Golden Crispy Tofu Salad (Printer view)

Golden crispy tofu paired with fresh greens and zesty ginger-soy dressing for a light, balanced meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 3 tbsp vegetable oil for frying

→ Salad

06 - 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
10 - 2 spring onions, sliced
11 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

→ Ginger-Soy Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 2 tbsp sesame oil
18 - 1 tbsp water

# Directions:

01 - Cut the pressed tofu into 3/4 inch cubes.
02 - In a bowl, toss tofu cubes with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu cubes until golden and crispy on all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
04 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and water in a small bowl until combined.
05 - Place salad greens, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, bell pepper, and spring onions in a large bowl or on individual plates.
06 - Add crispy tofu cubes on top and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
07 - Drizzle with ginger-soy dressing just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Crispy tofu stays crunchy even when dressed, which surprised me the first time I made it.
  • It's quick enough for a weeknight dinner but feels special enough to serve to guests.
  • One pan and a bowl are all you really need, so cleanup won't steal your evening.
02 -
  • Pressing the tofu is non-negotiable if you want it crispy; skipping this step means accepting soggy tofu, and you deserve better.
  • Don't dress the salad too early or the greens will wilt and the tofu will soften; wait until the last moment to pour the dressing.
03 -
  • If you want maximum crunchiness, double-fry the tofu by letting it cool slightly after the first fry, then frying it again for just a minute or two; the results are almost unbelievably crispy.
  • An air fryer works beautifully if you prefer not to use oil; spray the cornstarch-coated tofu with a little cooking oil and air fry at 375°F for about twelve minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
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