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Here’s how to make the best pan fried tofu: fast and easy, no pressing required! It has irresistible flavor and cooks in 15 minutes.
Are you a tofu fan? Over the past decade, this plant-based protein has won over our hearts. Why? Well, it’s great for weeknight meals, which is where this recipe comes in. And guess what?
Tofu is majorly delicious when prepared correctly. Douse it in a little smoked soy sauce and sesame oil and pan fry it until golden brown, and it’s positively irresistible! This perfect pan fried tofu is our go-to for easy dinners (along with our tofu scramble and baked tofu). Even our kids go crazy for it!
Ingredients for pan fried tofu
Tofu is soy milk that’s turned into curds (like in cheesemaking!) and pressed into blocks. It was invented in China and is used in many Asian cuisines from Chinese to Thai. On its own, it has no flavor at all. But combine it with a few simple flavorings and pow! It tastes savory and meaty all at once. Here’s what we’ve used for this pan fried tofu:
- Tofu, firm or extra firm: This is important! Avoid soft or silken tofu; it will not work in this recipe.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is our top cooking oil for tofu.
- Toasted sesame oil: A hint of this oil adds a nutty flavor to the tofu. Steer clear of regular sesame oil here: it has a neutral flavor and is intended for cooking.
- Smoked soy sauce or soy sauce: Smoked shoyu is becoming widely available; if you can find it’s 100% worth it! Otherwise, use soy sauce or tamari.
Another important item you’ll need is a non-stick pan for frying tofu. This is key so the tofu doesn’t stick to the pan when flipping it.
So you don’t have to press the tofu?
Nope, this tofu recipe works without pressing it! If you’ve made tofu before, you might notice that many recipes call for wrapping the tofu in a towel and placing a heavy object on top for 30 minutes. Who has 30 minutes for that?
This pan fried tofu recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners because you don’t have to spend the time pressing it! Simply dry it off with a towel and you’re good to go. Score!
How to fry tofu (basic steps)
This pan fried tofu results in golden brown pieces that are crisped at the edges. It’s not ultra crispy, but it has a lovely texture that we like even better. Sometimes crispy tofu can get too crunchy (here’s our crispy tofu if you prefer that). Here are the basic steps for how to make pan fried tofu (or jump to the full recipe):
Step 1: Slice the tofu into cubes. Pat it dry with a towel.
Step 2: Add the olive oil to a non-stick pan, then the tofu cubes and a few pinches kosher salt. Apply medium heat and cook 5 to 6 minutes until one side is golden brown. Remove the heat to reduce spitting, then flip using chopsticks or tongs.
Step 3: Return the heat to medium-high and cook 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and drizzle with the sesame oil and soy sauce. Apply low heat and cook 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 2 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion if desired and serve.
Use smoked soy sauce (shoyu) if you can
Smoked soy sauce (or shoyu, the Japanese word for soy sauce) is popping up at mainstream grocery stores these days. Alex and I could not be happier! Years ago we found a bottle of smoked shoyu at a Japanese restaurant in Santa Fe and became obsessed. The intensely savory, smoky flavor is incredible for using in vegan recipes.
Because smoked shoyu was hard to find, we usually don’t call for it in our recipes: until now! If you can find it, a drizzle adds the perfect garnish. You can also order smoked soy sauce (shoyu) online.
Is tofu healthy?
We get this question a lot. Here’s our two-cents: Tofu is part of a healthy diet. Per the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat. (For more, go to Straight Talk About Soy.)
How to serve fried tofu
Here’s the fun part! Alex and I love whipping up this pan fried tofu. It was actually inspired by a method Alex made up one weeknight and we loved it so much, we wrote down how to do it! It’s so easy to throw into a bowl with some veggies for an easy vegan dinner. Here’s how we’d serve it:
- With soba. Make quick soba noodles and serve it in a bowl, or try in this soba noodle bowl.
- With rice. Add white rice or fried rice.
- Add a veggie. Serve with roasted broccoli, sauteed broccoli, or fried broccoli.
- Top with zingy sauce. You must try it with spicy mayo or yum yum sauce.
- With a stir fry. Add it to a vegan stir fry to make it a meal!
More tofu recipes
If you’re a tofu fan, here are some more tofu recipes you might enjoy:
- This easy tofu Scramble has the same texture as scrambled eggs, but it’s 100% plant based!
- Baked tofu is totally versatile and a hands off method.
- Try our family favorite tofu curry, tofu stir fry, or tofu ramen as healthy vegan dinner recipes.
- This marinated tofu doesn’t even need to be cooked!
Dietary notes
This pan fried tofu recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Extra-firm or firm tofu are ideal for pan-frying. Softer varieties will crumble too easily.
Not for this recipe!
Make sure to use a non-stick pan for this recipe. Ensure your pan has a thin layer of oil and let the tofu sear undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping.
Cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your tofu pieces. Generally, it takes 3-5 minutes per side for golden brown and crispy results.
Perfect Pan Fried Tofu
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Here’s how to make the best pan fried tofu: fast and easy, no pressing required! It has irresistible flavor and cooks in 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 14-ounces firm or extra firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons smoked soy sauce or soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- For the garnish: Toasted sesame seeds, chopped chives
Instructions
- Cut the tofu into large cubes (about 1.5″ x 2″) and pat it dry with a towel. Add the olive oil to a non-stick pan and add the tofu cubes and a few pinches kosher salt.
- Turn on the heat to medium-high. Cook 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom.
- Briefly remove the heat to reduce spitting. Flip the tofu with chopsticks (the easiest method!) or tongs. Return the heat to medium-high and cook additional 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
- Briefly remove from the heat again and drizzle with the sesame oil and soy sauce (watch for spitting). Return to low heat and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook another 2 minutes, until the color is darkened. Serve immediately, garnished with chives or green onion and sesame seeds if desired.
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan Fried
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
I enjoyed this recipe with rice and steamed veges.Thanks.
I think I’ve already posted, but I had to come back because I make this tofu once a week. This is the best tofu I’ve ever had. I think it’s incredible. I am fully addicted. Thank you so much.
This was delicious!! I did it GF and only used 1 TBL of sesame oil and it was GREAT!! Thank you so much