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.

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

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

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.

What bean makes the best tofu? ›

I prefer using yellow- or white-colored beans, such as chickpeas or cannellini beans, because they make for a prettier end product. If you prefer black or pinto beans and don't mind their dark colors, I say go for it. The next day, drain and rinse the soaked beans and blend them up with 2 cups of water.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

Why can't you eat spinach with tofu? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

What is the downside of eating too much tofu? ›

The significant disadvantages of Tofu may cause allergies in some people. The symptoms of soy allergies include skin rash, inflammation, itching, fainting, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain and throat swelling. In rare scenarios, Tofu may cause osteoporosis and estrogen-related cancer.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

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 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.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

What kind of tofu do Chinese restaurants use? ›

White in colour and tender to touch, soft tofu (yun dou fu) contains the highest water content of all tofu types and is widely used in Cantonese and other southern Chinese cuisines. It's similar to Japanese silken tofu, but while very soft it has a bit more “body” to it, making it slightly easier to handle and cut.

How do you get the best flavor in tofu? ›

Marinating really is the trick to making tofu delicious. A lot of recipes have you cook tofu then toss it in a sauce, and while this is good, it still leaves the middles of the tofu bland and under-seasoned. When you marinate tofu and then cook it, you get flavor inside and out. Cook It Any Way You Like.

What is fluffy tofu called? ›

Block Tofu. Serious Eats / Liz Clayman. Block tofu is what you'll find most often at grocery stores and restaurants. Made using the curds-and-whey method explained above, it is sometimes referred to as "cotton tofu" due to the fluffy texture of the curds.

Is tofu better for you than eggs? ›

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

Is tofu healthier than chicken? ›

Tofu nutrition. This meatless option is a staple for vegetarians, and rightfully so. It boasts more fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folate than chicken and contains fewer calories.

Is tofu good for losing belly fat? ›

If you are eating tofu that is processed with sugar, salt, or preservatives, then it may not be healthy for you. But if you are eating it that has been processed in a way that preserves its nutritional value, then tofu can help you healthily lose belly fat.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together. Both eggs and soya chunks are good sources of protein, and consuming them together can help meet your daily protein requirements. You can add boiled or scrambled eggs to your soya chunk curry or stir-fry for a balanced meal.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

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.

Can you eat tofu with fruits? ›

Cut tofu in 1/4 inch cubes. Drop into boiling water for 3 minutes, drain. Gently mix tofu, apple, oranges, grapes, sugar, and lemon juice. Top with walnuts, if desired.

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