Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Vandana Chauhan. This post may contain affiliate links.

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This simple, tangy Vietnamese tofu in tomato sauce is a comforting vegan dish that's very easy to make. It's made by adding fried or baked tofu in a simple onion-tomato gravy which can be served with any rice or noodle dish.

Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (1)

Life is so unpredictable, you never know what will happen to you the very next moment. Last year, this time we were busy finalizing our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, not having the slightest hint of how different the following year would be.

To avoid feeling gloomy and depressed during the quarantine, I thought of re-living our time in Vietnam by cooking a simple dish on which we survived a lot of days during our two-week meat-free trip to Vietnam last year.

Jump to:
  • Vegetarian/ Vegan food in Vietnam
  • How to serve?
  • Type of Tofu to use
  • More easy tofu recipes
  • More easy vegan and vegetarian tomato recipes
  • Step by step photo instructions
  • Recipe

Vegetarian/ Vegan food in Vietnam

Finding Vegan or Vegetarian food in Vietnam is not very tough as there are quite a few restaurants providing the options.

Because of Buddhism, most people understand the meaning of Vegetarian food. You just need to remember the word 'Chay' with the correct tone (the Vietnamese language has 6 tones, more than Mandarin which has 4 tones), to communicate your vegetarian food preference.

However, there are only a few main ingredients that will be served to you in different forms if you want to have a meat-free meal in Vietnam. These ingredients were tofu, eggplant, pumpkin, and Vietnamese morning glory.

Of all these ingredients, my favorite was morning glory and I will share its recipe once we get free from this Pandemic and can go out shopping.

Today I am sharing a very simple Tofu recipe which is made by cooking tofu in a simple onion and tomato sauce. We had this dish at least once every day during our trip.

How to serve?

In Vietnam, we were always served this dish with some steamed jasmine rice and I think it tastes the best with it. Just serve some finely chopped chili peppers, calamansi/ lime wedges, salt, and ground black pepper on the side.

Just the thought of those simple Vegan Vietnamese meals makes me hungry.

You can also have it with stir-fried noodles if you want.

Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (2)

Type of Tofu to use

Use firm tofu for this recipe. In Vietnam, we always found this dish with deep-fried tofu cubes but when I make it at home, I prefer baking the tofu. You can choose whichever way you like.

These days a lot of stores also sell fried tofu in packets. To save time you can use that too. However, it won't be a healthy option.

In this recipe, I like very soft and silky tofu so bake it only for a few minutes. But, if you prefer crispy tofu either fry it or bake for a longer period.

More easy tofu recipes

Tofu is one of my favorite things to eat so I keep on making it in different ways. If you are looking for ideas to start adding tofu to your diet, don't miss to check out the following recipes:

  1. Peanut butter tofu
  2. Orange tofu
  3. Tofu Fried rice
  4. Chili garlic tofu
  5. Pineapple tofu

More easy vegan and vegetarian tomato recipes

  1. Tomato puff pastry tart
  2. Roasted bell pepper and tomato soup
  3. Bengali style tomato chutney
  4. Cherry tomato pasta

Step by step photo instructions

Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (3)
Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (4)
Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (5)

Recipe

Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (6)

Vietnamese tofu in tomato sauce

This simple, tangy Vietnamese tofu in tomato sauce is a comforting vegan dish that's very easy to make. It's made by adding fried or baked tofu in a simple onion-tomato gravy which can be served with any rice or noodle dish.

4.87 from 61 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 145kcal

Author: Vandana Chauhan

Equipment

  • Oven

  • baking tray

  • 1 large wok or pan with a lid

  • 1 Spatula

  • Knife and chopping board

Ingredients

Ingredients for baked tofu

  • 1 cup firm tofu cubes around 200 grams
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
  • Salt to taste

Other ingredients

  • 3 cups chopped tomatoes around 400 grams, 4 medium tomatoes
  • 1 medium red onion sliced
  • 3 stalks spring onion keep white and green part separated
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 Thai red chili finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon palm sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 cup water or, as required to get the desired consistency

Instructions

  • Put tofu cubes, oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. Gently toss until all the cubes get evenly coated with the seasonings and oil.

  • Spread tofu cubes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (or, 400℉) for 12-15 minutes or until tofu starts turning brown.

  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan. Add chopped garlic and saute until it starts turning brown. Add chopped red chili and the white part of spring onion. Saute for a few seconds.

  • Next, add sliced onion and cook until it turns translucent.

  • Add chopped tomatoes, salt, sugar, soy sauce, and pepper. Mix and cook on medium heat for around 7-8 minutes or until the tomatoes turn mushy. You may cover the pan to fasten this step.

