Black Pepper Tofu Stir Fry
A quick and flavorful stir fry featuring crispy tofu tossed in a bold black pepper sauce with bell peppers and onions, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Tofu
- 1 block Extra firm tofu (about 14 to 16 ounces) Press or pat dry before cooking.
- 1-2 tablespoons Cornstarch For crisping the tofu.
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar (or lime juice) Can be substituted.
- 1-2 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly cracked To taste.
- 1-2 teaspoons Sweetener (brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup) For balancing the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch (optional, for thickening sauce)
- 1-2 tablespoons Water To loosen the sauce if needed.
For the Stir Fry
- 1 tablespoon Neutral oil (avocado, canola, or vegetable) For cooking the tofu.
- 1 Bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 inch Ginger, minced (optional) Enhances flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the tofu dry and cut it into cubes. Toss with a light sprinkle of salt and about 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until lightly coated.
- In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, a little water, rice vinegar, sweetener, and black pepper. If using, add 1 teaspoon cornstarch for a thicker sauce.
Cooking
- Heat a large pan or wok with oil over medium high heat. Add tofu in a single layer and let it sit for a few minutes before flipping.
- Cook until golden on most sides, then scoop it onto a plate.
- In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Toss in onion and bell pepper, cooking until they soften but still have some bite.
- Add garlic and ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the pan, bringing it to a bubble quickly. Add the tofu back in and toss everything until coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more pepper or vinegar to suit your taste. Finish with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
This dish can be served over rice or noodles. It holds well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and the flavor improves upon reheating.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 17gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g