Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (2024)

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Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (1)

by: Sarah

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Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (2)

This spicy garlic tofu is quick and easy to throw together, taking just 10 minutes to cook. It’s and really tasty over rice, with a side of stir-fried greens.

It’s sort of a variation on mapo tofu, a popular Sichuan dish. Garlic is the star in this version, however, and it’s also on the milder, slightly sweeter side. (We use sweet hoisin sauce in addition to spicy bean sauce, and don’t use Sichuan peppercorns.) It’s also easier to make!

While we originally published this recipe in June 2013, we decided to bring it up to 2021 standards! We’ve re-tested and rephotographed it, and added metric measurements. Enjoy!

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (3)

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to cut the tofu into ¾” cubes. Cut them too big, and there’s less surface area for the sauce to cling to, rendering the tofu a bit bland. Cut them too small, and the delicate cubes may break up too easily.
  • If you don’t eat pork, substitute ground chicken. For a vegetarian substitute, try finely chopped king oyster mushrooms or oyster mushrooms.
  • Have all your ingredients ready to go before you turn on the stove. This dish comes together quickly!
Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (4)

Spicy Garlic Tofu: Recipe Instructions

Heat the oil in your wok over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic begins to turn golden at the edges.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (5)

Add the ground pork, and stir-fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (6)

Increase the heat to high, and add the shallots.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (7)

Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the shallots begin to turn translucent. Stir in the Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce and spicy bean paste, and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (8)

Add the chicken stock, white pepper, sugar, and sesame oil.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (9)

Bring the sauce to a simmer. Mix the cornstarch slurry, and pour into the sauce. Simmer for 30 seconds, until the sauce has thickened.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (10)

Add the tofu cubes

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And gently stir them into the sauce. Allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (12)

Stir in the scallions.

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (13)

And serve with steamed rice!

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (14)
Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (15)

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4.83 from 39 votes

Spicy Garlic Tofu Stir Fry

This spicy garlic tofu is quick and easy to throw together, taking just 10 minutes to cook (with a little bit of prep). While it's similar to mapo tofu, it's milder and quicker to make!

by: Sarah

Course:Tofu

Cuisine:Chinese

Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (16)

serves: 4

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 20 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola)
  • 10 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
  • 4 oz. ground pork
  • 2 medium shallots (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon spicy bean sauce (doubanjiang)
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed into a slurry with 1 tablespoon water)
  • 1 pound firm tofu (cut into 3/4-inch/2 cm cubes)
  • 1 scallion (chopped)

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in your wok over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic begins to turn golden at the edges.

  • Add the ground pork, and stir-fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, and add the shallots. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the shallots begin to turn translucent.

  • Stir in the Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce and spicy bean paste, and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

  • Add the chicken stock, white pepper, sugar, and sesame oil. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Mix the cornstarch slurry, and pour into the sauce. Simmer for 30 seconds, until the sauce has thickened.

  • Gently stir in the tofu cubes, and allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the scallions, and serve.

nutrition facts

Calories: 276kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 14g (5%) Protein: 18g (36%) Fat: 16g (25%) Saturated Fat: 3g (15%) Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 21mg (7%) Sodium: 251mg (10%) Potassium: 244mg (7%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 33IU (1%) Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) Calcium: 172mg (17%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

nutritional info disclaimer

TheWoksofLife.com is written and produced for informational purposes only. While we do our best to provide nutritional information as a general guideline to our readers, we are not certified nutritionists, and the values provided should be considered estimates. Factors such as brands purchased, natural variations in fresh ingredients, etc. will change the nutritional information in any recipe. Various online calculators also provide different results, depending on their sources. To obtain accurate nutritional information for a recipe, use your preferred nutrition calculator to determine nutritional information with the actual ingredients and quantities used.

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Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (21)

About Sarah

Sarah is the older daughter/sister in The Woks of Life family. Creator of quick and easy recipes for harried home cooks and official Woks of Life photographer, she grew up on episodes of Ready Set Cook and Good Eats. She loves the outdoors (and of course, *cooking* outside), and her obsession with food continues to this day.

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Spicy Garlic Tofu: 20 Minute Recipe! - The Woks of Life (2024)

FAQs

What does pouring boiling water over tofu do? ›

It may seem counterintuitive to add water to something you're trying to dry out, but boiling water will actually cause the tofu to squeeze out more moisture, bringing it to the surface and making it easier to blot off, while the salt gently seasons the slices.

What is the tofu rule? ›

No one cares about unblocking a task as much as the person doing it. That's why it's important for that person to follow the Take Ownership and Follow Up (TOFU) principle. That means taking ownership of the task and chasing the people you are waiting on until it gets done.

How many calories are in Homestyle tofu? ›

Chinese Food Dot Com Homestyle Tofu (1 serving) contains 14g total carbs, 11g net carbs, 20g fat, 14g protein, and 280 calories.

What spices go with tofu? ›

Cut tofu into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Combine brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garam masala, oregano, garlic powder and salt. Dredge tofu in spice blend, covering all surfaces.

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.

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 there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Why do you squeeze water out of tofu? ›

However, in recipes calling for tofu to hold its shape, it's critical that you press the tofu to remove enough water so that it will hold its shape when used in recipes for salads, stir-fries, or grilling. Unless you do this, the tofu will fall apart and lose all shape.

Which country eats the most tofu? ›

Japan is the largest consumer of Tofu as the hub for the largest number of manufacturers and easy availability. China is the key market with a high density of manufacturers and holds the major share in the global Tofu market.

Is tofu less fattening than chicken? ›

Skinless, boneless chicken breast provides around 165 calories per 100 grams, making it a relatively lean option. Darker cuts may have a slightly higher calorie content. Tofu generally boasts a lower calorie content compared to many cuts of meat. Firm tofu, a common type, provides around 144 calories per 100 grams.

What is chiba tofu? ›

Chiba tofu is a new type of emergent vegetarian food. It is a kind of SPI gel, which involves cold gel formation induced by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), and the addition of starch and salt to improve its flavor.

What is a healthy portion of tofu? ›

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Baking is my go-to method for how to cook tofu. It yields flavorful, firm cubes that are perfect for adding to a stir fry, salad, or bowl!

How do you get the most flavor out of tofu? ›

Simply press firm tofu and use your hands to break it up by smashing it between your fingers until it mimics the texture of scrambled eggs. Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies.

What is best to season tofu? ›

Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips. Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over.

Does boiling tofu make it taste better? ›

Heat, however, helps the flavours to permeate. Boiling tofu to obtain a more reliably solid texture and to impart flavour is not a new method, but it's not commonly used in Western styles of cooking. This method of seasoning tofu is suitable for varying levels of firmness, but not for silken or soft tofu.

What does simmering tofu do? ›

Just as blanching vegetables not only cooks but seasons them, too, blanching tofu brings out its best texture and flavor. And it only takes a minute to accomplish these results. The quickest dunk in salty, simmering water relaxes the protein into its happiest mood—warm, supple, and creamy, like fresh mozzarella cheese.

What does steaming do to tofu? ›

Steaming is an easy and healthy way to prepare tofu, and ensures a velvety smooth texture. You should only steam regular or silken tofu; other types of tofu are too firm.

How do you drain tofu by boiling? ›

Let the tofu drain until you think it is firm enough. This method is only suitable for firm and extra-firm tofu. Chinese method: Cut the tofu into the desired shapes and place in boiling water to simmer for 5 minutes, until the tofu seems to become quite soft. Remove the tofu and leave it to drain in a colander.

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