Szechuan Tofu
If you’re craving bold flavors, sizzling heat, and crispy tofu, this Szechuan tofu recipe is about to become your new favorite dish! It’s packed with mouthwatering ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for that perfect balance of savory, spicy, and sweet. Extra firm tofu gets a crispy coating from cornstarch, making every bite satisfyingly crunchy. Plus, the toasted sesame oil and fiery crushed red pepper (or Szechuan peppercorns) bring an irresistible, authentic flair. It’s easy to whip up, and you don’t need any fancy ingredients to make a restaurant-quality Asian meal at home.
This recipe is perfect for weeknights when you want something exciting and quick. You can serve it with steamed rice or your favorite veggies to complete the meal. The best part? You can adjust the heat to suit your tastebuds, whether you want a little kick or a full-on flavor explosion. With simple techniques and handy substitutions, anyone can create this dish and wow their taste buds.
Get ready to spice things up and enjoy a tofu recipe that’s bursting with flavor and crunch!
What Is Szechuan Tofu?
Szechuan tofu, also known as Sichuan tofu or Schezwan tofu, is a classic and highly flavorful Chinese dish originating from the Sichuan province. It’s bold and spicy with cubed tofu simmered in a savory sauce.
The dish is similar to Mapo Tofu but there are some key differences. Mapo Tofu is made with silken tofu and minced meat, usually pork or beef. In this Szechuan-style tofu, it’s completely vegetarian, allowing the tofu to shine. Firm tofu is used instead and stir-fried until crispy—perfect as a main dish served over steamed rice and served with stir-fried vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Szechuan Tofu Recipe
Even if you’re not a huge tofu fan, we’re convinced that this recipe will turn you around. There’s just so much to love about these crispy tofu cubes, you won’t be able to stop yourself from trying them. It is:
- Packed with Bold Flavors. Szechuan tofu is an explosion of taste! With garlic, soy sauce, and spicy crushed red pepper, you get a mix of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors. Every bite is exciting and never boring.
- Crispy Tofu Perfection. Extra firm tofu gets a crispy coating thanks to cornstarch and frying. This gives the tofu a satisfying crunch while keeping it tender inside. Even tofu skeptics will love it!
- Quick and Easy to Make. You don’t need a lot of time or complicated steps for this recipe. In about 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality dish ready to enjoy. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Perfect for Meal Prep. Szechuan tofu holds up well for leftovers! Make a big batch and enjoy it for lunches throughout the week. Just reheat, and you’re good to go.
- Great with Any Side Dish. This recipe pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or stir-fried veggies. It’s versatile, so you can mix and match sides to keep things exciting!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
These ingredients work together to give you that amazing mix of spice, crunch, and flavor. But, it’s really all about the tofu! Quality is top priority and we only used the best in this recipe:
- Extra Firm Tofu – This is the most important ingredient, and for a good reason. It soaks up the bold Szechuan flavors beautifully. Using a handmade, traditional tofu like Hodo gives this recipe extra oomph with its high protein content, incredible flavor, and super rich & creamy texture. Press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture for a crispier texture. You can substitute with cubes of tempeh or slices of seitan if you prefer a different protein with a chewy bite. For a soy-free version, try this red lentil tofu recipe!
- Soy Sauce – Adds a rich, salty umami flavor that balances out the heat and sweetness in the dish. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake. For a gluten-free option, tamari or coconut aminos works just as well.
- Maple Syrup – Balances the spiciness and saltiness with a subtle, natural sweetness. Agave nectar, brown sugar, or even a bit of coconut sugar can be swapped in if you don’t have maple syrup on hand.
- Garlic – Gives the dish a punch of aromatic, savory flavor that’s essential to Szechuan cooking. Fresh minced garlic is best, but if you’re out, use garlic powder as a quick fix. If you’re a garlic fan, add an extra clove!
- Toasted Sesame Oil – Adds a deep, nutty flavor and fragrance that makes the dish taste authentic. A little goes a long way! If you don’t have sesame oil, try peanut oil for a subtle nutty flavor, but it won’t have the same intensity.
- Cornstarch – Helps make the tofu crispy and thickens the sauce, giving it a glossy finish. Toss the tofu in cornstarch before frying for a perfect crunch. If you need a substitute, arrowroot powder or potato starch works well too.
How To Make Szechuan Style Tofu
Preparing this Szechuan tofu recipe is much easier than you think. Just three simple steps and you’ll have the most mouthwatering meal in a matter of minutes. While the tofu is cooking, you can get started on any sides. Make sure to remember the chopsticks!
Step 1: Dry and cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Fry up the tofu cubes in vegetable oil for 6-7 minutes without moving. Flip over and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes until golden brown. While the tofu is browning, prepare the sauce.
Step 3: Place the finished tofu onto a side plate and simmer the sauce. Once the sauce is ready, add in the tofu and let simmer with the sauce for another couple of minutes. Time to enjoy!
Helpful Serving Tips and Suggestions
The great thing about tofu is that it goes well with so many side dishes. Along with your Szechuan tofu, choose one or two of these options to accompany your meal. A helpful rule of thumb is to have at least one or two raw elements along with your cooked meal. This gives your palate a few different textures to enjoy. Yum!
