Coconut-Caramel Braised Tofu Recipe (2024)

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eliza

Very tasty & easy! Excellent effort:outcome ratio. Made tonight, will definitely make again. After browning tofu I moved it to a plate and made sauce in pan, then when thickened I added tofu back in just to warm. Would be great with chicken instead of tofu too. Next time might dial back the salt a bit (reduce soy sauce to 1-2 tsp and go from there). Didn’t look especially beautiful but tasted awesome. Next time will add slivered jalapeños and cilantro on top.

bmn

Subbed fish sauce for soy, added cilantro, chopped jalapeños and crushed peanuts. Yum.

ronc

This was very tasty and was really easy for a quick meal. I too cut the soy sauce to 2 teaspoons and did not add salt it at the end. Even then it was too salty for me. That said, I will make this again. Next time I will not use any added salt, cut the soy sauce to 1 teaspoon and the miso to 1 tablespoon and adjust the salt at the end if it needs it. I also added 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes near the end.

Ciabnw

Air Fried the Tofu and the Green Beans. Air Fried tofu is considerably easier and healthier than frying. The green beans are marvelous out of the air fryer. Simply added both to the sauce. Next time I might try broccolini and perhaps a couple handfuls of spinach.

Lyn

This was delicious! I increased the soy sauce because I felt it needed more flavor. I didn’t have miso so subbed with tahini. I take issue with the recommendation to cook the green beans for five minutes; unless you like them crunchy, they need three times as long. And I recommend to remove the tofu after browning, make the sauce, then add the tofu and green beans back in. Otherwise you’ll risk breaking up the tofu when stirring the sauce. Would be easy to swap in different veggies.

Russ Graham

I learned from a close friend who is an excellent chef long ago to make a caramel as the base for these style dishes. You simply melt the sugar in the base of your pan, add your aromatics, top with your liquid and blend like crazy with a whisk or immersion blender. The overall recipe is pretty balanced, my natural instinct to season proteins and vegetables lightly as I go pushed this into salty food range. While still delicious, miso paste and soy sauce will salt this almost enough. Be careful!

Ilze

This was easy and better than any take -out! My family loved it. I used lowfat coconut milk and 12 oz beans to up the veggie content.

Dana

This was great! I tossed the tofu with a tbsp of cornstarch and roasted for 40 mins at 425, and threw in the green beans for the last 15 mins. Used the whole can of coconut milk, and added the green beans in for the 5 min braise.

Maya

I really liked this one. Made it with broccoli and skinny eggplant. Added a little hot sauce as a topping to give it a little extra kick. Agree that a bit of crunch would nice and next time would add peanuts or cashews and definitely cilantro and a little more lime.

REK

I made this last night and it was very good. I will opt for more sauce next time and will definitely try with chicken.

Sally

Disappointed in this dish. I followed the recipe as written, but it was bland land and lacked complexity. Won’t make it again.

AT

I only had red miso paste on hand so I used that insteadGave a strong umami flavor and darker color but it was delicious

Julia K.

So quick and really delicious. Started the rice before cooking. I also followed another person's suggestion and threw the tofu and the green beans in the air fryer while I chopped, prepped and cooked the sauce. Everything was ready in 20 minutes. I didn't have a shallot or limes. Garnished with chopped cilantro, cashews, and scallions. Flexible recipe - could use with any vegetables and/or protein. Base sauce is a keeper.

Bella

I used 3/4 tbsp of dark miso and added basil and red pepper flakes. I added salt and used water to thin it out so it was more of a soup. Very delicious!!

Anna

I use the whole coconut milk can. Substituted green beans with frozen kale, which made it even quicker and easier. Soooo perfect with Cholula hot sauce. This one is an all time fav.

ncl bcknwlf

I have been making a version of this for years - but I bake or fry the tofu separately with a coating of cornstarch & coconut shreds. Add gochugaru to the caramelized sauce and pour it on at the end to keep the tofu’s bite.

Dawn

Needs cumin and coriander

subbing kale for green beans

Works with one bunch of kale, but might be even better with two bunches.

dana

This was fine, but if you want a tastier version of this try the coconut gochujang chicken with broccoli. Can easily swap into tofu for the chicken (which I have before) and the sauce is much more scrumptious.

