Aromatic, citrusy, and mildly spicy, this Vietnamese lemongrass tofu will be a favorite! Ready in 30 minutes and requiring minimal prep, it makes the perfect weeknight dinner.
You can serve it with rice, on grain bowls and salads, in banh mi, or to top my vegan pho. It is also a great filling for wraps and rolls, like my Thai spring rolls!
One of my goals this year is to explore more traditional Asian cuisines, and Vietnamese is one I have been venturing into (my first few were tofu rice paper rolls and tomato sauce tofu).
As the weather gets warmer, this Vietnamese lemongrass tofu has been our go-to. It has a lightness to it that is perfect for hot evenings. It is great with both rice and noodle dishes, including my bami goreng and fried rice vermicelli!
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💚Why you will love this lemongrass tofu
- A unique tofu dish that is incredibly aromatic and jam-packed with flavors
- Low-effort recipe ready in 30 minutes
- Versatile and can be added to banh mi, grain bowls, salads, or stir-fries (including my oyster sauce tofu and tofu noodles stir-fry).
- Lighter version - Tofu is pan-fried or baked instead of deep-fried
🌶️What you will need
- Tofu - Extra-firm tofu is preferred. If using firm tofu, you will need to press it beforehand.
- Lemongrass - An Asian herb that adds a fragrant, lemony aroma. If you can't find fresh lemongrass, frozen one works too (you will need around 2 tablespoons).
- Chilies - I deseed mine to mellow the heat, but you can leave them in for a spicier dish. Or go with bird's eye chilies for more heat.
- Soy sauce - Can be swap with vegan fish sauce if you have it on hand.
Ingredient spotlight: Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a common aromatic used in Asian cooking. It adds a bright, citrusy flavor, and is great in dishes like my vegan laksa, sambal goreng, and tofu tom kha.
To prepare, chop ½ inch off the bottom and remove the lemongrass leaves. Gently peel away some of the tough outer layers to get to the tender, pale yellow core.
Slice it into small rings, and your lemongrass is ready to be used.
🔪How to make
Step 1: Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add sliced tofu, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Set aside.
Step 2: Add onion to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
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Step 3: Then, stir in garlic, lemongrass, and chilies, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Return the tofu to the pan and add soy sauce and sugar. Toss until heated through. Your lemongrass tofu is ready to serve!
🍳Other ways to cook tofu
Baking - Lightly oil tofu and bake at 200C/400F for 20-25 minutes.
Air Frying - Spray tofu with oil and air fry at 180C/350F for 12-15 minutes until browned.
❄️Storing and reheating suggestions
Storing - Lemongrass tofu can be refrigerated for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended as tofu will release water and turn soggy upon thawing.
Reheating - You can reheat tofu in a lightly oiled pan, or in the microwave until hot.
🍽️More Asian tofu recipes
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📖 Recipe
Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu
Ingredients
- 2 stalk lemongrass (or 2 tablespoons of lemongrass paste/ frozen minced lemongrass)
- 1 block extra-firm tofu (14oz/400g)*
- 2 medium shallots diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 bird's eye chilies deseeded*
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or vegan fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Preparing lemongrass - Chop off the bottom ends, and gently peel off the tough outer layers to get to the tender pale yellow core. Slice it into small rings.2 stalk lemongrass
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a non-stick wok or pan over medium-high. Add sliced tofu into the pan without stacking or overlapping.1 block extra-firm tofu
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until both sides are browned. Set aside.
- Add other ½ tablespoon of oil to the wok, then toss in shallots and cook until translucent.2 medium shallots
- Stir in chopped lemongrass, garlic, and chilies. Fry for a minute until fragrant.3 cloves garlic, 1-2 bird's eye chilies
- Add tofu along with soy sauce and sugar to the pan. Toss and fry until tofu is hot. Your lemongrass tofu is ready to be served!2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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