- Serve Over Steamed Rice – A bowl of fluffy steamed rice is the perfect base for this spicy, flavorful tofu. The mild rice helps balance the heat and soaks up that delicious sauce!
- Pair with Stir-Fried Veggies – Add some crunch and color by serving your Szechuan tofu with stir-fried veggies like sizzling green beans, roasted broccoli, bok choy, roasted carrots, or snap peas. For a refreshing side, how about a smashed cucumber salad? The fresh veggies complement the bold flavors of the tofu.
- Make It a Noodle Bowl – Swap out rice for noodles! Serve the tofu over lo mein, ramen noodles, peanut kelp noodles, soba noodles for a fun twist. Drizzle a little extra sauce on top for an extra flavor boost.
- Add Roasted Peanuts or Cashews – Sprinkle roasted peanuts or cashews over your tofu for a satisfying crunch. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the spicy Szechuan sauce.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs – A sprinkle of chopped green onions or cilantro adds a burst of freshness. It also makes your dish look extra vibrant and appetizing.
- Serve in Lettuce Wraps – For a lighter option, spoon the Szechuan tofu into crisp lettuce leaves. It’s a fun, hands-on way to enjoy this dish and perfect for sharing!
FAQs
This Szechuan sauce has a slightly sweet and spicy flavor with umami and garlic overtones. The texture of the sauce is usually thick and dark, from the cornstarch and soy sauce. Many commercial sauces contain honey, or other non-vegan ingredients so be careful if you’re using a pre-made sauce.
Definitely! Simply substitute the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Both tamari and coconut aminos are gluten-free.
You sure can! The best plan is to use a tofu press to press out all of the excess water first. This will give your tofu a firmer texture while also leaving more space for the marinade to soak into. Another option is to freeze your firm tofu overnight and then squeeze out the excess water the next day. This method also creates a more dense consistency in your tofu.
Any leftover tofu can be placed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It can easily be reheated in the microwave (a minute should do it) or by pan-frying with a little bit of oil (or extra sauce) for a couple of minutes until the desired temperature is reached. Freezing is not recommended.
More Asian-Inspired Vegan Recipes to Try
Finally, if you’re totally new to tofu, these two recipes are incredibly helpful—How to Marinate Tofu and a glorious Garlic Ginger Tofu Marinade. Did you know that you can eat raw tofu? Don’t forget our Tofu Guide for the Tentative Cook, too!
Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the “Print Recipe” button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchen—or better yet—create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!
Crispy Szechuan Tofu
Ingredients
- 16 ounces extra firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup, or sweetener of choice
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste if you like spicy
- 2 large scallions, finely sliced
- sesame seeds (black or white), to taste
- toasted cashews , to taste (optional)
- sprinkle of red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Pat tofu dry thoroughly and cut into even bite-sized cubes.
- Into a cold nonstick saute or frying pan, add the cubed tofu and 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Turn the heat to medium and allow to come to a sizzle and then cook for 6-7 minutes without moving the tofu.
- In a small bowl, add the cornstarch and a few splashes of the water and stir. Then add the remaining water, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, and cayenne. Whisk well and set aside.
- Once the tofu has nicely browned on the bottom, use a spatula to carefully flip the tofu cubes over and add the rest of the oil. The oil may “squitz,” so please be very careful. Fry for another 6-7 minutes, without moving the tofu. (The exact timing will depend on your particular cooktop and saucepan.)
- When the tofu is browned nicely, transfer to a bowl or plate and set aside.
- Put the pan back on the heat and pour in the sauce mixture. Let the sauce come to a simmer, constantly stirring. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- The moment the sauce starts to thicken, add the tofu cubes back in and mix well with the sauce. Turn off the heat, but keep the pan on the burner. Allow the tofu to marinate in the warm sauce for a couple of minutes more.
- Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and roasted cashews and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Sides: Serve with steamed rice, noodles, and/or with a mixture of roasted and fresh vegetables. Top with toasted sesame seeds or warm, roasted cashews and fresh green onion slices.
- Sauce Tip: Pour any extra sauce over rice and veggies. So good!
- Storing: Store leftover tofu in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat with a little extra sauce in the microwave, saute pan, or in the air fryer until desired temperature.
- Dairy-free and gluten-free (if using tamari instead of soy sauce)
Nutrition
Many thanks to our amazing recipe testers Marilyn Vega and Andi Combs for testing this recipe!
You may also like...
Enter to Win Our Monthly Giveaway!
New winner every month! Drop your name below for a chance to win hundreds of dollars of vegan prizes from our brand partners. You’ll also receive our weekly e-newsletter with plant-based recipes galore!
Leave a Comment
This looks so good!
I’ve been making this tofu for a while now and it’s an absolute hit at my house. It’s even delicious the next day heated quickly in the air fryer. Yum!
Loved this Szechuan tofu recipe! It was easy to make and the flavor was spot on. Thanks for the great recipe!
Anything tofu & rice, I’m there! This recipe is so good!
This tofu recipe turned out amazing! Loved all the asian flavors!
We love this crispy tofu. Easy to make and delicious.
Tofu has never tasted so good! I am loving this recipe!!