Vegan Traditional Shashlik (Russian Grilled Meat Skewers)

Experience the bold and smoky flavors of traditional Russian shashlik in this plant-based twist—Vegan Traditional Shashlik. Perfectly balanced with firm tofu and a medley of colorful vegetables like red bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, and red onion, these grilled skewers are infused with a rich marinade of soy sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, and maple syrup. Marinated for maximum flavor and grilled to perfection, this vegan recipe delivers the essence of authentic shashlik without any meat. Ideal for cookouts or weeknight dinners, serve these skewers with fluffy rice, warm flatbreads, or a crisp salad for a complete meal. Quick to prepare, highly customizable, and absolutely delicious, these vegan grilled skewers are a must-try for BBQ enthusiasts and plant-based food lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Firm tofu
• 1 large Red bell pepper
• 1 medium Zucchini
• 1 large Red onion
• 200 grams Button mushrooms
• 4 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons Paprika (smoked, if available)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 8 Wooden or metal skewers

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu to remove moisture by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and placing a heavy object on top. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 2

While the tofu is being pressed, prepare the vegetables. Cut the red bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion into bite-sized chunks. Clean the button mushrooms and leave them whole, unless they are very large, in which case cut them in half.

Step 3

Once the tofu is pressed, cut it into cubes roughly the same size as the vegetable chunks.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, paprika, cumin, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk to create the marinade.

Step 5

Add the tofu cubes and vegetables to the bowl with the marinade, and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Cover and allow the mixture to marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 6

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. If using metal skewers, they are ready to use.

Step 7

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Thread the marinated tofu and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between different vegetables and tofu for a colorful presentation.

Step 9

Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking. The vegetables should be slightly charred, and the tofu should have grill marks.

Step 10

Remove the skewers from the grill and serve immediately. Shashlik can be enjoyed on its own or paired with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1275.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1057.7

Total Fat 64.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5456.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.0g	0%
Total Sugars 48.4g
Protein 61.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 769.3mg	0%
Iron 12.5mg	0%
Potassium 2606.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.8%

Protein: 21.7%

Carbs: 27.5%