Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli

Name: Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 3 serving
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 Tbsp water; 1 Tbsp sesame oil; 2 Tbsp brown sugar; 2 Tbsp rice vinegar; 1 Tbsp ginger; 2 cloves garlic; 2 Tbsp sesame seeds; 1 Tbsp cornstarch; 14 oz extra-firm tofu; salt; 2 Tbsp cornstarch; 2 Tbsp vegetable oil; 1/2 lb broccoli floret; 3-4 green onion; 4 cups rice

User Reviews

4.6

337 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
3
Calories
64707 kcal
Course
Main Course, Others
Cuisine
Asian, International, Vegetarian, Vegan

Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli

Nancy Wheeler

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Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli features crispy tofu cubes coated in cornstarch and cooked until golden, simmered briefly with a flavorful sauce combining soy, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Paired with tender broccoli florets and green onions, this stir-fry balances savory, nutty, and sweet flavors. It’s served with rice, making a satisfying plant-based main or side dish.

Description

This recipe begins by pressing extra-firm tofu to remove excess moisture, then cutting and seasoning it with salt and cornstarch. The cornstarch forms a light crust when pan-fried in vegetable oil over medium heat, producing a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender. The sauce combines soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch dissolved in water, which thickens during cooking.

In a skillet, the tofu is pan-fried until golden. Then broccoli florets and green onions are added to the pan for a quick stir-fry, allowing the broccoli to become tender but retain bite. The prepared sauce is poured in and cooked briefly to thicken and coat the tofu and vegetables. The dish is finished by serving atop cooked rice, creating a balanced meal with textures from crispy tofu and crisp-tender broccoli highlighted by an Asian-inspired sauce with sesame and ginger notes.

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Ingredients

Servings

SAUCE

1/4 cup soy sauce $0.20
2 Tbsp water $0.00
1 Tbsp sesame oil $0.33, toasted
2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.08
2 Tbsp rice vinegar $0.22
1 Tbsp ginger $0.10, grated fresh
2 cloves garlic $0.16, minced
2 Tbsp sesame seeds $0.15
1 Tbsp cornstarch $0.04

STIR FRY

14 oz extra-firm tofu $1.99, block
salt $0.02, pinch
2 Tbsp cornstarch $0.08
2 Tbsp vegetable oil $0.04, neutral; or canola, or peanut oil
1/2 lb broccoli floret $1.00, frozen
3-4 green onion $0.23, sliced
4 cups rice $0.88, cooked

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Instructions

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Place a few folded paper towels or a clean, lint-free dish cloth on a large plate. Remove the tofu from the package and place it on the towels. Place more towels on top, cover with a second plate, and then weigh the top plate down with a few canned goods or a pot filled with water. Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to extract excess water (refrigerate if pressing for longer).
While the tofu is pressing, prepare the sauce so that the flavors have time to blend. In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch. Stir until the brown sugar and cornstarch are dissolved, then set the sauce aside.
Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes, then season with a pinch of salt. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp cornstarch over the cubes, then toss to coat. Repeat with the second tablespoon of cornstarch, or until the tofu cubes have a nice even coating of cornstarch.
Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp oil and tilt the skillet until the bottom is coated in a thick layer of oil. Add the dusted tofu cubes and let cook until golden brown on the bottom. Use a spatula to turn the cubes to an uncooked side, and cook until golden brown again. Continue this process until brown and crispy on all sides, then remove the crispy tofu to a clean plate.
Add the frozen broccoli to the hot skillet and briefly stir fry until slightly browned on the edges. Don't worry if it's not thawed through yet, it will warm through after adding the sauce. Lower the heat to medium-low.
Give the bowl of sauce a good stir, then pour it into the skillet with the broccoli. Stir and cook until the sauce begins to bubble and thicken (this should happen very quickly). Once thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the cooked tofu cubes.
Serve the tofu and broccoli over a bed of cooked rice, topped with sliced green onions.