This Garlic Teriyaki Tofu recipe is perfect, if you are a beginner vegan. It is one of my favorite recipes as it’s high in protein and a flavor-bomb! The perfect weeknight dinner! Forget take-out, this is so much better for you and your wallet. 😉
For more tasty meals, check out our vegan recipes for beginners, vegan Asian recipes, vegan tofu recipes, and high protein vegan meals roundups!
The secret to making this recipe quick, easy and beginner-friendly is to use a store-bought teriyaki glaze. Teriyaki glaze is a thicker type of teriyaki sauce that will make you tofu sticky.
Now, I understand that not has access to this products, so you can make your own “Restaurant-style thick teriyaki sauce” at home.
If you can find/make a teriyaki glaze that already has garlic in it you can omit that.
Depending on your taste feel free to use minced ginger or ginger powder at the end to taste.
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:
- extra firm tofu (6.5 oz/people or serving)
- soy sauce
- teriyaki glaze, but a thick teriyaki sauce is good as well
- garlic
- oil
- sesame seeds
Optional garnish: chives, scallions, peanuts…etc. (to taste)
Step 1:
Cut up the tofu into small cubes.
Step 2:
Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes and start frying them on all sides.
Your tofu cubes are ready when all sides are golden colored (as shown below).
When your tofu cubes are fried, add the soy sauce and fry everything evenly for 1/2-1 minute. This step is very important to make the tofu crispy.
Step 3:
Turn off the heat, then add the teriyaki glaze and minced garlic. Stir everything together in the pan for 1 minute.
Step 4:
Add the sesame seeds.
Step 6:
Serve over fresh rice and add your optional garnish.
If you prefer to use your oven, check out this Teriyaki Baked Tofu recipe from Veggie Anh!
Vegan Garlic Teriyaki Tofu for Beginners
Vegan Garlic Teriyaki Tofu for Beginners (Step by Step)
Ingredients
- 1 block tofu (12 oz)
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp thick* teriyaki sauce (or teriyaki glaze*)
- 4 tbsp oil
- 2 big clove garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut up the tofu into small cubes. Season them with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes and start frying them on all sides.Your tofu cubes are ready when all sides are golden colored (as shown above).
- When your tofu cubes are fried, add the soy sauce and fry everything evenly for 1/2-1 minute. This step is very important to make the tofu crispy.
- Turn off the heat, then add the teriyaki glaze and minced garlic. Stir everything together in the pan for 1 minute.
- Finally, add the sesame seeds, the optional garnish and serve over hot rice.
Notes
Did you make this Vegan Garlic Teriyaki Tofu for Beginners? Let me know in the comments!
Have not made this yet but have a question. My glaze list soy sauce as the first ingredient, should I still add the soy sauce your recipe calls for?
Hi Susan! Yes! Teriyaki sauce is actually made from soy sauce, but don’t let that confuse you. They have quite different flavors, so you need both the soy sauce AND the teriyaki sauce. 🙂
It was SOOOO good:)) Thank you, I’ve been really scared to do anything with tofu before ( but I love tempeh!) so this was a great help
Hi! When you say “fry everything evenly”, do you mean to fry each side of the tofu for the 30s-1min period? Thanks!
You can keep flipping the tofu cubes or leave them on each side for a minute or so.
Is there a way to make this crispy dish without using oil?
Hi Risa! You can try using a non-stick pan or an air-fryer.
How many calories is 1 serving?
I saw a different recipe that wants me to press my tofu before cooking with it. Is that needed with this recipe?
It depends on your taste! I, personally don’t press tofu before cooking, but you might like it more that way.
You are so right about the flavor! This is awesome! I was thinking I may even try serving along with some sort of zucchini or squash next time.
You can definitely add more veggies!
Will look easy to make. The longest part was flipping the tofu 6 different times. What a delicious recipe! I recommend this to everyone, a beginner or not. [I added some sauteed onions to mine….made it even better!]
Sauteed onions sound delicious! 🙂
How many calories in one serving please?
Im searching for vegan receipes to add to my food truck menu. I have a Chinese menu. I need easy and fast ones.