Easy Braised Tofu Recipe | Cook Click N Devour!!! (2024)

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Braised tofu is a delicious Chinese side dish with sweet and spicy flavors. This restaurant style tofu side dish is vegan and very easy to make at home.

If you have firm tofu handy, this tofu dish gets ready in minutes. A perfect side dish with sesame noodles, fried rice, noodles, pho and also a wonderful snack!

Easy Braised Tofu Recipe | Cook Click N Devour!!! (1)

I am big fan of Asian dishes and anything with sweet and spicy sauce , I am game. I have had this braised tofu dish many times in our local Chinese restaurant.

Perfectly done tofu with slightly crispy edges and melt in mouth texture, braised in super flavorful sauce along with onions, what’ not to love 🙂

I also like to throw in lots of sesame seeds for that crunch and flavor.

You can alter this recipe to totally suit your taste buds. We like it slightly dry so I have used less sauce here. You can easily increase the amount of sauce and make super saucy braised tofu too.

As I have mentioned in this tofu stir fry recipe, when I first tasted tofu it did not go very well. Apparently I had tasted it from a wrong place.

But when I had perfectly done tofu, it all changed. Quickly I also started to experiment with tofu recipes and this braised tofu recipe is our top favorite at home.

This is also a popular Korean tofu recipe. It is basically a side dish where pan fried crispy tofu slabs are braised quickly in a sweet and spicy sauce along with some onions.

It tastes so good when served hot along with Asian mains like fried rice, noodles or on its own as snack with a side of hot sauce.

This Braised Tofu Is

Quick, easy and simple to make

made with no special ingredients

Vegan

Flavorful & delicious

Perfect side dish for Asian recipes.

Easy Braised Tofu Recipe | Cook Click N Devour!!! (2)

Ingredients For Braised Tofu

Tofu– There are many varieties of tofu available in stores. For this recipe you can use firm tofu or silken tofu. I have made braised tofu with both the varieties and prefer firm tofu here. You can press the tofu if you prefer but for this recipe I don’t do that step.

Rinse the tofu block very well and cut into thick slabs. Rinse again and wipe excess water using a clean kitchen towel. Set aside for few minutes.

Ingredients For The Sauce– The sauce we use for braising tofu is a super simple one. Instead of mixing the ingredients for the sauce separately, I prefer to add the ingredients one by one in hot oil. This method increases the flavor and taste of the sauce.

The sauce for this tofu recipe is a mix of dark and light soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar chili flakes.

Other Ingredients– The other ingredients we need here are the regulars in Asian cuisine. Toasted sesame oil, minced ginger garlic, scallion greens or green onions and sesame seeds.

Optional Ingredients- Along with tofu you can add few other ingredients like cubed onion, cubed bell peppers, mushrooms, bamboo shoots. Saute these after ginger garlic and proceed with the recipe.

Step By Step Method

Preparing tofu

If your tofu block is refrigerated thaw it for few minutes. Rinse the block of tofu in cold running water thoroughly. Wipe off with a clean kitchen towel. Cut into 1/4 inch thick slabs or cubes.

Heat a flat cast iron pan or wok with 2 tablespoons oil. Place the tofu cubes and set the flame to medium high. Gently fry the tofu cubes from all sides until golden brown and crispy.

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Remove to a paper towel and set aside until use.

How to make braised tofu

Now let’s prepare the sauce for braising the tofu.

Heat 2 tablespoons toasted oil in a wok. I used the same oil and pan used for frying tofu.

Add minced ginger garlic and sesame seeds. Saute in high heat for a minute.

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Add chili flake, cubed onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water and let it sizzle.

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Now add soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and salt to taste. Let the sauce bubble and thicken for 2 minutes.

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Add the pan fried tofu cubes and braise quickly for 2 minutes.

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Add scallion greens and mix. Serve braised tofu warm.

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Recipe Notes & Tips

To make the recipe with more sauce– Just increase water by another 1/4 cup and stir in 2 teaspoons of corn flour slurry (2 teaspoons corn four mixed in 1 tablespoon cold water) and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Adjust the seasoning to your taste– feel free to vary the quantity of sauces to your taste. You can also add 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce, hot sauce or siracha sauce for more flavor.

Storage– This recipe tastes best when served immedietly. I do not recommend making this ahead.

Serving Suggestions– Braised tofu is a perfect side dish for Asian mains like Chinese fried rice, schezwan noodles etc. You can also serve this snack.

