Vegan Satay Skewers (Tofu & Vegan Chicken)

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Learn how to make two kinds of vegan satay skewers! Incredibly delicious tofu satay skewers and vegan chicken satay skewers with a creamy peanut satay sauce.

Table of Contents

• 🛒 Ingredients
• 👩‍🍳 Visual Step-by-Step Instructions
• 🫙 Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
• 🍜 What to Serve with
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Satay skewers are an incredibly delicious protein packed dish. They are marinated in a typical satay sauce featuring flavors of peanut butter, coconut milk, and red curry paste. It’s served as snack, appetizer, or main dish with a flavorful peanut dipping sauce.

Originally they come from Indonesia, but are now popular in many countries in Southeast Asia. I am going to show you the Thai version I learned how to make during my visit in Thailand.

Chicken is usually used to make satay skewers or satay dishes, but I am going to show you an easy way to make vegan satay skewers at home. 

You can choose between:

• Vegan Tofu Satay Skewers
• Vegan Chicken Satay Skewers

The version with a vegan chicken alternative is a little more authentic to its original version, but I also love the version with tofu, as tofu is often the healthier and more available option.

You can serve those satay skewers with cooked rice, noodles, or any Asian side salad.

🛒 Ingredients

See recipe card for quantities.

• Extra Firm Tofu or Vegan Chicken: Pick your preferred protein or make both versions. 
• Lemongrass & Garlic → Chop them finely for an intense flavor.
• Coconut Milk & Oil → For a creamy marinade. Coconut milk can also be substituted with water.
• Red Curry Paste → Adds more flavor. Vegans beware, red curry paste often contains fish sauce or shrimp paste. Make sure to go for a vegan brand.
• Curry Powder → For the flavor and color.
• Soy Sauce & Sugar → For seasoning. Use tamari for a gluten-free soy sauce option.
• Satay Sauce: Peanut Butter, Coconut Milk, Soy Sauce, Lime Juice, Red Curry Paste, Maple Syrup → Make sure to check out the separate satay sauce recipe blog post with more tips and information about it.

👩‍🍳 Visual Step-by-Step Instructions

This visual step-by-step instruction will help you along the way – definitely recommended if you’re a cooking beginner! 😉

• Satay Skewers: Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Cut the tofu into cubes. → This step only applies for the vegan tofu satay.
• Mix all ingredients for the satay marinade in a bowl.

• Add tofu or vegan chicken to the marinade and toss well. If you have time, let it sit for 30 minutes or longer.
• Add marinated tofu (or vegan chicken) to wooden skewers. 

• Heat a skillet with 1 tbsp of oil and fry skewers on both sides for 5 minutes. You can also cook them on a grill.

• Satay Sauce: Mix all satay sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
• Serve satay skewers with the satay peanut sauce!

Hint: If you don’t have any wooden skewers at hand, you can simply fry the tofu or vegan chicken in a skillet, turning occasionally. It goes well as a protein side dish with rice noodle dishes or Asian salads.

🫙 Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

To prepare this recipe ahead of time, store skewers already marinated in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Fry directly!

Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet or serve cold.

The sauce thickens a little when stored in the refrigerator. No worries, simply mix it with a little water until it reaches the desired consistency.

🍜 What to Serve with

• Thai Cucumber Salad
• Thai Glass Noodle Salad
• Thai Green Papaya Salad
• Asian Slaw
• Vermicelli Noodle Salad

📖 Recipe