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    Home » Vegan Recipes » Vegan Main Courses » 20 Minute Meals » Sticky Tofu with ginger

    Sticky Tofu with ginger

    Published: Jul 25, 2017 · Modified: Mar 9, 2022 by Kate Ford · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sticky Tofu
    JUMP TO RECIPE JUMP TO VIDEO PRINT RECIPE BOOKMARK SAVED!
    pinterest pin for sticky tofu

    This quick sticky tofu is packed with flavour, deliciously crisp and chewy. On the table in under 20 minutes, a protein-packed midweek meal.

    🍴Why you will love this recipe

    Cooking tofu can be a bit intimidating if you haven't tried it before. Will it end up soggy, flabby and tasteless? No!

    This easy-peasy recipe produces perfect sticky tofu every time. Packed with flavour, sticky and crispy, and as spicy as you like. A dusting of cornflour helps to get a crisp golden crust to the tofu, and a simple sticky sauce with just three ingredients ensures a punchy coating.

    I serve this sticky tofu with rice and steamed greens, but you can use is in many ways - in a wrap or pitta, topping a salad or with noodles and soy sauce.

    Jump to:
    • 🍴Why you will love this recipe
    • 📝 What you need
    • 👩🏽‍🍳 How to make your Sticky Tofu
    • 🔪 Top Tips & FAQs
    • 🍽 If you liked that...
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments and Reviews
    ingredients for sticky tofu

    📝 What you need

    Extra-firm tofu Choosing the right type of tofu is the most important step in this recipe - it can be confusing! You need extra-firm (not firm or silken) which is found in the chiller cabinets in supermarkets - usually in the vegan//vegetarian section. I usually choose the Tofoo brand pictured above, which doesn't need pressing like other brands.

    Cornflour gives a lovely crispy crust to the tofu, but if you don't have any to hand don't worry - just leave it out.

    Soy sauce is the main ingredient in the sticky sauce, with its salty, deeply savoury flavour. If you prefer, you can use a lower salt variety so you have more control over the seasoning.

    Ketchup is my top secret ingredient to make the sauce super-sticky. When I have time I use rice vinegar, maple syrup and tomato purée in my tofu marinade, but ketchup does all three jobs in one - adding vinegar, sweetness and tomato all in one go. Easy peasy!

    👩🏽‍🍳 How to make your Sticky Tofu

    For a full, printable recipe with ingredients and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this page 👇🏼.

    Slice and dry the tofu

    Cut the tofu into strips 1cm thick, then pat them dry with kitchen paper.

    Dust in cornflour and dry

    Toss the tofu strips in cornflour and season with salt, then fry them gently until crisp and golden.

    chop chillis and make sauce

    Finely chop the garlic, ginger and chilli. Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil and ketchup in a small bowl.

    add garlic ginger and sauce

    When the tofu is golden and crispy, add the ginger, garlic and chilli and cook for a minute or two, then pour in the sauce and bubble until the tofu is sticky and fully coated. Serve immediately with rice and green vegetables.

    🔪 Top Tips & FAQs

    Pat the tofu dry as much as possible. Too much moisture released during cooking will stop the tofu crisping up.

    If the sticky sauce becomes too dry, add a splash of water to the pan and let it bubble off.

    Make the sauce more spicy by adding 1tbsp sriacha or chilli sauce, or if you prefer you can leave out the chilli altogether.

    Easy Sticky Tofu
    Can I cook the sticky tofu in advance?

    The tofu is definitely at its best when served straight from the pan. If it is left to sit around it can become a bit chewy.

    Can I bake the tofu instead of frying it?

    Yes this works well too. Toss the tofu pieces in oil after coating in cornflour, and bake for 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy. Toss them in the sticky sauce then return to the oven for 2-3 minutes until sticky and golden.

    Why won't my tofu get crispy?

    If your tofu isn't crispy enough, it is probably that too much moisture was released during cooking. Make sure your tofu is patted dry as much as possible before coating in cornflour, and give it a bit of space in the frying pan. If your frying pan is small you may need to cook it in two batches.

    Loved this recipe? ⭐️ Leave a star rating below! 📸 Snap a photo of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram, tagging me @thevegspace or #thevegspace 📩 And get all my latest recipes in a weekly e-mail by subscribing to my newsletter.

    🍽 If you liked that...

