Description
This Vegan Cashew Tofu is a delicious and savory dish featuring crispy tofu, roasted cashews, and a flavorful, tangy sauce. Perfect served with steamed rice or noodles, it’s a satisfying, plant-based meal that’s quick to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tofu:
- 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Cashew Topping:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, toasted
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the tofu into cubes (about 1-inch pieces).
- In a large bowl, toss the tofu cubes with olive oil, soy sauce, and cornstarch until evenly coated. Arrange the tofu cubes on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tofu is golden and crispy.
- Make the sauce:
- While the tofu is baking, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and vegetable broth in a small saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. If you’d like a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water and simmer for another 1-2 minutes, until thickened.
- Toast the cashews:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the cashews for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly golden and fragrant.
- Assemble the dish:
- Once the tofu is done baking, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the tofu and toss gently to coat.
- Add the toasted cashews and green onions, and give it one more gentle toss.
- Serve:
- Serve the Vegan Cashew Tofu over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce by adding more maple syrup or rice vinegar, depending on your taste.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.
- If you prefer a crunchier tofu, you can pan-fry the tofu instead of baking it for a few minutes on each side before adding the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0g