Sweet and sour tofu, made in just 30 minutes. A plant-based version of this classic Chinese food that is much better and healthier than take out!
Tofu is a staple in our kitchen, we use it a lot and also to make recipes for you guys. It’s a great meat alternative, especially when you’re trying to recreate meat-based dishes because if you cook it properly, you can get a similar texture.
General Tso’s tofu used to be my favorite tofu recipe, until I tried this, I couldn’t choose between them, both are out of this world!
Tofu can be so bland and boring if you don’t know how to cook it. I didn’t like it at the beginning, but when you find some recipes you enjoy, you’re going to fall in love with this versatile ingredient.
This recipe is perfect for carnivores, people transitioning to a plant-based diet or anyone that is looking for a vegan version of sweet and sour pork.
looking for more tofu recipes?
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @simpleveganblog on Instagram and hashtag it #simpleveganblog. We’d love to see what you cook!
Sweet and Sour Tofu
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- 2-4 1x
- Main dish
- Asian
Servings 2-4 1x
Sweet and sour tofu, made in just 30 minutes. A plant-based version of this classic Chinese food that is much better and healthier than take out!
Ingredients
For the sweet and sour tofu:
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 10 ounces firm tofu (275 g), cubed
- 6 tbsp cornstarch
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
For the sweet and sour sauce:
- 4 tbsp cane, coconut or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
- 6 tbsp water (100 ml)
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Mix tamari or soy sauce and apple cider vinegar in a bowl until well combined.
- Add the tofu cubes and let rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Drain the tofu and transfer 1/3 of the tofu cubes to a freezer bag with 2 tbsp of cornstarch and toss to coat. Repeat this step with the rest of the tofu and cornstarch. Add more cornstarch if needed.
- Cook the tofu cubes in a skillet with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until all sides are golden brown. Remove tofu from pan and set aside.
- Cook the veggies in the skillet with some water or oil over medium-high heat until golden brown. Set aside.
- To make the sauce just mix all the ingredients until well combined.
- Add the sauce to a saucepan and cook until it thickens, stirring frequently.
- Mix the tofu, veggies and sauce in the skillet, stir and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Serve with some sesame seeds on top (optional).
- Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
Notes
- Some people add pineapple to this recipe, but I don’t because when I ate sweet and sour pork at restaurants here in Spain (before going vegan), they didn’t add it. If you want your sweet and sour tofu with pineapple, just sautée it with the veggies.
- Use any veggies, starch, vinegar or sweetener you have on hand.
- Tomato paste can be replaced by tomato puree, ketchup or tomato sauce.
- The real amount of sodium of this recipe is not 1248 mg because you’d need to marinade the tofu for hours until it absorbs all the tamari or soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe using 2 tsp oil
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 25.8 g
- Sodium: 1248 mg
- Fat: 10.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 58.6 g
- Fiber: 5.2 g
- Protein: 15.9 g
Thank you so much for this recipe.
My family absolutely love it.
I like omitting some of the sugar for pineapple juice and pieces in the sauce also.
★★★★★
Sounds so good! So glad you loved it 🙂
I followed the instructions mostly, and I absolutely adore it! Thank you so much!
So glad you liked it Elizabeth 🙂
Not sure where I went wrong, but this recipe did not work out for me at all! The tofu tasted entirely like cornstarch and my sauce was severely lacking in flavor. The only change I made was ketchup instead of tomato paste. Oh well :/
★★★★
Hi Jay! Have yo follow the recipe to a T?
Very good and tasty. I ate it alone as a meal.
★★★★
Hi! Thanks for your words 🙂 So glad you liked it!
This is a brilliant recipe. Easy to prepare, easy to cook, looks and tastes great! Many thanks.
★★★★★
Turned out perfect!
★★★★★
Great to hear that Jennifer!!! 🙂
Very easy and tasty! Added some broccoli. Ran out of cornstarch and used tapioca starch instead. The coating still stuck but got a bit gooey when everything was combined. Maybe cause of my substitution? I’d make this again though!
★★★★★
Hi Jenny! Probably cause tapioca tends to be thicker than cornstarch. Next time if you need to use tapioca again you can try with less. Thank you for writing!! Have a great day!
Just about the best sweet and sour recipe ever
★★★★★
Hi Belinda! Thank you so much 🙂 Have a nice day!
Quite sweet so I cut down the sugar to 3.5tbsp. Very quick and tasty…
★★★★★
Hi Sarah! So glad you liked it 🙂
Loved it. Very tasty.
★★★★★
How long should I leave the tofu in the freezer?
Hi Michele! You don’t have to freeze the tofu, just use a freezer bag 🙂
Love this recipe, adjust the sauce to own taste but is great and so easy
★★★★★
Hi Fiona! Thanks a lot 🙂 Hace a nice day!
I made this the other night and used tvp balls – it was amazing! Totally brought me back to weekly Chinese dinner when I was a kid 💕
★★★★★
Hi Natasha! I’m so happy to read that 🙂
This is one of the best sweet and sour recipes that I have ever tried and I have tried quite a few.
Hi Latoya! Thank you so much 🙂 So glad you liked it!
damn that shit is good making it 2 days in a row lol
★★★★★
Hi Willem! So glad you liked it 🙂
Sorry if this is a silly question, but do I need to press/drain my tofu prior to starting this recipe?
Thanks!
Hi KB! I never press the tofu, but it’s up to you 🙂
Great recipe follow it to a “T” came out great tasted great
Hi Sarojini! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
Made this yesterday – fantastic – so tasty. I did add tinned pineapple and it was all delicious. Thanks for the great recipe
HI Any! SO glad you liked it 🙂 You’re so welcome!
Hi there! I’d love to make it this evening, but I want to know if we need to press the tofu prior to cutting it into cubes.
Hi Gabby! Not, you don’t need to press the tofu, but it’s up to you 🙂