Crispy Sesame Tofu with Chili Garlic Sauce
Golden, shatteringly crispy tofu in a sauce so good you will forget it is plant-based. This is the recipe that made my meat-loving husband ask for seconds.
Main Dish · Prep 15 min · Cook 20 min · Serves 3 · Easy · By Tina · Published
Ingredients
- 400 g extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey, or maple syrup for vegan
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
I spent years making mediocre tofu. Soggy, bland, sad little cubes that I ate out of obligation. Then I figured out the secret: cornstarch and a screaming hot pan.
The cornstarch coating gives you this unbelievably crispy shell that stays crunchy even after you toss it in sauce. And the sauce — garlic, ginger, soy, rice vinegar, and a good hit of chili — coats every piece without making it soggy. The trick is adding the sauce at the very end and tossing fast.
This is the tofu recipe I make for people who say they do not like tofu. It has a 100% conversion rate so far.
Pro Tips
- Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes. Wrap it in paper towels, put a heavy pan on top. Dry tofu = crispy tofu.
- Use extra-firm tofu. Silken or soft will fall apart.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches. Every piece needs contact with the hot surface.
- Toss the sauce in OFF heat so it glazes instead of steams.
Serving
Pile over steamed jasmine rice, scatter with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. A side of steamed bok choy keeps it light.
More main dish recipes
- Crispy Tofu (Easy · 12 min · serves 3)
Golden, crunchy tofu with a satisfying crackle on the outside and a tender interior. Tossed in a sweet and… - Dan Dan Noodles (Medium · 15 min · serves 2)
Spicy, nutty, savory Sichuan noodles that you can make in 20 minutes. This is the ultimate comfort bowl. - Easy Vegetable Chicken Stir Fry (Easy · 12 min · serves 4)
A quick and colorful stir fry featuring tender chicken breast and crisp seasonal vegetables tossed in a… - Egg Fried Rice (Easy · 8 min · serves 4)
Quick, savory, and deeply satisfying. This egg fried rice is the ultimate way to transform day-old rice into… - Eggplant Parmesan (Medium · 40 min · serves 6)
Crispy, saucy, and gloriously cheesy. Layers of golden fried eggplant, rich marinara, and melty mozzarella.… - Fried Rice (Medium · 10 min · serves 4)
Restaurant-quality fried rice with perfectly seasoned grains, tender vegetables, and savory umami flavor. The…