Honey Soy Garlic Tofu

Name: Honey Soy Garlic Tofu
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 16 Ounce Block Super Firm Tofu (or extra firm, pressed 30 minutes); 2 Teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (optional, for cooking); 1/4 Cup Honey or Vegan Honey (or sub agave or maple syrup); 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos; 6 Cloves Garlic (minced); 1 Teaspoon Sesame Oil (optional); 1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne (optional); 2 Teaspoons Sesame Seeds; Fresh Scallions (to serve); Rice (to serve); Vegetables of choice (to serve)

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This Honey Soy Garlic Tofu is a flavorful plant-based version of the classic sweet and savory dish, with crispy tofu tossed in a sticky honey garlic sauce. This weeknight friendly dish is ready in less than 30 minutes!

A bowl of Honey Soy Garlic Tofu served with rice and broccoli.

This is another recipe in my series of tofu recipes that aren't teriyaki. As a 2-3x per week teriyaki tofu eater, I'm trying to switch up the flavors.

I LOVE a good bowl of tofu, rice, and veggies. It's such a quick weeknight meal that's flavorful and healthy. And it's been so fun making different sauces to go along.

If you haven't already tried my hoisin tofu, go check it out! It was my first installment in this little series. This honey soy garlic tofu is number 2!

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Why You'll Love This Vegan Honey Soy Garlic Tofu
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Step-By-Step Instructions
FAQ & Expert Tips
Recipe Prayer
Related Recipes
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Why You'll Love This Vegan Honey Soy Garlic Tofu

Dietary needs - this recipe is totally plant-based! You can easily swap soy sauce for tamari or liquid aminos, for a gluten-free version
Sticky & savory - The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and garlicky
Better than takeout - made at home in under 30 minutes
Versatile - Serve with rice, noodles, veggies, or in a bowl

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Super Firm Tofu: super firm tofu is a vacuum-packed tofu that does not require any pre-pressing - if you like a solid, firm tofu, look for super firm. Extra firm also works - you can press it if you want, or just make the recipe as-is. Feel free to also use tempeh or seitan (my seitan chicken would be great here!)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: optional for pan-cooking. A bit of oil helps brown the tofu before we add the sauce. But for oil-free, your non-stick pan will work perfectly
Honey: I used real honey in this recipe, but vegan honey works just the same. Feel free to also use agave or maple syrup. You'll still get that sweet-salty combo.
Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: I used soy sauce, but tamari or liquid aminos works well for gluten-free
Garlic: fresh garlic is ideal here. It seems like a lot but it adds just the right amount of tang to the sauce
Sesame Oil: optional - you can omit for oil free, or add a bit of tahini. The sesame oil just adds more depth to the sauce
Cayenne: also optional, but a pinch of cayenne adds just a bit of spice to an otherwise mellow sauce
Sesame Seeds: for sesame flavor and some good texture in the sauce
To serve: fresh scallions, rice, veggies of choice

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. In a small bowl whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, cayenne, and sesame seeds.

Honey Soy Garlic Tofu Step 1 - mix the sauce

Step 2. Slice the tofu into cubes.

Honey Soy Garlic Tofu Step 2 - slice the tofu

Step 3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, if using. Add the tofu and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Honey Soy Garlic Tofu Step 3 - pan-fry the tofu

Step 4. Add the honey garlic sauce in two batches. Pour on half the sauce, stir to coat, then cook 2-3 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add the second half of the sauce and cook again with the same method.

Honey Soy Garlic Tofu Step 4 - add the sauce in two batches

Step 5. Serve with rice, veggies, scallions, and sesame seeds.

Honey Soy Garlic Tofu Step 5 - serve with rice and veggies

FAQ & Expert Tips

What can I use instead of honey?

For a totally vegan dish, you can sub vegan honey, agave, or maple syrup.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

The honey makes the sauce quite thick, but if you prefer a really thick sauce, whisk in ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch or arrowroot.

Can I bake or air fry instead of pan frying?

Yes! Toss in oil and bake at 400 for 30 minutes or air fry for 15, then toss in the the honey garlic sauce and bake again for 20 minutes or air fry for 10.

Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to a week. I like to reheat in the microwave, but for a crisp, feel free to pop in the air fryer for 5 minutes or pan-fry again in a splash of oil.

Other protein options

Feel free to use tempeh or seitan in place of tofu! The cooking method is the same.

Recipe Prayer

Thank you Lord for giving us healthy food to feed ourselves for dinner. Let us fuel our bodies so that we may do Your work. Amen.

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