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

How do you make tofu more interesting? ›

How to Make Tofu Taste Good
  1. Understand the different tofu varieties. ...
  2. Press your tofu. ...
  3. Marinate the tofu – for a long time! ...
  4. Use cornstarch to make crispy tofu. ...
  5. Use sesame oil for pan-frying. ...
  6. A good sauce is your best friend. ...
  7. Crumble it up. ...
  8. Use your blender.
Apr 6, 2022

How to make tofu from soy milk? ›

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.

How to make tofu like takeaway? ›

Pat each cube dry. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook on all sides until golden brown, 2-4 minutes per side, then remove from the pan and set aside.

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.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

Which milk is used in tofu? ›

Tofu is made from condensed soy milk in a process similar to cheese making. It's often made from GMO soybeans, so if you're worried about GMOs, organic tofu is your best option.

Can you 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 does restaurant tofu taste different? ›

This difference in taste is largely due to one key ingredient: salt. In the culinary world, salt is a key flavor enhancer that unlocks and elevates the natural tastes of food. When it comes to tofu, which is naturally quite mild-tasting, salt becomes a critical component in transforming it into something delicious.

What kind of tofu do Chinese restaurants use? ›

White in colour and tender to touch, soft tofu (yun dou fu) contains the highest water content of all tofu types and is widely used in Cantonese and other southern Chinese cuisines. It's similar to Japanese silken tofu, but while very soft it has a bit more “body” to it, making it slightly easier to handle and cut.

What does soaking tofu in salt water do? ›

Soaking tofu in salted water is an alternative to pressing or freezing, and it takes just 15 minutes. It draws out excess water from the tofu for a crispier crust. Plus, it has the added benefit of seasoning the tofu by osmosis as the salty solution displaces the unseasoned water content inside.

How do you make tofu less boring? ›

How do you get flavor into bland tofu? This blogger starts by soaking extra-firm tofu in salted water to season and soften it. Then she drains extra moisture by weighing it down (use a heavy pan). After marinating in oil, salt, and pepper, the tofu is stir-fried until crisp and golden.

How to add flavor to tofu? ›

In a medium-size bowl place the pressed and cubed tofu. Add the soy sauce and toss to coat. Add in all of the other marinade ingredients (rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, agave, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika and water) and toss to thoroughly combine.

What is the best way to eat tofu? ›

It can be baked, fried, sautéed, marinated, scrambled – in short: it can really do it all. And newsflash: you don't need to be vegetarian to partake! Tofu is high in protein and low in fat, and is a great alternative in many dishes that have meat.

Why don't I like the taste of tofu? ›

If you're new to a plant-based diet you may think you don't like tofu, but chances are it's just been prepared wrong. In reality, plain tofu is not very flavorful at all (but that's the great thing about it!).

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