Sweet & Smoky Glazed Tofu "Ham" Recipe for a Vegan Christmas Dinner by Meagan McLucas


Sweet & Smoky Glazed Tofu "Ham" Recipe for a Vegan Christmas Dinner

Needing a vegan protein to take to a family Christmas get-together, I decided on this sweet and smoky tofu ham recipe from The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Chef Moskowitz describes the vegan recipe as "sweet and smoky and elegant in a '70s kind of way, with notes of orange and maple."

To make this flavorful vegan and vegetarian tofu ham recipe you will need olive oil, tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, extra-firm tofu, oranges, whole cloves, fresh orange juice, apricot jam, whiskey, ground ginger, salt and pepper. 

The whole family enjoyed this tofu ham on Christmas, even the meat-eaters. As Chef Moskowitz says, there's no need to "put an adorable pig at the center of your table!"

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes plus 4 hours to marinate
Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes plus 4 hours to marinate
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Marinade

Tofu

  • 1 package (14 ounces) extra-firm tofu, pressed
  • 8 thin orange slices
  • 20 to 25 whole cloves

Glaze

Helpful Products

Recipe Notes

  • This sweet and smoky tofu recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
  • You could use bourbon instead of whiskey. If you don't want to use alcohol, substitute apple juice.

Here's how to make it:

  1. To make the tofu, whisk together to marinade ingredients in a shallow dish. Place the tofu in the marinade, turn to coat and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
  2. Arrange the orange slices in an even layer in the center of a parchment paper-covered 13x9-inch baking pan. Place the marinated tofu block on the bed or oranges.
  3. Carefully score the top of the tofu with a sharp knife in a diamond patter, about 1/4-inch deep. Press the whole cloves into the intersection cuts. Bake in a preheated 375-degree F oven for 1 hour.
  4. While the tofu bakes, combine all the glaze ingredients in a small saucepot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until reduced by half and thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  5. After the tofu has baked 1 hour, remove it from the oven and pour the glaze evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 30 minutes. Allow tofu to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing. 

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 277

Total Fat: 14.2g

Saturated Fat: 2g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 359mg

Total Carbohydrate: 21.2g

Dietary Fiber: 0.6g

Total Sugars: 16.3g

Protein: 3.7g

Vitamin D: 0mcg

Calcium: 63mg

Iron: 1mg

Potassium: 139mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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Donna John
This is my son's girlfriend, so I got to enjoy this recipe on Easter. Delicious! Thanks for sharing it with us, Meagan McLucas . You're a great cook.
Elisa Schmitz
How great is this! I love a vegan alternative for holiday dinner. My daughter is vegan, so I will be trying this. Thank you and welcome, Meagan McLucas !
Tex
Since giving up meat (although I still do some fish) I have been missing pork. This is a definite recipe I will be trying soon. I used to use pineapple with ham, do you think that I could sub the oranges with pineapple? My daughter gave me a tofu press and it makes a world of difference when crisping up tofu
Meagan McLucas
I haven’t thought to try it with pineapple! I don’t see why it wouldn’t work just as well. I might have to try it that way for the holidays this year. Let me know what you think when you try it! 😊
Tex
Sorry for the late response Meagan McLucas , it was awesome! I cant stop making this ham. On my way to pick up tofu and apricot preserves to make this again today. Will be lovely with the asparagus that I have.
DAC Developments
Thanks for Sharing. 💗
Donna John
My vegan son and his girlfriend brought this for Thanksgiving. Great flavor!
Tex
I made this tonight and it was stupendous! I did use the pineapple and it really worked out well. I have been so missing pork and this really hit the spot. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe
Tex
I made this "ham" for my daughter the other evening, she's vegan. Total love! I think that I created a monster ...one that likes me to cook for her! LOL.
Tex
Oh my! I cannot stop making this, its so, so good. I am taking this to Christmas with family, making a double or triple batch ...my son is also eating more plant based so hoping that he enjoys this as much as me and his sister do!
Tex
Meagan McLucas Looking forward to more vegan recipes if you have?
Tex
I am addicted to this recipe! I have made it with oranges, pineapple, apricots and peaches, each and every combination was wonderful! I have it in the oven right now!
Meagan McLucas
I’m so glad you like it! I definitely need to try it with apricot. That sounds amazing!!

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