    .... you might also enjoy these vegan recipes from The Veg Space:

    • Satay Tofu
      Easy Satay Tofu
    • Vegan Katsu Curry
      Vegan Tofu Katsu Curry
    • Banana Blossom Fish
      Banana Blossom 'Fish & Chips'
    • Sweet Chilli Noodles
      Sweet Chilli Noodles

    📖 Recipe

    sesame and ginger tofu

    Sticky Tofu with ginger

    Kate Ford | The Veg Space
    This quick sticky tofu is packed with flavour, deliciously crisp and chewy. On the table in under 20 minutes, a protein-packed midweek meal.
    5 from 10 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 436 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the tofu:

    • 450 g extra-firm tofu I like the Tofoo brand
    • 2 tablespoon cornflour
    • 2 tablespoon rapeseed or sunflower oil
    • 2 cm fresh ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 red chilli

    For the sticky sauce:

    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoon tomato ketchup
    • 2 tablespoon water

    To serve:

    • 2 spring onions
    • 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
    • handful fresh coriander finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the tofu into strips 1cm thick, then pat them dry with kitchen paper.
    • Tip the cornflour onto a plate and sprinkle it with salt. Toss the tofu pieces in cornflour.
    • Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the tofu slices for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy all over.
    • Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the ginger and peel and crush the garlic. Remove the seeds from the chilli and slice it finely.
    • In a small bowl or mug, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, ketchup and water and mix to a smooth sauce.
    • When the tofu is cooked, add the ginger, garlic and chilli to the pan and cook for a minute or two.
    • Pour the sauce into the pan and bubble for a minute, turning over the tofu until it is fully coated and sticky all over.
    • Scatter with the sesame seeds, then serve sprinkled with sliced spring onion and finey chopped coriander.

    ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

    Video

    Notes

    Pat the tofu dry as much as possible. Too much moisture released during cooking will stop the tofu crisping up.
    If the sticky sauce becomes too dry, add a splash of water to the pan and let it bubble off.
    Make the sauce more spicy by adding 1tbsp sriacha or chilli sauce, or if you prefer you can leave out the chilli altogether.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 436kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 21gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 1307mgPotassium: 593mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 413IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Mention @thevegspace or #thevegspace
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    Vegan in 15 by Kate Ford

    For more quick and easy vegan recipes take a look at my latest book Vegan in 15.

    "Brilliant! Chock full of easy recipes and great tips and advice"  Hello! Magazine

    Please note that all recipes and images on The Veg Space are copyright protected. If you would like to share the recipe, please use the share buttons provided. Do not screenshot or copy and paste the recipe, (even if credited to The Veg Space). Many thanks for your understanding

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    About Kate Ford

    Hi! I'm Kate, vegan home cook and blogger behind The Veg Space and author of Vegan in 15. I'm passionate about creating easy vegan recipes that even a first-time cook can follow.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie says

      March 09, 2022 at 1:49 pm

      Oh wow, this looks quite delicious. I will save this on my list to make. Maybe tomorrow for dinner. Heading to the store to get tofu right now. Thanks.

      Reply
    2. Tracy says

      March 09, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      My husband loved these and he claims he doesn't like tofu! What a great recipe! So delicious, thank you!

      Reply
    3. Gina says

      March 09, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Been looking for new tofu recipes and this was so delicious! It was easy to make and full of flavor!

      Reply
    4. Sisley White - Sew White says

      March 09, 2022 at 11:40 am

      This looks so tasty! I could dive right in and be very very happy. I love ginger and chillies so much!

      Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo says

      March 09, 2022 at 11:35 am

      Never had tofu before until now Perfect for my diet! This really was delicious!! so happy how easy it was also!

      Reply
    6. pavitra says

      August 09, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Wow, Its looking delicious. I would try it for sure. Your recipes are superb. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. All That I'm Eating says

      August 01, 2017 at 9:51 am

      I really like the sound of the tofu with the sticky sauce, it sounds delicious. An ideal mid-week meal this!

      Reply
    8. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      July 31, 2017 at 9:17 pm

      I'm always looking for new ideas for tofu and that looks super tasty! Thanks for submitting it to Meat Free Mondays. I've featured your recipes and shared it 🙂

      Reply
    9. Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says

      July 27, 2017 at 11:29 am

      Oooh yum! This looks and sounds so good. I do love tofu but only when it is in a sauce like this. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x

      Reply
    10. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says

      July 26, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      What a great solution for cooking tofu at home. I admit, I am in the same camp as you were: I’ll eat tofu out, but cooking at home? NEVER. I’m inspired to give it another try.

      Reply
    11. Deborah says

      July 26, 2017 at 7:25 am

      I love cooking with tofu and my teriyaki tofu is crispy, spicy, and very moreish. Wonder when this new marinate will filter into the wilds of Wales?

      Reply
    12. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says

      July 25, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      This looks so delicious!I am a big tofu fan and I love, love , LOVE the idea of pre-marinated tofu - total genius!! Love what you've done with it too. Eb x

      Reply

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