Amazing Sesame Tofu Recipe with Sweet Sauce (2024)

This amazing sesame tofurecipe is easy to eat and delicious! Forget take-out, because this fried tofu with sesame sauce is the best ever. I tested this recipe many times to deliver to you amazing crispy tofu with a perfectly-sweet sauce.

I love throwing together a quick batch of this sesame tofu on a Tuesday night. It’s easy to make and it feels indulgent, too. Sometimes I serve it drenched in sauce over noodles, but other times I’ll serve it appetizer style with the fried tofu in one dish and the sauce for dipping in another. It works either way!

Ingredient Spotlight

What Tofu is Best for Sesame Tofu?

Firm or extra-firm tofu is best for sesame tofu because it has a compact texture that produces the perfect bite. Tofu has a neutral flavor, allowing it to soak up the seasonings it’s cooked with. However, tofu comes packed in water, so pressing the packing water out of it is the best way to make way for the flavors you’re about to cook it with. To press tofu, wrap it in a kitchen towel and place something heavy on it, like a pan or use a tofu press.

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

• Sesame oil — You can buy sesame oil in the Asian sections of most grocery stores.
• Garlic— You’ll need one clove of garlic or substitute a couple of tender cloves from this garlic confit.
• Vegetable broth — Using a high-quality vegetable broth is key. I recommend combining Better than Bouillon Vegetarian base with water.
• Rice vinegar — You can find this in the international section of most grocery stores, or substitute white wine vinegar.
• Cornstarch — You can substitute arrowroot powder.
• Tamari — Substitute soy sauce.
• Ground ginger
• Agave nectar — Use agave or maple syrup.
• Ketchup — We’ll use ketchup combined with a bit of chili sauce to keep the spicy kick in check. If you like it spicy, feel free to use just the chili sauce.
• Chili garlic sauce — If you’re adverse to hot and spicy on any level, you can leave this out. Chili garlic sauce can be found in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
• Tofu — You’ll need one block of extra-firm tofu.
• Vegetable oil — Any neutral oil will do, such as canola oil or even olive oil.
• Garnishes — top each serving with sesame seeds and chopped green onions

How to Make Vegan Sesame Tofu

It’s easy to make this healthy and budget-friendly Vegan Sesame Tofu.

Step One: Prepare the Tofu

1. Remove tofu from its package. To press the tofu (to remove packing liquids), use a tofu press.
2. For a manual press, wrap in a kitchen towel and place something heavy like a can of beans over the top for 30 minutes or more.
3. Cut pressed tofu into ½-inch cubes.

Step Two: Prepare the Sesame Sauce

1. Add the sesame oil to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and simmer until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Combine the remaining sauce ingredients in a bowl and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour and stir the sauce into the saucepan with the garlic. Stir frequently because the sauce will thicken quickly.
3. Reduce heat to low and keep warm while you prepare the tofu.

Step Two: Frying Tofu

1. Remove tofu from its package and press it to drain out extra moisture. Either use a tofu press or wrap in a kitchen towel and place something heavy like a can of beans over the top for 30 minutes or more. Once pressed, cut tofu into ½-inch cubes and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Dredge tofu through the cornstarch, making sure each piece is coated.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil then the tofu pieces (use tongs to prevent oil from splattering). Cook the tofu until golden brown and then turn and cook on the other sides.

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil then the tofu pieces (use tongs to prevent oil from splattering). Cook tofu until golden brown and then turn and cook on the other sides.

Serving Suggestions

To serve, arrange tofu on a platter and drizzle with sauce. If you’re like me, drizzle with lots and lots of sauce!

Then, serve sesame tofu with cooked white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, cooked noodles, broccoli steamed in the microwave, and your favorite vegetables.

Of course, sprinkle your tofu with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and sriracha (if you like some spice).

That’s it for this sesame tofu recipe. Enjoy!

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See Also

Johnny Marzetti Recipe and History

This post was originally published in 2019 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.