Save to Pinterest A flavorful, budget-friendly vegetarian dish featuring crispy tofu and tender broccoli tossed in a savory sesame sauce, served over steamed rice.
I first made this sesame tofu & broccoli for my family when we started exploring more vegetarian meals. Everyone enjoyed how the savory sauce and crispy tofu paired so well with fresh broccoli and steamed rice.
Ingredients
- Firm tofu: 400 g, drained and pressed
- Soy sauce: 2 tbsp (for marinade), 3 tbsp (for sauce)
- Cornstarch: 1 tbsp (for tofu), 1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water (for sauce)
- Sesame oil: 1 tbsp (for tofu), 1 tbsp toasted (for sauce)
- Broccoli: 1 large head, cut into florets (about 350 g)
- Carrots: 2 medium, sliced (optional)
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Fresh ginger: 1 tbsp, grated
- Maple syrup or honey: 2 tbsp
- Rice vinegar: 1 tbsp
- Sesame seeds: 1 tbsp, plus more for garnish
- Uncooked jasmine or long-grain rice: 250 g (1 1/4 cups)
- Water: 500 ml (2 cups)
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Spring onions: 2, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the rice:
- Rinse rice under cold water. Combine with water and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 –15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the tofu:
- Cut the pressed tofu into 2 cm cubes. In a bowl, toss tofu with soy sauce, then sprinkle with cornstarch, mixing until evenly coated.
- Cook the tofu:
- Heat sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes in a single layer. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides (about 8 minutes). Remove tofu from pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry vegetables:
- In the same pan, add broccoli and carrots. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup or honey, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Add to the pan with the vegetables. Stir well.
- Thicken the sauce:
- Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to the pan. Stir until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables (about 2 minutes).
- Combine:
- Return tofu to the pan and toss everything together gently. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve:
- Spoon rice into bowls, top with sesame tofu and broccoli mixture. Garnish with spring onions and extra sesame seeds.
Save to Pinterest This Sesame Tofu & Broccoli has become a weeknight favorite at our house. Even our picky eater loves the crispy tofu bits!
Required Tools
Saucepan for cooking the rice, large nonstick skillet or wok, mixing bowls, knife and cutting board, spatula.
Allergen Information
This recipe includes soy and sesame and is free of dairy and egg. If you need gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and always check product labels.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 370, Total Fat: 12 g, Carbohydrates: 49 g, Protein: 15 g.
Save to Pinterest For best results, serve hot and enjoy with family or friends. Leftovers keep well for next-day lunches!
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I get crispy tofu without it sticking?
Press the tofu well to remove excess moisture and dust it evenly with cornstarch before pan-frying in hot sesame oil over medium-high heat. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crispness.
- → Can I substitute broccoli with other vegetables?
Yes, cauliflower or bell peppers work well as alternatives, offering a similar texture and complementing the sesame sauce flavors.
- → What type of rice pairs best with this dish?
Jasmine or long-grain rice is ideal due to its light, fluffy texture that balances the richness of the sesame tofu and vegetables.
- → How is the sesame sauce thickened?
A slurry made from cornstarch and water is added during cooking, which thickens quickly and coats the tofu and vegetables evenly.
- → Can I make this dish sweeter or spicier?
Absolutely. Adjust sweetness by varying maple syrup or honey amount and add heat with chili flakes or sriracha to suit your taste.
- → Is this suitable for a dairy-free diet?
Yes, this preparation uses no dairy ingredients and is naturally dairy-free, focusing on plant-based flavors.