One-Pan Sweet & Spicy Tofu

This One-Pan Sweet & Spicy Tofu comes together so easily and is packed with sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. The tofu is pan-fried until golden brown, then simmered in an aromatic sauce with scallions, garlic, soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili oil.

I love this one because it comes together in one pan and is perfect over a bowl of steamed rice. The longer it sits in the sauce, the more flavorful it gets too as the tofu will continue to soak up all the sauce. The sauce thickens as it cooks down from the sugar, coating the tofu pieces with a sticky, flavorful glaze that's so good with green onions and sesame seeds. 

This recipe’s perfect for big batch cooking and meal-prep too!

You can adjust the heat depending on the chili oil or chili sauce of your choice. Feel free to start with less, taste the sauce, and add more if you want extra heat.

Why You'll Love This One-Pan Sweet And Spicy Tofu

• Comes together in one pan with simple pantry sauce ingredients.
• Packed with savory, garlicky, and lightly tangy flavors.
• The tofu soaks up the flavor more as it sits, so the tofu is even tastier the next day!
• Great for big batch cooking and meal-prep!
• Perfect served hot over steamed rice.

The Inspiration

I always love a tofu dish with a sauce that clings to every piece but at the same time I’m always looking for easy recipes with minimal clean-up! This one starts by cooking the white parts of scallions in oil until aromatic, then that scallion oil gets mixed into the sauce for extra flavor.

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS ONE-PAN TOFU
SAUCE

• 1 scallion white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp neutral oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce optional for color
• 1 1/2 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp chili oil or chili sauce of choice, adjust to desired heat

TOFU

• 1 lb extra firm tofu pressed and drained from water

TO FINISH

• Green onions
• Sesame seeds

TO SERVE

• Extra chili oil or chili sauce optional
• Steamed rice

HOW TO MAKE THIS ONE-PAN SWEET & SPICY TOFU

PREPARE THE SAUCE BASE

• Thinly slice the scallion and separate the white and green parts. Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Once hot, add the white parts of the scallion and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until aromatic. Transfer the scallion oil and cooked scallion whites to a bowl.
• Add the garlic, soy sauce, dark soy sauce if using, vegetarian oyster sauce, sugar, water, rice vinegar, and chili oil or chili sauce. Mix well and adjust to taste.

PREPARE THE TOFU

• Slice the pressed tofu into 3/4 to 1-inch thick pieces. Pat dry with a towel.

PAN-FRY THE TOFU

• Heat the same pan over medium high heat. Add more oil if needed, then pan-fry the tofu in a single layer for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

SIMMER IN THE SAUCE

• Pour the sauce over the tofu. Cover the pan and allow the sauce to come to a boil, then lower the heat to medium.
• Scoop the sauce over the tofu or carefully flip the pieces. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

FINISH AND SERVE

• Turn off the heat. Top with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice and enjoy!

MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

• Shredded Tofu 'Bulgogi’
• Maple Hoisin Tofu
• Baked Peanut and Lime Tofu
• Kung Pao Tofu
• Pineapple Cashew Tofu Stir-Fry
• Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu
• Black Pepper Tofu Steaks
• Tofu "Chicken" Teriyaki
• Korean Spicy Braised Tofu
• Fried 'Chicken' and Gravy
• Tofu Katsu
• Nori-Wrapped Tofu in Spicy Sauce
• Maple Hoisin Tofu

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