Hey guys! As I mentioned on Instagram earlier this week, I won’t be doing a meal prep post this Sunday because I wasn’t able to cook anything all week and I want to get the recipes that have been in my head a while posted. BUT the recipes I’ve been brewing in my mind are all bowl-style meals, which are perfect for meal prep, so you’ll have a few new meal prep ideas anyway. Win-win! The first bowl meal idea I had are these super delish Soy Marinated Tofu Bowls with Spicy Peanut Sauce.
No Cornstarch Needed
Because this marinated tofu is fairly “wet” from soaking in the marinade, I skipped my usual cornstarch coating and simply fried them up in a non-stick skillet (the non-stick really helps when your marinade has sugar). The tofu doesn’t get crispy this way as it does with the cornstarch method, but the excess marinade caramelizes on the outside, which is really delightful.
Oven or Skillet?
I also tested baking the marinated tofu in the oven (350ºF for about 20-25 minutes), and it was also good, but I personally preferred the pan fried version for the caramelized edges. But if you don’t like using non-stick skillets, I suggest using the baking method.
What Type of Rice is Best for my Bowls?
And one last note: I used a brown basmati rice that I had purchased at Aldi, but you could use just about any rice type that you like. Just make sure to follow the cooking instructions on the package for the correct cooking time and rice to water ratio, and include some salt to help make the sesame flavor pop later.
For this recipe you’ll be doing multiple things at once, between the pressing and marinating tofu, cooking the rice, and making the peanut sauce, so make sure to read through the instructions completely before beginning.
Soy Marinated Tofu Bowls with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Servings 4Ingredients
Soy Marinated Tofu
- 14 oz. firm tofu ($1.99)
- 1 Tbsp light oil* ($0.06)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce ($0.12)
- 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03)
Sesame Rice**
- 2 cups brown rice ($1.20)
- 3.25 cups water ($0.00)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ($0.26)
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup natural style creamy peanut butter ($0.36)
- 1 Tbsp Sriracha ($0.09)
- 1 tsp soy sauce ($0.02)
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger ($0.10)
- 1 tsp brown sugar ($0.01)
- 3 Tbsp hot water ($0.00)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil for pan frying ($0.02)
- 1/2 lb. snap peas*** ($2.50)
- 2 green onions, sliced ($0.25)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds ($0.08)
Instructions
- Begin by pressing the tofu for about 30 minutes to remove the excess moisture. Place the block of tofu between two flat plates, rimmed baking sheets, or cutting boards and place something heavy on top, like a cast iron skillet or a pot full of water. If using cutting boards or something without a rim to hold in the water that seeps out, place paper towels or a clean dishcloth under the tofu to catch the liquid as it is expelled.
- While the tofu is pressing, begin the rice. Cook your rice according to the package directions, making sure to include salt. Once the rice has cooked, fluff it with a fork and then drizzle 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil over top. Fold the oil into the rice, making sure not to stir too vigorously, then repeat with the second 1/2 Tbsp of sesame oil. The rice should now have a wonderful toasty nutty flavor and aroma. Set the rice aside.
- Once the tofu has pressed, pour off the excess liquid. Slice the block of tofu into 16 triangles (I cut the thickness of the block in half, then cut the stacked halves into quarters, and each piece into two triangles). Place the tofu pieces in a shallow bowl or dish.
- In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients for the tofu marinade: oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and brown sugar. Pour the marinade over the tofu pieces and turn them all to make sure all sides are coated. Allow the tofu to marinate for about 20 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice during that time. After 20 minutes, most of the marinade should be absorbed.
- While the tofu is marinating and the rice is cooking prepare the spicy peanut sauce. In a bowl stir together the peanut butter, sriracha, soy sauce, grated ginger, brown sugar, and enough hot water to create a smooth sauce (3-4 Tbsp). Set the sauce aside.
- Once the tofu has marinated, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium flame. Add just a splash of oil to the skillet (about 1 tsp) and swirl to coat the skillet. Add the tofu pieces and any remaining marinade, and cook on each side until deeply browned.
