Skip the Chinese takeout and make this black bean sauce tofu instead ! It is saucy, flavorful & rich, & happens to be vegan & healthy too.
This black bean sauce tofu is definitely one of my favorite Chinese dish to make, other than Kung Pao chickpeas and vegan dumplings. They taste really gourmet, and no one will know that this dish is made in under 30 minutes !
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🧂What is black bean sauce
This salty, pungent fermented paste is primary made from fermented black soybeans, which is also known as 豆豉 ( douchi ). They are then being slightly mashed up and simmered with aromatics, the most popular one being garlic.
This super versatile seasoning is commonly being used in Chinese cooking, and can be incorporated into stir-fries, as a marinade, or even in fried rice !
They can be found in most well-stocked groceries or Asian food market, but you can also get yours off an online retailer like Amazon.
🧄What you will need
📓Notes / Substitutions
- To make this oil-free, you can choose to pan-fry the tofu without oil, or bake them in the oven at 180 c / 350 f for 20 minutes. Use ¼ cup of broth or water to saute the vegetables instead of oil.
- Make this gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- You can use any kinds of bell peppers in place of the ones suggested.
- Be sure to use extra firm tofu !
🔪How to make
If you have yet to do so, start off by pressing your tofu either by using a tofu press, or do it manually by stacking heavy objects on it, like ceramic plates, pots or pan. Refer to this blog post on how to press tofu for a more detailed guide. Cut them into bite-sized cubes.
In a zip-top bag, add in tofu together with cornstarch and salt. Toss the bag until tofu are well coated.
Heat up 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet / non-stick pan on medium high heat. Place tofu cubes into the pan in one layer. Cook the tofu for 3-4 minutes on each sides, or until most sides are golden brown. ( I do recommend using a flexible spatula to aid the turning part. ) Set aside.
Heat up another tablespoon of neutral oil in the same pan and toss in onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Next, stir in garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are fragrant.
Add the bell peppers and cook until the have softened, about 3-4 minutes. Toss in the pan-fried tofu together with black bean sauce and stir-fry sauce. Toss until everything is well mixed before turning off heat. Garnish black bean tofu with some chopped green onions and serve.
❔Commonly asked questions
It is made from fermented black soy beans, which are preserved in brine. Other aromatics such as garlic are oftentimes added to accompany its unique strong taste, alongside other seasonings like soy sauce and sugar to balance out the flavor.
Black bean sauce can be found in most well-stocked groceries, either at the cooking ingredients aisle or the international food aisle. You can also try finding them at your local Asian / Chinese food market. You can also purchase them off online retailers such as Amazon.
As all ingredients used in this black bean sauce tofu, including the black bean paste itself is gluten-free, this dish is free from gluten. The only thing to take note is to get soy sauce that is gluten-free or use tamari instead as some might be cross-contaminated during processing.
Yes, it is necessary to press the extra firm tofu to remove excess moisture, hence they can absorb flavors much more easily. Pressing also improves their texture.
First of all, do make sure you are using a good non-stick pan or well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Heat the pan over medium heat and place tofu in one layer. Cook each sides for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown before gently flipping them over using a flexible spatula.
Repeat until tofu cubes are nicely browned on most side. You will now have yourself some nicely seared oil-free pan-fried tofu !
🍽More Vegan Chinese Dishes
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📖 Recipe
Tofu in Black Bean Sauce
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
For the stir-fry
- 1 14 oz block extra firm tofu drained and pressed
- 1 medium yellow onion cubed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 tablespoon black bean sauce
Instructions
- If you have yet to do so, start off by pressing your tofu either by using a tofu press, or do it manually by stacking heavy objects on it, like ceramic plates, pots or pan. Refer to this blog post on how to press tofu for a more detailed guide. Cut them into bite-sized cubes.
- Make the stir-fry sauce by combining all ingredients. Mix well.
- In a zip-top bag, add in tofu together with cornstarch and salt. Toss the bag until tofu are well coated.
- Heat up 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet / non-stick pan on medium high heat. Place tofu cubes into the pan in one layer. Cook the tofu for 3-4 minutes on each sides, or until most sides are golden brown. ( I do recommend using a flexible spatula to aid the turning part. ) Set aside.
- Heat up another tablespoon of neutral oil in the same pan and toss in onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Next, stir in garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until they are fragrant.
- Add the bell peppers and cook until the have softened, about 3-4 minutes. Toss in the pan-fried tofu together with black bean sauce and stir-fry sauce. Toss until everything is well mixed before turning off heat. Garnish with some chopped green onions and serve.
Notes
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.
Betty
Hi, what could you use I instead of the black bean sauce? This brand has oil in it?
meesha
Hi Betty, you can try using 1 tablespoon of fermented black beans in place of the sauce. Do rinse and chop the black beans before using and add it in together with onions. By the way, you get fermented black beans off Amazon, if you cant find them in store 😉.