Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu with Soy-Ginger Glaze
Golden pan-fried tofu cubes tossed in a savory soy-ginger glaze, perfect for a quick and flavorful vegan main or side. This Asian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs firm tofu, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz block, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 stalks sliced green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Press a 14 oz block of firm tofu for at least 20 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Step 2: Toss tofu cubes gently with 3 tbsp cornstarch to coat evenly.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 4: Add tofu cubes in a single layer and pan-fry without moving for 3-4 minutes until bottoms are golden and crispy.
- Step 5: Flip tofu cubes carefully and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until all sides are crisp and golden.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar.
- Step 7: Pour the soy-ginger glaze over the tofu in the skillet and stir gently to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to tofu.
- Step 8: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions over the tofu before serving.