- Once the tofu pieces are browned, remove them from the skillet and add the snap peas. Quickly sauté the snap peas in the skillet until they turn bright green and are still crisp. You just want to remove the raw edge. Remove them from the skillet to prevent over cooking.
- To build the bowls, add about 1.5 cups sesame rice to each bowl and then top with 1/4 of the tofu pieces and snap peas. Drizzle spicy peanut sauce over each bowl and then sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over each.
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Notes
Nutrition
How to Make Soy Marinated Tofu Bowls – Step by Step Photos
For this recipe you’ll be doing multiple things at once, between the pressing and marinating tofu, cooking the rice, and making the peanut sauce, so make sure to read through the instructions completely before beginning.
Begin by pressing a 14oz. block of firm tofu for about 30 minutes. I like to do it between two plates because the rim on the plate catches the runoff so you don’t have to wrap it in a paper towel. Just place something heavy on top like a cast iron skillet or a pot full of water and half hour later you’ll have…
All that liquid that is pressed out of the tofu! The reason you want to do this is because it makes room for the tofu to soak up the flavorful marinade and makes sure the tofu has a nice firm texture instead of being soft and mushy. Pour off the liquid. Before we move on to what to do with the tofu after it’s pressed, you’ll want to start cooking your rice while the tofu is pressing…
While the tofu is pressing begin cooking your rice, especially if you’re using a brown rice like I did, because that will take at least 30 minutes. You can use whatever type of rice you want, just make sure to follow the package directions for the correct amount of water to use for 2 cups dry rice and the correct cooking time. Also make sure to include some salt to help the sesame flavor pop later.
After your rice has cooked, sprinkle about 1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil over the rice and gently fold it into the rice. Then repeat with the second 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil. Set the seasoned rice aside. Make sure to use toasted sesame oil and not just regular sesame oil because the toasted sesame oil has a MUCH stronger nutty flavor. If the label doesn’t say “toasted” you can tell by the color of the oil. Toasted sesame oil is a dark brown color, whereas regular sesame oil is a light straw color.
While the rice is cooking your tofu will probably be ready to start marinating. Cut the pressed tofu block into 16 triangles (I cut the thickness of the block in half, then cut the stacked halves into quarters, and each rectangle into two triangles). In a small bowl stir together 1 Tbsp light flavored oil, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 clove of garlic (minced), and 1 Tbsp brown sugar. Place the tofu triangles in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over top.
Make sure both sides of the tofu pieces are coated in marinade. Let it marinate for about 20 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice during that time.
While the tofu is marinating, make the spicy peanut sauce. In a bowl stir together 1/4 cup natural style cream peanut butter, 1 Tbsp sriracha, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp brown sugar, and about 3-4 Tbsp hot water or enough to make a smooth sauce that is thin enough to drizzle.
Once the sauce is mixed together, set it aside. You can always start with just a small amount of sriracha and add more to your liking.
After about 20 minutes the tofu will have absorbed most of the marinade.
Now it’s time to cook the tofu. I used a non-stick skillet because the sugar in the marinade will make it more likely to stick. I only added a splash of oil to the skillet since the marinade already has some in it. Heat the skillet over medium, then add the tofu pieces and any remaining marinade. Cook the tofu pieces on each side until browned and caramelized on the edges.
Remove the tofu from the skillet, then add 1/2 lb. snap peas. Sauté the snap peas very briefly, or just until they turn bright green. I didn’t even add any extra oil to the skillet, there was enough residual oil to make these peas nice and glossy. Once the peas are just barely cooked, remove them from the skillet.
Finally, to build the bowls, place about 1.5 cups of the sesame rice in each bowl and top with 1/4 of the tofu pieces and snap peas. Drizzle the peanut sauce over top, then sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over everything.
