Teriyaki Tofu
You will love this quick teriyaki tofu with crispy tofu pieces, mouthwatering homemade teriyaki sauce, fresh crisp vegetables, and warm, sticky rice. It’s an easy weeknight dinner you can make in just 30 minutes!
Why you’ll love this:
Hey friend-do you love a quick, delicious meals? This teriyaki tofu stir is a tasty, easy meal you make during the week. It’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables like broccoli, peppers, carrots, and more. You can really use any veggie you have in the fridge!
Try out this other delicious Sticky Tofu or Lemon Pepper Tofu with another incredible sauce that make you want to lick it straight from the bowl.
Did you know you can transform your tofu into pillowy soft gnocchi? Try out this Tofu Gnocchi with Sundried Tomato Sauce that’s high protein and delicious!
What is Teriyaki Tofu?
Teriyaki tofu is a Japanese dish made with tofu that has been marinated and cooked in a teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki sauce has a unique flavor profile that is both savory and sweet. It’s typically made with a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and often includes other ingredients like ginger and garlic.
🍲Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- Extra firm tofu: I highly recommend using extra firm tofu as this will give the best texture. Use a tofu press or heavy objects to release some of the water
- Corn starch: This is used to coat the tofu to create the crispy texture.
- Stir fry vegetables: For convenience, I use a stir fry vegetable pack from a grocery store in this recipe, but this is not required. It contains broccoli, snap peas, and carrots. I also add in sliced red bell pepper. If you don’t have access to the bag of stir fry veggies just choose your favorite veggies for this recipe. You could also pair this tofu with some steamed veggies.
- White rice: I love basmati rice for this recipe but you can also use brown rice.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Soy sauce: This is the base for a homemade teriyaki sauce. You can use a light soy sauce for less salt if desired.
- Maple syrup: Add a touch of sweetness to teriyaki sauce with some maple syrup.
- Rice Vinegar: The slight acidity of rice vinegar compliments the sweet and saltiness
- Garlic and Ginger: Deepens the flavor of the teriyaki sauce
- Cornstarch mixed with water: You will add this add the end to thicken the sauce.
See recipe card for full list of ingredients and instructions.
Want another delicious bowl? Try out this Warm Quinoa Salad with a creamy sesame dressing!
🔄Substitutions & Variations
Substitutions:
- Soy sauce: If you are gluten-free use use coconut aminos or tamari
- Veggies: Try out some different vegetables like green beans, baby corn, bok choy, onions, and more
- Oil: You can use sesame oil, avocado oil, or another type of oil
Variations:
- Like it spicy? Try out red pepper flakes on top or in the sauce
- Love pasta? Try this out with some soba noodles or rice noodles.
📝How to Make Teriyaki Tofu
Step 1: Dice your tofu in small 1 inch cubes. Preheat oven to 425F. Place your tofu cubes in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag, sprinkle in corn starch, and seal. Gently shake bag until tofu is evenly coated.
Step 2: Place on parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 24-26 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crisp.
Step 3: While tofu is cooking, make your stir fried veggies and rice. Cook rice to package instructions. Cook veggies in a large pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil for 8-10 minutes until cooked (but still have a crunch).
Step 4: Start by mixing cornstarch and water in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, begin heating over medium heat all other sauce ingredients and whisk until combined. When the sauce starts to low boil add in cornstarch and turn heat to low. Stir for another few minutes until sauce starts to thicken. Don’t overcook or it will get “gloopy”. Sauce will continue to thicken even when it’s taken off the heat.
Step 5: In a large bowl, coat cooked tofu cubes with teriyaki marinade. Create your teriyaki tofu stir fry bowl with the marinated tofu, white rice, and stir fry veggies. Top your teriyaki tofu stir fry with sliced green onion and sesame seeds!
Tip: Instead of pouring all the sauce over the tofu you can save some to pour over your final teriyaki tofu stir fry bowl.
❓Recipe FAQs
Does extra firm tofu need to be pressed?
I recommend pressing extra-firm tofu to create the best texture for your stir fry. Pressing helps to further remove any excess water that might remain in the tofu, making it even firmer and allowing it to absorb flavors better during cooking. You can use a tofu press or wrap your tofu in a paper towel or dish towel and place a heavy object on top for ~20-30 minutes.
Is teriyaki tofu good for meal prep?
Stir fry is one of the best recipes for meal prep and this teriyaki tofu stir fry tastes amazing even the next day. You can double the recipe and portion into a few containers for on-the-go lunch or dinner. If your rice becomes dry consider adding 1-2 tsp of water to it before microwaving to restore moisture.
How do I store leftover teriyaki tofu?
Store teriyaki tofu stir fry in an airtight container for up to 4 days. FYI the tofu will not be very crispy after the first day due to the moisture accumulation as it sits. You can pan fry it again but it will not have the same consistency as the first day.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or heat over the stove for 5-7 minutes in a large pan over medium heat.
*I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
PRO TIPS ✔️
- Don’t overcook your homemade teriyaki sauce. Once you add the cornstarch it will start to thicken within a minute. Remove from the heat and continue to stir for a couple minutes. It will continue to thicken even when taken off the heat. If you overcook it it will become gloopy.
- To make crispy tofu make sure to press your tofu long enough (at least 15 minutes), evenly coat in cornstarch (using a large plastic bag and gently shaking with cornstarch really helps!), and cook your tofu on high heat. You can alternatively air fry your tofu if you have an air fryer (400F for 14-16 minutes, shaking halfway through).
