• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Vegan Heaven

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Going Vegan
  • About
    • About Me
    • Impressum
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    Published: Nov 9, 2015 · Modified: Jul 13, 2020 by Sina · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    1.8Kshares
    • Facebook141
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    I’ve always been a huge fan of sandwiches! Yesterday, we had this vegan tofu and kale pesto sandwich with grilled zucchini, carrots, and lettuce, which was not only super delicious but also pretty easy to make. I just couldn’t wait to share this recipe with you!

    When I first tried tofu more than ten years ago, I wasn’t exactly keen on it. I somehow didn’t like it’s structure and most of all its plain taste. It wasn’t until years later, that I tried it again. I marinated it with lots of spices, garlic, and soy sauce and let it sit for a couple of hours.

    And man was it good! Crispy, savory, packed with flavor, and just so easy!

    How could I’ve had not known that any sooner?

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    For the kale pesto, I used walnuts, garlic, olive oil, and nutritional yeast. And kale of course. Just put all ingredients into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. It’s also great with pasta and veggies or on pizza. We have pesto almost every week because it makes such an easy dinner and is just so delicious.

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    If you don’t use the pesto all at once, transfer it to an airtight container, drizzle a little olive over the top, and keep it in the refrigerator.

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    I used smoked tofu for the sandwich, which is already pretty flavorful on its own. If you want you can add some soy sauce when you stir-fry it. If you don’t want to use smoked tofu or can’t find it, you can of course also use regular tofu and marinate it. I usually use a mixture that consists of paprika powder, minced garlic, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and liquid smoke. But you can get pretty creative with the marinate. It’s also great with curry powder!

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    I hope everyone had a great weekend! I can’t believe how fast it was over. I could swear time goes by much quicker on the weekends! Haha!

    Have a great start into the new week!

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich

    This vegan tofu and kale pesto sandwich with carrots, grilled zucchini, and lettuce is perfect for a quick and healthy lunch!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 20 mins
    Servings: 2 sandwiches
    Author: Sina

    Ingredients

    For the vegan kale pesto:

    • 3 handfulls kale
    • 1/2 cup walnuts
    • 1 clove of garlic
    • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 5-6 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian spice mixture (oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and sage)
    • salt
    • black pepper

    For the sandwiches:

    • 7 oz smoked tofu Alternatively you can also use marinated regular tofu
    • 1 small zucchini, cut into slices
    • 1 carrot, spiralized
    • lettuce
    • 2 whole wheat buns

    Instructions

    • First make the kale pesto: Put all ingredients into a blender of food processor and blend until smooth.
    • Cut the tofu into thin stripes. In a medium pan, heat some olive oil and stir-fry the tofu for about 2-3 minutes on each side until it is brown and crispy. If you want you can also add about half a teaspoon of soy sauce. Once the tofu is done, put it aside.
    • Heat some more olive oil and cook the zucchini slices for another 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian spices (such as oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme).
    • Cut the sandwiches in half and generously coat both sides with kale pesto. Add the lettuce, the tofu, the carrots, and the grilled zucchini.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @_veganheaven_ or tag #veganheaven!
    Rate the recipe!If you like this recipe, please leave a good rating! This will help other readers.

    Previous Post: « Lentil Salad with Spinach and Pomegranate
    Next Post: Millet Porridge with Cranberries and Quince Fruit »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aiste

      October 22, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      So sooooo GOOD!!!! Adding this to my favorite recipes 😊

      Reply
    2. Stacey

      July 09, 2018 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of the pesto can keep it longer in the fridge?

      Reply
    3. Deborah ShireGardener

      January 21, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      These look so delicious. I will have to try them, but marinated tofu is quite dangerous in my house as I eat it like sweets, straight out of the pack! I love kale and am always looking for fresh ideas. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sina

        February 01, 2016 at 8:51 pm

        Haha! I totally know where you’re coming from, Deborah! :D

        Reply
    4. Abeer

      November 12, 2015 at 8:07 pm

      I didn’t even know they sell smoked tofu. That would be so much better than the regular tofu which is so tasteless! I really should look for it next time :)

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 16, 2015 at 10:55 am

        I absolutely love smoked tofu, Abeer! I could just eat it right out of the package! :-) My boyfriend always gets mad at me for doing this when we’re cooking together. :D Hope you can find it!

        Reply
    5. Samantha

      November 11, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      I have to admit…when I saw the title of your post, “kale” and “tofu” almost scared me away.

      But seeing these photos – this actually looks REALLY good…saved :)

      Thanks for sharing

      Samantha | pearlsandpolkadots.net

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 16, 2015 at 10:53 am

        Haha! Thanks so much, Samantha! I really had to smile when I read your comment. ;-) So glad I eventually didn’t scare you off!

        Reply
    6. Amanda

      November 11, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Crispy tofu is the bomb! As someone who has been happily eating sandwiches all week long, I have to say this looks fabulous! And hooray for homemade pesto.

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

        Thanks, Amanda! I’m a huge sandwich fan too! Always was and always will be! ;-)

        Reply
    7. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit

      November 10, 2015 at 3:40 pm

      I think sandwiches are one of those things that actually get better when you go vegan! I mean just look at this saucy, stacked masterpiece with the carrot streamers and the lettuce fringe!!! Gorgeous and i can only imagine super tasty <3

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 16, 2015 at 10:51 am

        I totally agree with you, Natalie! I’ve already had sooo many delicious vegan sandwiches! I just love that you can get all creative with different kind of veggies and sauces. :-)

        Reply
    8. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      November 09, 2015 at 11:54 pm

      I can never turn down a good sammie! My lunch essential! I always have a sandwich as the “main course” ;)

      Reply
      • Sina

        November 16, 2015 at 10:49 am

        Me neither, Rebecca! Oh, and I absolutely agree with you, a sandwich as the main course is totally okay!! :-)

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
    Sina-Veganheaven

    Hi, I'm Sina and this is my recipe blog where I share heavenly simple and sinfully delicious vegan recipes.

    Popular Recipes

    • Lemon Spaghetti with Spinach (One Pot)
    • One Pan Mexican Quinoa
    • Roasted Chickpeas
    • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe (Vegan)
    • Vegan Meatballs with Spaghetti
    • Creamy Vegan One Pot Pasta (Asian Style)

    Comforting Curry Recipes

    • Easy Massaman Curry Recipe
    • Yellow Curry
    • Sweet Potato Curry
    • Easy Vegetable Curry
    • Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry
    • Cauliflower Curry

    Footer

    Impressum/Legal Notice
    Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter

    Affiliate Disclaimer:

    Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and actually decide to buy it, I’ll receive a small percentage of the total price - of course this does not cause any extra costs for you. I only recommend products that I personally love and use regularly.

    Copyright © 2023 by Vegan Heaven · Privacy Policy

    We use cookies to improve your experience. You accept this by clicking "Okay" or continue to use our site. Find out more.