Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2024)

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Published: May 10, 2018Updated: October 3, 2019Author: Jenn Laughlin

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This Honey Garlic Tofu recipe is a great way to jazz up tofu! Pair it with crisp broccoli and fluffy brown rice for a tofu bowl that’s sure to have you skipping take-out for this tasty homemade recipe!

Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (1)

I’ve been on a serious tofu kick lately!

A fun twist on myhoney garlic shrimp recipe, this honey garlic tofu is smothered in a sweet and savory sauce and served with veggies and grains for a balanced meal that’s sure to curb your take-out cravings!

It’s pretty darn delicious if I do say so myself! Even my T-Rex husband devoured a bowl!

Not only is this dish cheaper than take-out restaurant fare, it’s also ready to eat right away, ensuring every bite is piping hot and fresh as can be.No more soggy delivery eats!

Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2)

Honey Garlic Tofu

When it comes to this scrumptious honey garlic tofu, you have two tasty options for cooking your tofu.

pan-fried tofu

This is by far the fastest method. You’ll only need about 1-2 TBSP of oil (no deep-frying needed!) and a light dusting of either cornstarch or arrowroot powder will ensure your tofu doesn’t stick and that it gets a nice crispy sear on the edges.

crispy baked tofu

The next method requires you carve out 25-30 minutes bake time in your dinner prep schedule but it’s hands-off time you can use to make your veggies and rice so it’s no big deal at all.

You’ll bake the lightly coated tofu until crispy on a parchment paper lined pan at about 400 degrees F until the edges are crispy and the tofu is nice and hot.

side dishes for tofu

Serve this honey garlic tofu in a bowl piled high with your favorite side dishes. I like to add brown rice and something green. Broccoli, asparagus, edamame, bok choy anything goes! They can be steamed, roasted, or stir-fried. Choose your favorite grains and veggies and make it a meal!

Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (3)

Honey Garlic Tofu

This Honey Garlic Tofu recipe is a great way to jazz up tofu! Pair it with crisp broccoli and fluffy brown rice for a tofu bowl that's sure to have you skipping take-out for this tasty homemade recipe!

Recipe cook time will vary based on cooking method chosen as baking takes a bit longer than pan-frying.

4.80 from 20 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Garlic Tofu

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Tofu Press Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

  • 14 oz package extra firm tofu
  • 1 TBSP cornstarch or arrowroot powder (plus extra as needed)
  • 2 TBSP frying oil
  • 1 TBSP sliced green onion
  • 1-2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

SOY MARINADE

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari*
  • 1 TBSP sesame oil
  • 1 TBSP Sriracha chili sauce

HONEY GARLIC SAUCE

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari*
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp ginger paste or fresh minced ginger to taste
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Advance prep: Drain and remove tofu from package. Slice the block of tofu into two 1/2 inch thin planks and place on a stack of 4-5 folded paper towels, placing an additional stack of paper towels on top. Set something heavyish on top (I use a cast iron skillet) to make a make-shift tofu press for water removal. Allow to sit. I usually start my tofu about 30 minutes before I want to start cooking.

  • Once your tofu is ready, whisk together marinade and pour over tofu in a small shallow baking dish or plastic bag. Allow to sit in the fridge for 15 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients. Alternatively you can marinate your tofu the night before to enjoy the following day.

  • Whisk together honey garlic sauce and add to a saucepan or small pot. Set aside.

  • Once your tofu has marinated a bit, cut each plank into 8 bite-sized cubes, for 16 pieces total.

  • Sprinkle either cornstarch or arrowroot starch over the tofu and gently toss until evenly coated and no powdery spots remain.

  • FOR PAN-FRIED TOFU: Bring a pan or cast iron skillet to medium-high heat, then add 2 TBSP oil once hot. Tilt and swirl pan so oil is evenly distributed. Once the oil has evenly heated, add your tofu, spaced, so that no sides touch. Let the first side sear for about 6 minutes so a nice even crust forms. You can shake the pan occasionally so they don't stick but keep them on the first side. Once perfectly golden, flip each tofu nugget to the other side and sear for about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to drain on a paper towel.

  • Add honey garlic sauce to the pan over medium heat and simmer the sauce until it starts to reduce, stirring as needed. Once it starts to thicken, remove from heat (it'll thicken a bit more as it cools) and pour over tofu before serving.

  • FOR BAKED TOFU:Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F and place a piece of parchment paper over a baking sheet. Arrange the coated tofu spaced on the parchment. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing or flipping at the 15-minute mark until nice and crispy.

  • Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onion. Serve with your choice of grains and veggies and dive in!

Notes

* I used Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Tamari Soy Sauce for this recipe. To ensure the type you're using is GF, simply double check the label and you're good to go!

If skipping the arrowroot or cornstarch and pan-frying your tofu, you'll want to use a non-stick skillet to prevent sticking.

While it's totally optional,I find that marinating the tofu adds so much extra flavor! The tofu ends up crispy on the outside, and creamy on the inside with lots of umami flavor from the soy sauce marinade.

