Black Pepper Tofu (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Vegansita (2024)

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Black Pepper Tofu features tofu coated in a sweet and salty, sticky sauce with green onions and spicy peppers and is perfect served with rice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner! This delicious vegan stir-fry is made in under 30 minutes using everyday ingredients.

Black Pepper Tofu (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Vegansita (1)

For those of you who follow TSV, you know how much I love spicy food. And if you’re a lover of spiciness, this black pepper tofu will work well for you too!

I’ve simplified and made healthy the traditional black pepper tofu, which calls for 1 stick of butter and 3 types of soy sauce. Instead, we’ll be using a little oil and 1 type of soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free).

But not to worry my pepper lovers, this simple and healthy version is so flavorful that you won’t miss a thing!

What I love about this black pepper tofu recipe is that it’s pretty much foolproof and ready in under 30 minutes.

The only thing you may end up doing is adding too much pepper for your taste, those of you who are more sensitive should stick to using the lesser amounts called for and go up from there.

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Black Pepper Tofu Ingredients + Notes

In this recipe, I’ve tried taking into account all the different levels of eating habits, creating a version for almost everyone. You’ll find various ideas on most of the ingredient lines reflecting this.

  • Organic tofu– Super firm, extra firm or firm (tempeh would be great too)
  • Toasted sesame oil – Toasted sesame oil adds a nice nutty flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand use your favorite oil.
  • Tamari – Tamari is great for those avoiding gluten. I’m not gluten intolerant, but it’s a staple in my pantry. Light soy sauce or coconut amino’s will work great too.
  • Pure maple syrup – Adds a nice sweetness to the sticky sauce.
  • Cornstarch – Used to make a slurry. I use and recommend this organic cornstarch(affiliate link). Substitute with arrowroot or tapioca flour.
  • Fresh cracked pepper– Adjust to taste.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best, or sub with 1 heaping teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Ginger– Use fresh minced or grated, or opt to use store bought ginger puree.
  • Scallions – Use the freshest green onions available.
  • Chili peppers – Use Thai chili peppers, jalapeno or serrano peppers. In place of fresh pepper, use 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
  • Cilantro – Used when serving, it adds freshness to the dish. It’s especially nice with all the peppery flavor!

Feel free to change up any of the ingredients using the suggestions or make it your own using whatever ingredients you have on hand.

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How To Make Black Pepper Tofu

  • Prep the tofu by pressing and cubing.
  • Cut the scallions into 1 inch pieces.
  • Make the stir-fry slurry mixture.
  • Cook the tofu in a large wok or skillet.
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  • Pour in slurry mixture, ground pepper, garlic and ginger.
  • Stir fry 3 minutes, allowing the slurry to thicken.
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  • Add in hot peppers and scallions, and cook another 5 minutes or until the scallions are just softened.
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How To Store

  • Refrigerator: Leftover pepper tofu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days, in a covered container.
  • Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding more tamari or splash of water for moisture if needed. Alternately, reheat in the microwave using 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

  • Grain: Serve with a grain such as brown rice, cilantro lime rice, brown rice and quinoa mix, basmati or jasmine rice. Soba noodles would be great too.
  • Fresh herbs: Chopped cilantro is nice too, adding to the flavors while giving a nice dose of freshness to offset the pepperiness. If you love cilantro, you will truly appreciate it here!
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More Easy Tofu Recipes!

  • Kung Pao Tofu
  • Grilled Baha Tofu Tacos + Red Cabbage Slaw
  • Teriyaki Tofu-Tempeh Casserole
  • Grilled Tofu Skewers + Pineapple-Teriyaki Sauce
  • See all tofu recipes on TSV!

If you try this vegan tofu recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

BLACK PEPPER TOFU

Black Pepper Tofu (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Vegansita (8)
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 13 reviews

A healthy version of black pepper tofu without losing any flavor! Makes an easy weeknight meal served with rice that’s ready in 30 minutes.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 3
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Stir-fry
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 1 block (14 – 16 oz.) organic tofu (super firm, extra firm or firm), cubed
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (sesame or grapeseed)
  • 1/4 cup tamari, soy sauce or coconut amino’s
  • 1/4 cup water or veggie broth
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch (tapioca or arrowroot flour is fine too)
  • 12 tablespoons fresh cracked pepper
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 inch knob ginger, minced
  • 1 bunch scallions, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 12 chili’s peppers, sliced and seeds removed or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped, to serve

Instructions

Prep tofu: If not using one of the tofu’s mentioned above, you’ll want to drain and press your tofu to remove excess water. Simply cut tofu into slabs and place between paper towels or a clean dish cloth. With wrapped tofu laying on a flat surface, place a heavy book/object on top for about 15 minutes or so. Here’s a great tutorial from Olives for Dinner: How to press tofu perfectly in six steps.

