Sweet and Sour Tofu

February 2, 2018 By Sarah 21 Comments

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Sweet and Sour Tofu has all of the yumminess of take out, and you get to control the ingredients! {vegan // nut free} PIN THIS RECIPE NOW!!!

Tofu is on regular rotation at our house. Like weekly rotation. It’s a meal we all agree on, especially the boys. Tofu + veggie + carb = dinner! We like to mix it up with different variations, like Teriyaki Tofu, Baked Tofu, and even Pizza Tofu. It’s yummy, inexpensive (Costco has the best deals in my area), and filling. My latest variation is my homemade spin on sweet and sour tofu, often found at fast food Chinese inspired restaurants. I love to serve it with a bowl of sushi rice and some steamed broccoli. Easiest dinner of the week!

Refined Sugar Free Version

I use brown sugar in this recipe. I really like the flavor it gives, but if you are looking for a refined sugar free version you can use agave or maple syrup with great results!

Crispy Tofu

My favorite way to prepare tofu is to bake the tofu first while I prepare the sauce. I toss it in cornstarch to give it a little help in the browning department. I bake it for about 45 minutes at 400 degrees. The inside stays soft, and the outside gets a slight bite to it. After baking, I toss it into a skillet and pour the sauce over top. A few minutes on medium high heat and the sauce thickens up and coats the tofu beautifully!

Look how easy it is to make Sweet and Sour Tofu!

I hope you have a chance to try my homemade Sweet and Sour Tofu! Be sure to drop a comment below and let me know how you like it! Or snap a picture and share it on social media. Be sure to tag me! {#frieddandelions // @frieddandelions}

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

SWEET AND SOUR TOFU

Sweet and Sour Tofu has all of the yumminess of take out, and you get to control the ingredients! {vegan // nut free}

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

2 blocks tofu
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Press tofu in tofu press (or wrap in towel and press between plates) to remove excess water.
Slice tofu in half, then into cubes.
Place tofu into a large zip top plastic bag. Place cornstarch and salt in the bag. Shake well to coat the tofu.
Place tofu on prepared baking pan. Bake at 400° for 45 minutes, until starting to brown, turning once.
While the tofu is baking prepare the sauce. Place all sauce ingredients (pineapple juice, orange juice, ketchup, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch slurry, brown sugar, and garlic) into a large measuring cup and mix well. Set aside.
Remove tofu from the oven. Place into a large skillet. Pour the sauce overtop and begin to cook over medium warm heat. Allow the sauce to begin to bubble and thicken, stirring to prevent sticking or burning.
Sauce will thicken and coat the tofu after about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Tofu is ready to serve! I enjoy this tofu with rice and green veggies!

Notes

For a refined sugar free option, substitute the brown sugar with agave or maple syrup.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Gina says
May 11, 2020 at 10:50 am
Making this recipe again (for the hundredth time!) today.
Have lived in SE Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and this is absolutely the best sweet and sour sauce I have ever had the pleasure to eat. Much appreciation and many thanks for sharing your perfect recipe.
Reply
- Sarah says
  May 13, 2020 at 10:44 am
  Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much‚ I’m glad that you love it as much as we do!
  Reply
Chantell says
January 3, 2020 at 11:49 am
I’ve never had or even attempted to try Tofu. What is the texture like.
Reply
- Sarah says
  January 12, 2020 at 5:32 pm
  Tofu on its own doesn’t have any flavor, and the texture is sort of soft and chewy at the same time, if that makes sense. It’s all about the way you prepare it! Give it a try and see if you like it—it’s one of my favorite foods!
  Reply
Anna says
July 30, 2018 at 4:25 pm
This was my first time ever cooking with or even eating tofu, and I’m not sure it’s for me… but the sauce was absolutely delicious!
Reply
- Sarah says
  August 1, 2018 at 11:24 pm
  Aw, glad you like the sauce! You can use it on veggies or seitan as well!!! Yum!
  Reply
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
February 8, 2018 at 10:00 pm
I make tofu at least once a week for dinner, and I’ll definitely be adding this recipe to my collection. The sauce looks really delicious!
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 9, 2018 at 6:27 pm
  We do too! All aboard the tofu train!!!
  Reply
Isaac Thomas says
February 8, 2018 at 1:30 am
This looks at sounds amazing. Cannot wait to try.
Isaac Thomas
Peace & Love
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 8, 2018 at 9:11 am
  Thank you Isaac! Hope you enjoy it!
  Reply
Katie Koteen says
February 7, 2018 at 6:26 pm
I love that (aside from the pineapple juice) I already have all of these ingredients on-hand! Easier than takeout and look absolutely delicious!!!
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 7, 2018 at 9:11 pm
  Yes! Sweet and Sour Tofu for the win! You can always just use all orange juice or all pineapple, depending on what you have handy! Still totally delicious!!!
  Reply
Mary Ellen | VNutrition says
February 7, 2018 at 11:07 am
Tofu is huge in my house too! This looks amazing – excited to give it a try!
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 7, 2018 at 9:12 pm
  Yes! We eat it so often! It’s a meal that everyone likes. In fact, we’re making Becky’s BBQ tofu tomorrow night! Where do you get YOUR protein?!? 🙂
  Reply
Sarah says
February 7, 2018 at 9:17 am
This looks soooo good, Sarah! I’m going to try it tonight!
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 7, 2018 at 9:12 pm
  Oh, I hope it’s a hit with your kiddos! Let me know how they like it!!!
  Reply
Becky Striepe says
February 5, 2018 at 7:55 am
GIRL! You know how I love tofu, and this looks ah-mazing!!
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 5, 2018 at 2:26 pm
  Aw, thank you my tofu loving twin!!! It’s so yummy!
  Reply
Hannah says
February 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm
That looks way better than takeout! I’d love to try making it nice and crispy in the air fryer, too.
Reply
- Sarah says
  February 2, 2018 at 8:06 pm
  Thank you! Yes, I think the air fryer would be amazing for this! I don’t have one….yet….but someday I will and tofu will be first up!!!
  Reply