Craving a spicy sauce? Add some Sriracha chili sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce. Start with a little and add more to taste.

Serve with your favorite sides. I like to add rice (brown or white) and something green. Broccoli, asparagus, edamame, bok choy anything goes! Choose your favorite grains and veggies and make it a meal! For your grains you can use tofu, noodles, fried rice, regular rice, etc...

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 681mg, Potassium: 193mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 15IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (4)

Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (5)

For a vegan swap, feel free to sweeten your sauce with 2-3 TBSP brown sugar in place of the honey. Adjust to taste.

Instant Pot Brown Rice

I made my rice in the Instant Pot to save on time and keep things hands-off! Add 1 cup of brown rice to your IP along with 1 and 1/4 cups water. Lock lid and set valve to sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, allowing a natural pressure release. One the valve drops, remove the lid and fluff with a fork/spoon. Dive in! If you’re making 2 cups of rice adjust water (or veggie broth) to 2 + 1/2 cups. Cook time will remain the same.

Serve with steamed, roasted, or stir-fried veggies and honey garlic tofu.

behind the blog

  • currently listening to . . .Skyscrapers – OK GO
  • currently reading . . .Greg McKeown’s Essentialism
  • currently watching . . .The Handmaid’s Tale + West World
  • currently behind on . . .Sleep. Always sleep.

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About The Author:

Jenn Laughlin

Hi! I’m Jenn and I’m here to help you eat your veggies! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.

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Honey Garlic Tofu Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't my tofu crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

How do you fry tofu so it doesn't stick to the pan? ›

Always use a non-stick pan – Tofu is prone to sticking, but this can be avoided by cooking it in a quality non-stick pan coated with oil. Don't touch the tofu – Once it's in the pan, don't touch the tofu cubes for a few minutes or until they form a layer of golden crust. This makes them easier to flip and cook.

Can you steam hard tofu? ›

You should only steam regular or silken tofu; other types of tofu are too firm. Place the natural tofu in a container and put this container in the basket of a steamer. Cover the pan and bring the water in the lower pan to a boil. Steam the tofu for 10 to 15 minutes.

How to make tofu from soybeans? ›

Use the soaked beans to make homemade soy milk. Cook the raw soy milk, then strain out the soybean pulp. Bring the soy milk back up to temperature, then add a coagulant to curdle the soymilk. Transfer the soybean curds into a tofu mold and apply pressure to form your block of tofu.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Should you coat tofu in cornstarch before frying? ›

it in olive oil. It gives it a crispy crust when you coat it.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture. It takes on a chewier, firmer texture, which makes it super satisfying to eat and less likely to fall apart.

Can you coat tofu in flour instead of cornstarch? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

Should you press tofu before frying? ›

Most tofu, even firm doesn't need to be pressed before you cook it. Try the recipes without pressing it and see what you think. All it does is change the texture of the tofu. You can also cook the tofu before you put it in a dish to get rid of some of the moisture, but then it doesn't absorb the flavors as much.

Why pour boiling water over tofu? ›

It may seem counterintuitive to add water to something you're trying to dry out, but boiling water will actually cause the tofu to squeeze out more moisture, bringing it to the surface and making it easier to blot off, while the salt gently seasons the slices.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Why boil tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

Can tofu be made from peas? ›

This soy-free tofu is made from affordable split yellow peas! The resulting “peafu” is high protein, low carb, plus it tastes and feels very much like regular extra firm tofu. The process is also very similar to the original tofu-making method with just one easy additional step.

How do you get rid of the smell of tofu? ›

To reduce the smell before cooking, you can rinse the tofu under cold water and pat it dry before frying it. You can also marinate in your preferred marinade and grill it over high heat. Once cooked, stinky tofu will have a mild flavor and creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside texture.

Why did my soy milk turn into tofu? ›

Traditionally, coagulants like nigari or gypsum are used to curdle the soy milk and form tofu. If your homemade soy milk has become solid without the addition of a coagulant, it's possible that the soy milk has been contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that caused it to ferment and curdle.

Why is my tofu so mushy after cooking? ›

Pressing is a particularly important step for crispy tofu if you are looking to cook without oil. If you do not press you will end up with a mushy texture. Pressing works best if you are going to slice your tofu block.

Why isn't my tofu getting crispy in the oven? ›

Why won't my tofu get crisp? This could likely be a result of not drying out the tofu enough to drain out the extra moisture. It's also possible that your oven temperature is not hot enough. Make sure it's preheated and heat the pan in the oven for extra crispness.

How long to press tofu for crispy? ›

How long does it take to press tofu? It takes around half an hour to press the tofu in preparation for cooking. It's simple to do and requires very little effort. You only need a plate, some absorbent fabric or paper, such as clean tea-towels or kitchen paper, and a weight – we often use a frying pan.

How do you fix extra firm tofu? ›

Instructions. Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes and cut into cubes. Add a small amount of oil to a non-stick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add tofu to pan and brown on each side for about 1-2 minutes for a total of about 15 minutes.

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