Pan-Fried Garlic Tofu with Lemon and Green Onion Recipe
This Pan-Fried Garlic Tofu recipe features marinated extra-firm tofu slices infused with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and brown sugar, pan-fried to a golden crisp and garnished with fresh green onions. Perfectly balanced with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, it’s a delicious plant-based dish ideal for a flavorful main course or side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes minimum marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 14 to 16 ounces of extra-firm tofu, drained
Marinade
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 3 stalks of green onion, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- Juice of 1 small lemon
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ cup of water
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons of oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Tofu: Cut the extra-firm tofu into ⅓ inch thick triangular slices. Arrange them in a large casserole dish and set aside.
- Make and Apply the Marinade: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix minced garlic, soy sauce, thinly sliced green onions, lemon juice, brown sugar, grated ginger, and water. Pour this marinade evenly over the tofu slices, ensuring all pieces are coated. Let the tofu sit to marinate for at least two hours, or preferably overnight for deeper flavor. Flip the tofu halfway through marinating.
- Pan-Fry the Tofu: Heat a large sauté pan over high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom. Place as many tofu slices as will fit comfortably in a single layer. Cook the slices until they are browned on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip each piece and brown the other side for about 2 minutes.
- Add Marinade to Pan and Finish Cooking: Pour the leftover marinade from the bowl into the pan with the tofu. Cook until the tofu darkens slightly, approximately 45 seconds, then flip the tofu pieces and repeat the process on the other side.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the tofu from the pan and garnish with the remaining thinly sliced green onions. Serve warm as a main or side dish.
Notes
- Marinate tofu overnight for a richer and more developed flavor.
- Use extra-firm tofu to ensure the slices hold their shape during frying.
- Adjust the amount of oil based on the size of your pan to avoid sogginess.
- Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- Pressing tofu before marinating can help remove excess moisture for better texture.
Keywords: Garlic tofu, pan-fried tofu, vegan tofu recipe, Asian tofu dish, marinated tofu, tofu main course
