Vegan Sweet and Sour Tofu
Sweet, tangy, and loaded with color, this stir-fry is the kind of weeknight dinner that makes you genuinely excited to skip takeout. The tofu gets pressed, coated in cornstarch, and pan-fried until each cube is deeply golden and crisp on every side — a technique that gives it a satisfying bite that holds up beautifully once the glossy sauce hits the pan. That sauce is built from ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of sesame oil, striking exactly the right balance between bright acidity and mellow sweetness. Red and green bell peppers add crunch and vibrancy, while pineapple chunks bring a juicy, tropical note that makes the whole dish pop. Fresh ginger and scallions round everything out with a little warmth and sharpness. The entire recipe is built from straightforward pantry staples and fresh produce — no animal products anywhere in the ingredient list, so there's nothing to swap or second-guess. Serve it over rice for four people and don't be surprised when the pan is scraped clean.
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Learn more →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
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
For the stir-fry
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned (drained)
- 3 scallions, white and green parts, sliced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
For serving
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Drain the tofu and press it firmly between several layers of paper towels, placing a heavy skillet or cutting board on top, for 15 minutes until most of the surface moisture is gone. Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, water, and sesame oil until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and no lumps remain. Set aside.
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