Sweet and Sour Tofu

5 from 6 votes

Sweet and Sour Tofu Recipe is crispy tofu in a healthy sweet and sour sauce served with sautéed vegetables on a bed of brown rice and then drizzled with extra sauce for added bliss.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 206kcal

Author: Kathy Carmichael

Ingredients

Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 cup pineapple juice fresh is best
¼ cup maple syrup or date syrup
⅓ cup rice vinegar
3 Tablespoons ketchup
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 ½ Tablespoons arrowroot powder with 1 Tablespoon water or substitute corn starch mixed with water.

Tofu

14 ounces extra firm or sprouted tofu cut into equal-sized cubes
¼ cup sweet and sour sauce

Other ingredients

2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1 cup brown rice prepared
1 cup fresh pineapple cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper cut into bite-sized pieces
1 white onion or yellow onion cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup mame shelled edamame
Sesame Seeds optional

Instructions

Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce

Combine all ingredients, except the corn starch and water, and heat on medium-low until heated.
Combine arrowroot or cornstarch and water, forming a paste.
Add to the hot sauce mixture.
The sauce will thicken in a few short minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat.

Sweet and Sour Tofu

Press and cut the tofu into equal-sized cubes
Marinate in ¼ cup sweet and sour sauce overnight

Grilling

Preheat the grill to low. Air FryingFollow the same pressing and marinating process. Set the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees.Set the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees
Place a grill mat on the grill (you can also use a grill pan, or if you are careful, place the tofu directly on the grill
Cook for about 8 minutes on each side.
Remove from the grill and place back in the marinade until ready to use.
Then, cut the tofu into strips or cubes.

Baking

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place cubed tofu on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Remove from oven and flip tofu over; cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Air Frying

Follow the same pressing and marinating process.
Set the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees.
Cook for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket several times throughout the cooking.

Skillet

Heat a large skillet on medium high heat.
Add the tofu pieces to the hot skillet.
Cook for a few minutes, and add a little marinade to release the pieces when they stick.
Flip the tofu over and repeat the process of adding marinade and flipping until the tofu is brown and the marinade dissipates.

Preparing the Brown Rice

Cook brown rice according to the directions
Saute vegetables and pineapple while the rice and tofu cook
In a large skillet, add the garlic and ginger and saute for a minute.
Add the rest of the vegetables and pineapple.
Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low until onions are translucent and vegetables are al'dente.

Serving the Sweet and Sour Tofu

Begin plating the brown rice on a large plate or platter.
Add the sweet and sour tofu to the center of the plate.
Add half the vegetables on each side of the tofu.
Drizzle with additional sauce.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional)
Serve extra sauce on the side.
Add Thai basil for additional flavor (optional)

Notes

As a time-saver, use extra-extra firm tofu or sprouted tofu instead of extra firm tofu allows you to skip pressing the tofu.
Because the sweet and sour sauce is a marinade for the tofu and the sauce for the recipes, make it a day ahead so you can marinate the tofu overnight.
Fresh pineapple is always better than canned, but in a pinch, canned pineapple works well. However, choose the canned pineapple in natural juice instead of the type in syrup, which is too sweet for this recipe.
The tofu can also be prepared in the oven or the air fryer and reheated when cooking the vegetables.
Sweet and sour tofu can be stored in an airtight container with the rice and sauce for up to 5 days.

Nutrition