Tofu Jerky

If you’re craving bacon or jerky, this vegan recipe is perfect for you. While the drying takes a while, the delicious reward is worth the wait. This Tofu Jerky is a perfect combination of smoky, sweet, salty and savory. Enjoy it as a snack or to top your favorite dish, bowl or salad.

This recipe comes to us from Debi Wayland of Life Currents.

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Ingredients:

• 1 pound extra firm tofu
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove crushed fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup water or dark beer
• 3 tablespoons liquid smoke

Directions:

1. Drain the tofu, and slice it into long strips on its short side. Strips should be about 4 to 5 millimeters in thickness.

2. Mix remaining marinade ingredients together. Place the tofu in a single layer in a shallow 13×9-inch baking pan or a rimmed cookie sheet and pour the marinade over the top of the tofu. Let soak for 4 to 6 hours or overnight.

3. Drain excess liquid (it may be reused) and dry tofu in food dehydrator or 200° F oven. This will take 4 to 8 hours. Flip the tofu over hourly so it dries evenly. Dry the jerky until it is very chewy and all the white areas have disappeared.

Variations: Add some chili powder to make chili jerky. Use Tabasco or ground cayenne if you want it spicy. Add oregano and basil to make pizza jerky.