Description
A delicious and comforting vegan Sweet and Sour Tofu recipe featuring crispy fried tofu tossed in a flavorful sweet and sour sauce with pineapples, bell peppers, and a hint of garlic. Perfect for a quick meal or meal prep, this dish captures the classic takeout taste with a healthier plant-based twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 (16 ounce) block firm tofu (or extra firm tofu pressed, and torn into 1 to 2 inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten free if needed, or liquid aminos or tamari)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup oil for frying
Vegetables & Fruits
- 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped/cubed pineapple
- 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/3 cup sugar (cane, brown, or granulated; 1/4 cup optional)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup vinegar (preferably rice or white vinegar)
- 1/4 cup water (or pineapple juice)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten free if needed, or liquid aminos or tamari)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- chopped scallion
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess water, then tear it into 1 to 2 inch pieces. In a bowl, toss the tofu pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to marinate briefly.
- Coat the tofu: Sprinkle cornstarch over the tofu pieces and toss to coat evenly, which will help them become crispy when fried.
- Fry the tofu: Heat 1/4 cup oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the coated tofu pieces in batches until golden brown and crisp on all sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped red onion and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat until slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water (or pineapple juice), 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder until fully combined.
- Combine sauce and tofu: Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in the pineapple pieces and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Finish the dish: Add the crispy fried tofu back to the skillet and gently toss to coat all pieces with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve hot with rice or preferred side.
Notes
- This Sweet and Sour Tofu is a favorite comfort food and mimics the classic takeout flavor perfectly in a vegan version.
- Pressing the tofu well and coating it with cornstarch ensures a crispy texture after frying.
- The dish comes together quickly and is ideal for meal prep as it reheats well.
- You can substitute sugar types depending on preference but keep the measurements close for balanced flavor.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 372 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 793 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
