Go Back
–+ servings
Hunan Tofu Recipe

Hunan Tofu Recipe

This Hunan Tofu recipe is a flavorful and spicy vegan dish inspired by the bold flavors of Hunan cuisine. It features extra firm tofu that’s pressed, fried to a crispy golden brown, and tossed in a savory sauce made from dark soy sauce, black bean paste, red chilies, and fresh ginger. Paired with fresh vegetables like green peppers and red bell peppers, this dish is perfect over white rice or rice noodles. Quick to prepare and full of rich, spicy flavors, this recipe is a must-try for any tofu lover looking for a satisfying meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Chinese, Hunan
Servings 4 people
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Tofu Press (or heavy objects like a skillet and plates to press the tofu)
  • Large Nonstick Skillet (for frying the tofu and cooking the stir-fry)
  • Sharp Knife (for chopping vegetables and tofu)
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (for the cornstarch mixture)
  • Measuring Spoons (for measuring sauce ingredients)
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon (for stirring and tossing the tofu and vegetables)
  • Tongs (optional, for flipping tofu while frying)
  • Serving Bowls or Plates (for serving the final dish)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 block of extra firm tofu about 14 ounces, pressed and cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons of oil vegetable or peanut oil
  • 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of black bean paste
  • 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixture 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 red chili peppers sliced
  • 1 green pepper sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 3 green onions chopped (separate the white and green parts)
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger minced
  • 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon of white pepper
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable stock or cups of stock
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame oil

Instructions
 

Press the Tofu

  • To get that perfect crispy texture, you need to press the tofu to remove the excess water. Use a tofu press if you have one, or place the tofu between two plates and weigh it down with something heavy (like a can or a skillet). Let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Fry the Tofu

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes. Fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside.

Make the Spicy Sauce

  • In the same skillet, add a little oil if needed. Toss in the fresh ginger and the white parts of the green onions. Sauté for about a minute until fragrant. Then, add the red chilies, green pepper, red bell pepper, and continue to stir fry for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Now, it’s time to add the sauce ingredients: dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, black bean paste, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar. Stir well to combine, then add the vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Thicken the Sauce

  • To thicken the sauce, pour in the cornstarch mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, which should only take a minute or two. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more stock to reach your desired consistency.

Combine and Serve

  • Add the fried tofu back into the skillet and gently toss to coat it in the spicy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors. Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with the green parts of the green onions.
  • Serve your Hunan Tofu hot, ideally over white rice or with rice noodles. Enjoy the savory flavors of this dish as they meld together in every bite!

Notes

Recipe Variations
One of the great things about Hunan-style tofu is its versatility. Here are a few variations you can try:
1. Vegetables
Feel free to add more fresh vegetables to your stir fry! Green beans, baby corn, bamboo shoots, snow peas, and shiitake mushrooms are all fantastic additions. They not only add more flavor but also boost the nutritional content of the dish.
2. Mushrooms
For a more umami-rich dish, try adding shiitake mushrooms or wood ear mushrooms. They bring a meaty texture that complements the tofu beautifully.
3. Tofu Types
While extra firm tofu is great for frying, you can also experiment with silken tofu or soft tofu for different results. These types of tofu will soak up the sauce more but may not hold their shape as well.
Cooking Tips
Prep Ahead:
To make things easier, you can press the tofu and chop the vegetables the night before. This way, you’ll only need to focus on cooking when it’s time to eat.
Adjust the Heat:
If you’re not a fan of very spicy food, you can reduce the number of red chilies or remove the seeds before cooking.
Use Fresh Ingredients:
The flavors of this dish really shine when you use fresh ginger, garlic, and vegetables. Avoid using pre-minced garlic or ginger if possible.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 680mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3g
Keyword black bean paste, black bean sauce, chili peppers, chinese food, chinese food recipes, comfort food, comfort food dinners, comfort food ideas, comfort food recipes, comfort foods, cornstarch mixture, dark soy sauce, dinner ideas, dinner recipes, Easy Dinner recipes, extra firm tofu, flavorful tofu, fresh ginger, fried tofu, green onions, healthy comfort food, Healthy Dinner recipes, hoisin sauce, home cookers, hunan cuisine, hunan food, hunan style, hunan tofu, hunan-style tofu, light soy sauce, red bell peppers, red chili pepper, red chilies, rice vinegar, savory flavors, sesame oil, spicy sauce, spicy tofu, stir fry, tofu lover, tofu press, tofu recipe, tofu recipes, tofu recipes healthy, tofu stir fry, vegan recipes, yummy comfort food
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!