  • Pour 1 cup of water into the pan and cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium heat.

  • Finally add baked tofu cubes, spring onion greens, and cilantro. Mix and cook for about a minute.

  • Cover the pan and turn off the heat. Don't remove the lid for 5 minutes.

  • Serve hot with steamed Jasmine or sticky rice.

Video

Notes

  1. Instead of baking, you can also shallow or deep-fry the tofu cubes.
  2. Don't overcook tofu, it will turn chewy.
  3. Mix tofu with the seasonings and oil gently otherwise, the cubes will break.
  4. Fresh tomatoes are the best for this recipe but if you don't have that canned diced tomatoes can be used too.
  5. Use juicy red tomatoes otherwise the sauce won't get the right consistency.
  6. Adding sugar is optional, if your tomatoes are already sweet you can skip it.
  7. More recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions are shared in the post above. Please follow them to make this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 438mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 379IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram #greenbowl2soul

Vietnamese Tofu in tomato sauce-an easy under 30 minutes vegan recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Vietnamese tofu made of? ›

The process is remarkably similar to cheese making, with an extra dimension. Tofu, in case you didn't know, is made from soya, so it all begins with the beans. These have to be soaked in water to soften them and remove the skins. They are then milled twice to separate the solids from the liquid - the "milk".

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze.

Why do you soak tofu in hot water? ›

salt: Pressing tofu is a common way to remove excess moisture. Since we're using medium tofu for this recipe, pressing it is too destructive. Instead, we're doing something counterintuitive that has the same effect — soaking it in boiling, salted water — a method that's advocated by Cook's Illustrated and Serious Eats.

What makes tofu rubbery? ›

Why does tofu get rubbery? Because it was probably overcooked, it was probably exposed to too much heat. I don't know if it was roasted baked air fried or sauteed, but when it becomes, uh, overcooked, it's gonna get very, very tough.

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content. Silken tofu contains the most water, while firm tofu is drier and more dense.

Which country eats the most tofu? ›

Tofu Market Regional Insights:

Japan is the largest consumer of Tofu as the hub for the largest number of manufacturers and easy availability.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What makes tofu taste better? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Cut tofu into cubes. Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt. Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you'd like.

What is the tofu rule? ›

No one cares about unblocking a task as much as the person doing it. That's why it's important for that person to follow the Take Ownership and Follow Up (TOFU) principle. That means taking ownership of the task and chasing the people you are waiting on until it gets done.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

However, in recipes calling for tofu to hold its shape, it's critical that you press the tofu to remove enough water so that it will hold its shape when used in recipes for salads, stir-fries, or grilling. Unless you do this, the tofu will fall apart and lose all shape.

Can I eat tofu raw? ›

Both cooked and uncooked tofu is a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium among other things. Yes, you can eat tofu raw tofu. Tofu is made from soybean curds. It is a great source of protein and healthy addition to your diet.

What to season tofu with? ›

Most seafood seasonings include celery seed, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Add lime juice to the tofu marinade to bring forward more of that classic seafood flavor. 5. Soy sauce: Marinating tofu in soy sauce helps the tofu absorb flavor quickly.

Why do you put cornstarch on tofu? ›

A coating of cornstarch and oil plus a long stint in a hot oven mimics the deep fryer for this tofu sheet-pan dinner. The cornstarch draws out moisture, resulting in a crunchy, crispy tofu without frying. Credit...

Why does my tofu feel slimy? ›

Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor. If you find any of these signs of spoilage, toss the tofu.

What are the ingredients in tofu? ›

What is tofu? Tofu, which originated in China, is made of condensed soy milk that's pressed into solid white blocks in a process similar to cheese making. Nigari, a mineral-rich coagulant that's left over after salt is extracted from seawater, is used to help tofu solidify and keep its form.

What is tofu mostly made of? ›

Tofu is made from dried soybeans that are soaked in water, crushed, and boiled. The mixture is separated into solid pulp (okara) and soy “milk.” Salt coagulants, such as calcium and magnesium chlorides and sulfates, are added to the soy milk to separate the curds from the whey.

What are the three types of tofu? ›

Tofu is categorized as silken, regular, firm, extra-firm and super-firm. Silken, the softest type of tofu, can be compared to a young white cheese. Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat.

What is Burmese tofu made of? ›

Burmese tofu (Burmese: တိုဖူး, pronounced [tòpʰú]; or Burmese: တိုဟူး, pronounced [tòhú]) is a food of Shan origin and of Chinese from Yunnan Province, made from water and flour ground from yellow split peas and the Burmese version of chickpea flour, also known as besan flour, in a fashion similar to polenta.

References

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