Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2024)

Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (1)

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5 from 2 votes

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2)

This Vegan Char Siu Tofu recipe is an exclusive from Jeeca Uy’s new cookbook Vegan Asian: A Cookbook. Click here to find out where you can order the book.

Disclaimer: the cookbooks we feature are independently selected by our Best of Vegan editors and are in no way sponsored by the author and/or the publisher. All content is used with permission.

Jeeca Uy is an avid home cook and the creator of the popular vegan food blog The Foodie Takes Flight. Her recipes have been featured in Plant Based News, Best of Vegan, One Green Planet, and others. She was born and raised in the Philippines and lives in Metro Manila.

Vegan Char Siu Tofu from Jeeca Uy’s Vegan Asian

5 from 2 votes

These are slices of tofu cooked down in a rich, sweet and savory sauce. This dish is delicious as is, but is best enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice or with freshly cooked noodles. The slices are also delicious placed in steamed buns to make Char Siu Tofu Gua Baos. The sauce is deliciously savory with a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of spice.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Author: Jeeca Uy | The Foodie Takes Flight

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • TOFU
  • 1 lb 450 g extra-firm tofu
  • 3 tbsp 45 ml neutral oil
  • SAUCE
  • 2 tbsp 30 ml hoisin sauce
  • 5 to 6 tbsp 70 to 85 g dark brown sugar, or to taste
  • 1 tbsp 15 ml soy sauce
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tbsp 30 ml Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 tsp 10 ml sriracha (adjust according to desired heat)
  • TO SERVE
  • Toasted sesame seeds optional
  • Chopped scallions optional
  • Blanched vegetables steamed rice and/or buns

Instructions

  • Prepare the tofu: Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes to drain any excess liquid (see page 11 for more details). Turn the block of tofu on its side and slice it through the middle to make 1-inch (2.5-cm)- thick slabs. You will have 2 to 3 slabs depending on the size and thickness of your tofu.

  • Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.

  • Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add the tofu slabs. Pan-fry the tofu until lightly browned on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the tofu from the pan and then let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing each slab into 1-inch (2.5-cm)-thick strips.

  • In the same pan, over medium heat, add the sauce and stir well until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium. Stir the sauce to prevent the sugar from sticking to the pan and burning. Taste the sauce and feel free to add more sugar, if desired. Afterward, add the sliced tofu to the pan, then scoop the sauce to pour over the top of the tofu pieces. Continue to cook and baste the tofu until it has absorbed some of the sauce, 7 to 8 minutes. Increase the heat to high; once the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes, turn off the heat.

  • Garnish your tofu with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired. Enjoy your Char Siu Tofu as is, with blanched veggies, with rice or as filling for buns to make gua baos.

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (4)

Reprinted with permission from Vegan Asian: A Cookbook by Jeeca Uy, Page Street Publishing Co. 2021. Photo credit: Jeeca Uy

Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (5)

Click here or on the photo above to get your copy.

About the Book

For those craving vegan-friendly versions of classic Asian dishes, Vegan Asian: A Cookbook (August 31, 2021; $21.99; Page Street Publishing) is sure to fit the bill! Jeeca Uy, of the hit Instagram account TheFoodieTakesFlight, transforms traditional Southeast and East Asian cuisine into spectacular vegan renditions that are bursting with flavor. From iconic Thai dishes to piping-hot Japanese fare and everything in between, Jeeca’s recipes will take readers’ palates on a delicious food trip across Asia that will keep them coming back for more. So, why order takeout when it’s easy to whip up a vegan version that is not only healthier but can taste even better?

From traditional favorites to discovering new favorites readers will find recipes for: Pad Thai, Char Siu Tofu, Vietnamese Mushroom Pho, Singaporean Chili Tofu, Chinese Lettuce Wraps, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Japanese Yakisoba, Spicy Dan Dan Noodles, Satay Tofu Sticks with Peanut Sauce, and Korean Bulgogi Mushrooms.

Along with vibrant photographs, Jeeca has packed this book with tips and tricks to guide any cook, vegan or not, on how best to work with tofu, how to fold dumplings, how to make vegan versions of essential sauces and so much more. This cookbook will quickly become a go-to guide for simple yet delicious vegan Asian recipes.

If you loved this vegan char siu tofu recipe, you might like more exclusive recipes from Vegan Asian:

Vegan Pad Thai
Stuffed Chinese Eggplants

Browse our cookbook section for more exclusive recipes.

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Easy & Delicious Vegan Char Siu Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to cook tofu and make it taste good? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What can I marinate tofu in? ›

Meanwhile, make the tofu marinade by whisking the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together. Transfer the pressed tofu cubes to a shallow dish or a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the marinade over top. Cover with a layer of plastic, then place the dish in the fridge.

What is vegetarian char siew made of? ›

There are two main components to making vegan char siu: the seitan which is the 'pork' portion and the marinade that gives it the classic Chinese BBQ flavour. For the seitan: Vital wheat gluten: the main ingredient to making mock meats.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

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 should I season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

Do you put cornstarch before or after marinating tofu? ›

Once the tofu is marinated, I use a cornstarch coating with some cumin powder in it. Not only does it create a super crispy result, but the seasoning further brings out the flavor of the tofu.

Do you marinate tofu before or after frying? ›

A classic way to spice up your tofu game, this crispy marinated tofu recipe is packed with flavor and so easy to make. Simply marinate your tofu then fry, bake, or cook in the air fryer for beautifully crispy tofu that tastes delicious every single time.

What to pair tofu with? ›

What to serve with tofu. These easy tofu meals go well with white rice, toasted bread, or noodles.

What flavor is char siu? ›

When made right, char siu is one of the most tender, juiciest pieces of savory, sweet pork you might ever have. It's got umami from ingredients like fermented bean curd, hoisin, and oyster sauce, a bit of zest from wines, and sweetness from brown sugar and honey.

What makes char siu pink? ›

Red food colouring – to make the pork red, like you get at the Chinese barbecue shop. This is optional. Authentic Char Siu uses red bean curd for colouring and a touch of flavour – it can be found at Asian stores, use about 2 tbsp of the liquid and no red food colouring.

What cut is char siu made of? ›

While different cuts of pork can be used to make char siu, from lean boneless pork loin to fattier cuts, those fatty cuts like pork shoulder/pork butt really are best suited to making a tasty Chinese BBQ pork char siu.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Is tofu good or bad for gut? ›

As you can see, soy is generally very beneficial for overall gut health. However, it might cause some digestions for certain people.

Is tofu good for losing belly fat? ›

If you are eating tofu that is processed with sugar, salt, or preservatives, then it may not be healthy for you. But if you are eating it that has been processed in a way that preserves its nutritional value, then tofu can help you healthily lose belly fat.

What are the techniques for cooking tofu? ›

Its texture is firm enough to be cooked over high heat, such as pan-frying, air frying, baking, braising, and grilling. The outside becomes golden and crispy while the inside remains soft and tender. Grilled tofu is a delicious way to add plant-based protein to your summer meals.

Do I need to soak tofu before cooking? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

Can you make tofu taste like meat? ›

A: Marinating tofu in a rich umami marinade and then searing on high heat will make it taste like meat. The longer you can marinate it for, the more meaty it will taste.

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