Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cubes of tofu marinated in lemongrass and garlic, grilled to perfection and served with a bright, tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired vegan ready in about 50 minutes pairs firm tofu, lemongrass stalk, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (12 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 14 oz firm tofu cubes with 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk, 3 cloves minced garlic, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Toss gently and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated tofu cubes onto 8 soaked bamboo skewers.
  3. Step 3: Grill tofu skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until grill marks appear and tofu is heated through and slightly crisp on edges.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk together 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 small thinly sliced red chili in a small bowl until sugar dissolves to make nuoc cham dipping sauce.
  5. Step 5: Serve grilled lemongrass tofu skewers garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves alongside the nuoc cham sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep firm tofu from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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