Stunning tofu! We are completely captivated by its variety of sizes, shapes, and textures. Presently, we have compiled an anthology of our most cherished tofu recipes sourced from the blog.
These are some of our best recipes—some go far back, but most are so popular that we’ve since replaced old photos with newer updated images!
WHAT MAKES A FAVORITE RECIPE?
Recently at the dinner table, I turned to my mom and said—you know what I wish we had? A cookbook purely of famous chefs’ ACTUAL go-to recipes. What are the things that they really actually cook on repeat—that is, the recipes that make it into the coveted repertoire when you’re cranky or on autopilot.
So here’s an amalgamation of all four of our favorite tofu recipes! Maybe you’ll recognize some favorites here, or discover something new for dinner tonight.
SEAFOOD & TOFU
STEAMED TILAPIA: HUNAN STYLE STEAMED FISH
Spicy chili peppers, tender fish, and that silky tofu—spiked with fermented black beans and lots and lots of garlic? It’s a kind of perfection that we go back to again and again. We all can agree on this one!
EASY FISH TOFU SOUP
These easy soup is savory with fish and chicken stock. It’s chock full of protein, so you could perhaps more generously consider it a kind of “stew” in terms of fill power. With just a little heat, it’s another way to pair up tender flaky white fish and silken tofu!
CHICKEN & SOFT TOFU CASSEROLE
This recipe was born out of an attempt to recreate the bubbling Cantonese casseroles we grew up eating—perfect for scooping over a bowl of rice. (Parents of picky eaters, we’re betting that kids will like this one!)
SCALLION GINGER BEEF AND TOFU STIR FRY
This stir-fry is pretty irresistible. It’s also one of those dishes that achieves the coveted balance of juuuust enough vegetables to serve as a one pot meal you can feel good about.
BEEF TOFU STIR FRY
On childhood trips to Chinatown past, we would head to a good restaurant to place a pickup order for dinner on the ride back home through the Holland Tunnel. This is one of our go-to’s—maybe it’s because all that protein helps replenish the strength in your arms, tired from carrying bags stuffed with fresh produce back to the car.
MAPO TOFU
Needless to say, our renowned mapo tofu recipe has been refined over time to include numerous notes that ensure your success each time!
SPICY GARLIC TOFU (A 20-MINUTE RECIPE!)
If the intense spicy numbing flavor of mapo is a bit too much for you, try this spicy garlic tofu. Garlic is the star in this version, and it’s also on the milder side. (We use sweet hoisin sauce in addition to spicy bean sauce, and don’t use Sichuan peppercorns.)
FIVE SPICE TOFU WITH SHREDDED PORK
We’ve been eating some version of this since we were small. The five spice tofu is one of the best ingredients to have on hand when you need a tasty dinner on the table fast. Just ask my mom, who made this often when she and my dad were working full-time, commuting to and from the city each day.
CHINESE TOFU SHEET STIR-FRY
When my mom first developed this recipe, I’m not exaggerating…I think we ate it once a week for a few months. The long hot green peppers make it addictive without adding too much heat!
SPICY HUNAN STEAMED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS (VEGAN)
Our ardent love of the first recipe on this list inspired this recipe, which if we’re being totally honest, may have dethroned the fish version. The mushrooms are a meaty substitute, and they absorb all that chili sauce beautifully.
VEGAN MAPO TOFU (VEGAN)
The best of our classic map tofu, but with mushrooms as the “ground meat” to make this favorite friendly for all dietary needs.
ULTIMATE BRAISED TOFU
When I write these posts, I think to myself—what’s the most salient piece of information that folks should know about this dish? But with this one? JUST LOOK AT IT. Glistening silken tofu, wok-fried to crisp perfection so it doesn’t fall apart, in a luscious shining sauce with mixed veggies. Don’t forget the rice!
SPICED TOFU STIR-FRY WITH GARLIC CHIVES (VEGAN)
Another one of my mother’s ridiculously easy recipes that relies on her favorite stand-by—five spiced tofu—and one of her favorite things to grow in the garden. Garlic chives taste astoundingly savory in this recipe and they rep the veggies to boot.
MA LA XIANG GUO (SPICY NUMBING STIR-FRY POT) (VEGAN)
Okay so technically with this one you can add tofu—or not! While we offer up a starting point for what you can include in your “dry pot” of spicy goodness, it’s ultimately up to you!
SPICY SICHUAN BOILED TOFU (水煮豆腐干) (VEGAN)
When we ate this spicy five spice tofu, we couldn’t believe how delicious it was. Now, there’s a good chance they used some kind of meat stock in their sauce, but we took care to make our version fully plant-based.
SALT AND PEPPER TOFU (VEGAN)
It was really only a matter of time before tofu got the salt and pepper treatment around here, and we’re so glad it did. When eating more plant-based, I rely on tasty (admittedly, meat-like-ish) dishes like this one to satisfy my cravings for Cantonese salt and peppery goodness.
SPICY COLD TOFU – LOOK OUT FOR AN UPDATE!
This is an oldie but a goodie, that we recently updated with new photos, nutrition info, and light adjustments to the recipe. It’ll be out in a few days. Everything goes into a bowl.
CANTONESE-STYLE STEAMED TOFU (VEGAN)
The same flavors of a steamed Cantonese fish, but with silky tofu. Okay, it’s not like the tofu tastes like fish—we won’t go that far, but it’s just plain old delicious this way.
This is a quiet favorite among readers, and a great recipe to make if you’re like me and you find yourself in Chinese girl desperation mode—i.e., all you have in your refrigerator are condiments, a lone box of tofu that you bought when you were more optimistic about your kitchen exploits, and not much else.
STIR FRIED BOK CHOY WITH TOFU SKIN
This easy book choy stir-fry is a great way to get in some extra protein. Light and mellow flavors are perfect for when you’re craving simplicity, and they let the flavor of the tofu skins really shine through.
CRISPY TOFU WITHOUT DEEP FRYING (VEGAN)
This is more of a building block recipe—you can prep the tofu as is with this simple sauce drizzle, or throw the tofu into a stir fry after this to make it extra savory.
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