This crispy, tangy, and slightly sweet Sweet & Sour Tofu is a perfect plant-based twist on the classic dish. With its crispy tofu, vibrant veggies, and a rich, flavorful sauce, it’s a meal that will satisfy everyone at the table. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something to impress your guests, this dish hits all the right notes.
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
1 block (14 oz) firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed & cubed
2 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon oil (for frying)
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
¼ cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup pineapple juice (or water)
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoon water
For Stir-Fry:
1 cup bell peppers, diced (red, green, or yellow)
½ cup pineapple chunks
½ cup onion, sliced
Sesame seeds & green onions for garnish
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Tofu:
Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. Then, cut it into cubes. Toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch, garlic powder, and black pepper until they are evenly coated. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat, and fry the tofu until it’s golden and crispy. Once done, remove the tofu and set it aside.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), pineapple juice, grated ginger, and minced garlic. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
Stir-Fry the Veggies:
In the same pan where you fried the tofu, sauté the bell peppers and onions for about 2 minutes. Then, add the pineapple chunks and pour in the sweet and sour sauce. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
Combine & Serve:
Toss the crispy tofu back into the pan and stir to coat it in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves about 3-4 people. Preparation time is about 10 minutes, and cooking time is around 20-25 minutes, making this a quick and easy dish to prepare for a delicious meal.
Variations
Protein Swap: For a different protein, try using cauliflower or tempeh instead of tofu. Both options provide a unique texture and absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
Extra Crispiness: If you love extra crispy tofu, try baking or air-frying the tofu at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.
Adjust Sweetness/Tanginess: Feel free to tweak the vinegar and sugar ratio in the sauce to get the perfect balance of sweet and sour to suit your preferences.
Storage/Reheating
To store any leftovers, place the Sweet & Sour Tofu in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For reheating, I recommend gently warming it in a pan over medium heat to keep the tofu crispy. You can also reheat it in the microwave, though the tofu might lose some of its crispiness.
FAQs
How do I press tofu to remove moisture?
I usually press tofu by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and placing a heavy object on top (like a cast-iron skillet). Let it sit for about 15 minutes to remove excess water.
Can I make this recipe without soy sauce?
Yes! If you're looking for a gluten-free or soy-free option, you can substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a similar flavor profile.
Can I use frozen tofu for this recipe?
Yes, frozen tofu works well too. Just be sure to thaw it completely and press out the excess water before cooking to get a nice, crispy texture.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the tofu and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, just heat the tofu and sauce, stir-fry the veggies, and combine everything.
How spicy is this dish?
This Sweet & Sour Tofu is not spicy, but if you want a bit of heat, feel free to add some red pepper flakes or a diced chili pepper to the sauce for an extra kick.
Conclusion
This Sweet & Sour Tofu is a delightful, flavorful dish that I can make over and over again. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a plant-based meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. Whether you’re a tofu lover or just looking for a fresh, easy dinner, this recipe won’t disappoint. Enjoy the balance of crispy tofu, vibrant veggies, and that irresistible sweet and sour sauce—your taste buds will thank you.
Recipe:
Sweet & Sour Tofu
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Sweet & Sour Tofu recipe offers a crispy, flavorful plant-based twist on the classic dish. Featuring golden fried tofu, tangy-sweet sauce, vibrant veggies, and pineapple, it's a perfect balance of textures and flavors. A quick and customizable meal ideal for dinner, lunch, or impressing guests. Perfect for those following a vegan or gluten-free diet, this dish is easy to make and full of satisfying tastes!
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
1 block (14 oz) firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed & cubed
2 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp oil (for frying)
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
¼ cup rice vinegar
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tsp grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup pineapple juice (or water)
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoon water
For Stir-Fry:
1 cup bell peppers, diced (red, green, or yellow)
½ cup pineapple chunks
½ cup onion, sliced
Sesame seeds & green onions for garnish
Instructions
-
Prepare the Tofu:
Press tofu to remove moisture, then cut into cubes. Toss tofu with cornstarch, garlic powder, and black pepper. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry tofu until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside. -
Make the Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), pineapple juice, ginger, and garlic. In another bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. -
Stir-Fry the Veggies:
In the same pan, sauté bell peppers and onions for 2 minutes. Add pineapple chunks and pour in the sauce. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened. -
Combine & Serve:
Add the crispy tofu back to the pan and stir to coat in the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
For extra crispiness, try baking or air-frying the tofu at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.
Adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by modifying the sugar and vinegar amounts.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in a pan to maintain tofu's crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Method: Stir-frying, Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 servings
