Vegan Orange Tofu

Total time40 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time20 min

4.6

(12)

Bright, citrusy, and deeply satisfying, this dish delivers everything you love about classic orange chicken — the sticky-sweet glaze, the crispy coating, the fragrant hit of ginger and garlic — without a single animal product in sight. Extra-firm tofu gets pressed, cubed, and tossed in seasoned cornstarch before hitting a hot skillet, where it develops genuinely golden, crispy edges that hold up beautifully once the sauce goes on. The sauce itself is built from freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and a touch of tomato paste, which gives it that deep, glossy color and a complexity that goes way beyond a simple sweet-and-sour situation. A cornstarch slurry pulls it all together into a thick, clingy glaze that coats every cube of tofu like it was made to be there. Garlic and fresh ginger bloom in the pan just before the sauce goes in, and the red pepper flakes add a gentle kick that keeps things interesting without overwhelming the citrus. The whole thing comes together in one skillet and serves four, making it a genuinely weeknight-friendly dinner that doesn't feel like a compromise. Pile it over steamed rice and finish with scallions and sesame seeds for a plate that looks as good as it tastes.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the tofu

1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu
3 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 tbsp neutral oil, divided

For the sauce

¾ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 large oranges)
1 tbsp orange zest (from about 1 orange)
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sesame oil
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water

For serving

2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Drain the tofu and press it firmly between several layers of paper towels, pressing down with your hands or a heavy pan, for about 5 minutes until the surface is dry. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
2
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the 3 tbsp cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Add the tofu cubes and toss until each piece is evenly coated.

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