- Using pre-cut stir fry veggies saves a lot of time. Break up your broccoli pieces into smaller pieces if needed.
- Cook your vegetables faster by adding in 2 tbsp of water to the large pan of vegetables, cover, and steam for a few minutes.
▶︎Craving more? Check out the Best Peanut Tofu Stir Fry that is drizzled with a mouthwatering sweet and savory peanut sauce.
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▶︎Want some other ideas of what to serve teriyaki tofu with? Check out this list of what goes well with tofu!
▶︎Did you know you can make an amazing Vegan Gyro from tofu meat?! It’s savory, salty, meaty, and SO GOOD!
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Teriyaki Tofu Recipe
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Ingredients
- 16 oz block extra firm tofu drained + pressed
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 cup uncooked basmati rice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz stir fried vegetables includes broccoli, carrots, and pea pods
- 1 medium red pepper sliced into strips
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- 1 tbsp corn starch + 2 tbsp water mixed in a small bowl
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger minced
Optional Toppings
- sesame seeds
- green onion diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F or 218 C.
- Cut tofu into small 1 inch cubes.
- In a large resealable plastic bag, add tofu cubes and cornstarch. Gently shake until combined.
- On a large parchment lined baking sheet, evenly spread out tofu in a single layer. Bake for 24-28 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp with a light golden brown outside. *Alternatively you can air fry instead of bake at 400 F for 12-16 minutes, shaking halfway, until crisp and lightly golden brown.
- While tofu is baking, make rice and vegetables. Cook rice to package instructions.
- Stir fry vegetables in a large pan with 1 tbsp of olive (optional) over medium heat. Pan fry for a few minutes and then add in 1-2 tbsp of water, cover, and steam for a few minutes. Cook until veggies are crisp and not overcooked.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and let sit for 1 minute.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, add in soy sauce, maple syrup, water, rice vinegar, garlic and ginger. Cook over medium heat until it begins to low boil.
- Turn heat down to low and add in cornstarch water mixture. Stir to combine.
- Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken. Remove from the heat once it starts to thicken. It will continue to thicken even when taken off the heat.
Arrange Stir Fry
- In a large bowl, gently mix tofu with teriyaki marinade.
- Arrange stir fry bowl with rice, then veggies, and top with tofu. Sprinkle with green onion (sliced) and/or sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcook your homemade teriyaki sauce. Once you add the cornstarch it will start to thicken within a minute. Remove from the heat and continue to stir for a couple minutes. It will continue to thicken even when taken off the heat. If you overcook it it will become gloopy.
- To make crispy tofu make sure to press your tofu long enough (at least 15 minutes), evenly coat in cornstarch (using a large plastic bag and gently shaking with cornstarch really helps!), and cook your tofu on high heat. You can alternatively air fry your tofu if you have an air fryer (400F for 14-16 minutes, shaking halfway through).
- Using pre-cut stir fry veggies saves a lot of time. Break up your broccoli pieces into smaller pieces if needed.
- Cook your vegetables faster by adding in 2 tbsp of water to the large pan of vegetables, cover, and steam for a few minutes.
- Soy sauce: If you are gluten-free use use coconut aminos or tamari
- Veggies: Try out some different vegetables like green beans, baby corn, bok choy, onions, and more
- Oil: You can use sesame oil, avocado oil, or another type of oil
Nutrition
How to Cook Silken Tofu
Silken tofu can be enjoyed chilled, room temperature, or warmed. Here are multiple ways to cook silken tofu.
Steaming: Place the tofu in a heatproof dish and steam it for a few minutes until warmed through
Boiling: You can gently simmer silken tofu in a flavorful broth or soup until heated through.
Stir-frying: You can add silken tofu cubes to stir fry, but they are at risk of breaking apart. If you do this method, consider cutting into very small cubes and be very gentle when stir-frying.
How to Cook Silken Tofu
Silken tofu can be enjoyed chilled, room temperature, or warmed. Here are multiple ways to cook silken tofu.
Steaming: Place the tofu in a heatproof dish and steam it for a few minutes until warmed through
Boiling: You can gently simmer silken tofu in a flavorful broth or soup until heated through.
Stir-frying: You can add silken tofu cubes to stir fry, but they are at risk of breaking apart. If you do this method, consider cutting into very small cubes and be very gentle when stir-frying.
This recipe was amazing! My boyfriend and I made it for date night and plan on putting it in our weekly rotation. Dare I say, but it was better than take-out. YUMMY!
Thanks for your review Elisa! Glad to you enjoyed it 🙂
I tried this recipe with a mix of broccoli, carrots, and snap peas, and it turned out fantastic! The veggies stayed crunchy, and the tofu was perfectly crispy. I’m thinking of adding some baby corn next time for extra flavor!
This Crispy Teriyaki Tofu is a new favorite! Loved the flavors from the sauce! I’m definitely trying this again!
Thanks Rea!!
Step # 7 in the recipe doesn’t make sense. It says to stir the sauce with the tofu until it’s caramelized. But the previous step is talking about the vegetables and there’s no mention of adding the sauce to a pan with the tofu to caramelize it. I want to make this but it’s a little confusing.
Hi Lisa! So sorry about the confusion – I think I mistyped in my recipe and I really appreciate you telling me. I recommend making your homemade teriyaki sauce then pouring it over the tofu in a bowl, no need to caramelize over the stove. You can also save some extra sauce to pour over the veggies too. I fixed it up above.
Thanks again for bringing this to my attention! 🙂
You’re welcome! And thanks for getting back to me. I plan to make it for dinner tonight.,