Teriyaki tofu is soon to become your go-to tofu delicacy! Crispy tofu is simmered in a sweet, sticky Japanese glaze, caramelizing it and elevating its naturally neutral flavor. Serve with a simple bowl of basmati rice for a quick, healthy and addictively delicious dinner.
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One of your favorite posts on Daily Dish is my roundup of 15 Tofu Marinades. And, that doesn't surprise me. Tofu is the perfect canvas for a great marinade. Also popular on Daily Dish is my Szechuan Tofu and Adobo Tofu.
So, today I'm excited to share a tofu recipe that I think you'll really love - teriyaki tofu. It's sweet and sticky and incredibly addictive. Plus, this is a dish that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Winning!
Related Post: Miso Glazed Eggplant
💚Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
💚It's addictively yummy! The teriyaki sauce caramelizes on the tofu, creating a sticky glaze that's absorbed well by the tofu.
💚With a total cooking and prep time of around 25 minutes, this teriyaki tofu recipe is a fantastic option for busy weeknight dinners.
💚Teriyaki tofu is a great family meal. Kids love the sweet and sticky sauce.
💡What Is Teriyaki?
Teriyaki is a popular Japanese sauce that has a glossy, sweet, savory flavor profile. The word "teriyaki" comes from the combination of two Japanese words: "teri," which means luster or shine, and "yaki," which means grilled or broiled.
Teriyaki sauce typically consists of soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sake (Japanese rice wine), sugar or maple syrup, and sometimes additional ingredients like garlic, ginger, or sesame oil. These ingredients are combined and simmered until they form a thick, sticky glaze. The sauce is then used to marinate or baste ingredients during cooking.
👩🏼🍳How To Make Teriyaki Tofu
- Start by pressing your tofu to remove excess moisture. Place the tofu block on a plate lined with paper towels. Put another layer of paper towels on top of the tofu and place a heavy object, like a pan or a cookbook, on top. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to drain.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), mirin, sake, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved. This is your homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Once the tofu has been pressed, cut it into bite-sized cubes or slices, depending on your preference.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add your tofu pieces to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they turn golden brown on all sides.
- Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the cooked tofu in the pan. Stir gently to coat the tofu evenly with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the tofu simmer in the teriyaki sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The sauce will also thicken slightly during this time.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the teriyaki tofu to a serving dish. You can sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top for added flavor and garnish.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
- Serve teriyaki tofu over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. The rice acts as a neutral base and helps balance the flavors of the savory tofu. Check out this recipe for fluffy basmati rice in a rice cooker. You could also amp up the nutrients by serving teriyaki tofu with steamed quinoa.
- Stir-fried veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, and mushrooms would make a great complement to teriyaki tofu.
- Create a refreshing Asian slaw by combining shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and radishes. Toss the vegetables in a dressing made with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and a touch of honey. The crisp slaw provides a nice contrast to the soft tofu. You could also try my peanut sauce slaw.
- Cook up a batch of soba noodles and toss them with a light soy-based dressing. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
- Serve steamed edamame pods along side your teriyaki tofu for a healthy, protein-rich side dish. Sprinkle them with a pinch of sea salt.
❄️Storage Instructions
Refrigeration
Place the leftover teriyaki tofu in an airtight container. Ensure that the tofu is completely cooled before storing it in the refrigerator. It can be kept refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer
If you want to extend the storage time, you can freeze the teriyaki tofu. Place the cooled tofu in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It's best to freeze it without the teriyaki sauce, as the texture may change upon thawing. The tofu can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When you're ready to use the frozen teriyaki tofu, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat it using your preferred method.
Reheating
To reheat teriyaki tofu, you have a few options:
Stovetop
Place the tofu in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook it for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tofu in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed to your liking.
Microwave
Transfer the tofu to a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely. Microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teriyaki is a popular Japanese sauce that has a glossy, sweet, savory flavor profile. Teriyaki sauce typically consists of soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sake (Japanese rice wine), sugar or maple syrup, and sometimes additional ingredients like garlic, ginger, or sesame oil.
No, soaking tofu in water is not necessary for most recipes. While some recipes may call for soaking tofu, it's not a mandatory step for most tofu preparations.
Tofu is generally low in carbohydrates. The exact carb content may vary slightly depending on the type and brand of tofu, but on average, tofu contains only a small amount of carbohydrates. It is primarily valued for its protein content and is often considered a staple in low-carb and keto diets.
More Easy Tofu Recipes
How To Make Vegan Ricotta Cheese
Crispy Tofu Nuggets In Your Air Fryer
📖 Recipe
Teriyaki Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block of firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce for gluten free use tamari
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons sake or dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds sliced green onions
Instructions
- Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. Place the tofu block on a plate lined with paper towels. Put another layer of paper towels on top of the tofu and place a heavy object, like a pan or a cookbook, on top. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to drain.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
- Once the tofu has been pressed, cut it into bite-sized cubes or slices, depending on your preference.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the tofu pieces to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they turn golden brown on all sides.
- Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the cooked tofu in the pan. Stir gently to coat the tofu evenly with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the tofu simmer in the teriyaki sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The sauce will also thicken slightly during this time.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the teriyaki tofu to a serving dish. You can sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top for added flavor and garnish.
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