Spicy Garlicky Sesame Tofu (30 Minutes!)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
345 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Spicy Garlicky Sesame Tofu (30 Minutes!)
Description
In this recipe, super-firm tofu is crumbled into half- to one-inch pieces, tossed with oil and salt, then baked at 425°F until golden and slightly crisp on the outside while remaining tender inside. This preparation adds texture contrast. The sauce combines sweet maple syrup with savory tamari, bright rice vinegar, and fragrant toasted sesame oil, balanced by garlic’s pungency and red pepper flakes' heat.
The sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry, giving it a glossy, clingy finish that coats each tofu piece evenly. Toasted sesame seeds sprinkled in add nutty flavor and texture. Optional green onions add freshness, while serving the dish with rice and steamed broccoli completes the meal with starch and vegetables.
This dish accommodates substitution of extra firm tofu if super-firm is unavailable, with recommended pressing to remove moisture. Arrowroot starch can substitute cornstarch in smaller quantity though it thickens differently. The recipe yields rough nutrition estimates without optional ingredients.
Ingredients
TOFU
- 1 (14-16 oz / 397-453 g) package tofu super firm, high-protein
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 tsp salt sea salt
SAUCE
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- 2 ½ Tbsp tamari gluten-free as needed, or soy sauce
- 4 tsp rice vinegar
- 4 tsp sesame oil toasted
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 large cloves garlic grated or pressed
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
TO THICKEN SAUCE
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp water
FOR SERVING optional
- green onion thinly sliced
- rice brown, white, or cauliflower rice
- broccoli steamed
Instructions
- If serving with rice, cauliflower rice, or steamed broccoli, begin preparing at this time. Cook the rice on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot, or in a rice cooker. Steam the broccoli in a steamer basket set over boiling water for ~4-6 minutes, or until tender but still a vibrant green color. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
- TOFU: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Crumble the tofu into pieces 1/2 to 1 inch in size and arrange them on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Add oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to evenly coat the tofu. Once the oven is preheated, bake for 10 minutes, flip with a spatula, and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the tofu is a little firm and golden with crispy edges.
- SAUCE: To a medium saucepan, add the maple syrup, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, to a small bowl, add the cornstarch and water and stir to combine. Once the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch mixture, stir, and continue simmering, stirring occasionally until the sauce becomes thick like honey — about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame seeds. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, tamari for overall flavor, garlic for zing, or red pepper flakes for heat. Set aside.
- Once the tofu is golden brown, place it into the sauce and stir to fully coat. Serve warm with rice, steamed vegetables, or other sides for a tasty meal!
- You can prep the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. If it becomes too thick, add a bit of water when you reheat it in a saucepan. Otherwise, the cooked dish is best when fresh.
Notes
- If super-firm tofu is unavailable, use extra firm or firm tofu pressed to remove excess moisture before baking.
- Arrowroot starch can replace cornstarch at half the amount, though it will yield a somewhat different sauce texture.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and excludes optional serving ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 345 | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 16.4g | 5% |
| Protein | 20.7g | 41% |
| Fat | 22.4g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8g | 19% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8g | 16% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4.7g | 24% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 795mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 249mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3.7g | 15% |
| Sugar | 9.3g | 19% |
| Vitamin A | 12IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 138mg | 14% |
| Iron | 4.6mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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