Garlic Tofu

This Garlic Tofu features crispy tofu in a flavorful garlic sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes; perfect for a busy weeknights.

Tofu is such a staple for our meals. We have it at least one time a week and there are endless ways to prepare it so we never get tired of one single recipe. This garlic tofu uses components from some of our favorite recipes and the more I made it, the more I nailed the perfect flavor with this quick and easy sauce. I love the texture of baked tofu, but sometimes there isn’t 20+ minutes to bake tofu, and other times you just don’t want to turn on the oven. Enter a quick crispy tofu made right on the stove. The cornstarch coating gives this a “faux fry” texture. And the flavor is so yummy- its a little bit garlicy, a little bit salty and a tiny bit spicy.

Tofu gets a bad rap for being kind of flavorless. It totally is (although my kids eat it plain- weird I know!). But the beauty of tofu is that it can be flavored so many different ways, its just a vessel for flavor (albeit a very healthy, high-protein vessel.) But if you haven’t yet found a way to have tofu that you like, keep trying until you find one you like. (Ahem, like this one.) Tofu can be so delicious, I promise.

Why You’ll Love This

The tofu gets pressed, then coated in cornstarch which helps give a crispy coating to the tofu. After a quick pan fry, it gets coated in the garlic/soy sauce/peanut butter sauce and voilà, delicious tofu in a really short amount of time. Serve this over jasmine or brown rice, noodles, in lettuce wraps- really anything works! Add a veggie on the side and you have a complete meal!

This quick garlic tofu is really a great pantry meal, too. I always have garlic in my pantry and tofu in my fridge. As long as I have rice in my pantry and some frozen broccoli, I have a complete meal ready quickly. Perfect for those days when you need something quick and easy but really delicious.

Serving Suggestions

This quick garlic tofu tofu is perfect served with jasmine rice, brown rice, rice noodles, and chow mien. For grain and gluten free, try in a lettuce wrap. Feel free to garnish with sliced green onions and extra hot sauce (such as sriracha or more chili garlic sauce).

Veggies that go great with this recipe are broccoli, green beans, or even edamame. But honestly use whatever you love or have on hand!

Storing & Reheating

Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. To reheat, just microwave until heated through.

Substitutions

Cornstarch- for a GF sub for cornstarch, use Arrowroot Powder

Soy Sauce- for a soy free or GF sub, try Tamari or Liquid Aminos

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Recipe

Garlic Tofu

This Garlic Tofu features crispy tofu in a flavorful garlic sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes; perfect for a busy weeknights.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Keyword garlic tofu, tofu

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Ingredients

For the Tofu

1 14oz block of tofu, extra firm
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp neutral oil, for cooking

The Sauce

3 cloves garlic
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp chili garlic sauce

Instructions

Press the tofu. Remove tofu from package and place between paper towels or clean kitchen towels with something heavy on top and press while you get other ingredients ready.
Prepare the sauce. Chop garlic, add to a small bowl. Add remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Prepare the tofu. Cut tofu into bite size squares and add to a large bowl. Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu and mix to coat evenly.
Cook the tofu. Heat pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add oil to heat. Add tofu, working in batches if needed. Try not to disturb the tofu too much, it will flip when it is ready. Tofu is done with all sides have a light golden color.
Add sauce and serve. One tofu is cooked, add all back to the pan (if doing batches). Add sauce and stir to coat. Once tofu is completely coated, remove from heat and serve.