Sweet and Sour Tofu
User Reviews
4.9
Sweet and Sour Tofu
Description
Sweet and Sour Tofu begins with super firm tofu cut into half-inch cubes and tossed with cornstarch for a crispy exterior when pan-fried in hot oil. The tofu is cooked on all sides to achieve an even golden crust. Meanwhile, chopped red and green bell peppers along with onions are sautéed to bring out their natural sweetness and soften slightly. The sauce combines brown sugar, rice vinegar, water, ketchup, soy sauce, minced garlic, and cornstarch to create the signature sweet and sour flavor with a smooth, thick texture that clings to the tofu and vegetables. The finished dish offers a pleasing contrast between crispy tofu and tender vegetables coated in a flavorful sauce.
This dish can be served as a main vegetarian entrée paired with steamed rice or noodles, or alongside other dishes for a varied meal. Garnishing with green onions and sesame seeds adds a mild freshness and a hint of nuttiness to each bite. It suits those looking for a plant-based meal with familiar flavors.
Tweaking the sauce’s sweetness or acidity is easy by adjusting the amount of sugar or vinegar to taste. For the crispiest tofu, fry the cubes in a single layer in batches, allowing each side to brown undisturbed before turning. Adjust the sauce thickness by adding more water for a looser sauce or extra cornstarch slurry for a thicker glaze.
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- 1 tofu 16-ounce package, super firm, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- ¼ cup cooking oil high heat
- 1 red bell pepper chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 green bell pepper chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 2 medium onion chopped into 1-inch chunks, yellow
For the sauce:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup of water
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- green onion for garnish (optional
- sesame seeds for garnish (optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss the tofu and cornstarch. Toss until all of the cornstarch is stuck to the tofu. Set aside.
- Add the oil to a large skillet with a lid and heat over medium-high heat. One by one, place the tofu cubes in the hot oil, cook each side until golden. Repeat the process of gently tilting the cubes until they lay on an uncooked side. After all sides are golden, remove them all from the pan and placce them in a bowl.
- In the same pan you cooked the tofu, over medium high heat, add the bell pepper, and onions. Saute for 3 minutes.
- While the pepper and onion cook, in a small bowl or jar, mix the sugar, vinegar, water, cornstarch, tomato paste, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix well and until all ingredients are fully dissolved. If you have a frother, I like to use it to make the process go faster.
- Add the tofu back into the pan with the onion and pepper. Pour the sauce and lower the heat to a low. Mix well, cover with a lid and cook for 2 minutes. Mixing sporadically to prevent burning. After the 2 minutes have passed and the sauce has thickened, taste and adjust any sweet and sour levels. To increase the sweetness, dissolve more sugar in hot water and pour it on the pan. To increase the sour, add more vinegar to the pan and mix well.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Fry tofu cubes in a single layer and avoid stirring too often to achieve a crisp crust.
- Adjust sauce sweetness or sourness by varying sugar and vinegar amounts to suit your preference.
- Thin the sauce with water or thicken it by adding extra cornstarch mixed with water to avoid lumps.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 377 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 377kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Sodium | 951mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 312mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
| Vitamin A | 1145IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 67mg | 74% |
| Calcium | 185mg | 19% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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