Vegan tofu in a sweet peanut sauce is an Asian-inspired dish that is super quick and easy to prepare.
So very satisfying with its sweet, savoury, sticky flavours and textures.
Perfect for a family fake-away, or serve the sweet peanut tofu as a side-dish along with your favourite noodles, rice and Chinese stir fry dishes.
Also delicious in a crispy salad or Buddha style bowl.
Sweet Peanut Tofu Fake-Away
This recipe's sweet peanut sauce is inspired by the traditional Asian peanut or satay sauces.
Traditionally Asian peanut sauces would be prepared by grinding roasted peanuts in a pestle and mortar to achieve a rustic peanut butter style base.
However, it is common in Western countries to use already prepared peanut butter as I have done with this recipe.
I have used Biona organic peanut butter which I source on Amazon UK in a huge 1 kg bucket. It tastes really good and lasts for so many meals. Including my kids enjoying the odd peanut butter sandwich.
This recipe also uses one tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. I have purposefully kept the oil down as it is mainly for added flavour. However, if your on an oil-free diet I have provided easy substitutions below in the recipe notes.
How To Prepare Vegan Tofu In A Sweet, Sticky Peanut Sauce
Cook and the tofu over a medium heat for 10-15 minutes until golden brown with crispy parts.
Flip the tofu pieces over regularly so that all the sides colour.
Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is sticky and coats the tofu.
Or with a tasty stir fry with noodles or rice.
Recipe Notes And FAQS
Yes this recipe can be easily prepared gluten-free.
Simply ensure that a gluten-free soya sauce is used such as Tamari, and if you sauté the tofu in veggie stock then use a gluten-free stock.
Leftovers (if your lucky enough to have any!) can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, in a covered container.
Or frozen for up to 4 months.
Defrost before reheating.
Place the leftovers in a skillet or similar pan and gently reheat for a few minutes until piping hot.
Stir frequently.
Add a tablespoon or two of water or veggie stock if the sauce needs loosening up to reheat.
I have served sweet peanut tofu with basmati rice, fresh spinach, steamed broccoli and carrots. We also enjoy this sweet and sticky as a stir fry topping with rice noodles.
More ideas:
* any of your favourite steamed or stir-fried veggies
* any variety of rice
* vegan naan bread/ flat bread
* lentil chips/crisps
* quinoa chips/crisps
* any type of noodles but especially tasty are rice noodles, thick Udon noodles or buckwheat noodles
* your favourite noodle dish, such as vegan pad Thai
* as a side dish with your favourite Chinese meal
* as part of a salad/power/Buddha bowl
* as a tortilla, baguette or sandwich filling
* veggie spring rolls
Garnish with:
* sliced green/spring onions
* sliced chopped chilli
* chopped coriander/cilantro
* toasted/plain cashews, peanuts, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame or poppy seeds
* use almond or another nut butter instead of peanut butter
* instead of maple syrup switch for soft brown sugar, golden caster sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, agave syrup, rice syrup, or date syrup
* instead of sesame oil opt for 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds and add an extra tablespoon of water
* instead of sautéing the tofu in coconut oil, replace with 125ml or ½ a cup of veggie stock. Add more stock if necessary.
More tasty vegan meal ideas:
Vegan Mongolian 'beef' and Broccoli
Vegan Loaded Black Bean Potato Wedges
Thai Red Sweet Potato, Broccoli and Chickpea Curry
Rice-a-Roni With Kidney Beans And Bell Peppers
Vegan Tofu in Sweet Peanut Sauce
Equipment
- Non stick skillet/ fry pan.
Ingredients
For the tofu:
- 350 gram firm tofu type found in the refrigerator section of supermarket or store
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ½ cup vegetable stock if following an oil-free diet.
Peanut sauce:
- 65 grams peanut butter crunchy or smooth. Although crunchy will bring tasty little pieces of peanut through the sauce
- 2 tablespoon tamari soy sauce Tamari is gluten-free and lower in sodium. Alternatively use regular soy sauce.
- 5 tablespoon maple syrup Alternatively use a sweetener of your choice such as date/agave/rice syrup, coconut/date sugar. Use less syrup or sugar if preferred.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil or use a few teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds and add an extra teaspoon of water.
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated/minced. Or 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of ginger paste/puree
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- If necessary squeeze the water out of your tofu. Some tofu brands only need a little pat with a tea towel or kitchen paper while others may need a plate gently pressed on top of the tofu to remove excess liquid.
- Slice the tofu into bitesize or larger cubes.
- Melt the coconut oil over a medium heat.
- Cook the tofu in the coconut oil for 10-15 minutes until the tofu is golden with crispy bits. Turn over the tofu cubes frequently so that each side browns.
Put together the sweet peanut brown sauce:
- Meanwhile prepare the sauce by mixing everything together and set aside.
- Once the tofu is ready the sauce can be added and simmered until just thick and sticky about 2-3 minutes.
- Optional: Serve the sweet peanut tofu with rice, noodles, steamed or stir fry veggies.Garnish with chopped coriander/cilantro, and chopped peanuts or cashews if liked.
Notes
- Nutritional analysis is for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Enjoy chilled straight from the fridge added to a salad, sandwich, or as a side along with a baked potato meal.
- Reheat by adding to a skillet, and gently heating for a few minutes until hot, a little veggie stock or water may be required to loosen up the sauce just a little.
- Garnish with chopped coriander/cilantro, chopped peanuts, cashews, sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Sliced green onions/spring onions are also a nice addition.
Sue
You had me a t sweet peanut sauce, how delicious does that sound? Going to try this tonight.
Great! Hope you enjoy. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Mairead
This sauce looks delicious. I am trying to incorporate more plant based cooking in my diet, so this recipe would be perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome. Hope you enjoy the sweet peanut sauce as much as we do!
Kristina
My 6 year old recently decided to go vegetarian and really wanted to try tofu. She loved this!
Brilliant! So happy your daughter loved the tofu in sweet peanut sauce. My kids love it too!
Chrissie Baker
I love tofu but I’ve never cooked it myself. I’ve kind of been scared to since I didn’t know how it would go but your recipe makes it look so easy! I’m definitely going to give it a shot.
Great. Happy cooking! Tofu in a sweet peanut sauce is one of my family's favourites. I have found that the more you eat tofu the more you want to eat it!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for this broccoli recipe! Job well done! So easy and tasty! Loved it!
So glad you enjoyed. This sweet peanut tofu is on the menu at our house for today's dinner 🙂
Beth
This is fantastic and packed with so much flavor! My hubby loves this recipe! Quick and perfect for dinner! Making this again soon!
Brilliant! So glad your husband enjoyed!
Allyssa
Super delicious! Thanks for this tofu recipe! one of my favorites now! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! So glad you like the recipe. My kids ask for this meal every week!
Jess Saunders
Peanut sauce is a favourite in our house, paired with tofu is an absolute winner. Delicious!
I so agree! Peanut sauce with tofu is amazing. I could have it every day!
Shivani Raja
I loooove tofu and this recipe looks amazing! I can't wait to try it 🙂
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy!
Farah
This look so saucy and delicious, I think you've convinced me to try tofu! With that peanut sauce yum!
Definitely give it a try tofu is delicious with the right recipe! Its so easy and tastes amazing. Happy cooking!