Laura

Easy, quick, & got rave reviews from my tofu-loving 3 year old. Great weeknight dinner.

Sue

So...this is delicious. I've made it twice. This time I played around with the recipe just a tad. I reduced the oil to a total of 2 tsps because I have brand new slick-as-a-whistle non-stick skillet. I also eliminated the sugar from the sauce. I doubled the quantity of green beans and skipped the rice. Still delicious!

alex

Definitely took longer than 20 minutes. I had to add more coconut milk to dilute the salty sauce. With lime, hot sauce, and some crunchy almond slices it was tasty.

Freya

My husband raved about this! I just used the whole can of coconut milk and I didn’t have any green beans so used carrots, cabbage, and broccoli. Very yummy. Definitely will make again.

Debbie R.

I thoroughly enjoyed this coconut caramel braised tofu recipe! It's a truly delicious and comforting meal. I followed the recipe closely, but heeded notes about reducing soy sauce and miso due to saltiness. Using regular miso worked well, and adjusting salt at the end suited my taste. Agreed with others on extending bean cooking time for a softer texture. Considering air frying the tofu next time for added crispiness. Overall, I'll be making this again—it was just soooo good!

Jane

Loved it! Used frozen beans, and that worked great. Also added the whole can of coconut milk, and I'm glad I did for the extra sauce...adjusted by adding a bit more miso. Extra salt is unnecessary, in my opinion. Quick and delicious!

Cary

I like to top this with toasted coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) for an extra pop.

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Coconut-Caramel Braised Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is braised tofu made of? ›

It begins by pan-frying tofu squares until they're golden brown. From there, the crispy tofu is braised in a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and spicy Chinese sauce until every bite is infused with rich flavor. Scoop the spicy braised tofu over rice and greens, then enjoy!

How to Flavour and cook tofu? ›

Toss the cubes with olive oil, tamari or soy sauce, and sriracha. If desired, you could also add cornstarch to make the cubes extra crispy. Finally, bake! Transfer the baking sheet to a 425°F oven and cook until the cubes are browned around the edges.

How do you make tofu not chewy? ›

Kitchen Secrets that Will Keep Your Tofu from Being Rubbery
  1. Buy the right kind of tofu.
  2. Press your tofu before cooking.
  3. Use small pieces.
  4. Use oil-free marinades.
  5. Marinate your tofu thoroughly.
  6. Use the right breading.
Mar 9, 2021

Is braised tofu healthy? ›

1 serving of braised tofu contains 272 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 16% carbs, 67% fat, and 18% protein. This is a good source of protein (23% of your Daily Value) and calcium (22% of your Daily Value).

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

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 is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

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 is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Tofu contains a large amount of water when it comes out of the package. In order to bake, fry, or scramble tofu, it's best to press out as much water as possible before cooking. The longer you press your tofu, the firmer the texture will be and the easier it will be to achieve a nice crispy texture.

Why won't my tofu get crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

Why is my tofu so tasteless? ›

If you're new to a plant-based diet you may think you don't like tofu, but chances are it's just been prepared wrong. In reality, plain tofu is not very flavorful at all (but that's the great thing about it!). Tofu, like chicken and these other mild-flavored meats, is a great vehicle for flavor.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

What is meant by braising? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added.

What meat is tofu? ›

Tofu products are actually a staple soy-based part of a vegetarian and vegan diet. Tofu is vegetarian because it is derived from soy proteins. These proteins are made from pressed soybean curds in a process similar to cheesemaking.

Is soy and tofu the same thing? ›

Tofu, also known as soybean curd, is a soft, smooth soy product made by curdling fresh, hot soymilk with coagulant. Tofu has a mild flavor and easily absorbs the flavors of marinades, spices and other ingredients. Tofu is rich in high-quality protein and B vitamins, and low in sodium.

What's the difference between soy and tofu? ›

Tofu is made from the whole bean and has a higher nutritional value than soya protein extract and no toxins. Soya is well researched as a nutritional component that, as we have discovered, has been a part of the diets of millions of adults and children in Asia for centuries.

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