofu.