Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegan bowl featuring smoky maple-glazed tofu paired with garlicky sautéed spinach and fluffy brown rice. This vegan-inspired healthy bowls (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 70 minutes pairs extra-firm tofu, maple syrup, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 3 Vegan cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown rice under cold water and combine with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until tender and water is absorbed.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, press 14 oz extra-firm tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Pour the maple glaze over tofu and cook for an additional 2 minutes, turning cubes to coat them evenly until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: In another large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 6 cups fresh spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: To serve, divide brown rice between bowls, top with smoky maple-glazed tofu cubes and sautéed spinach, spooning any extra glaze from the pan over the tofu.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach?

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 extra-firm tofu from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach?

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 Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Smoky Maple-Glazed Tofu Bowls with Sautéed Spinach vegan?

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

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