This vegan orange glazed tofu “ham” is smoky, sweet, and absolutely delicious! Glazed tofu is a stunning dinner centerpiece that is surprisingly easy to make. This will be your new favorite way to enjoy tofu.
Vegan Orange Glazed Tofu “Ham”
I have been waiting months to share this baked tofu ham recipe, just in time for Christmas! I think glazed ham is generally more of an Easter thing, but I remember having honey baked ham for Christmas as a kid, so here I am. Ready to share. NOW.
Why you should make this recipe
Let me tell you: this glazed tofu ham is way better than real glazed ham!
- It’s a much healthier alternative to ham
- It is super easy to make
- And no animal had to die for your dinner!
Win, win, win. The only downside is that this recipe does take a lot of prep time, so plan ahead! Pressing and marinating the tofu is a full day affair, but baking and glazing the tofu is quick and easy.
Ingredients
Tofu ham marindade
- Extra-firm tofu: I love using Nasoya tofu
- Low sodium soy sauce: (sub tamari if gluten-free)
- Lemon juice: for acidity
- Maple syrup: for sweetness
- Dijon mustard: for a little kick
- Liquid smoke: for smokiness. If you can’t find liquid smoke, sub for 1-2 teaspoons of smoked paprika. If you don’t love the smoky flavor, you can leave it out.
- Spices: garlic powder, allspice, ginger
Orange glaze
- Orange juice: store-bought or freshly squeezed orange juice both work great
- Brown sugar: for extra sweetness
How to make a Glazed Tofu Ham
- Press the tofu, removing as much water as possible. The step is essential so your tofu can absorb the marinade!
- Cut a crosshatch pattern onto one side of your tofu, and marinate the entire block of tofu.
- Bake the marinated tofu.
- While the tofu is baking, make the orange glaze. Combine the orange juice and brown sugar in a pot and simmer until you have a thick, sticky glaze.
- Remove the tofu from the oven, and brush the orange glaze on the top and sides of the tofu block.
- Bake the glazed tofu again, until the edges of the tofu are browned and caramelized.
What to serve with Tofu Ham?
This baked tofu ham recipe is great served alongside my vegan mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy! It would also taste great with some vegan stuffing muffins, a hearty kale salad, roasted vegetables, vegan mac and cheese, or garlic bread.
Also, side note: this tofu ham tastes amazing sliced for sandwiches or chopped up for salads!
Tips for making this recipe
- It is essential that your tofu is pressed really well, or it will not absorb any of the marinade. I use and highly recommend the Tofuture tofu press. Make it a habit that when you return from the store after buying a new block of tofu, immediately remove it from the package and press the tofu so it’s ready for use when you need it. This will make your life so much easier.
- Marinating an entire block of tofu takes a long time, so make sure you marinate the tofu for a minimum of 5 hours, preferably overnight, and up to 2 days. The longer the better!
- Please line your baking tray! The orange glaze caramelizes in the oven and excess glaze will drip off the tofu, leaving a puddle of caramelized sugar residue on the tray. Use a reusable silicone mat or parchment paper for easy clean up.
More vegan dinner recipes
- Vegan Lentil “Meatloaf”
- Vegan Broccoli Potato Casserole with Tempeh Sausage
- The Best Vegan Orange Tofu
- Vegan Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)
- Vegan Moussaka with Creamy Bechamel
- BBQ Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Vegan Orange Glazed Tofu “Ham”
- Prep Time: 5 hours
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Mains
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan orange glazed tofu “ham” is smoky, sweet, and absolutely delicious! Glazed tofu is a stunning dinner centerpiece that is surprisingly easy to make. This will be your new favorite way to enjoy tofu.
Ingredients
1 (14 oz) block extra firm tofu, pressed
Tofu marinade
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (sub tamari if gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
Orange glaze
- 1/3 cup orange juice (juice of 1 navel orange)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Marinate the tofu.
- Cut a shallow crosshatch pattern onto one side of your pressed tofu block, about 1/4 inch deep.
- Mix marinade ingredients into a container with a lid or a sealable bag that is big enough to fit the entire block of tofu.
- Let the tofu marinate for at least 5 hours, or preferably overnight in the fridge. The longer the better. Flip the tofu every once in awhile to ensure that both sides get evenly marinated.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Bake the tofu. Place marinated tofu crosshatch side up on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 45 minutes.
- Make the orange glaze. While the tofu is cooking, combine the orange juice and brown sugar in a small pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and simmer for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until you have a thick and sticky glaze.
- Glaze the tofu. Once the tofu is done baking, remove from the oven and evenly brush the orange glaze on the top and sides of the tofu.
- Bake until caramelized. Bake the glazed tofu for an additional 15 minutes, or until the tofu edges are browned and caramelized.
Notes
It is essential that your tofu is pressed really well, or it will not absorb any of the marinade. Press for at least 5 hours. I use and recommend the Tofuture tofu press.
Store-bought orange juice or freshly juiced orange juice both work great.
Please line your baking tray! The orange glaze caramelizes in the oven and excess glaze will drip off the tofu, leaving a puddle of caramelized sugar residue on the tray. Use a reusable silicone mat or parchment paper for easy clean up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 206.6 kcal
- Sugar: 13.8 g
- Sodium: 624 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.4 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 17.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: glazed tofu ham, baked tofu ham, tofu ham recipe
8 comments
Very convincing recipe. I subbed smoked paprika for liquid smoke and it was just the right amount of cured meatiness. The glazed cross-hatch look works wonderfully as a Festivus meal centerpiece. Pressing the tofu sufficiently is crucial to make sure the texture at the end is not too rubbery. I also found that it could stay in the oven a bit longer before adding the orange glaze.
★★★★★
Thank you for the sweet review!!! I love this tofu ham recipe and I’m honored it was included in your Festivus celebration!
This orange tofu ham was so delicious! I left out the Dijon mustard because I’m not a huge fan, but even so it turned out amazing!! I cooked it a little longer than recommended to get the tofu really crispy. Overall a great recipe and perfect with a simple vegetable like broccoli as a side!
★★★★★
Yay!!! I am so happy it worked out for you!
Made this last night for myself because my family was having ham. It was delicious!!! I subbed southwest chipotle mustard for the dijon (highly recommend giving it a try) , used paprika for smoked liquid, and honey instead of maple. Also did not make the glaze, but I continually added the marinade as it baked. One of the best tofu recipies I have tried so far! Thank you so much!!!
I’m so happy you were able to get in on all the fun of ham without the meat, Renee! Thanks for the sweet comment, I’m so happy you loved this tofu recipe!
Why are people so tripped out about eating food that has no GLUTEN in now a days? I can understand doing it if you are allergic to it. SEITAN is a meat substitute made from GLUTEN.
Hahah yes, this is true!