Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Name: Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 10 (Lettuce Wraps)
Ingredients: 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, pressed; 3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce; 2 tsp Chili garlic sauce; 1 tsp toasted sesame oil; 2 tsp maple syrup; 5-6 Tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 cup salted creamy peanut butter*; 1-2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce; 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup; 1-2 tsp Chili garlic sauce; 2-3 Tbsp lime juice; 3-4 Tbsp water; 1 cup thinly sliced / shredded vegetables; 1 small head green (non-bitter) lettuce or green or purple cabbage; Fresh cilantro or Thai basil

User Reviews

5.0

72 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
55 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings
10 (Lettuce Wraps)
Calories
160 kcal
Course
Main Course, Appetizer
Cuisine
Chinese, Thai, Vegan

Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Valerie Marks

Report

Crispy, flavorful tofu wraps with fresh veggies and our go-to peanut sauce. Crunchy, light yet satisfying, and BOLD flavors. Just 10 ingredients required!

Share:

I Made This!

54 people made this

Print

15 people printed this

Save this

43 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

TOFU

14 ounces extra-firm tofu, pressed (see instructions for pressing)
3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free eaters)
2 tsp Chili garlic sauce (reduce or omit for less heat)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil (plus more for cooking)
2 tsp maple syrup
5-6 Tbsp cornstarch

PEANUT SAUCE

1/2 cup salted creamy peanut butter* (or almond butter or sunflower butter)
1-2 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (or sub coconut aminos* but add slightly more as it’s less salty)
1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (plus more to taste)
1-2 tsp Chili garlic sauce (or 1 red Thai chili, minced // or 1/4 tsp red pepper flake // adjust to preferred spice level)
2-3 Tbsp lime juice
3-4 Tbsp water (to thin)

FOR SERVING

1 cup thinly sliced / shredded vegetables (e.g. carrots, radish, green onion, and/or bean sprouts)
1 small head green (non-bitter) lettuce or green or purple cabbage (as recipe is written, ~10 cup-size leaves of lettuce or cabbage // we prefer green cabbage or Bibb or Boston lettuce)
Fresh cilantro or Thai basil (optional)

Add to Shopping List

Instructions

Begin by pressing tofu: Either wrap in a clean towel and set something heavy on top or use a tofu press. Press for a total of ~30 minutes.
PEANUT SAUCE: In the meantime, prepare peanut sauce by adding all ingredients except water to a small mixing bowl (starting with the lesser quantity of each ingredient). Whisk to combine then add a little water at a time and whisk until creamy, smooth, and pourable. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more tamari or coconut aminos for saltiness, maple syrup for sweetness, chili garlic for heat, or lime for acidity. Set aside for serving.
TOFU: Once pressed, slice tofu into ~3/4-inch cubes and add to a large mixing bowl or Tupperware with a lid. Add the tamari, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup (reserve the cornstarch for later). Seal with the lid and toss gently to combine. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
At this time, heat your oven to 400 degrees F (204 C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
After 15 minutes, add cornstarch (starting with the lesser quantity and working your way up), and cover again and toss gently to coat. You’ll know you’ve added enough cornstarch when the tofu no longer appears wet and the cornstarch is evenly coating each piece.
Heat a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add a bit more sesame oil. Then add only as much tofu as will fit comfortably in the pan (be careful not to crowd). Cook until golden brown on all sides — ~2-3 minutes per side — flipping with a fork or small spatula. Then transfer to your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes (at 400 F / 204 C), or until crispy and firm. We find this step really elevates the tofu’s texture and gives the coating more crispiness.
VEGGIES: In the meantime, prepare veggies and herbs (optional) for serving. We recommend finely shredded carrots, thinly sliced radish and green onion, and fresh cilantro and/or Thai basil. Set aside.
Lastly, prepare lettuce or cabbage by washing and drying and gently separating ~10 cup-size lettuce or cabbage leaves. They should be slightly larger than the palm of your hand (big enough to accommodate ~5 cubes of tofu and veggie toppings).
TO SERVE: Arrange cups/leaves on a platter and top each with ~5 cubes tofu (as original recipe is written, you should have ~10 lettuce cups). Top with veggies and herbs of choice and serve with peanut sauce on the side.
Best when fresh. Ingredients keep separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (peanut sauce = 1 week; tofu = 3-4 days, veggies = 1 week, herbs = 1-2 days). Reheat tofu on the stovetop over medium heat or in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven until hot.

Notes

*The best peanut butter to use is made with just peanuts and salt (no other additives). Our favorite brand currently is Wild Friends.*If subbing coconut aminos, know that they aren’t as pungent or salty in flavor as tamari and soy sauce. So you may need to add a bit more than the recommended amount. Season to taste.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount where ranges are provided, with 1/4 each carrots, radish, green onion, and bean sprouts, and without optional ingredients.*Recipe as written makes ~50 pieces of tofu, which yields ~10 lettuce wraps.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1lettuce wrap Calories 160 (8%) Carbohydrates 11.1g (4%) Protein 9.6g (19%) Fat 9.6g (15%) Saturated Fat 1.5g (8%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g Monounsaturated Fat 4.1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 475mg (20%) Potassium 272mg (8%) Fiber 1.9g (8%) Sugar 3.9g (8%) Vitamin A 790IU (16%) Vitamin C 3.9mg (4%) Calcium 177mg (18%) Iron 2.4mg (13%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10(Lettuce Wraps)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 160 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1lettuce wrap
Calories	160	8%
Carbohydrates	11.1g	4%
Protein	9.6g	19%
Fat	9.6g	15%
Saturated Fat	1.5g	8%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2.7g	16%
Monounsaturated Fat	4.1g	21%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	475mg	20%
Potassium	272mg	6%
Fiber	1.9g	8%
Sugar	3.9g	8%
Vitamin A	790IU	16%
Vitamin C	3.9mg	4%
Calcium	177mg	18%
Iron	2.4mg	13%