Black Pepper Tofu

Black pepper tofu is delicious tofu cooked in a flavorful sauce and black peppercorn. This is an easy and quick recipe. You can make it for lunch or dinner; it will take less than 30 minutes.

Black pepper tofu is one of the best tofu recipes you can make. This is an easy yet flavorful tofu dish. It's a quick recipe where tofu is cooked in the black pepper sauce. I also love to make tofu in my Chinese garlic sauce. Black pepper tofu belongs to Asian cuisine.

Black Pepper Tofu - Highlights

Here, the major ingredients are soy sauce and black pepper. Also, garlic and ginger add a nice flavor to the sauce. Add maple syrup or brown sugar to the sauce to balance the spicy part. Moreover, the final sauce is well-balanced with different sauces.

Get extra firm tofu that needs minimal press and gives the best texture. The dish is quick enough to make and takes only 15 - 20 minutes (excluding 10 minutes of preparation, like pressing tofu and chopping the ingredients).

If you are fond of tofu, check out my vegan tofu recipes. If you want quick meals, check my lazy vegan recipes and vegan brunch for similar ideas.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Extra firm Tofu
• Corn Starch
• Dark Soy Sauce + Light Soy Sauce
• Maple syrup or brown sugar
• Hot sauce - optional
• Chilli pepper flakes - optional
• Red chili - Dry
• Vegetable oil or any neutral oil
• Fresh Garlic - Minced finely
• Fresh Ginger - minced finely
• Spring onion - lots of them!

How to make black pepper tofu (step-by-step instructions)?

Press tofu with the help of a tofu press or skip if it's extra firm and doesn't require more press.

Sprinkle cornstarch and coat the tofu cubes nicely. Add light soy sauce and marinate for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 F/ 200 C. Place the marinated tofu on a greased pan and bake for 8 - 10 minutes, flipping through halfway. Remove to a clean bowl once done. (You can also crisp them on a skillet on the stovetop. Follow my crispy tofu recipe for stovetop.)

Now heat a wok or skillet and add oil. When the oil is hot, add chopped ginger and garlic. Saute for 40 - 60 seconds (or until they begin to turn brown), and then add the red chili and chopped green onions. Saute for 30 - 40 seconds. Add black pepper, depending on how fiery you need it.

Next, add the stir-fry sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, hot sauce, maple syrup, cornstarch, and water). Corn starch will help thicken the sauce.

Now add the baked crispy tofu, give it a nice stir, and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu well. Garnish with some more spring onions, and turn off the heat.

Serve hot with steamed rice. Sprinkle some green onions, toasted sesame seeds, roasted veggies, or crunchy cucumber.

Expert Tips For The Best Black Pepper Tofu

• Press the tofu depending on its firmness. You can use heavy chopping boards or a simple tofu press.
• Marinate the tofu before cooking, adding an umami flavor to it.
• You can make crispy tofu by baking it in the oven, air-frying it, or sauteing it in a skillet. However, the oven and air fryer help to make oil-free crispy tofu.
• Add black pepper according to taste and the heat you need in the sauce. The chili sauce and chili flakes are optional; skip them if you can't take so much heat. But the spicy flavor will be balanced with maple syrup.
• I have used red-dried chili, hot sauce, and chili flakes in the sauce, but you can skip any of them.
• Add garlic and ginger generously, making the dish super tasty and flavorful. Saute them till the raw smell goes off.
• There is no need to add any extra salt since the soy sauce contains enough salt for the recipe. If you still feel it's salty, you can dilute the sauce and add more cornstarch slurry.
• This black pepper tofu is usually a thick sauce that coats the black pepper. So avoid adding too much water to the sauce. And consider adding low-sodium soy sauce. For gluten-free substitutes, substitute the soy sauce with tamari.
• If you don't get dark and light soy sauce, then take the regular soy sauce.

If you like the recipes and want to stay updated, subscribe via email. Also, please like and share my Facebook Page. Follow My Dainty Kitchen on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

PIN IT FOR LATER