Tofu Sushi Salad Jars with Tahini Sauce (Vegan Gluten-Free)
Fresh, vibrant and packed with flavour, these Tofu Sushi Salad Jars with Tahini Sauce are naturally plant-based, gluten-free and perfect for lunch or dinner. They are full of protein, fibre and a range of vegetables.
Welcome back to another episode of my salad jar series and this delicious sushi-style recipe. I’m using tofu and nori for the classic sushi flavours, as well as lots of tamari soy sauce, pickles and sesame seeds which make this lunchtime recipe so special. It will keep well in the fridge for a few days, making it great for meal prep and also it comes together in 25 minutes or less, so it is also great for a quick midweek meal for yourself or to share with friends and family.
Why will I love this recipe?
This is delicious:
- Fresh, vibrant, colourful and tasty
- Full of rich umami flavours
- With a tangy creamy tahini dressing
- A fun spin on the viral sushi tuna bowls
- With nori and sesame seeds for the true sushi flavours
- High in protein with tofu
- High in fibre, using wholesome grains and vegetables
- Contains lots of plant points and diversity
- Great for gut health
- Naturally plant-based, egg-free and dairy-free
- Gluten-free and nut-free
- Easy to make in a few steps
- With tofu crumbles for texture and flavour
- Can be made with other veggies depending on what you have
- Great for lunchboxes
- Ideal for meal prep
- Keeps for a few days in the fridge without going soggy
If you already love the sound of this salad, then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.
What ingredients do I need?
You can see the ingredients with weights in the recipe card below and see my favourite and recommended products in the “shop the recipe” section.
For the tofu crumbles:
- Extra-firm tofu: break it apart in your hands into crumbs for more texture.
- Tamari soy sauce: to add richness and umami flavour.
- Olive oil: to allow the tofu to air fry into crispy crumbs.
- Hot smoked paprika: to add some heat to the tofu.
- Salt and pepper: to season.
As for the tahini sauce:
- Runny smooth tahini: the runnier and smoother, the better the quality and overall flavour.
- Chilli oil: to add some heat and oil to the dressing, to make it creamy.
- Tamari soy sauce: as above.
- Lime: to add zingy tang.
- Honey or maple syrup: for sticky sweetness.
And for the salad:
- Pre-cooked rice or grains: I love using the Merchant Gourmet packs of pre-cooked rice to make this meal even quicker and the rice mix contains brown, black and red rice for more diversity. You can use other grains, too, like quinoa or buckwheat.
- Cucumber: chop into small pieces.
- Carrot: ribbon or peel these into small strips.
- Baby gem lettuce: for freshness and crunch.
- Avocado: the creamier the better as it’s more delicious.
- Nori sheets: these are salty, crunchy and so delicious. I love these snack pouches of nori sheets or use the big ones and chop them into bite-size pieces. They will soften in the salad, so keep them separate and add them when eating to keep the crunch.
- Pickled red onions: I love making these myself for some added gut health and a pop of colour.
- Sesame seeds: for some texture.
- Fresh mint: for freshness on top. Coriander will also be good here.
Is this gluten-free and nut-free?
This is naturally gluten-free (check your grains if you use something other than rice) and make sure you use tamari soy sauce as opposed to regular soy sauce. It’s naturally nut-free, too.
How do I make this?
This is ready in a few steps:
- Crumble the tofu and toss with the seasoning: and air fry for 15 minutes, until golden.
- Combine the ingredients for the dressing: until smooth.
- Prepare the salad components: chopping, peeling and slicing.
- Layer up the salad ingredients in jars: starting with the dressing and wending with the salad and seeds.
- Or plate up and drizzle over the tahini sauce: and enjoy.
How long will this last?
In their salad jars, these will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.
What other recipes can I try?
For more salad and lunchtime ideas:
- Mexican-Style Black Bean Salad
- Golden Cauliflower and Chickpea Tabouleh Salad
- Roast Courgette Tomato and Lentil Pasta Salad
- Guacamole Pasta Salad
- Chickpea Avocado Quinoa Salad Jars
Tofu Sushi Salad Jars with Tahini Sauce (Vegan Gluten-Free)
Fresh, vibrant and packed with flavour, these Tofu Sushi Salad Jars with Tahini Sauce are naturally plant-based, gluten-free and perfect for lunch or dinner. They are full of protein, fibre and a range of vegetables.
Ingredients
For the Tofu Crumbles:
- 200g extra-firm tofu, crumbled into pieces
- 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp hot smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
For the Tahini Sauce:
- 45g (3 tbsp) runny smooth tahini
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp water
For the Salad Jars:
- 250g pouch pre-cooked rice mix
- ½ cucumber, chopped small
- 1 large carrot, in ribbons or chopped small
- 1 baby gem lettuce, shredded
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 2 nori sheets, chopped into squares
- 2 tbsp pickled red onions
- 2 tbsp sesame seed mix
- 1 sprig fresh mint, torn
Instructions
- Start by preparing the tofu. Add the tofu to a small bowl and toss with the soy sauce, olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper. Spread onto a tray and air fry at 180ºC for 15 minutes, until golden and crisping.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Add all of the ingredients to a small jar or glass and stir well, adding water to make a pourable sauce. Divide into two small jars to keep for later.
- Prepare all of the salad components.
- Layer up the ingredients in two jars, starting with the rice, followed by the cucumber, carrot, lettuce, tofu, avocado and finished with the nori, pickles, sesame seeds and fresh mint.
- Keep the salad jars and sauce in the fridge for 2-3 days until needed. To serve, either tip the jar contents into a bowl, drizzle over the sauce and toss well. Or, pour the sauce into the jar and shake well to toss everything together and eat.
Shop the recipe
Stay in touch
I look forward to hearing what you think of these Tofu Sushi Salad Jars with Tahini Sauce so please let me know in the comments below and leave a star review above. If you do make these rolls, I’d love to see, so please tag me, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest – please say hello!
With sushi tofu love x
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