Tamarind-Glazed Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Pan-fried tofu with a tangy tamarind glaze, served with a creamy peanut dipping sauce and fresh herbs for brightness. This Thai-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, tamarind paste, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp water until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Return tofu to the skillet on medium heat, pour the tamarind glaze over tofu and cook for 2 minutes, turning gently to coat the tofu pieces evenly until the glaze thickens and becomes sticky.
  4. Step 4: For the peanut sauce, whisk 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter, 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove in a bowl until creamy and smooth.
  5. Step 5: Plate the tamarind-glazed tofu and drizzle with peanut sauce. Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, and 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately as a flavorful appetizer or side dish.

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