Stir-fry sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tamari, water, sweetener and flour. This will be your slurry, ensuring your tofu will be coated nicely.

Cook tofu: Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium high. Add tofu and cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until golden on all sides. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Add remaining ingredients: Add in your slurry mixture, ground pepper, garlic and ginger. It will sizzle at first when adding the liquids. Stir fry another 3 minutes or so, add in hot peppers and scallions. Liquids should start to thicken a bit, cook another 5 minutes or until the scallions are just softened.

Serve: Pair with brown rice, brown rice/quinoa mix, basmati or jasmine rice. Soba noodles would be great too. Add a large handful of chopped cilantro on the side, it will add to the flavors while giving a nice dose of freshness to the pepperiness. If you love cilantro, you will truly appreciate it here!

Serves 3

Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days, in a covered container.

Notes

Add more or less of any ingredient to suit your taste. You can also sub in mild chili peppers or sliced jalapeno peppers with the seeds removed.

Feel free to use 2- 3 tablespoons pure cane sugar, raw sugar or coconut sugar in place of the liquid sweetener.

Tempeh would be a nice change up from using tofu. It’s nutty flavor would be delicious with all the flavors.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 281
  • Sugar: 18.6 g
  • Sodium: 824.4 mg
  • Fat: 7.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41.5 g
  • Fiber: 9.1 g
  • Protein: 19.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Updated: This Black Pepper Tofu was originally published in March 2014. It has been retested and updated with new photos and helpful tips in January 2020.

FOLLOW TSVonFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest,orRSSfor more updates and inspiration!

Black Pepper Tofu (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Vegansita (2024)

FAQs

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

Do you have to cook tofu? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

How do you use firm tofu? ›

Firm tofu holds up quite well to frying and stuffing. How to Prep: Pressed, drained, salt-soaked, or frozen. Best Uses: Battered/crusted, baked, boiled, pan-fried, stir-fried, deep-fried, glazed. Like I said—it's versatile.

How do you make tofu? ›

Cook the raw soy milk, then strain out the soybean pulp. Bring the soy milk back up to temperature, then add a coagulant to curdle the soymilk. Transfer the soybean curds into a tofu mold and apply pressure to form your block of tofu. Firm up the tofu in cool water, then it's ready to enjoy!

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baked, Not Fried.

My method for baking tofu produces tofu that's chewy, but it's cooked in the oven, making it much healthier.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What happens if you don't rinse tofu? ›

Any food that is contaminated is going to make you ill. Remove the tofu from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly. If you are handling raw meat at the same time as the tofu, use separate utensils. Other than that, there are no risks to eating raw tofu.

Is it OK to eat uncooked tofu? ›

Yes, it's safe to eat raw firm tofu. It has a mild taste and a somewhat spongy texture. To enhance its flavor, you can marinate or season it. Try slicing it into cubes or strips, then marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and your choice of herbs or spices.

What do you season tofu with? ›

Most seafood seasonings include celery seed, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Add lime juice to the tofu marinade to bring forward more of that classic seafood flavor. 5. Soy sauce: Marinating tofu in soy sauce helps the tofu absorb flavor quickly.

How do you add flavor to firm tofu? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

What is the best way to eat tofu? ›

Here are 9 tasty ways to prepare tofu next time you're feeling hungry.
  1. 1 Fry it. Sweet or savory, most foods can be exponentially improved when fried. ...
  2. 2 Scramble it. Tofu has the ability to miraculously mimic scrambled eggs when prepared correctly. ...
  3. 3 Sautée it. ...
  4. 4 Marinate it. ...
  5. 5 Grill it. ...
  6. 6 Bread it. ...
  7. 7 Crumble it. ...
  8. 8 Soup it.
Jan 10, 2023

Can I eat tofu everyday? ›

"For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said. He and his family eat "probably three servings per week," Sun said. He likes using soft tofu in soups and firm tofu – frozen and cut up – in a traditional Chinese hot pot.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

How do you cook tofu and make it taste good? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

What are the techniques for cooking tofu? ›

Its texture is firm enough to be cooked over high heat, such as pan-frying, air frying, baking, braising, and grilling. The outside becomes golden and crispy while the inside remains soft and tender. Grilled tofu is a delicious way to add plant-based protein to your summer meals.

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