Seared Sesame Tofu with Gochujang Glaze and Stirred Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Firm tofu pan-seared to a golden brown, topped with a spicy-sweet gochujang glaze, paired with colorful sautéed vegetables. This Korean recipe (vegan), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs extra-firm tofu, gochujang, rice vinegar 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 1/2-inch slices extra-firm tofu
• 2 tbsp gochujang
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
• 1 medium julienned carrot
• 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 2 chopped scallions
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until smooth to make the glaze.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 14 oz pressed and sliced extra-firm tofu, searing for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
3. Step 3: Brush the tofu slices with the gochujang glaze and cook for an additional 1 minute per side until the glaze thickens and coats the tofu.
4. Step 4: In another skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add 2 cups shredded napa cabbage, 1 julienned carrot, and 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender yet crisp.
6. Step 6: Stir in 2 chopped scallions and cook for another minute.
7. Step 7: Plate the glazed tofu over the sautéed vegetables and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.