Asian Garlic Tofu cooks up crispy with tons of salty, sweet, and spicy flavor. Serve with broccoli and rice for a fantastically delicious vegetarian meal.
My daughter has been a vegetarian for 2 years. Or maybe it has been 3 years. I can’t even remember. Every now and then I like to share some of her favorite things to eat like Orange Cauliflower and Vegetarian BBQ Nachos.
She doesn’t like beans so tofu is a major source of protein for her. I actually really like to cook with tofu and eat it as well. I love that it has a very neutral flavor that lends itself to being paired with all kinds of seasonings and ingredients.
It’s hard to get tofu crispy but it is possible if you start with super firm tofu and wrap it in paper towels (lots of them) and set something heavy on top. I use a cast iron pan (they are so handy!)
The longer you let it sit, the better. And replace the paper towels a few times. They will get completely wet.
A quick marinade in a mixture of Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a little sugar gives the tofu plenty of flavor.
One more trick to crispy tofu is cooking it in a cast iron pan and heating it well before you add the tofu. Move the tofu around as little as possible. I let it get a nice sear on the bottom and then flip the pieces and let them get a sear on a second side.
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Watch the video below to see how to make Asian Garlic Tofu
Asian Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 package super firm tofu
- 1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic,, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- green onions for garnish
- rice for serving
Instructions
- Remove tofu from packaging. Place about 4 paper towels on a plate. Set tofu on top of plate and cover with more paper towels. Place a cast iron pan or something else that is heavy on top. Let sit 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Place in bowl with sauce and toss to coat. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once really hot, add tofu. Once nicely seared on the bottom, flip over. Continue to cook until seared on bottom.
- Drizzle with sesame oil and remove from heat.
- Sprinkle with green onions and serve with rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
I want to add my two cents worth of comments. I tried this recipe on 9-12-16, on 3-2-19, and probably some times in-between, but just didn’t note the date on my recipe sheet. I felt it was a great recipe at those times and still do. I would suggest marinading the tofu in the sauce over-night, if you can wait that long. It takes the flavor to new heights. Cook often & be well…Alvin
How much tofu? It says one package but they come in various sizes… 200g, 400g?
I didn’t see at what point to add the broccoli. Do we just steam and add last minute or toss in the wok with the tofu?
I’m excited to try this!
Thank you.
P.S.: And I can’t believe I forgot to rate with my previous comment. 🙂
My friend made this recipe for us last night and it was DELICIOUS!! I think it will became a regular in our house. Thanks so much, Christin! 🙂
I loved this recipe. It was my first time cooking tofu and it will not be my last. My family loved the tofu. I plan to use the marinade on chicken as well . Aloha
I think this is quite good. I had no trouble getting a good sear on the tofu. I think the Hoison has so much sugar in it that I can’t imagine having trouble browning the tofu. As another reviewer suggested, I did not add the additional sugar. I think that doubling the sauce would be a good idea because my end result was pretty dry.
This was quite delicious. I could never get my tofu to really sear though, not without blackening them…which that blackening isn’t good for you by the way. Also I used organic tofu..tofu is one of the most GMO’d foods you can buy.. pretty much a pesticidal plant these days. But, I followed this recipe ..made a little extra sauce and sauteed the broccoli first in the extra sauce and put aside then went forward with the tofu… excellent.
Thanks for the note about pesticides. So many women endanger their families with invisible cleaning poisons, toxic elements (invisible like pesticides) without knowing the hazards.
Men too… cooking isn’t just a woman’s job..
Absolutely stunning flavor.. The tofu is so yummy..
We add Brocolli beans capsicum to the tofu mixture add make a stir fry alongside thr rice .. Goes really well.
I tried this recipe and it was the easiest yummy tofu recipe!! 😀
Omg so good and filling!! We replaced the rice with Quinoa and it was just as good. Thanks for sharing!