That peanut sauce, tho… 🙌
This is the best tofu recipe ever! Absolutely fantastic! I have actually never commented on any recipe blog before but Beth, you rule! I am a French seasoned cook who has lived in the US for some time now and I find your recipes very inspiring! Budget Bytes just has a great variety of flavors and with a well stocked up pantry, you can’t go wrong! I cook for my family of 4 almost daily and I love trying out your recipes. Thanks for starting the revolution of home cooking because it’s the way to go 😉!
Thank you, Caroline! That means so much to me! ❤️
I cooked tofu once before this recipe and it was bland. Saw this recipe and thought I would give tofu another try. This was delicious! It is super flavorful and I feel as though I could find this in a restaurant. The flavors are complex with the sesame flavors from the tofu and rice to the contrast with the spicy peanut sauce. Put a little extra spice in mine. It was great and shared it with my vegan coworker. Even if you are a normal meat eater I don’t think you would miss it with this great dish!
Wow! I love this recipe! You can substitute any veggies that you have on hand. Zucchini works great! Like others, the sauce is AMAZING! Best tofu recipe I have found! Thanks!
This is the first time I’ve ever successfully made tofu… Your recipe was easy to follow (I made it with quinoa, instead of rice which was great) – and holy moly that peanut sauce is to die for.
Made this for my lunches during the week and it’s super good! I used bok choy instead of snap peas and added a bit of lime juice to the sauce which made it even better :D
This was my first-ever attempted tofu recipe and you made it so easy. And it tastes sooo good. Have to bookmark this one to save to the dinner menu rotation.
P.S. – Love your meal prep series! Helps a single working girl have dinner to come home to during the week.
Another great recipe thanks. You are becoming my go-to for what to cook for dinner dilemma that’s quick, easy, satisfying and super tasty – and easy on the budget. Love the tofu recipes. This sauce made it.
My husband and I loved this recipe. He hardly ever gives me nines or tens for food I cook but he said this was definitely a 9/10 on his scale. I will definitely be making it again. Thank you for posting. ( I also had to add quite a bit of hot water to make the peanut sauce thin enough to drizzle. Are used Skippy peanut butter extra creamy )
This was delicious!
I mixed the marinade in a big ziploc bag, tossed the tofu around in it a bit, and then let it marinate in the fridge overnight :-).
I will say that I wound up adding considerably more than 4 tbsps of water to the sauce and it was still quite thick, not quite the right consistency. Any additional advice on how to work around this, or should I just keep on adding hot water next time? Thank so much!
Hmm, I would just keep adding the amount of hot water that works for you. It may just be an issue with differences in texture of different brands of peanut butter?
This recipe is divine! The peanut sauce is what dreams are made of
This peanut sauce, is divine! I’ve been using leftovers to dip carrots and bell pepper in, and spread on crackers. :D
I subbed red curry paste in for the Sriracha because I’m not a fan, and that’s all I had on hand. I’m wondering though, if it’s possible to sub tempeh in for the tofu?
I would think that tempeh would work well! :)
How do i find this recipe to save in the app? I’d love to save it so i can cool it many times – it’s so good!
If you click on the marketplace, then make sure to click on “recipes” instead of “bundles” before typing the word “tofu” into the search bar, it will come up. I hope we can get a better search function soon! :)
Hi Beth – This comment is more for you and not the recipe. I have been following your website for years. Not only do I love your recipes but I really like you as a person! I feel like I almost know you. In the past two years, I have transitioned to eating mostly vegan. I still use your recipes all the time, they are usually easy to veganize. It’s been so awesome to see you and your site grow, I’m so happy for you. Keep it up girl!!!
PS. This recipe looks amazing and I will be trying it soon.
Thank you, Samantha!! That is so sweet and is super encouraging. :) Thank you for your support! ❤️
This is outrageously flavourful! I’ll be making this one for friends. Thank you!
Made this for myself and my friend last night and we could not stop raving! That spicy peanut sauce is EVERYTHING. I also added some carrots and used sambal in place of the sriracha (it’s just too sweet for me!). Thanks for all your amazing recipes, Beth! My sister told me about your sight after I got out of grad school, and you’ve been my go to gal ever since.
Thank you! So glad everyone enjoyed the tofu bowls! :)