Sautéed Tofu with Broccoli

Featured in: Simple Weeknight Recipes

This dish features golden tofu steaks sautéed to crisp perfection, accompanied by tender broccoli florets and earthy shiitake mushrooms. The ingredients are brought together in a flavorful soy-garlic sauce enhanced with mirin, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. It’s a quick, plant-based meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying, ready in just over 30 minutes. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, it delivers a balanced blend of textures and umami-rich flavors.

Updated on Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:35:00 GMT
Golden-brown Sautéed Tofu Steak with Broccoli, a feast of Asian flavors ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Sautéed Tofu Steak with Broccoli, a feast of Asian flavors ready to enjoy. | mellowspice.com

A savory, plant-based main featuring golden tofu steaks, tender broccoli, and earthy shiitake mushrooms in a flavorful soy-garlic sauce.

I first tried tofu steak in a small local restaurant and was amazed by how crispy it could be. Mixing it with broccoli and shiitake mushrooms created a meal I now crave weekly!

Ingredients

  • Tofu: 400 g (14 oz) firm tofu, drained and pressed, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Vegetables: 150 g (5 oz) broccoli florets, 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh shiitake mushrooms (stems removed and sliced), 1 small red bell pepper (sliced, optional)
  • Sauce: 2 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free), 1 tbsp mirin or dry sherry, 1 tbsp water, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp maple syrup or sugar, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated), 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tsp water)
  • Garnish: 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 2 stalks green onion (thinly sliced)

Instructions

Prepare the tofu:
Pat the tofu dry and cut into 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick steaks. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with cornstarch.
Sauté tofu steaks:
Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu steaks and sauté for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Cook vegetables:
Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil to the pan. Add broccoli florets and sauté for 2 minutes. Add shiitake mushrooms (and bell pepper, if using), and cook for another 3–4 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
Mix the sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, water, sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger.
Combine and thicken:
Pour the sauce into the pan with the vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add the cornstarch slurry, stir until the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
Finish and serve:
Return tofu steaks to the pan, spoon sauce and vegetables over the tofu, and warm through for 1 minute. Serve hot, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onion.
Vibrant image shows the delicious Sautéed Tofu Steak with tender vegetables and savory sauce. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant image shows the delicious Sautéed Tofu Steak with tender vegetables and savory sauce. | mellowspice.com

This recipe brings my family together on busy nights. Our favorite part is sprinkling sesame seeds at the end – everyone wants to help!

Required Tools

Large nonstick skillet, chefs knife, cutting board, small mixing bowl, tongs or spatula.

Allergen Information

Contains soy. Use tamari for gluten-free. Always double-check ingredient labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 325, Total Fat 17 g, Carbohydrates 22 g, Protein 21 g.

Plated Sautéed Tofu Steak with Broccoli, garnished with sesame seeds, looks fresh and delightful. Save to Pinterest
Plated Sautéed Tofu Steak with Broccoli, garnished with sesame seeds, looks fresh and delightful. | mellowspice.com

This tofu steak is perfect for busy nights or entertaining plant-based friends. Try it with a crisp white wine for a satisfying dinner!

Recipe FAQs

How do you achieve crisp tofu steaks?

Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, season lightly, dust with cornstarch, and sauté in hot oil until each side turns golden and crisp.

Can broccoli be substituted?

Yes, broccolini or green beans work well as alternatives, offering similar texture and color.

What is the best way to prepare the sauce?

Whisk soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger together, then thicken with a cornstarch slurry added while cooking.

How to add extra flavor to the tofu?

Marinate the tofu in soy sauce and sesame oil for 15 minutes before cooking for deeper savory notes.

What sides complement this dish?

Steamed jasmine rice or soba noodles balance the dish nicely, while a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs well.

Sautéed Tofu with Broccoli

Golden tofu steaks with tender broccoli and earthy shiitake mushrooms in savory soy-garlic sauce.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Created by Hannah Clarke

Recipe Category Simple Weeknight Recipes

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Asian-Inspired

Total Yield 2 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Plant-Based, No Dairy

What You Need

Tofu

01 14 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
02 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 1/4 tsp salt
04 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Vegetables

01 5 oz broccoli florets
02 3.5 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
03 1 small red bell pepper, sliced (optional)

Sauce

01 2 tbsp soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free)
02 1 tbsp mirin or dry sherry
03 1 tbsp water
04 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
05 1 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
08 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water

Garnish

01 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
02 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced

How To Make

Step 01

Prepare tofu steaks: Pat tofu dry, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices. Season with salt and pepper and lightly dust with cornstarch.

Step 02

Sear tofu: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté tofu steaks 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Remove and keep warm.

Step 03

Cook vegetables: Add remaining oil to skillet. Sauté broccoli florets for 2 minutes. Add shiitake mushrooms and optional bell pepper; cook another 3–4 minutes until tender.

Step 04

Mix sauce: Whisk soy sauce, mirin, water, sesame oil, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.

Step 05

Create sauce: Pour sauce into skillet with vegetables; cook 1 minute. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 06

Combine and finish: Return tofu to pan, coat with sauce and vegetables, and warm through for 1 minute.

Step 07

Serve: Plate tofu steaks topped with vegetables and sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tools Needed

  • Large nonstick skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Tongs or spatula

Allergy Details

Review all components for potential allergens and talk to your doctor with any questions.
  • Contains soy from tofu and soy sauce; use tamari to ensure gluten-free preparation.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional breakdown is for your information and isn't a substitute for health advice.
  • Total Calories: 325
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Proteins: 21 g