I hope you will try this braised tofu recipe and enjoy as much as we did. Please give a star rating★in the recipe card below. Follow us onPinterest,Instagram,Facebook for more recipes and ideas

Easy Braised Tofu Recipe | Cook Click N Devour!!! (9)

Braised Tofu

Harini

Braised tofu is a delicious Chinese side dish with sweet and spicy flavors. This restaurant style tofu side dish is vegan, gluten free and very easy to make at home. If you have firm tofu handy, this dish gets ready in minutes. A perfect side dish with fried rice, noodles, pho and also a wonderful snack!

4.31 from 13 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Korean

Servings 3

Calories 221 kcal

1 CUP = 250 ml

Ingredients

  • 200 grams tofu sliced into cubes
  • 4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil divided
  • 1 big onion cubed
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger garlic
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons chili flakes

For the sauce

  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tabespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar

Instructions

Preparing tofu

  • If your tofu block is refrigerated thaw it for few minutes. Rinse the block of tofu in cold running water thoroughly. Wipe off with a clean kitchen towel. Cut into 1/4 inch thick slabs or cubes.

  • Heat a flat cast iron pan or wok with 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Place the tofu cubes and set the flame to medium high. Gently fry the tofu cubes from all sides until golden brown and crispy.

  • Remove to a paper towel and set aside until use.

How to make braised tofu

  • Now let’s prepare the sauce for braising the tofu.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons toasted oil in a wok. I used the same oil and pan used for frying tofu.

  • Add minced ginger garlic and sesame seeds. Saute in high heat for a minute.

  • Add chili flakes, cubed onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water and let it sizzle.

  • Now add soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and salt to taste. Let the sauce bubble and thicken for 2 minutes.

  • Add the pan fried tofu cubes and braise quickly for 2 minutes.

  • Add scallion greens and mix. Serve braised tofu warm.

Notes

To make the recipe with more sauce- Just increase water by another 1/4 cup and stir in 2 teaspoons of corn flour slurry (2 teaspoons corn four mixed in 1 tablespoon cold water) and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Adjust the seasoning to your taste- feel free to vary the quantity of sauces to your taste. You can also add 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce, hot sauce or siracha sauce for more flavor.

Storage- This recipe tastes best when served immedietly. I do not recommend making this ahead.

Serving Suggestions- Braised tofu is a perfect side dish for Asian mains like Chinese fried rice, schezwan noodles etc. You can also serve this snack

Nutrition

Serving: 3gCalories: 221kcal

Keyword Braised Tofu

Tried this recipe? Snap a pic and share 🙂Mention cookclickndevou or tag cookclickndevour

Easy Braised Tofu Recipe | Cook Click N Devour!!! (2024)

FAQs

What is braised tofu made of? ›

It begins by pan-frying tofu squares until they're golden brown. From there, the crispy tofu is braised in a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and spicy Chinese sauce until every bite is infused with rich flavor. Scoop the spicy braised tofu over rice and greens, then enjoy!

Is braised tofu healthy? ›

1 serving of braised tofu contains 272 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 16% carbs, 67% fat, and 18% protein. This is a good source of protein (23% of your Daily Value) and calcium (22% of your Daily Value).

How do you cook tofu so it's not rubbery? ›

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink.

Why won't my tofu get crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.

What are the three types of tofu? ›

Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.

What is the downside of eating too much tofu? ›

The significant disadvantages of Tofu may cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of soy allergies include skin rash, inflammation, itching, fainting, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain and throat swelling. In rare scenarios, Tofu may cause osteoporosis and estrogen-related cancer.

Is tofu healthier than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Is tofu better for you than meat? ›

The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat. Federal dietary guidelines include tofu as part of a healthy vegetarian dietary pattern, and a 2021 American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes choosing plant-based proteins for heart health.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What should I season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Can you coat tofu in flour instead of cornstarch? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

How to make tofu taste better? ›

Coat it in a lot of dry seasonings.

You can also use your favourite potent seasoning mix and coat your tofu in it. Pre-season it, then let it soak in a sauce to soak up flavours. My Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken wasn't even pre-seasoned, but it was well pressed, and so it truly soaked up the flavours of that sauce.

What is meant by braising? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added.

What meat is tofu? ›

Tofu products are actually a staple soy-based part of a vegetarian and vegan diet. Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins. These proteins are made from pressed soybean curds in a process similar to cheesemaking.

Is soy and tofu the same thing? ›

Tofu, also known as soybean curd, is a soft, smooth soy product made by curdling fresh, hot soymilk with coagulant. Tofu has a mild flavor and easily absorbs the flavors of marinades, spices and other ingredients. Tofu is rich in high-quality protein and B vitamins, and low in sodium.

What's the difference between soy and tofu? ›

Tofu is made from the whole bean and has a higher nutritional value than soya protein extract and no toxins. Soya is well researched as a nutritional component that, as we have discovered, has been a part of the diets of millions of adults and children in Asia for centuries.

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