Description
Crispy pan-fried garlic tofu delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors with a zesty lime soy sauce. Garlic-infused tofu creates a delightful main dish that brings restaurant-quality cuisine straight to home kitchens, inviting you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 block extra firm tofu, pressed & drained well
Sauce & Marinade:
- 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) soy sauce, or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) light brown sugar
- 3 large cloves garlic, grated
- 1 lime, zest and juice
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Sambal Oelek, or substitute Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water, or low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
Garnish & Cooking:
- Vegetable oil, for cooking
- 1 to 2 green onions, sliced on the diagonal
- ½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) toasted white sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, and honey in a mixing vessel to create a vibrant marinade with balanced flavors.
- Cube tofu into uniform pieces, then submerge in half the prepared marinade, allowing the protein to absorb robust flavors for 20-30 minutes.
- Dust marinated tofu pieces with cornstarch, ensuring each cube is lightly and evenly coated for enhanced crispness.
- Warm a nonstick skillet over medium heat, adding a thin layer of vegetable oil to prevent sticking and promote golden browning.
- Carefully transfer cornstarch-coated tofu into the heated pan, arranging pieces to maximize surface contact and achieve even caramelization.
- Gently rotate tofu cubes every 2-3 minutes, creating a crispy exterior with a golden-brown color on all sides.
- Pour reserved marinade into a separate saucepan, simmering to concentrate flavors and reduce liquid volume.
- Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with a small amount of the reduced sauce, then reintegrate into the saucepan.
- Stir continuously until sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the back of a spoon.
- Incorporate pan-fried tofu into the refined sauce, ensuring each piece is generously glazed.
- Transfer to a serving platter, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions, cilantro, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Accompany with fragrant jasmine rice for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinate tofu in half the zesty sauce for maximum flavor absorption and tender texture.
- Coating cubes with cornstarch creates an irresistibly crispy golden exterior that contrasts beautifully with soft inside.
- Simmering and reducing sauce concentrates tangy lime and savory soy notes, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg