Vegetarian Spam Musubi
Indulge in the ultimate plant-based twist on a Hawaiian favorite with this Vegetarian Spam Musubi recipe! Firm tofu is marinated in a savory-sweet blend of soy sauce, maple syrup, and smoked paprika, then seared to perfection for a flavorful, umami-packed "spam" alternative. Paired with fluffy sushi rice and wrapped in crispy nori, this recipe captures the iconic essence of traditional Spam Musubi while being completely meat-free. Perfect as a quick lunch, snack, or picnic staple, these handheld delights are easy to make and customizable with optional furikake seasoning for an added burst of flavor. Ready in under an hour, this protein-rich, vegan-friendly recipe proves that flavorful Hawaiian-inspired dishes can be both hearty and healthy!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 block (around 14 oz) Firm tofu
- 6 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 3 cups Cooked sushi rice
- 5 full sheets (cut in half) Nori sheets
- 1 tablespoon Furikake seasoning (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
Instructions
Drain the tofu and press it to remove excess moisture. Slice it horizontally into 10 rectangular pieces, about 1/2-inch thick each.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to create the marinade.
Place the tofu slices in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the tofu is fully coated. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour for more flavor.
While the tofu marinates, cook the sushi rice if you haven’t already. Mix 2 tablespoons of water with 1 teaspoon of sugar in a small bowl to create a sealing solution for the nori wrappers. Set aside.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the marinated tofu slices. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Cut the nori sheets in half if not pre-cut. Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on your work surface to avoid sticking.
Take about 1/3 cup of cooked sushi rice and shape it into a rectangle about the same size as your tofu slice. Sprinkle a small amount of furikake on the rice if using.
Place the cooked tofu slice on top of the rice rectangle. Wrap one strip of nori around the middle of the tofu and rice stack, using the sugar-water solution to seal the ends of the nori. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Serve the Vegetarian Spam Musubi fresh or wrap tightly in plastic wrap for later consumption.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1446 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.2 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3757 mg | 163% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 225.6 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.0 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.7 g | ||
| Protein | 68.1 g | 136% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 729 mg | 56% | |
| Iron | 9.4 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 1324 mg | 28% | |
*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.
